Cyrus smiles, holding his hand toward me. “Come with me, my dear.” His eyes urge me not to question his actions. For once, I don’t. I do as expected.
“I can assure you, there is no one waiting to ambush your friends,” Lucien says. Can he read my mind? How did he know what I was thinking? “Your face is very easy to read,” he continues, answering my silent question yet again.
Cyrus and I sit on the large couch, facing our host. “Can you help?” he asks simply.
Lucien slides to the edge of his seat. “I believe I can. However, I require a favor first.”
Long fingers wrap around my hand as Cyrus pulls me up next to him. “Apologies for the intrusion, Mr. Creed. We’ll be on our way.” I don’t know why he wants to leave so badly, but I trust his instincts.
“I’d imagine you’re thinking the worst,” the warlock says, sliding back in his seat and crossing long legs at the knee. “You’re asking me to reverse a spell from Aurora. She’s more powerful than most. Being a vampire and witch hybrid gives her power beyond reason.”
Cyrus’s hand moves to the small of my back as he ushers me toward the door. “Then, you can’t help us.”
“I didn’t say that, Mr. Knight. I’m simply stating a fact.”
My buyer turns back toward Lucien. “What are you saying, Mr. Creed?”
“I’m saying I require a favor in return for my services.”
“I’m prepared to pay any fee,” Cyrus answers.
Lucien stands, motioning around the magnificent home. “Look around. Does it look like I need your money?”
Cyrus shifts from one foot to the other. “What is it that you want?”
“There is someone like you that magic won’t touch. I want him gone.”
My buyer stares at the warlock, processing his words. “If magic won’t touch him, how can I?”
“Because we both know the truth of your strength. If anyone can defeat him, it’s you,” Lucien answers simply. A parade of questions flies through my mind. Wisely, I hold them inside.
Simon and Stella are back at our sides, flanking either side. Both are wearing clothes that fit like they were made for them. Stella’s wearing a pair of form-fitting pants and a matching blazer. The pale green color is the perfect accent to her chestnut-colored hair. Simon’s khaki dress pants and button-down shirt make him look more like a banker than a lycanthrope. Both look like they stepped out of a fashion magazine.
“Lovely,” Lucien comments. “However, I think I preferred you naked.”
“Who?” Cyrus asks, repeating his question and ignoring the pageantry around us.
Lucien smiles. “I believe it’s someone you know.” He lifts his nose in the air. “From your smell, you’ve met with him recently.” He moves to a bar cart against the far wall and pours a glass of what looks like brandy. “Callum O’Brien,” he answers several minutes later.
Seriously? I’m assuming Callum is the same Callum who’s after me. Is the lycan/vampire world so small that he’s after everyone?
Lucien smiles. “I can tell from the look on your face, Ms. Du Four, you’ve heard of him.”
“What do you expect from me?” Cyrus asks, keeping me from responding.
The warlock smiles. “Isn’t it obvious? I want you to kill him.”
“I have no issues with Callum,” Cyrus lies. I focus on keeping my face neutral. I don’t know how to play this cat-and-mouse game the two of them are playing.
“We both know that’s not true,” Lucien says, taking another drink from his glass. “It’s Chamberlin’s blood that runs through her veins. That makes her Callum’s property.”
How the hell does he know that?
“Seems to me, killing Callum would do both of us a favor,” he adds.
“Why is he after you?” Simon asks.
Lucien sighs. “I have something he wants very badly.” He rubs a gold ring attached to a matching necklace absently as he answers. “Something that is a great asset for him.”
