“Do you always lay in wait for women in their bedrooms, General Dahl?” I waved him back towards his seat and shut the door behind me.
“Please, call me Soren,” he gave me a closed-lip smile. “I thought it best to speak with you alone, and the only way I could think to accomplish this was through somewhat unchivalrous means. My apologies,” he bowed, then resumed his seat.
“What kind of services are you offering, Soren?” I sat on the bed across from him, Cat jumped up beside me and went to sleep. Nope, not concerned at all.
“Protection,” he shrugged, “guidance if needed. You are deep in Elven and Bite territory.”
“There's a Bite community here?”
“A very large one,” Soren nodded. “The cold doesn't bother us. We like it here.”
“I assume you've been briefed on the elf situation,” I said.
“I know about their allegiance to your aunt, and their attack on your person,” his eyes roamed over my person slowly. “What a tragedy it would have been if they'd succeeded.”
“Are you hitting on me?”
“Well, there goes subtlety,” he sighed. “I'd heard you could be abrupt.”
“My plate is a little full right now.”
“Yes, so I saw,” he smirked. “Aren't you tired of pushy men?”
“A little,” I said pointedly.
“I'm not trying to be pushy,” he cocked his head at me. “I'm gently informing you of my admiration, and allowing you the chance to decide if you like my attention before I give you more of it.”
“Thank you?”
Soren laughed, a sort of surprised bark, then caught himself. He smoothed his slacks as he crossed one knee over the other.
“My apologies,” he cleared his throat.
“For having a normal reaction?” I lifted a brow. “What is it with biters and being so stuffy? Does drinking blood make you constipated or something?”
Soren's mouth fell open, a strangled sound emerging from it. Then his chest began to shake, and his palm covered his open mouth. He laughed hard and loud until tears started trickling out of the corners of his eyes. He finally got himself under control and wiped away the tears with concise movements.
“I see,” he nodded, looking me over again. “Beautiful, powerful, capable, and entertaining. That's why they're so pushy. You've got an irresistible combination of qualities.”
“So, that's a 'no' to the constipation question?” I smirked.
“That's a no,” he chuckled. “Though I agree that a lot of us are more reserved. It comes from segregation within the tribes I think. We are one under the umbrella of the Coven, but, like siblings, we fight amongst ourselves. The Bite believes it's superior to other witch tribes, and so, we tend to act more superior.”
“A very honest answer,” I was surprised and showed it.
“I'm an honest sort of man,” he smiled. I had to admit, his smile made him more attractive, but I still wasn't the least bit tempted.
Another man was the last thing I needed. More soldiers though... that was never a bad thing.
“Are you offering me your sole protection or do you have an army with you, General?”
“I can give you both,” he spread his hands wide. “I was instructed by the Bite Elder to lend our assistance however you required it.”
“So the Coven has agreed to participate instead of trying to ignore this threat?”
“The Coven is not stupid,” Soren said. “Individual members can be, but not the Coven as a whole. We know where we stand. The ink on our truce is still wet. We cannot jeopardize it by remaining aloof in this. Nor can we ignore the threat to ourselves. If the elves succeed in whatever nefarious plans they've hatched, they could upset the balance. Even if they leave us out of the war, we will still be affected.”
“That's pretty much what I told Elder Turner,” I nodded. “War will affect everyone.”
