Lanias’ lashes fluttered as she lowered them to hide her thoughts from him.
Alek was okay with her attempt to hide; he would learn how to read not only her mind but also her very soul.
“There is something I must find, and I require a helping hand. I believe whatever I’m looking for may put my life in danger. I need protection, unwavering protection.,” she said.
“You want me to be your sword?”
She shrugged. “I can’t go to anyone else.”
“What about your sister? Raijin would gladly help if you went to him.” Alek asked, truly curious.
“No,” she said. “Sabina can’t get involved in this; this is something only I can solve.” She swallowed, “I’ve affected her life too much as it is, with me “dead” her life should have some semblance of peace.”
“Do you not desire that for yourself?” Alek asked as his thumb moved back and forth slowly against her chin. “Peace, happiness and a family.”
“Not everyone is meant to have a peaceful life. Some of us are forced to chase after something forever. And I have Sabina, Oye and Eliza. That’s enough family.”
“And you’re willing to sell yourself to get this thing? What is it you’re looking for?”
She faced him once more. “My past, the reason I exist.”
You exist for me.Those were his own selfish thoughts. Alek wished he was noble enough to turn down her offer. Lanias was selling herself to him, and he wasn’t willing to reject her. It was an even trade. The desire he had for her outweighed his desire to allow her to remain free.
The beauty of the woman before him was that even as she offered to sell herself she didn’t appear weak in the least. Her chin up, her eyes bright with purpose. He wanted to lick and taste the recesses of her broken soul to learn the jagged pieces that made her into this person.
He stopped rubbing her cheek with his thumb, and tightening his hold pulled her close. “I am not kind enough to reject your offer.”
“I don’t need your kindness,” she gritted out, grabbing his wrist. “I need the ruthless Vampire that The Council fears. If I wanted someone kind I would have gotten a puppy.”
Losing his smile, he turned her head and stared at the throbbing artery there. Her blood pulsed begging for his aching fangs. He drew his eyes along her neck to her face. How easily she exposed her long neck to him. She was almost like a gazelle happily prancing before the hungry lion.
Lanias closed her eyes as if to brace herself, he saw this and cursed himself. Releasing her chin, he stood abruptly. “I willhave the servants bring you a change of clothes and once you’re clean come downstairs.”
“What are you playing at?” She demanded as he turned his back and made his way to the door.
“I never said when I would seal the deal now did I?” He threw this over his shoulder as he left the room.
He would take her, and he’d fulfill his role, but he would do it when he was ready. She was in the palm of his hand, and he’d dictate at what speed they would go.
LANIAS
Lanias watched Alek walk out of the room.
She wanted to grab the vase on the table near the lounge chair and throw it at him. He’d had her heart in her throat, and her palms sweaty only to renege and leave her craving... she didn’t know what she craved.
Looking down at her hands, she noticed they were shaking, she curled her fingers in and tightened them into a fist.
“I hate this.” She muttered to no one.
Ever since she’d rejected her old self, her hidden self was beginning to emerge. The girl who’d been terrified as she watched her grandma’s body mutilated by those who’d come for her and Sabina. The fear she’d swallowed when she’d shown aptitude for all magic.
That weak child that was buried deep within often returned to the surface.
Annoyed, she scooted to the edge of the bed and stood; vertigo hit her, but she grimly struggled to overcome. Shecouldn’t stay this way; she had to keep moving. The silence was growing too loud in her own head.
Pulling her shirt off she tossed it aside, after she unbuckled her belt and unzipped her pants, letting them fall to the ground. Walking around the bed, she spotted the door open to the bathroom. Entering it, she walked straight to the shower and with a wave of her hand the water sprayed out of the many panels of this luxurious set up.
She didn’t bother to remove her underwear and entered it. The freezing cold water hit her skin. Gasping, she closed her eyes in reaction to the sting of the icy water.
