Oye crossed her arms. “Fine, then stop putting me in a place where I feel it. Lanias was a big girl, she enjoyed all this. The intrigue, the taking down of corrupt officials. She never once denied her true self. The only time she held back was the day you left and you know it.”
“Yeah,” Sabina smiled sadly. “I know. That’s why I keep coming here. I can feel her here, she’s in this place. Magic was how she found her freedom; I can’t just turn my back on it like I did then.” She lifted her hand a beautiful orb of a kaleidoscope of colors appeared in her hand.
Oye watched her before she turned and started walking back toward the steps.
“You’re leaving already?” Sabina inquired.
“Yeah, you’re not drowning in despair so I can go back to the estate.” She paused at the first step and looked over hershoulder. “Just make sure you tell Raijin the same thing, so he’ll stop calling me,” Oye added.
Sabina smiled, her eyes full of laughter. “Sure will.”
With that Oye continued up the steps and stopped at the sight of Eliza. Who was hovering near the entrance. “Well, this is a surprise, what brings you here?”
Eliza looked from her to the door, “I was told that Sabina was spending a lot of time down there. Wanted to see if there was anything I could do.” She brushed a finger over the stitch markings on her wrist. “It felt wrong to do nothing.”
Oye sighed, “I’m not cut out for this role of older sister,” she muttered.
“What?” Eliza frowned. “I don’t need one.”
Oye moved forward, causing Eliza to lean back raising a hand as if in defense. “Are you sure about that? I thought Sabina told you she didn’t blame you for anything.” She drew back, “You’ve got to move on.”
“Humph, easier said than done.” Eliza muttered, glaring at her.
“Then at least don’t burden Sabina with it, she’s trying to move on.” Oye said placing a hand on her shoulder. “She’s mourning in her own way. You should figure out just how you’ll do that for yourself.”
Eliza side eyed her, “And how are you mourning?”
Oye offered her a smile rather than an answer and removing her hand she made her way out. Just as she reached the exit her smile disappeared. She was different from Eliza and Sabina, she didn’t mourn. She got even and if that meant she was helping the damn Jackals, then that was what she would do, but that would depend on getting Castian to leave her alone to do her work.
Drifting
ALEK
“The dress suits you.” Alek said when Lanias entered his study. He’d had the servants drop clothes off in her room during her shower. Seeing her wearing the clothes he’d purchased pleased him. He noticed her hair had been pulled back, the slight curl to it clearly an effect of her shower. He glanced down; her feet were bare. He oddly appreciated the sight of them, “I wasn’t sure it would fit.”
“It’s not my usual style,” she said placing a hand on her hip.
With her other hand she plucked at her sleeve. “Very virginal, I feel like I’m a sacrifice,” she said offering him a shrewd look. “Is that what I’m to be? A virgin offering.”
Alek smirked. “Not many would believe it.”
She shrugged, walking forward she took a seat across from him without an invite. “What others believe is the last thing I care about. What I need is a protector, and what I want to know is if we have a deal or not?”
“Didn’t I make it clear I have every intention of making a deal with you?” Alek replied casually while taking a seat as well.
“Vampires make deals with blood,” she countered. “You didn’t take a drop of my blood and left me without the sense of closure.” She lifted her chin, “I don’t like the feeling of being left hanging.”
“You are used to being in control,” he said watching as she narrowed her eyes on him. “Here, you’re not. I am.”
She quirked a brow at his words, “You’re enjoying this aren’t you?”
He brought his right hand up to his mouth in an attempt to hide his curling lips. “I can’t say I’m not.”
“Don’t enjoy it too much, you don’t know what I’ll make you do once I have you in my hands.” A flash of her white teeth punctuated her statement.
“What makes you think this deal will give you complete control over me?” he mused aloud.
Even knowing that he would do anything for her she only had to ask. But that admission would give her a hint to his weakness. He knew better than to give this willy Witch across from him any advantage of the sort.
