“He needs to be moved to his proper vessel,” Michael answered. “It was bound to happen sooner or later.”
“You planned this,” Kaj accused.
Michael smirked. “No. Actually, I did not. However, if I’d known this would happen, I could’ve helped this situation along a long time ago.”
Kaj snarled and Obsidian did insert himself between the vampire and the archangel.
“Do not goad him,” Obsidian warned Michael. “You purposely piss him off, you have to deal with the consequences.” He then turned back and addressed all three males. “I understand this is an impossible situation. However, that human vessel in there … he’s Penelope’s brother.” Obsidian held up a hand to cut off Michael. “Regardless of whether they share the same blood. She sees him as her brother. Under no circumstance can we allow the vampire to extinguish the human. I want both of them to come out the other side intact. Understand?”
Apollo was the one to speak while the other two males faced off with death glares.
“I’m going to monitor him for a while. And I can insist Oliver come down to have his vitals checked for the next couple of days. Provided he remains stable, that’ll buy you some time to figure this out.”
“In the meantime,” Michael said, speaking directly to Kaj, “I suggest you keep him and your daughter apart.”
“No,” Apollo barked. “Do not interfere. I’m warning you right now, he’s—”
“A bonded vampire,” Obsidian snarled. “You do not come between a bonded vampire and his mate.” He squared off with Kaj. “And you … I get that you’re her father, and I can’t imagine this is easy for you. But honestly tell me you wouldn’t lose your mind if I were to keep you from Acadia.”
The male snarled, his upper lip pulling back from his fangs.
“Exactly my point. Just the thought of it isn’t something you can comprehend. The same’s going to be the case for the ten-thousand-year-old vampire hopping a ride in the human. We do, however, need to come up with a plan. And for that to happen, we have to explain what’s going on to the others. Including Oliver.”
Once more, the healer spoke up. “That’s the last thing you want to do. There’s already conflict in that vessel. It’s best to keep him out of the loop for as long as you can.”
Obsidian wasn’t in agreement, but he also wasn’t a healer. He had to trust Apollo knew what he was talking about. The end goal was to get Khari out and to keep Oliver alive. If they had to go this route, so be it.
“This is ultimately your responsibility,” Michael told Kaj. “I’ve told you what I need and you’ve given me your terms. I’m not sure what you’re waiting for.”
Kaj’s thick brows arched, but he kept his mouth shut. Probably not a bad thing.
“We’ll reconvene tonight,” Obsidian told them. “But we have to come to a decision then.” He locked eyes with Apollo. “Let me know if anything changes with him.”
As he walked away, Obsidian couldn’t help but wonder what Michael had gotten himself into this time.
And more importantly, how they were all going to come out the other side. In one piece.
Chapter Thirty
After leaving Obsidian and the others, Kajmade his way through the mansion, heading up to the second floor, beelining for Acadia’s room. He had no idea whether she was there or not, but he had to find her, had to see her.
He felt slightly out of control, a bit off-kilter. It had more to do with the fact he was losing his grip on what was going on. Nothing he could do or say would change the outcome of what was spiraling out of control. Khari, Bijou, Oliver. None of it made sense, and he knew no amount of thinking about it would help.
With a quick rap on the door to announce his presence, Kaj barreled through, closing it quickly behind him.
Leaning against the door, he took a deep breath in, let it out. In, out. Again and again.
“Kaj?” Acadia stepped out from the bathroom, a white towel wrapped around her, shielding her nakedness from him, her long, thick hair hanging down to her waist.
He stared at her, unable to form words thanks to the crazy that had kicked off in his brain. There was no reining it in. Not yet.
“What’s wrong?” she asked as she came closer.
Realizing he was beginning to hyperventilate, he motioned her toward him.
She didn’t hesitate, closing the distance, her eyes wide, concerned.
Kaj pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly and burying his face in her neck. He breathed her in, allowing that familiar scent of cherry blossoms to soothe the chaos, to settle his nerves.
