The male turned to face him, silver eyes locking onto Obsidian’s face. “I don’t anticipate any. You?”
Offering a half-hearted shrug, Obsidian held that stare. “I get the feeling you’re not keen on being here.”
A partial smile appeared, softening the male’s hard-lined face. “As you can imagine, moving tends to take it out on a male.”
That dragged a laugh from Obsidian. “I understand fully. I did the same fifteen hundred years ago.”
“Then you’ve had a bit more time to settle in than I.”
True.
“Not sure what you like to do in your spare time,” Obsidian told him, “but don’t feel like you have to remain down here. The entire mansion is fortified for access during daylight hours. There’s plenty of recreation up there, including a fully equipped gym and an Olympic-size pool. Down here we’ve got a dedicated sparring room. Should you feel so inclined, simply let me know if you’d like a partner.”
Apollo smiled, the tips of his fangs flashing. “I might just take you up on that.”
Obsidian wondered if those fangs were a new development. Angels in Heaven didn’t have the necessary tools to feed here on Earth, and the fact Apollo was sporting the new dental hardware told Obsidian the male was being held to the same rule: feed from the Fae so the Almighty could keep close tabs on you.
“I look forward to it.” Obsidian motioned toward the end of the hallway in the direction the females went. “You’ve got a chef’s kitchen, and while I’ve asked theheurospto give you space, I can’t say with absolute certainty they’ll follow my command. They prefer to be of service, and I’m pretty sure they feel it’s a crime when one of us attempts to do their job.”
“These are humans?” Apollo asked.
“Immortals, but yes, biologically, they’re still human. Is that going to be a problem?”
“We’ve got a vast knowledge of human physiology, so I’d say no.”
Obsidian nodded, glad to hear that. “We’ve also got Fae in residence, roughly twenty who come and go. Both male and female, so you’ve got your pick as far as feeding’s concerned.”
There was a flicker of heat in the male’s eyes. “I have no personal preference. Both are equally satisfying.”
Well, there you go.
Apollo scanned the space once more, then turned to face Obsidian fully. “I can assure you, Penelope’s care will be our utmost concern until delivery. You can trust that I understand she’s mated, which means she cannot bear my touch. Amethyst will be handling things in that regard. I, however, will be on hand to assist once the baby’s born. Michael impressed upon us the importance of her status.”
Obsidian smiled. “I won’t lie, as far as I’m concerned, Penelope’s well-being should come before anyone else. But those are the words and emotions of areuthet. She is my main concern, always. I take it you’re not mated.”
“I am not.” Apollo’s stare remained even. “Nor have I any desire to be so. I prefer simple, if you know what I mean.”
“To each his own,” Obsidian told him. “And I’m glad you’re both here.”
“It’s my understanding vampires are in residence, as well?”
Obsidian motioned back the way they’d come. “We have one residing within these walls, the daughter of the Alpha. There are five more, including the Alpha, who reside in the residence adjacent to ours. They have access via the tunnels. It goes without saying, if they need medical attention, I’ll expect you’ll be complicit in providing.”
“We’re not here to make waves,” Apollo said. “We go where we’re told.”
Stepping forward, Obsidian maintained direct eye contact. “We all take orders,” he said simply. “However, here, in my home, we’re not merely soldiers in a war. This is a family, Apollo. Every member, be it angel, vampire, Fae, or human. We command the same respect for all. I hope you’ll find your place within this family, as it appears it’s merely going to grow from this point forward.”
He noticed there was a shift in the male, as though he hadn’t expected as much.
“We’re not official within these walls,” Obsidian continued, “but we care for our own no matter where we are. Like I said, I’m glad you’ve joined us, and I hope you’ll find your place here.”
In a rare gesture, Obsidian held out his hand.
When Apollo met it, clasping Obsidian’s palm and squeezing firmly, he knew they had an understanding. Perhaps Michael dictated the outcome, positioning the pieces as he saw fit, but they didn’t live by Michael’s rules down here.
And though the archangel would be spending more time on Earth, Obsidian had no intentions of changing that now.
Obsidian retrieved his hand. “Now, come on. Let’s grab something to eat.”
