Page 13 of Warrior Unraveled

“What’s he doing out of his cell?”

Aiden lifted the tray in his hands by way of explanation. “Man’s gotta eat. And I for sure ain’t stepping into that cell.”

Virginia seemed to accept the excuse, then finally looked at Wesley directly. “The council is ready to hear your case.”

So much for having time to influence Virginia’s opinion of him. He’d hoped for a little delay. “That was fast.”

“They are quite eager to find out how you were able to use the portal,” she said to his surprise.

It seemed Virginia was feeling a little more talkative today than the previous night. Could he exploit that fact somehow?

“And I’m just as eager to make their acquaintance,” Wes lied.

He would have preferred to spend more time here at the compound, or even better, alone with Virginia, to work his charm on her. He knew she’d eventually give in; he just needed time. Apparently, he was fresh out of time.

“Let’s go,” Virginia ordered.

“Have a pleasant trip,” Aiden said.

Wes met his gaze and saw the warning it carried. Don’t do anything stupid.

Would I ever? Wes mouthed.

With an exaggerated eyeroll, Aiden pivoted and walked away.

Virginia motioned to a second corridor.

“We’re taking the portal, I assume?” Wes asked, recognizing where it led as he walked along, Virginia right next to him.

“It’s the fastest and safest way. I don’t want to spend endless hours on a plane.”

“So it’s far then?” He didn’t really care, but he wanted to keep her talking.

“That’s not for you to know.”

Hmm. Apparently that had been a bad question. “So you don’t like planes?”

“I have nothing against planes.”

“Then why wouldn’t you want to fly? Frankly, I found being tossed around like a ragdoll in that portal a little unsettling.”

She cast him a sideways look. “Because it would mean spending endless hours with you.”

He laughed. “I walked into that one, didn’t I?”

He’d seen it coming. He knew playing the hapless fool had its charms and worked on many women—humans and vampires alike. He’d gotten laid plenty of times, because women had found him cute and not at all threatening. Little did they know that under the happy-go-lucky attitude lay the iron will of an alpha male.

Seducing women had always been a pleasurable pastime, a hobby. Seducing Virginia would be nothing of the kind. It would be a critical mission, not because he needed to forge an alliance with her race, but because the alpha in him wanted her like he wanted his next breath.

“Get in!”

Virginia’s order interrupted his musings. They’d reached the portal. The door or whatever they called the entrance was already open. He nodded and walked into the dark, cave-like space. It was no larger than a hotel elevator capable of carrying eight people.

Virginia joined him, and a second later, all went dark. The opening had closed.

He was bracing himself to be tossed around again, when Virginia took his arm. His heart stopped for a brief moment. What the fuck was happening? Was she finally responding to his charm? Was she giving him a sign that she was interested?

Hell, he wouldn’t turn down a little fumble in the dark!

“So you like it in the dark, huh?” he murmured, and put his other arm around her waist, drawing her to him. “I don’t mind that at all.”

“What the fuck are you doing?” she ground out and yanked his arm off her, keeping a tight grip on his bicep with her other hand.

Totally confused, he stuttered, “But, but you were touching me. I thought…”

“Goddamn it! You thought I—?” She stopped herself. “Hell no! I have to touch you to take you with me. If I didn’t, you’d stay right here.”

“Oh.”

Well, that was a tad embarrassing. But he shrugged it off like he shrugged off any minor setback. It would have been too good to be true. But another opportunity would present itself soon. He wasn’t giving up hope yet. After all, it had taken him years to learn his craft as a witch, and he’d had many setbacks on the way. He was used to trying again and again. Particularly when the reward was worth it.

All subsequent thoughts vanished, because in that moment he was tossed into the air like clothes in a dryer. “Ah fuck! I’m not a wet sock!”

“Easy, we’re nearly there.” Virginia’s voice was surprisingly soothing, as was the fact that suddenly both her hands were on him, steadying him.

He concentrated on her touch and nothing else, blocking out the feeling of tumbling in space. Maybe traveling through the portal wasn’t so bad after all.