“I’ll get you inside and help you clean up, but first…”
He leaned in and captured her lips in a soft kiss.
Her mind went blank.
?
“I don’t like this. I don’t like this one bit.” Alexi was pacing the room, stopping in front of the window from time to time. It had been hours since Sophie and the Count had disappeared beyond the gate, and all he and Kain could do was wait.
“She’ll be fine.” Kain’s voice didn’t sound very convincing. He was saying it more to himself than to Alexi.
“Will she? You saw how lost and confused she seemed at lunch. Hell! She couldn’t peel her eyes off the bastard. I’m sure she didn’t hear a word we said.”
“His aura is strong. It’s dense, heavy… ancient. Yes, I think that’s the word. Ancient. I felt it, and you felt it. It’s like this demon is as old as the world itself. He’s seen wars and plagues, and he’s carried all that’s wrong and rotten with mankind with him through the ages. No wonder his presence is overwhelming.”
“And Sophie has to deal with it while
keeping her shield down. I don’t even want to know what she’s going through.”
“She’s strong, Alexi. She’ll make it.”
Kain walked to the window and stopped two feet behind his partner. He wanted to touch his shoulder, but wasn’t sure Alexi would allow it. Since the incident with the demon mark, he had avoided any kind of contact, except for that one time in the woods, when they both helped Sophie bury her demon sigil and imitate the aura of a human without losing control over her actions. Now, more than ever, they needed to forget about all their differences and unsolved issues and work together. Sophie was not safe with the Count, and the worst part was that she might have forgotten it herself.
“They’re coming back.” Alexi stepped behind the curtain and motioned for Kain to do the same. They watched in silence how Sophie and Casimir crossed the courtyard and entered the mansion.
“She looks okay,” said Kain.
“No, she doesn’t. Her dress was torn.” Rage rose in Alexi’s chest, and he clenched and unclenched his fists.
“Was it? I didn’t notice it from here.” Kain stepped away from the window and went straight to the bar. He needed a stiff drink.
“I want to know what that son of a bitch did to her.”
The blond poured two glasses of vodka and handed one to his partner. “Sophie knows how to take care of herself. We just have to wait, okay? I don’t like it any more than you do, but this is the only way. If she needs our help, she’ll let us know.”
Alexi emptied his glass and proceeded to refill it. “I hope you’re right, but with her guard down, who knows what Casimir can do to her mind? If he manages to hypnotize her completely, she might not even realize she needs help.”
“Don’t underestimate her.”
“I’m not, Kain. But I don’t want to underestimate the Count either.”
A soft knock on the door startled them. They exchanged a glance before Alexi set his glass down and went to see who it was. It was his room, after all. He was met by Leila’s pretty eyes. The fear and apprehension he saw in them hit him like a hammer. That was how humans felt around demons, except they didn’t quite understand their feelings or the reasoning behind them.
“I’m sorry to bother you… Mr. Leraje, right?”
“Yes. Please come in.”
“Oh, no sir, I mustn’t.” She blushed furiously, and her eyes went to her feet. This man was handsome, but he also seemed dangerous. She could feel it. On one hand, there was nothing she would have liked more than to let him guide her inside, but on the other hand, deep down she was sure it would have been a mistake.
“Then… what can I do for you, Leila?”
“Sophie asked me to give this to you.” She took a small piece of paper out of her pocket and handed it to him. An electric shock went through her entire arm when their fingers touched.
“Thank you.” Alexi felt Kain by his side, so he gave him the note. His own fingers were trembling so badly that he was afraid he might not be able to unfold it without ripping the paper. The girl made to leave, but he couldn’t let her go without making sure she was fine. “Wait, Leila. Are you okay?”
She found the courage to look into his eyes again. “Yes. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Did Sophie tell you anything?”