Chapter Two
720 Words
I grinned as I fell next to him.
His eyes were closed, his breathing heavy.
“Master of Persuasion,” he whispered.
I quietly laughed.
“Well, I needed something, and I saw how you looked at me. Plus, your kind have some rumors about you.”
“Oh really? I hope I lived up to them.”
I sat up.
“Oh yes, you exceeded expectations even," I said, with a smile and nod.
I stood and grabbed my clothes.
“I’m assigning you as lead security, along as leader of your trackers.”
I tossed his underwear onto his damp lap.
“I’ll see you later,”‘I told him, before teleporting to my bathroom.
————
“Audrey, we found something,” Crispin said, marching towards me.
“What was it?”
“Milo Veros. He’s in league with-“
“With a hunter. I know him…” I replied.
“How?”
“We have a different word, but it’s the equivalent of “mate” for you. A Sklema. Mostly only clan leaders get them.” I sighed.
He silently said “Oh.”
“If you see him, kill him,” I told him, after sighing.
“Why?”
“He sold me out to a hunter. He put the whole clan in danger. He knows my family weakened the clan, we’re an easy target….he betrayed me. He betrayed our link……..”
He nodded before I turned and walked away.
“Marcus! I need you to go to Vegas, see if you can’t get Dorian LaRoux to lend us some fighters. Tell him we’re in danger of a hunter attack.”
“What? How?”
“Milo is the one who’s been following me.”
He turned and left as quickly as he could.
I probably should have gone and just persuaded him, but I need others.
When hunters know the location of a clan, many will arrive. Clans as weak as mine have been slaughtered. I needed to find a safe place for them, temporarily.
I called a clan based in Los Angeles, they had no room. I called clans all along the west coast. Finally, a Northern Californian clan accepted.
“Thank you, I appreciate this,” I told Ralph Cornwall.
“It’s no problem at all. I know we’re one of the few clans around here who have room for emergencies. I’ll be in touch to let you know when we can move them. We have a treaty with a nearby wolf pack, they’ll be able to drive there during the day, then bring everyone back.”
“That sounds great! I look forward to your call!”
We exchanged pleasantries before hanging up.
I heard a knock on my office door.
“Come in.”
“Lady Audrey, Lord Dorian has agreed to send help,” Marcus informed me.
“Well, that’s good news number two.”
“Pardon?”
“The Cornwall clan is going to house our people until they can come back.”
“oh joy!” Marcus smiled.
“That includes you.”
He looked at me, taken aback.
“You are my steward, you will make sure relations stay friendly between Cornwall and us. I need you there.”
“Yes, Lady Audrey. That does make sense.”
“Go inform everyone to get themselves ready to leave. They have until Ralph calls me back.”
He nodded before leaving the room.
I opened a drawer of my desk and pulled out a gold locket, and traced it with my fingers.
———
“What’s this for?” I asked, Milo, as I ran my fingers over a small, gold locket.
“It’s just something I thought you would like. Open it!”
I carefully undid the latch, and opened the locket.
It was a portrait of us that was made for our link ceremony.
I looked at him and smiled.
“Thank you!”
“Anything for you,” he replied, putting the chain around my neck.
I smiled and softly kissed him.
———-
And here I thought I wouldn’t see him again….Why?
I sighed, gazing at the picture of the man who tried to kill me. I should have felt anger, but only pain still lingered.
- Writer
