The Art of Seduction
1674 Words
Joey’s POV
Count Killoran’s room was on the third floor.
No one is allowed up there unless he says it’s okay. It was my first time up there, considering we met him in the study last time. Brielle was allowed to accompany me up.
“What do you think he wants?” Brielle whispered.
“No clue,” l lied. “Maybe just to scare me a little?”
“If it were me, mission accomplished.”
“Yeah, he’s terrifying.”
“Kinda hot though, right?” Brielle smiled slightly.
“I’ve seen uglier.”
We were now in front of the door. Brielle squeezed my hand before retreating.
Before I could even knock, I heard Count Killoran’s voice. “Come in Joey.”
I took a deep breath before entering. There was a smile on his pale handsome face.
“Joey you look beautiful,”
“Thank you Count Killoran,” I whispered. He raised his eyebrows. “I mean Emile.”
He motioned for me to approach him as he rose to his feet. I still couldn’t get over his towering height. I used to think Marsden was a little too tall for me, but that was nothing compared to Count Killoran.
“I’ve missed you, my beauty. How are things? Are you happy? Comfortable?”
“Very. I suppose a little lonely,” I pouted.
“And why is that?” There was genuine concern in his eyes.
“Well, Marsden really took what you said to heart. You know about being much more involved. He’s so excited for his first raid tonight. I can see him becoming extremely passionate about the cause.”
This both made Count Killoran happy and frustrated. He wanted loyalty, but he also wanted me.
“I see,” He whispered. “Is there something you would like me to do about that?”
I smiled. “Emile…you’re much too busy as it is. I couldn’t ask you to interfere just for me. Besides, it would be much too suspicious wouldn’t it? I can’t get special treatment, can I?” I asked, biting my lip.
I may not be smart like Chloey or particularly loyal like Zoey, but one thing I knew I was good at was seduction.
Count Killoran’s hand touched my face. “There’s not a thing I can do to make you smile?”
“Well, I guess I would like my own ceremony like the one Brielle had? I guess I just want to see some friends.”
“Which friends?”
“Oh, only the ones who are about the cause, of course. Simone, Keene, Bryce. And all the others too of course. I think I miss interacting with other people. It makes me restless.” I looked up at him innocently.
It was strange watching the most dangerous man in the Witching Domain melt for me. The smile returned to his face. “I suppose I could put something together…if that would make you happy.”
“Deliriously so. We’re not even together yet and you’re already taking care of me so well.” I breathed. “I’m so lucky.”
His fingers danced along my lips. “I dream of your lips, Joey. Of them on every inch of me. How they would cover my body so lovingly. Marsden is such a lucky man to have you in his bed.”
I shivered, but I think Count Killoran thought it was s****l as opposed to being scared out of my mind. I gasped as he licked up my face and shuddered himself.
“Delicious,” He murmured. “And you’re shaking, Joey. Do I make you nervous?”
“Excited, actually.” I responded.
His deep laugh echoed through the room. “I didn’t expect you to be on board with this so quickly, I have to admit.”
“Emile, you’re an attractive and powerful man. Why would I resist you?”
“Very good question,” He murmured. “I’ve been thinking…we should see each other more regularly. To get to know each other in a more intimate setting.”
“Like…a date?” I asked.
“Yes. You will enjoy it, don’t worry. Now as much as I could stay locked in this room with you all day, I have things to attend to. I will make sure you get your ceremony.”
“Thank you Emile. I really appreciate that.”
“Show me,” He whispered.
“Um…how?”
“Kiss me Joey.”
Chloey’s POV
Apparently Marsden took knowing that Rune and I were aware of him being a Dark Vampiric Warlock.
“He’s actually kind of glad I had someone else to talk with,” Joey admitted.
“I’m glad too. How does he feel about the werewolf thing?” I questioned.
“He was a little thrown off, but you know he likes Rune, so he’s okay with it as long as you’re safe.”
“I really miss you guys,” I whispered. “All I have is Rune here.”
“I can’t believe Zoey and Tate left like that. But I’m so glad. I need them to hurry up.”
“What’s going on Joey? Something's not right, I can feel it.”
“I’m seeing Simone this weekend. Keene and Bryce too.” Joey stated. “I get to have a little ceremony.”
“Really? Why?”
“I just need to see other people.”
“And Count Killoran just let you do that?” I asked.
“For a price, but yes.”
“What price?”
“Um…I have to go Chloey. I’m supposed to get this special dress for the ceremony. We’ll talk later, okay?”
Before I could say anything else, she was gone.
--
I was going to leave the safe house today.
Only for a little bit. The books in this house were not giving me nearly enough information. I had to learn more about Count Killoran. Something about him was making Joey scared and I think it was more than just who he was.
Rune accompanied me.
I had forgotten what the world was like. It was so busy and lively. Everyone walked around as though there wasn’t a war on the horizon. Were they not worried?
We went to the Atheneum. I used to spend hours reading all the books I could find. We went all the way to the back. My eyes scanned the spines of the books quickly.
I wasn’t finding much and I was getting frustrated. Where were all the helpful books at?
Rune tapped me. “There’s a whole book about triplet witches. I thought you’d might like to read it.”
“That’s so sweet, Rune.” I kissed him quickly. “Thanks. Find anything on Dark Vampiric Warlocks?”
“Not yet,” He replied. “I also got a book on werewolves. Thought I could learn more about myself.”
“That’s a great idea, babe. Let’s just look a little longer and then we can go.”
One book caught my eye.
A History of Blue Energy.
I grabbed the book and kept going. Maybe I would actually be able to finally understand the Blue Energy’s power.
Just when I was giving up hope, I came across a smaller book.
A Journal of Emile
Emile…why did that sound familiar? Right.
That’s Count Killoran’s name. Which means that’s his journal.
Zoey’s POV
Covenman Territory was kind of unsettling.
There were a lot of pointy rocks and the trees were so thick and high that no sunlight got in. I felt like I had to squint even though I swear it was afternoon.
“So what do we do now?” Tate asked.
“I don’t know…let me see if I can get to Chloey.” I stated.
I closed my eyes and tried my best to focus on Chloey.
“Chlo? Are you there?”
“Hey, you’re learning!” Chloey said excitedly. “Are you at Covenman Territory?”
“Yeah, so what should we do?”
“According to the reference book. It’s very dark so it says ‘to make better one’s plight, you need only to find the light’.
“So…the key will be where the light is then?”
“That’s what I assume,” Chloey stated.
“Wish us luck,” I muttered.
“We have to find the light,” I informed Tate.
“Easier said than done,” He grabbed my hand tightly.
We heard rustling through the bushes.
“Um, Chloey…what kind of creatures are here?” I asked in my mind.
“It looks like…spirits.”
“What…like ghosts?!”
“Exactly. Be careful, Zoey.”
I had to break the connection considering I was feeling drained.
More rustling surrounded us. All at once, these blur orbs shot at us. We hit the ground and shielded ourselves, unsure of what to do. We heard eerie moaning and groaning above us.
I looked up and pained faces floated in our faces. They didn’t do anything to us though. It was almost like they were trying to tell us something.
They backed away as we sat up.
“They look so sad,” Tate whispered.
“Well, they are dead,” I pointed out. “And clearly have unfinished business.”
“Are we supposed to help them with that?” Tate asked.
“I don’t think we can.”
We kept walking and the ghosts followed behind us.
Tate’s head perked up. “Did you hear that?”
“The groaning? Yeah, they’re not particularly quiet.”
“No, I hear my name.” Tate looked around.
“Is someone in your head too?” I asked.
“I think it’s coming from this way!” Tate pulled me along with him.
We weaved through the dark forest as I assumed the voices got louder. Tate finally stopped and gasped.
There were two ghosts in front of us.
Tate’s parents.
- Writer
