Refugee (The Captive #3)(16)
Gideon stalked back to his desk. “I should just have you all killed now,” he muttered. “Save myself the aggravation.”
Fury boiled through Braith at the mere thought that Gideon might do something to one of them, to her. It took everything he had not to leap over the desk and beat Gideon into a bloody pulp, but beating him senseless, or just flat out killing him, wouldn’t do any of them any good.
“If you think you could,” Braith grated.
Gideon glared at him. “You’re in my world now Braith, I rule here!”
“And just what do you rule?” Braith demanded. “Some brothels and bars, farms, a trade ring, a smuggling business? You rule nothing Gideon. This is a poor substitute for the life you used to have and you know it. With your help Gideon, we may be able to get that life back for you. But don’t think I won’t destroy you if you try to harm one of us. You don’t have to help us, but you will not threaten us.”
Gideon turned slowly back toward Braith, but it was not Braith he focused on. His fascination with Aria was pushing Braith closer and closer to a deadly precipice. “What is it that you require?”
“You must still have friends; you must have stayed in contact with the other collaborators that were against my father.”
Gideon grunted in displeasure and slid into the chair behind his desk. “I may still have contacts, but what exactly is your plan here Braith? What do you propose?”
“To take control from my father.”
Surprise flickered briefly over his features. “And you are going to lead? You are going to be the man that rights the wrongs?” Gideon’s tone was sarcastic, almost hostile as his gaze focused on Aria again.
Braith pressed Aria against the wall, pinning her against his side. Her displeasure was obvious as she tried to push away but he was not going to let her out. “It doesn’t have to be me.”
Gideon motioned to someone behind them. Aria inhaled sharply as a servant girl hurried passed them wearing almost no clothing. Bite marks marred her neck, but she didn’t seem overly used as she flashed a smile at Braith and Ashby before bending to pour a glass of liquor for Gideon. Gideon smiled at her and lifted the glass in salute. “Thank you Dara, my friend here might like to meet with you later.”
“Anything he desires,” she replied with a saucy smile that lingered on Braith. Aria shot the girl a dark look that would have amused Braith at any other time. Right now though, he was too hungry and too tense about this situation to find anything humorous.
“I’m fine Gideon,” Braith grated.
“Oh not you Braith, I can tell you’re not relinquishing your meal anytime soon. I meant Ashby.”
“I’m fine also,” Ashby assured him.
“Oh well then, perhaps the young human, he seems rather interested.”
William closed his mouth as he ducked his head and blushed just as vibrantly as Aria suddenly did. Her discomfort was nearly palpable as her fingers curled into his shirt. Braith hated this, hated that she had to be in this awful place, exposed to some of the worst forms of debauchery he knew. But for all of his numerous faults and all of his sinful tastes, Gideon was a strong vampire and a natural leader. At his core he was not an evil being. It wasn’t easy to discern that at first glance but Braith had known Gideon for a lengthy amount of time. He knew what resided inside of Gideon, or at least what had resided inside of him.
If Gideon was anywhere near the vampire he had once been than this servant girl was here willingly and was not abused.
“Gideon…” Braith started.
“Perhaps I can even introduce him to some of the things that we used to enjoy,” Gideon continued as if Braith hadn’t spoken. He idly twirled his goblet and watched Aria intently as he weighed her reaction to his words. “Or perhaps you would like me to teach her. That is, of course, unless you haven’t already.”
“Enough!” Braith snapped as Aria went completely still. “If you mean to punish me for the past hundred years, then so be it. But unless you would like to stay here for another hundred years than you need to get over it, or I’m going to rip out your damn tongue so you can’t say another word!”
Gideon became thoughtful again, staring at Braith from under hooded lids. “Protective aren’t we?”
“Gideon.” This time it was Ashby who spoke in a low, warning tone.
“Oh, it’s all in fun. Dara why don’t you show our two young humans to a room so they can get cleaned up?”
“They aren’t going anywhere alone,” Braith informed him.
“Lighten up Braith. You’re nowhere near as much fun as you used to be. Why don’t we all take a small break and meet back in an hour then. You can replenish.” Gideon’s eyebrows quirked as his gaze ran pointedly over Aria. “And clean yourselves. How does that sound?” It really was taking all Braith had not to punch Gideon. His increasing need for blood wasn’t helping the situation much. He didn’t have the patience to deal with Gideon’s taunting and candid manner. Not right now. “Show them to the guestrooms upstairs please Dara.”
Braith held tight to Aria as they followed the semi-nude woman up the stairs. He led Aria into the first bedroom the girl pointed to, eager to get her away from the girl and Gideon, eager to have just a moment alone as he closed the door and leaned against it. “Can we trust him?” she blurted instantly.