Gaslight (Crossbreed #4)(17)
“Is it beyond yours?”
“The fates will decide.”
Warmth radiated off Niko, penetrating through the coat he’d lent me.
“Why did Cyrus run?” I asked. “If he wounded you, why didn’t he finish what he started?”
“Because, Raven. He doesn’t want me dead.”
“Then what does he want?”
“To be my master.”
Chapter 4
A log blazed in the grandiose fireplace behind Viktor, deep orange and yellow light melting onto the hearth. At night, the stained glass windows in the gathering room took on a whole new life with darkness behind them and firelight illuminating the various patterns. They didn’t cast rainbow fractals of light on the floor, nor was their color as vibrant at night. But the images of wolves and humans came to life, telling stories of ancient times.
With the wound in my thigh still throbbing, I shifted in my seat. The painkillers Shepherd had given me were finally kicking in, but only enough to dull the ache. At least he was sober enough to stanch the bleeding by dressing my wounds. Viktor was used to us coming home looking like refugees fleeing a war-torn country. Though I’d changed into a pair of clean sweatpants, my limping into the room hadn’t escaped his attention. It didn’t matter anyhow since I’d be healed by morning light. All I wanted was to get through this meeting so I could crawl into my bed.
We waited eagerly for Viktor to begin, Christian and Gem to my right with Shepherd bearing his weight on the arm of the couch. Wyatt slouched in the leather chair on my left, Niko standing behind him. All eyes were on Blue as she turned her chair to see Viktor better.
Claude strode toward us from the shadowy corner of the room, a drink in hand. After a quick sip, he widened his stance like a guard of an imperial city. Claude just had that aura about him, as if he’d stepped out of Greek mythology with those golden locks of hair and a commanding presence.
All he needed was a toga and leather sandals.
When the wood snapped in the fireplace, tiny embers floated upward like intoxicated fireflies. Viktor turned toward us, hands tucked in the pockets of his chinos. Sometimes his silvery hair and sophisticated appearance reminded me of a college professor.
“My search for a maid has come to an end.”
Blue pinched the bridge of her nose. “I think you mean to say domestic help.”
“Da. Someone who can juggle the tedious responsibilities that are never ending. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, and making sure this building doesn’t fall down around us. Fate is not without a sense of humor.” He moved around his chair and sat down. “She is to be delivered tonight.”
Claude choked on his drink. After a few coughs, he cleared his throat. “Did you say delivered?”
“I think he means dropped off,” Gem said with a giggle.
Viktor’s mouth turned down, and he tipped his head to the side. “Not entirely. I need two men to lift the crate and carry it inside.”
I shared a glance with Christian.
Claude set his glass on an accent table with a hard tap, and his jaw set. “I’m trying really hard not to judge you, Viktor, but—”
“I have no time to quarrel. Everything will be explained. But I have one rule, and that’s that no one speaks of her presence to anyone outside this house. That is why I summoned you here tonight—so you are all together at the time she arrives. She will not leave Keystone.”
Wyatt stretched his legs and crossed them at the ankles. “Until when?”
“Until I die, she dies, or someone else becomes her protector.”
When the log snapped, Gem squeaked and jumped in her seat.
Viktor leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “She has traveled a long way and is familiar with the modern age to some extent, but she has never seen it with her own eyes. I do not know if she has been exposed to television, magazines, or even kitchen appliances. This is a very unique circumstance. She will not work for money.”
Blue huffed. “You can’t expect someone to do all this work for free, Viktor. This place is a palace. Cleaning the windows alone is a job for five people. But to cook our meals? Do our laundry? Sweep the floors? Light all the candles? Shop for groceries? That’s a lot to ask.”
“Da. And it was a lot to expect of you when you had cases to work. But this will be her only job. As I said before, she will not leave the house under any circumstance, so you will be the ones purchasing the food. This situation is by her choosing. Her payment is our protection. I cannot divulge any details about her past, only that I have assured her complete privacy and security in exchange for her services.”
I lowered my voice and turned to Christian. “Is this the same woman from your trip?”
“Aye.”
“Then why didn’t you fly her back here? You sent her here by crate?”
He shot out of his seat. “Jaysus wept. You act as if I shoved her in there headfirst. What kind of man do you take me for?”
Wyatt chortled. “The kind who once glued a mall cop’s ass to a toilet seat.”
Christian pointed at him. “That prick had it coming.”
“You’re all too drunk to have a serious conversation,” Viktor said, his voice rising with irritation. “Tomorrow she’ll take stock of our kitchen supplies.”