The Council (Darkness #5)(22)

My stomach flipped over. This guy was cunning, and because of that, dangerous. Charles didn’t need a knife in his back.

“Charles, Jessie, can you please give us a little space?” I asked, a command riding the request.

Charles gave me an assessing stare. Jessie stared at Charles. With a warning glance at Rudy, Charles nodded to Jessie and they both stood. “One table away, that’s it.”

“It appears you also answer to a human,” Rudy taunted in a knowing tone.

I couldn’t help my eyebrows rising. That was a quick way to not make a friend. The human is sitting right here, by the way…

“What can I help you with, Rudy?” I asked pleasantly, trying to control my features.

His dazzling smile seemed practiced. “I’ve heard so much about you. And, as it turns out, I am without mage. Kismet.”

“Except—and tell me if you’ve already heard this because I don’t want to be redundant—I am already paired with someone.”

He leaned in, cutting the distance between us. “I had heard, yes. Even still, a boy can dream. You are a beautiful woman. Beautiful, headstrong, and powerful. Perfection.”

The blood link muffled. I was cut off from Stefan.

I glanced at Charles, trying to hide the worry in my eyes. He caught the look, and knew by now what it meant. His mouth closed down into a grim line. His shoulders hunched over his plate. He couldn’t help Stefan any more than I could, and it killed him equally.

When I turned back to Sir Lancelot, his smile sparkled. “I know this is awkward for you. And I am sorry. I know the effect I have on women—especially human women—and yet, I forget to give them time to adjust when I shower them with attention.” He laughed, easy and light.

My stomach was knotting for what I knew Stefan and Jonas were going through. I wanted to rush out and help them. I could level their opponents. I hadn’t used some of the truly gruesome things Toa had taught me, but I would if it spared Stefan’s life. I would right now.

I took a deep breath.

“Anyway, please come see me with questions,” Rudy continued, leaning in slightly. He laid a warm hand on mine. “I have the ear of the most powerful, most important male in the Council. I am a valuable ally, and I daresay, a better man for your pair…”

Wrong thing to say at the moment.

I leaned forward into that implied intimacy. In a silky voice I whispered, “Did they tell you that I’m one of those humans that emits a scent when aroused?”

Rudy’s focused on my lips. His gaze sparked. “I hadn’t heard. Delightful. I do so enjoy those humans.”

“Yes. Well. Do you smell anything?”

His mouth leaned in a little more before what I said dawned. His pupils contracted, internalizing that thought. To help him out, I let a pure zing of fire surge through my body.

“Ah!” Rudy’s hand flinched away from mine. A shadow passed over his features. His look turned sharp, bringing out my warning tingle before his smile wiped it all away. He stood smoothly with a quick glance around the room—probably making sure no one saw what had just happened. “I do not. Pity. Well, I’ll just have to work on my charm.”

Oh super. I do so love being hit on.

“I’ll see you soon.” And with that he was striding away.

“Not wise, Sasha,” Charles muttered. “That male probably makes a bad enemy.”

“He probably makes a worse friend. At least now we’re on the same page.”

Jessie sat down with a cup of coffee. “I would try to steer clear altogether.”

“I don’t think there was ever a chance of that. I’m in his sights and Stefan is in the way.”

“Your mood is rainbows and unicorns, as always.” Charles stuffed another hunk of meat into his trap. “This place sucks. The Boss just needs to find the most powerful male and cave his head in so we can all go home.”

Truer words had never been uttered.

Chapter 6

Rudy waved away his crew as he descended the stairs into the lower levels of the building. The dank air reached out to greet him, misery and filth lining the floors and huddled in the cells. He stopped in front of one of the guards, not bothering to state his name or his intentions. As expected, the lock clinked as it flipped over, the door opening in a rusty slide of metal.

He stayed to the center of the aisle, not impressed that the filth was reaching out into the walkway. He stopped in front of the cell holding a man seated in the corner on the disgusting floor, his hands folded in his lap peacefully, eyes closed. The male could be sitting on a beach somewhere, taking a moment for quiet contemplation, rather than this rank hellhole awaiting the torture that would surely come.

“Andris.”

The man’s hazel eyes opened slowly. A sardonic smile crossed his lips. “I’d heard you were here. Holding a high position. Leading around an old male by his nose. You’ve done well for yourself.”

Rudy glanced at the empty cells to the right and left. “They’ve put you on your own, I see. Afraid you would bring more people to your cause?”

Andris huffed out a laugh, not bothering to look at the objects of speculation. “I have plenty of people loyal to my cause. And plenty more desperate to join.”

“And you hope to lead from an iron cell, is that correct?”