ALEXANDER

Alexander’s phone rang. He didn’t recognise the caller ID and, with a scowl, picked up after the third ring. “Who is this?”

“It’s Glen Wilson.”

“And why would you be calling me of all people?” Alexander inquired, spinning around in his office chair.

“This is about Abigail’s safety.”

Immediately, Alexander straightened up, pressing the phone closer to his ear. “What are you talking about?”

“You didn’t know about the hunters shadowing her?” When Alexander didn’t respond, Glen chuckled. “I guess you didn’t. For someone who makes it their business to know everyone’s dirty laundry, you certainly are keeping your paws in your pockets for this lady. May I ask why?”

“Where is she?”

“My place. I’m sure you’ve already got the address.”

By the sound of it, Glen knew him well. Alexander had, indeed, already looked into his residence and workplace details. He spared no effort in getting his assistant in the U.S. to do a full background check on the man and was due to receive the second half of the report any day now. Yet, knowing that Abigail was in the clutches of an incubus whose intentions eluded Alexander only made him worry.

“I’ll get there as soon as possible,” Alexander said, ending the call.

He grabbed his suit jacket. Shrugging it on, he made his way towards the door of his office. On the other side, he found Andrew.

“Can I help you? I am in a rush,” Alexander said quickly.

Andrew assessed him and took a step back, allowing Alexander to walk out of his office. “Do you need any help?”

“You are not well enough to be going around offering it.”

“Look, I know there are some silver bullet fragments scattered around my body, and they’re still poisoning me, but if you need me for something, I’ll do it.”

“No. Get Tanya to contact Dr Foster. He is a surgeon we can trust, and he should be able to figure out a way to get the shrapnel out of you. We have waited long enough.”

“And what happens if he can’t?”

Pressing his lips tightly together, Alexander contemplated his next words. He didn’t know how long a vampire could keep silver in their system. He did know that Lucious managed to survive two weeks with bullets lodged in him. But, the state Byron had found him in on the outskirts of London was the closest to death his friend had ever gotten. While trying to keep Andrew out of the descent—complete loss of control over his vampiric thirst—they needed an answer, and soon.

“You think I’ll die,” Andrew muttered.

Alexander curled his fingers into a fist. “We will find a solution. Trust me.”

Andrew snorted. “I have been on a brink of death a few too many times to let it worry me. For the time being, I will listen to your advice and stay put until the doctor finds a way to solve this problem.”

“Good,” Alexander said, nodding. “I will be back before sunrise.”

He marched out of the warehouse, noting that Katharine wasn’t in the building. Since he could not bind her to that one place, he hoped she would not get herself into trouble. He rubbed his eyes as he climbed into his car. She was as old as him. Hopefully, she would not do something foolish.

ABIGAIL

Abigail reclined in the seat on the plush cream leather sofa in Glen’s hotel suite.

With a charming smile, he handed her a cup of coffee, which she accepted. “Are you hungry?”

“I don’t think I can be after such news. How am I supposed to go to jury duty tomorrow or return to my apartment? I can’t just put my life on hold for something I’m not involved in.”

“But you are involved in this,” he corrected her, taking a seat across from her. He swirled the scotch in his glass, making the ice cubes bob along and clink against the confines of the crystal. “You are dating a man who is wanted by the hunters.”

“I’m not dating anyone,” she replied, clutching her cup closer for stray warmth.

“Say whatever you will, but Alexander believes otherwise. He would not be rushing here now if you meant nothing to him.”

Abigail met his captivating hazel eyes that sparkled like gems in the desert sun. “We haven’t decided on anything yet.”

He set his drink aside and rested his elbows on his knees. “It’s no easy feat to bring a man such as him to his knees and to make him rush across the city for a non-existent relationship. You are a very intriguing woman, Abigail. I’m saddened by the fact that I cannot compete in this competition.”

“Why would you want to compete for me?”

“You have a heart-warming smile and a pure soul. It is hard to find people like you in today’s world where everyone is too preoccupied with how they look and dress. Of course, I am not trying to bring out faults in your wardrobe. I am merely stating the fact that you managed to hold my interest even before I found out you were under Alexander’s protection.”

She smiled, taking a sip of her drink. “Thanks. That’s kind of sweet.”

“No problem.”

A knock on the door alerted them to the arrival of their guest. Glen got up and opened the door.

Alexander didn’t greet him. He pushed past her boss and stopped in the sitting area. “Come. We are leaving.”

“What? Why the rush?” she asked.

“We cannot trust this man.” He glared at Glen. “I don’t trust him.”

When Alexander caught her by the wrist, she nearly spilt her coffee, so she had to put it on the coffee table. Shaking him off, she snapped, “Don’t yank me about, Alexander. I’m not an object.”

He drew back, seeming offended by her words. Although she felt bad for raising her voice, she couldn’t allow him to manhandle her as if she was his property. She had her dignity to uphold.

“I thought you were meeting with a friend.” Alexander directed his glare to her boss. “Is this the friend you were talking about?”

“I did meet with Ursula, but—” Her words stuck on the tip of her tongue, and she narrowed her eyes on him. “What right do you have to know whom I’m seeing?”

Glen laughed, breaking the building tension in the room and drawing their attention to him. “You two lovebirds get along just fine, it seems. Should I leave and let you guys have sex in my shower? I may need to ask for a different room, though.”

Abigail gaped at Glen, and Alexander shoved his hands into his pockets.

“Good. Now that I have your undivided attention, we should get on with the issue at hand.”

“No,” Alexander snapped. “I need to know why you met with Abigail. Why did you draw me out here?”

“I told you, it was because of the hunters.”

“Stop lying to me,” Alexander growled. “I am not an idiot to believe you found her in this city by chance on her day off. What is it you want from me?”

Abigail shifted closer in her seat, seeing Glen’s pleasant mask slipping. She had thought it was strange he was able to locate her with such ease. Yet, why go to such an extent to bring her here unless he was after Alexander all along, and she was a pawn in his game.

“Was the whole thing about the hunters real or did you make it up?” she asked.

“It was the truth,” Glen said, growing serious. “But, there is also something I needed to discuss with him. The fact you are trailed by the hunters simply was a bonus.”

“What is it you wish to know?” Alexander questioned.

Glen’s shoulders tensed. He made his way to the sofa and collapsed into a seat next to Abigail, causing her to scoot away. He didn’t react to her distance which made her curious about the real reason behind his coming to Dublin and staying on as Editor in Chief at her newspaper.

“There are rumours in our community,” Glen began, never letting his eyes leave Alexander’s. “Rumours of a fate surfacing in this part of the world.”

Abigail frowned. Another name of a being she knew nothing about. Just how many things are there in plain sight that normal people know nothing about? As much as she wanted to delve into the endless well of supernatural knowledge, at the same time, she feared what she may uncover. Rubbing her hands together, she waited for Alexander to respond. He hadn’t moved once. He just stood there like a statue, piercing Glen with a stare.

“Aren’t you going to say anything?” Glen asked.

“What am I supposed to say?” Alexander took a seat across from them, and Abigail’s heart sank a little that he didn’t take the seat next to her. She knew it gave him a better vantage point, yet couldn’t deny the desire to have him by her side.

“Those rumours also say that you are involved with her,” Glen continued.

“And what if I am?”

Her boss knotted his hands in his lap, crossing his legs. “My clan is interested in finding that girl.”

Alexander’s shoulders shook when he let out a laugh. “Why is your kind interested in a fate?”

“She could be in danger. If she is Mother of Yakshi, we must protect her.”

Abigail could no longer stay silent. Her curiosity was eating her from within and resting heavily on her clenched stomach. “What’s a fate? What are you two talking about exactly?”

“This is not a conversation she needs to listen to,” Alexander said, ignoring her.

Abigail grumbled. He had an ability to drive her into a fit of uncontrollable rage with a simple dismissal. Her body prickled with irritation, so she scooted closer to Glen, placing her hand on his. “Will you tell me instead?”

“Abigail…” Alexander warned.

Glen turned towards her and nodded. “I believe the lady deserves an explanation, don’t you think?”

“She doesn’t need to be involved any more than she already is,” Alexander retorted.

“I think I can decide for myself,” Abigail said, rising. “Why are you always trying to control my life?”

Her boss rubbed his face, mumbling, “Here we go again.”

Without delay, Alexander shot out of his seat. He rounded the coffee table to where she stood and grabbed her hand. “For tonight, we are leaving.”

“I will await your answer,” Glen said.

“I will answer you now,” Alexander replied. “I am not inclined to share any information regarding the fate.”

Abigail tried to fight her way out of his bruising hold and couldn’t. His chilled touch on her exposed flesh sent a shiver through her. As he propelled her towards the door, she caught sight of him grabbing her belongings from the sofa with his free hand.

“You can’t do this!” she said.

“Do not test my patience tonight,” Alexander growled, catching hold of her again. He wound his arm around her shoulders and squeezed her against his side. “Stay where I can see you.”

Glen inclined his head. “I will see you at work, Abigail. Call me if you need me.”

“She won’t call,” was all Alexander said as he pushed her out into the hallway and led her to the lifts.

Once they were inside the metal cage, she punched his side. It was enough of a distraction to get him to lessen his hold on her, so she could jump away from him.

“Why did you drag me out of there?”

Alexander blew out a breath and the lift doors opened. This time, instead of forcing her, he indicated for her to get out.

She raised her chin high and stepped out. Without another word shared between them, he guided her through the underground car park.

Once they safely sat in his car, he turned in his seat, studying her intently. “Do you have a death wish?”

Her mouth unhinged. She stared back at him, trying to mash some kind of a response together. “Of course not!”

“Then why did you go with him to his hotel room? What if he lied about the hunters and lured you there to drain you of your life force? Have you considered such an outcome or do you merrily enjoy going into a stranger’s hotel room for a cup of coffee?”

“One, he is not a stranger, he is my boss. Two, he didn’t drain me or whatever. I feel fine. And third, what the actual fuck? You treat me like an object, avoid talking in front of me, and then you drag me out of the room like you would with a—”

He cut her off by grasping the back of her head and moulding his lips against hers. The softness of his touch soothed some of her ire as his tongue worked its way inside her mouth and danced with hers. He was skilled; she had to give him that. And, of course, he would be. After all, he had spent years sleeping around and kissing other women. Her rebellious mind destroyed any joy she took from their close contact, and she pushed away from him.

“Don’t shut me up with kisses!”

“Then don’t say nonsensical things. I came here to get you away from him. I did not come here to give him the information about my friends.”

She tuned in to his statement, sifting through it with a fine comb in her mind. “You have a fate friend?”

Alexander rested his back against his seat and stared at the car park through the windscreen of his Mercedes. The heaviness with which he spoke broke her heart. “We weren’t always on good terms. My decision to give in to her request cost her everything. It caused my best friend to lock his heart away for good. Until now, he has not forgiven me for my idiocy. But, if the incubi are interested in a fate, it could be a huge problem.”

“Why? What do they want with her?”

“I’m not sure. What I do know is that there are two factions in their community. There are those who believe a fate is their true Mother and those who want to see her dead.”

A lump formed in her throat, and she swallowed nervously. “Which group do you think Glen belongs to?”

“We’ll have to find out, won’t we?”