“No thanks,” I push the glass back at him and swing my leg over the side of my chair. “But you can take these off.” I rattle the chains.
He sat still, with his eyes on me. They grew cloudy, and I could see how intimidating he could be. He was trying to get on my good side. He needs me for something.
After a bit, he broke our stare with a slight laugh, “Of course.” With a snap of his fingers, my chains disappear.
I act as if that was normal. Like anyone could do that type of magic. But the beads of sweat forming on my brow were betraying me. I had pegged him wrong. He didn’t smell like a wolf, he looked like a warrior and had impressive magic. I prided myself on my hunting skills, they came easy for me. I didn’t need to study like the others in my house. I could tell in an instant when we came upon a creature, what bloodline they belonged to – except for me, of course.
“I hope you’re more comfortable.” He said, as he drank from his glass.
“I am.” I offer, and take a deep breath. I study the room. This was his office, his domain. There would be clues as to what he is and perhaps wants. He had stacks of books, on the floor, his desk and in bookshelves. No apparent order - not a quality of a good leader.
“You won’t find what you’re looking for in here, my dear.” He said, as he leans toward me. His gaze was intense, and for a moment, I worried he was a mind reader.
“Why am I here?” I said, resting my arms on the chair as I tried to appear comfortable. The padding was made of horse hair and what felt like glass.
“As you might have guessed, I need something.” He said, sitting back into his chair, into a more neutral non-threatening position.
I took a big gulp and observed the wolf who hadn’t moved since I sat down. His eyes were trained on the Viking, but he wasn’t afraid of him like the others were.
“What is it?”
“First, let me tell you what I do. It might make your decision easier.” He says, then clears his throat. I made him nervous.
“How about starting with how you found me?” I took control. I knew Hazen had something to do with it, now I needed to understand how and why. We had been dating for over a year. These last few months, things had changed. He was hot and cold. But I never thought he would have done this to me.
“We searched for you when we heard about your potential. It took many years. Nelly did her job well to hide you.” The Viking nods as if to compliment her.
“She’s safe?” I ask, as my blood pressure starts to build. She had become a motherly figure to me out of necessity. When I was taken from my parents, they brought me right to her house. With the other hunters.
“Yes. Nelly and her house are fine. They understand our mission.” He reaches for my glass and drinks it down. “It wasn’t an easy decision to take you.”
“And Hazen?” I demanded, to know his part in all of this.
“Is a very dumb boy. You’d do well to stay away from him.” The Viking said, about the only thing we could agree about.
“And you?” I asked, uncertain if I like him or not. He seems forthcoming, I wonder if he would answer this question truthfully.
“It would be best not to cross me.” He winks at me before taking the last drink. “I can’t tell you much about myself. Not many people know I exist, so I am offering you that. I clean up after certain supernaturals, somewhat like what you do with hunting, but on a different level.” He pauses, to consider his words.
“You want me to work for you?” I asked, annoyed he wasn’t getting straight to the point like I thought he would.
“In a way.” He stands up and walks over to the bookshelf. “I’m going to ask you to do something. You won’t want to do it. I need you to trust me.”
I roll my eyes and sink back in my seat. Story of my life, “Why would I want to help you?”
“Because in return, I offer you your freedom. No more working for House’s. No more hunting if you don’t wish to do so.” He sits back in his seat, crossing his legs and intertwining his fingers – waiting for my answer.
For the first time in my life, I’m speechless. I’m not sure how to reply. Thoughts pass through my mind and brain fog sets in. What did he just say?
“It won’t be easy, and I need you to want to accept this mission.” He opens his desk drawer and passes me a blank sheet of paper. “Once completed, this paper will give you the address of your birth parents. I cannot guarantee what you will find.”
I fight back unexpected tears when I reach for the paper. My hands shake as I pick it up and look for any writing on it.
“It’s protected by a magic spell. I wish I could tell you what it says, but I don’t know its secrets.” His voice is sincere.
“Umm.” I clear the phlegm from my throat, “I’ll do it. Whatever it is.”
“You could die. That’s a large possibility.”
“I don’t care. Just tell me what to do.” I stiffened my body, and prepare mentally to go into battle. I wasn’t afraid of what could happen. I’d change my life over and over again to find my family.
“I’ll send Clark in with you.” He nods at the wolf.
I look over at him, and he is back in his human form – this time with clothes on. I’m still attracted to
