15. Mostly the truth, Adonis Billiot

I never gave much thought to what their command center would look like. Not even thought it would be here inside the same building. Considering this place was a lab, not a place to keep tabs on humans and the world.

I leaned close to the monitor. “Are those the compounds?”

“Yes, each of them and their surroundings,” Hector responded. “The rest are other locations around the world.”

My eyes dart to one particular monitor where there’s smoke and fire on display.

“Let’s take a seat. Phi sits next to me,” Callisto said as he snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me away from the screens.

The command center was enormous. Desks, tables, screens, and odd hanging objects filled the room. The entire upper floor was also full of vampires from different bloodlines.

I watched each of them from their own respective positions. It was hard to miss how their eyes followed me as Callisto guided me towards a chair.

It was obvious that they were keeping an eye on me. I was the only human here after all, they saw me as their food resource.

We took a seat and Darcy started the conversation with some updates from his experiments. I tried ignoring what he said since it sounded gruesome. What I was interested in was on each enormous screen.

I observed each one, especially the ones located outside of the state.

The one I felt most curious about was the one with fire and smoke. There even seemed to be a commotion happening which made me wonder if it was the rebellion which was mentioned on the internet.

“Now let’s have Hector explain what’s happening around the different fractions,” Darcy comments, making me focus back to the front.

“We have four rebel groups formed on the east coast, while there was a breakout in Europe which led to an attack. That ended with half the population from one of Adonis compound dead.”

My eyes veered to Adonis who was across me. A scowl was all that could tell me how annoyed he was with the situation.

“What happened in your compound?” Callisto asked this time. “I think security is really tight. Did someone break through it?”

“It was a group of men who started a brawl in the restaurant and then had another group sneak into the underground tunnels where they broke into the system and made the entire mechanism fail, leaving the entire compound out of weapons.

“And since the gates are arranged to open in case a problem occurs due to fire. They unlocked and a mass of humans proceeded to escape,” Adonis sighs.

It was interesting to hear that humans were able to get around their technology. I thought it was impossible to escape. Silly of me to think that.

There’s always a solution to a problem.

“You’re telling me a brawl caused that huge mess?” Callisto hissed. His eyes were now cold as ice that could slice the air and it’s invisible. “We could have prevented this if you had updated the rest of your compounds with the new technology. We lost humans, resources!”

“It’s my compound!”

“And my responsibility as head of this is to keep you all checked. We agreed from the beginning that everything would be done as I ordered. Yet I find it that every time you guys fail, it’s like you’re going against everything!”

“Callisto, updates can’t be done that quick,” Seth calmly responded. “Remember, transporting all that to the rest of the world takes months, then changing them for new ones while trying to prevent the humans also from escaping is a lot.”

“And that’s why we have our army to keep guard!” I jump on my seat as Callisto stands suddenly. It was hard to miss the shift in the room with him being this angry. “Last month we lost an entire compound, right Hector?”

“Yes, 30,000 humans. All were killed during a brawl as well. The ones who were barely alive were drained in the labs to save blood.” Hector looks at Darcy for confirmation.

My stomach turns as my mind starts imagining all those people being drained or killed.

I hold my breath as I push the sickening feeling back down my stomach.

The last thing I wanted was to throw up at this table and embarrass myself in front of all of them.

“I need details of the rest of the compounds. Some of you might need to leave if it’s required. Be ready for my orders,” Callisto finally sat back down.

Hector continues giving his update of how many humans have died in each compound.

It seems Seth and Adonis compounds are the ones with more trouble than any other.

I looked back at the screens. The layout has now changed to a full screen showing a fight.

“Is this happening now?” Darcy frowns. “Where is this?”

“California.” One of the vampires responds.

“Let’s see the rest of the state,” Callisto orders.

On the other set of screens, vehicles armed with bloodlines appear in formation. I couldn’t see very well what they were fighting against, but I had an idea who they were.

One of the vampires from a nearby desk passes a file to Hector. Who deliberately takes it and goes over it quickly before frowning.

“It’s the same rebellious group of people who attacked Adonis and Yophiel earlier.” Hector looked at all of us.

“Are you sure?” Adonis asks.

“The same symbol. Show it up on the screen,” he ordered, and an enormous round logo with a violet cross, eight stars on the top appeared in the middle of the entire screen. “Adonis.”

There’s a pause before he nods.

“Hector, I need you and Seth to go up there. Get things back in order, try to suppress and capture at least three humans from that rebel group. They’ve been giving us too much trouble lately and we need to know who is behind all this,” Callisto ordered, making both men nod.

“What about the ones Adonis let go?” Darcy spoke this time, making me look between Adonis and Callisto.

Callisto reclined in his seat, never taking his eyes off the screen.

One of the other vampires provides more images of the fight.

There’s so much fire, I can see what bloodline is on the front attacking.

I scanned the screen, curious to see if I could spot any humans from the other side. Impossible with all the commotion going on.

Something like a flash cross one of the screens before it goes dark.

I blinked, confused.

“There was nothing we could have done, was there Adonis?” Callisto’s words cut the air in two before Adonis is standing and almost on the table, barred fangs.

“You know I can’t use my powers!” He growls like the monster he is. “She—” He gives me a glance before muttering in French and taking a seat back.

“For starters, Yophiel shouldn’t have been there with you. Let this be the last time any of you take her out without my permission.”

To that I turned to look at Callisto.

“You don’t own me!” My voice came out like a snarl, surprising them. “I am not a thing that belongs to you!”

“Phi,” Callisto glares my way.

“Last time!” I snapped, turning on my seat completely. “I. Don’t. Belong. To. You!”

With that, I pushed my chair, standing and leaving the place.

I heard Darcy and Hector yell my name but I was out. Desperate to place some distance from them before I say something I will regret.

Callisto’s presence was becoming overwhelming to the point that hating him wasn’t enough. No, it was something different.

I freeze.

I certainly must be going crazy.

I pressed my hand to my face.

As far as I can tell, things with me have been changing. Not only am I less afraid to speak up, but I find my interaction with each of them quite unique.

First it was Adonis' attitude and hate towards me. Like he couldn’t even be close to me, but after my visit with my father he seemed different, feels different.

I know we share that emotional connection which he argues he hates.

Now I can’t be close to Callisto. It’s like…

So what is this?

My neck gives that same itch that told me Adonis was coming.

One step brings me to him.

“Here you are,” he said, stopping in front of me.

I reached out my hand and pressed it against his jaw. “How are you doing this?”

“Doing exactly what?” he asks with his French accent.

A quirky smile tugs on my lips. I have never had a thing for French people, but being around Adonis makes me like the way they speak.

I shoved to the side that thought.

“This,” I pointed between us. “I hate you. I do, but I can feel the itch on my neck not only as bothersome but also soothing.”

I looked up into his eyes.

“It happened before.”

I think back on everything we have gone through. Every little moment spent together.

“Come with me,” Adonis says, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Where to?” I hesitated.

He gave me a smile I'd never seen before. “Just come along.”

***

I’m not sure how I should be reacting right now. In fact, I was not expecting this at all.

I gave Adonis a long look.

“You must be tired,” he says, walking over to another door that is adjacent to the bathroom. “It’s really late, so get some sleep.”

“Am I supposed to sleep here?” I asked, following him.

He goes to a neatly arranged stack of clothes, unzips a bag and hands it to me.

I eyed the black camisole.

“The bathroom,” he points to the side. “I’ll be waiting.”

Like that, he leaves.

After debating whether to wear this or to leave, I went with the unexpected and changed into the camisole.

I try to pretend I’m not about to sleep in a room that belongs to Adonis Billiot.

I made my way back.

This is, I realize, the first time I saw Adonis in anything that’s not a formal suit.

He does look fantastic in suits but, with only silk pajama pants, it is another story.

I can’t help feeling the rush of blood to my face. The way the pants hang low on his hips while his back flexes all those muscles as he arranges the bed, gives me all the dirty thoughts I thought I had lost long ago.

He gave me a brief smile. “It’s late, let’s rest.”

“You sleep?” the question comes out stupidly.

He tries not to laugh. “I know, you might be thinking we don’t sleep since we are vampires and you once spent some nights with Callisto. But we do sleep, we make it work somehow.”

Still, the last thing I expect is to hear that. Make it work.

I went around the coffee table, placed my belongings on one of the chairs and approached the bed.

Adonis ignores me as he keeps moving pillows and bed sheets.

I glanced at his way, then the rest of the enormous room.

His was way different than Callisto’s empty and cold room.

Adonis room with all the black furniture and checkered walls. It was so out of place. It felt like this piece of space didn’t belong to this enormous building.

“Ready,” he pats as an invitation.

I sank into the bed. My eyes are on the silk sheets. Was that a thing with all of them?

“Drusilla?” he calls. I looked over my shoulder. “Lay down, it’s late.”

I nod.

I tuck myself in between the bed sheets. The material feels good against my tired body.

I want to say something but it feels awkward. What was I doing here?

“This is a bad idea.” I got up.

“What?” Adonis, who had laid down, asks, sitting up too. “If you’re worried about me, I won’t touch you.”

Adonis green eyes darkened.

“I know what I said before, and that could make anyone feel bothered. But…” He sifts his hand through my hair. “Come, let’s sleep.”

I feel his arm snaking around me.

“I thought you were not touching me?”

“I meant the other way. Not unless you want me to.”

I blushed.

I don’t know if it’s that weird change on us, but some tension I didn’t realize I carried leaks out my body, making me relax.

I tucked myself under his arm.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Oui?”

I smiled shyly. “Why did you help me?”

“Help you…” he paused, then sighed. “Yes, I helped you because I know what your father did wasn’t fair to you. And because I hated the way he spoke to you.”

“Is that all?” I asked, knowing that pushing too much might make him shut his mouth.

There’s silence.

“I don’t want anything to happen. Not when…” he sighs again. “I know I loathe you, even insulted you before, but I want you to hear me out and understand. This that we share is complicated. I know the harder I try to stay away from you, the more I struggle.”

“So you gave up?” I said, looking straight into his eyes that now looked troubled.

The same soothing feeling spreads on my neck. After a moment he sighs. “Yes. I stopped fighting it after…”

“After what?” I pushed. “You are not finishing your sentences. It’s bothersome.”

“Pushy much?” he throws me a are you serious look.

“That’s what you are doing.”

“I’m not good at expressing myself. Not when you don’t feel it.” He said.

“But you do,” I whispered. “You said you felt my emotions.”

It could be those genetics that Callisto says I have inside me, but something of that has us like this. Has him a complete mess.

Blame it on me for causing problems.

“I do,” he said. “I’ve gained something that I lost, thanks to you.”

“And that is?”

“Trust.”

I frowned.

“When you said you trusted me, knowing I was a danger to you after everything we’ve done. No, let me rephrase that, after all I’ve done to you. Meant a lot. It made me believe again,” he smiles but doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Believe in what?” I let the question hang before he pressed a kiss on my forehead.

“To trust in someone again.”

There’s plenty to think about what he just said. I should even be hesitant about believing him. But I can’t help focusing on what happens tonight instead of tomorrow.

I pressed my forehead to his chest and let him hold me. “It’s crazy Adonis, but I… trust you. Even if you’re a douche bag.”

He chuckles. The movement surprised me.

I half expect the night to go fast, but instead the night feels long when I finally fall asleep.

This was my second time falling asleep with a monster by my side. And I once used to be afraid of the monsters who roamed the night. How ironic.

***

I can’t remember the last time I had a good sleep.

After this mess started, I barely managed to sleep well without feeling on edge.

I toss the sheets but stop. There were two arms around my body and a leg draped over mine.

My heartbeat kicks up as I realize the situation I’m in. Not a good one, especially since the one next to me was Adonis. Callisto was more respectful while sleeping next to me.

Adonis sniffs and gets closer. His arms tightened more.

He shifts and I end up with my chest on his face.

The new position leaves me exposed to him. I could even bet he could hear my heart beating loudly.

“Fuck, you smell divine,” he snarls, then kisses between my breasts.

The slow slide of his fangs against my skin feels good. Too good.

I take a breath, and then another.

Impossible to relax.

Adonis strokes my back, my hips, my thighs. In a low voice, he dips his face more into my chest and bites it playfully.

It’s too much.

“No,” I gasp.

“Not yet.”

I writhe, but Adonis grabs my hips and forces me still. His breath is harsh against my flushed skin.

I opened my mouth to stop him when an alarm blared around the room, scaring the hell out of me that I slammed my hand so hard on his face, Adonis muttered a curse.

Only then does Adonis lift his head. Eyes pitch black with swirls of green stare back up at me, sending a shiver up my spine.

Adonis, thanks the gods, seems to feel my discomfort. He sighs. “Relax, it’s just a warning an airplane is arriving.”

“An airplane?”

“Yes,” he lets go and sits up. “Hector and Seth are leaving. Let’s go say goodbye.”

I wrapped my arms around myself as I watched vampires get onto an enormous white airplane.

Seth is already heading our way while Hector is nowhere to be seen.

“Are they leaving for long?” I asked.

“Are you already missing us?” Hector came up from behind. He had that special suit on with a bag draped across his chest. “I could take you with me.”

“Don’t even think about it,” Callisto commented from the side. “Take this and keep me informed. Remember to stop it at all costs.”

“Yes, jefe. Princesa, when I come back, we will get back to working out. We need to get you in shape,” Hector winks at me. “Then I’m off.”

Seth just waves my way before fading with Hector onto the airplane.

I won’t lie, it was a tempting offer. Going with the guys would give me a little bit more freedom. And I could also investigate. But knowing Callisto, he wouldn’t agree with that.

“Did you enjoy your night with Adonis?” Callisto’s voice made me turn.

The way he looked at me told me everything I needed to know.

“You’re making some awful assumptions,” I scoffed, walking past him. He grabs my arm, jerking me back until my body is against his chest, flushed completely.

“You’ve become quite outspoken, Phi.”

“Much to your amusement, I see,” I pulled, but he wrapped both his arms around my body.

“You amuse me more than you think,” Callisto chuckles. “Don’t move.”

I blinked. He pointed at the other two vampires who were in deep talk. “I bet Adonis tried to bite you.”

“What?” I realize what he is implying, which is not that wrong. I had a hunch that was Adonis's intention before the alarm stopped him. But would he have done it otherwise?

“Only because now, you feel comfortable around him, doesn’t mean you have to trust him. You don’t have to trust any of us, Phi,” Callisto said near my ear.

Fear clamps around my throat.

I open my mouth, but I don’t have a good argument to fight that back.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath. It’s when I realize I feel something small inside me. When I open my eyes again, Adonis is in front of me watching me intently.

He gave that sharp smile to Callisto. “I’m heading out as we talked yesterday.” Then he looked back at me. “I’ll see you later.”

And then he’s gone. I leaned back realizing I was still against Callisto’s chest.

I managed to move this time since his arms were no longer around me.

When I turn, Callisto is staring at Darcy, who is also staring back.

“Come, we need to talk,” Callisto suddenly says.

In fact, as I look from one of them to the other, I notice the blank faces. With that wicked smile, Darcy disappears, leaving me and Callisto standing outside.

Once again, my thoughts go back to the first time I met each of them. Callisto acted so differently, while Darcy, until now, has been one of the few remaining the same.

The sinking feeling in my chest worsens.

“Follow me,” Callisto ordered. I tilt my head but follow.