Chapter 23 Untitled Chapter
Chapter 23 Untitled Chapter
CLAIRE
I woke up from a nightmare, and made my way to the bar room, craving alcohol in my system even though I knew the precautions of that. I tried not to wake Hunter as I slowly slid out of bed, but he had woken up regardless.
I told him I was going to get a glass of water since I couldn’t tell him I had a nightmare. He would want to know what it was about, a part of me already feels guilty for lying to him. Getting to the bar room, I pulled out a stool and sat on it.
There’s always a servant station there during the day, but it was rightfully empty in the morning because no one in the house drinks alcohol that early. I stood up and went behind the counter, pausing when Trisha strolled into the room.
“Whoa, what brought you here this early?” She chuckled, sliding onto the next stool.
“Probably the same thing that brought you here.” I responded, mixing a few drinks together. I poured the same thing for her, then pushed it in her front before coming to join her.
“Touché. I couldn’t sleep, I have been restless thinking about everything that has been going on. Sometimes I missed how simple life was back in human territory even though I was on the run most of the time.”
“Why did you decide to stay then? You would still have your powers if you were still in the human world. Take it from someone who also lost a huge part of herself and is on a journey to get it back, it sucks.” I took a huge gulp from my bear, my face squeezing up from how strong it tasted.
“I would be a dead witch with powers. The reason why I was always on the run is to be safe from the council. At least here, I feel a little safer. There’s also the sense of security that comes with knowing you have people who will risk everything to protect you. I would have helped anyone in need, it just happened to be Freya.” Unlike me, she only took a small sip.
Changing the subject, I asked her the question that has been curiously pricking at my chest. “While I was in the training room yesterday, I saw you. You seem to be making progress with your powers.”
She beamed, her fingers toying with the rim of the glass. “The spell was a simple one, an apprentice could do that. Although, I’m glad to be getting little pieces of me back. Baby steps…” her voice trailed off as she reached to take away my drink.
I didn't move fast enough and she plugged it right out of my grasp. Letting out a small sigh, I ran my fingers through my hair. However, we both turned to look as one of the messengers announced her present.
From the way she was looking at me, I could tell the message was for me. I only wished that Trisha wasn’t here because I had a feeling it might be from Jordan. Plastering a smile to my face to make everything appear normal, I approached the messenger and took it from her.
“This must be for Hunter.” I lied, waving the card in Trisha’s view. “He’s still asleep, I will take it to him.” Without waiting for her response, I exited the bar room and went into one of the guest chambers to read the messenger.
To my surprise, it was Asher writing to me. He informed me that he couldn’t find Gianna but he found someone he believed would know her whereabouts. Frowning, I tore up the letter and dropped the pieces in the trash bin at the corner of the room.
As morning passed to mid afternoon, both Asher and Killian showed up to work. I sent a servant to give him a note, demanding to speak with him in private. He showed up a few minutes later, confusion causing his eyes to narrow at me.
“Who did you capture? The plan was to capture Gianna, not anyone else.” I stopped pacing to hiss at him.
“I captured no one. I simply informed you that I could not track Gianna, but I was able to track a relative of hers.”
“Then bring me the relative, arrange for us to meet. I want Gianna and I will do anything to have my hands on her.” I demanded, making my way toward the exit. After making sure no one was in the passage, I slipped out of the room.
Hunter was waiting for me when I walked into the bedroom. “I talked to Jet, he agreed to seek an audience with Drekonia. What do you intend to ask her? We need to have a written request, I know… she’s strict.” He chuckled, rubbing on his neck.
My eyes followed the movement of his hand, knowing he only does that when he’s nervous about asking me for something. “What is it?” I found myself asking, even though I didn’t care to know.
“What?” One eyebrow shot up in question.
“You were rubbing your neck, you do that when you’re nervous about asking me for something.” I pointed out, watching an emotion enter his eyes. He probably believed I had forgotten all about him with the recent events. How I wished that was true, it will make everything less easier for me.
“I was wondering if you want to spend the afternoon with me. I can have the staff set up a picnic basket for us.” He asked, looking at me from beneath his lashes, almost shyly.
Go on a picnic with him? I echo the request in my head. Well, I might as well do something to pass the time while I wait for Killian to get back to me.
“Sounds fun, when are we leaving?”
“Oh…” Surprise flickered across his face, indicating he hasn’t been anticipating a positive response from me. “Give me a few minutes to talk to the kitchen staff, you can get ready in the main time.” He smiled, retreating out of the room.
If he had asked me to a picnic a few months back, I would have been over the moon. I loved spending time together. People often think that because Hunter and I completed our mate-bond in our late teens, we were bound to get sick of each other in a few years.
I understand that now, because I was sick of him and our bond. The ringing sound of the telephone jolted me out of my thoughts, finally! Someone who decided to use this thing. The border has opened back up, I guess people have started to interact with each other again.
“Yes?” I demanded, when the person on the other line refused to speak.
“I wanted to make sure it was you. Meet me at the Beta mansion.” The line went dead after that, causing me to frown. Wondering what Killian could be doing at the Beta house, I made my way there.
A few minutes later, I arrived in the building and for the first time, there wasn’t any commotion. It was lunch time, meaning most of them were in the dining hall. Following my instinct, I went to Hunter’s study.
Pushing the door open, I stepped inside, a little surprised to know I was right about him being there. However, it wasn’t Killian that caught my attention but the young lady that bears a striking resemblance to Gianna.
If her hair hadn't been a dull shade of brown, I would have mistaken her for Gianna. Gianna had short dyed blonde hair, perhaps it was Gianna in a different wig? Or playing tricks with me by appearing younger? Wanting to confirm my theory, I stalked towards her, my crawls withdrawing from the anger coursing through me and digging into her forearm as I pulled her back.
“Gianna?” I growled in the terrified girl’s face, taking a sniff of her scent.
“Lady Claire.” Killian shot upright, emerging from behind the desk. “This isn’t Gianna.”
“Do I look like I care?” I flashed him an icy look re-focusing my attention back on the girl, who couldn’t be older than nineteen or so. Watching as she quiver in my hand, her lower lips trembling with the force of holding back her tears.
Her fear delighted me, and I wanted more. Adding another claw into her flesh, and hearing her cries, was like music to my ears. I wanted to make her cry, to make her bleed… the same way Gianna made me.
“This isn’t part of our deal!” Killian sneered, stepping between me and the girl. “You are not going to harm a child. You want vengeance on Gianna, then inflict it on her. She has been among the human refugees all this while, does that not tell you anything?”
“Anything?” I scoffed. “Like the mad scientist sold her sister to the council? Isn’t that what humans do? They betray and sell each other out! Look at Freya, she is Dane Grayson’s daughter. When he was alive, he was more than ready to sell her to the highest bidder. Why should I have any sympathy for people like that?”
“Claire…”
I froze, wishing, praying and hoping it wasn’t the person I think it was. Turning around slowly, I met face to face with Hunter standing at the entrance, a painful expression on his face!