Chasing Demons (Book 2) Rated R

Chapter 27

~Christian~

Stefan lounged across from my desk, eyeing the slowly lightening sky in the east. His sleek black hair, not unlike Aimee's, was pulled into a ponytail at the nape of his neck.

His ruby-red eyes scanned the study, finally landing back on my face.

I was wary of him the same way I'd be wary if a lion were sitting across from me.

"Do you mind?" He asked, gesturing toward the drapes. "I'd rather not be fried by the morning sun before I can get through this tale."

I went to the drapes and drew them closed. The room fell into shadow, illuminated only by the single reading lamp on the desk.

Stefan stretched out his long legs, like a cat.

He did not look like a father who had just lost his son. I couldn't be sure of course, since I was not a father myself yet, but I knew if anything had happened to Henry or Daciana I would not have half the composure Stefan demonstrated.

"I did not know you had a son."

"No, you would not have. After what happened to Amelia," Stefan said, meeting my gaze with a level one of his own. It was clear he knew I'd been sent to kidnap Aimee all those years ago. "I made sure no other offspring of mine was known to the world. Especially not my only son."

"Tell me what happened to him."

"It was a dinner party. Rayna, my oldest daughter, begged. It was Ricardo's birthday so I agreed. I thought it'd be the perfect excuse to spend time as a family. Call me sentimental."

Stefan flicked his wrist and shifted in his seat, his entire body angling to face the curtained windows.

"They caught him as soon as he left the monastery. It was nighttime. When he didn't arrive, I sent a search party. That's when we heard, whispered amongst our people, of the attack on Reader Nation. That's when I knew I'd never see Ricardo again."

Stefan was silent for a moment.

"They waited until it was daybreak to string up the bodies of his guards. We awoke to find the scorched earth and posts where their bodies had burned. But Ricardo wasn't among them. When night fell again..."

A shiver went through Stefan which made me swallow hard. I'd been raised to think of Stefan as a cold and unfeeling monster but in that very moment, he appeared very, truly, human.

Perhaps I had misjudged him.

"A group of them brought Ricardo to my doorstep and staked him before I could reach him. I killed them all. But they were prepared to die. Their human bodies crumbled easily under my hand but yet I felt no pleasure. It did not bring Ricardo back. It did not ease the ache."

"I--"

"No, don't give me your pity. You and I are not friends." Stefan said with a halting hand. "I merely tell you this because it pertains to why I'm here."

"All abominations will burn," I echoed, palm flat against the desk. "They are hunting us. They mean to kill us all."

"Which is why I've come. To propose an alliance. You have something that may save us all."

I stiffened.

My fingers curled into fists.

"You cannot have her," I said through his teeth. "If you think you can use Aimee for her powers she is not yours to have."

She is mine.

There was a cool glint behind Stefan's crimson eyes as he regarded me, his long eyelashes, again so like Aimee's, brushing his pale cheeks as he blinked away a thought.