After The Awakening | ONC 2023

Chapter Eighteen

Xavier struggled against the restraints that held him to the vertical table, but there was no give in the thick leather.

'Come out!' he yelled.

But no one answered.

He glared at the blinking camera in the corner that was recording everything that he did. How that little blinking red light set his nerves on edge.

The room reminded him of an old-fashioned hospital. White tiles lined the floor and all the walls. Strip lighting bathed the room in white light so that everything appeared to glow. The smell of bleach burnt the inside of his nose, and was worrying at best.

The door opened and he tensed as Dylan stepped through. Her combat boots rubbed against the tiles, making them squeak, and her face was impassive as she watched her restrained former friend.

'Where's Ray?' Xavier demanded.

'Don't worry, your little pet is safe.' She smirked.

'I want to see her.'

'That's not really up to you.'

Silence fell between them as they assessed each other.

'Even after everything you're still working for the Bureau?'

'I've been offered a more lucrative deal,' she said vaguely.

Xavier's eyes narrowed. 'You're working for the vampires.'

'She's working with us, Mr Kowalski.'

Xavier frowned as a tall, impeccably dressed vampire strolled into the room. There was something about his face that seemed familiar, though he'd never seen the vampire before.

The vampire smiled at him. 'I believe you know my brother? The Bureau Director?'

'What?' Xavier asked slowly.

'We've had control of the Bureau for quite some time and they've performed their role admirably.'

'And who the Hell are you?'

'Such an attitude, Xavier. Such fire. I've heard you are a formidable agent. But stories pale in comparison to the real thing.'

'In case you missed it, I'm no longer an agent.'

But Brogue scoffed. 'Once an agent, always an agent. Your skills don't just disappear when you decide to leave.'

'Decide to leave?' Xavier repeated. 'I didn't fucking resign.'

In an instant, Brogue stood in front of him, his hand pinning Xavier's head against the gurney. 'No, you took a very valuable asset and tried to keep her all to yourself, just like that fool, Le Bou.'

Brogue slowly released his grip, and a smile replaced his glare.

'But that has all been rectified now.'

'Then why aren't I dead?' Xavier asked.

'Because of your skills, Xavier. You gave the Bureau the run around, not to mention evaded my scouts...well...all but one loyal servant.'

'June,' guessed Xavier.

'Now don't blame her. Her loyalty was to her Sire in order to protect her mate.'

'And you would be the bastard that bit her,' growled Xavier.

'I would be the bastard that fulfilled every dream she ever wanted. Strength. Eternal life. Family. Everything that she asked me for.'

Xavier worked hard not to let the surprise show on his face. 'She wanted to be turned?'

Brogue straightened with an unreadable expression.