The Consort (MalexMale) 《COMPLETE》

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

"We can't stay here for much longer," Kelly says.

I load my plate up with another helping of cheese, fruit, and French bread. The platter of softened butter has found a permanent home next to my plate, and I swipe up my knife to generously add a layer to the bread.

Fiona watches me from across the table in silence. A single cracker and slice of cheese lay next to one another on her plate, both of them as untouched as when Kelly served them to her. She shifts in her chair and glances at Bogdan. I think he terrifies her.

"We've been keeping a close eye on Leo's group," Kelly continues when no one responds. "To put it lightly, they feel the act of retrieving Fiona was an act of war – one they would like to rectify."

Fiona's focus shifts to Kelly and their eyes lock. The hunger in Kelly's gaze is palpable. Fiona must notice it too, because she quickly looks away with a blush deep enough to light a small town. It's not the first time Kelly has looked at her like this. When he was human, every time their eyes locked you could feel the love coursing between them.

But now he's immortal, and to Fiona, that makes all the difference in the world.

"You think they're trying to find a way to get Fiona back?" I ask through a mouthful of bread.

Kelly grudgingly tears his eyes away from Fiona's delicate features and shakes his head. "Not quite. If they can get Fiona back, that will just be a bonus. But it's not their main mission."

"What is?" I ask with a sinking suspicion that I already know the answer.

"To capture you, Finn."

I swallow down the bite of bread crust, its corners jabbing me on its way down my throat. This shouldn't come as a surprise. I'm sure word got around Leo's camp that it was me who saved Fiona. Besides, I'm a Nirv. That alone is a strike against me.

The fact that I saved Fiona?

Strike two.

The added perk that one of their leaders allowed me to escape in order for me to save Fiona? A definite strike three.

I pick at the bread in my hand. I know I shouldn't care what happens to Leo, but I find myself stifling down guilt for the possibility of him being punished because he let me escape too. Is he now Mark's captive? Or did he find a way to explain himself? The latter seems more likely, and my guilt turns to apprehension realizing he's probably the one leading the rebellion towards us.

"So what's the plan?" I ask.

"We will leave tomorrow night," Bogdan answers.

His voice is always quiet, and yet it commands the attention of all us. It seems I'm not the only one who's susceptible to his confidence and dominating presence. Kelly leans in to hear Bogdan's plan. Even Fiona's posture straightens as she waits for him to elaborate.

"They're trying to locate us through the immortal detectors," Bogdan explains. "And they're getting closer every day. I would give it another two days before they're at my doorstop."

"Yea, but when that day comes, I'd much prefer not to give them the satisfaction of being here," Kelly adds dryly.

Bogdan nods, and his red eyes zero in on me. "My sentiments precisely..."

_______________________

It only takes a moment for me to notice Bogdan standing there, and I become rigid waiting for him to speak. He leans against the doorway to my room, crossing his legs at the ankles.