Blood & Honor (Serpentia #1)

Chapter 2 ∞ Serpentia

Chapter 2

I looked up at the abandoned building looming over me, threatening to collapse. Ripped wires and cables hung from the remains of what you could barely call walls. Glass shards that covered the entrance bathed in moonlight. The lane up front was full of fragments of plaster that swam in pools of water. The stale smell of dust and mold hit my nostrils, bile rising in my throat.

There was no need to check the address Sebastian had scribbled on the paper. Somehow, I had the feeling I was at the right place.

I leaned on a fence, daring them to come out of their hideout. Sebastian seemed like a man of his word, but I wasn't in the mood to risk it with the rest of his team. I refused to enter and stayed outside, as I would at least have a decent chance to escape if it came to it. For all I knew, this whole thing could be an ambush.

His name sounded familiar. I stayed up all night, thousands of faces and names spinning in my thoughts. Then it clicked. Eaton was the leader of Serpentia, one of the most feared teams of elite fighters. Some called them mercenaries, some were keen on the term avengers. They seemed more like a mob to me. His records were clean, which was surprising for a mob leader.

No light came from within. Street lights illuminated the first floor, the rest faded into the pitch black darkness swallowing the remains of the once city's most luxurious hotel. I wondered what took them so long.

''You came.''

I turned to the direction of the icy voice, coming face to face with four men. They walked side by side, movements precise and flawlessly synchronized. I straightened, raising an eyebrow at the dose of annoyance and irritation bouncing off them.

''Something tells me you're the only one happy to see me,'' I mocked.

Sebastian shrugged. ''You'll have a hard time earning their trust, but I promise they're loyal. They don't bite.''

Sebastian was in a suit, blood red tie sparkling under the light. My eyes travelled to his right, settling on the tall man with straight shoulder length sandy blonde hair whose blue eyes were clouded with judgment. Every single of them was lean and muscular, with broad shoulders and a day's worth of stubble. Grim faces glared at me.

Regarding them, I had the impression they were carved out of stone. Flawless, but cold and merciless. Nothing but trouble.

''They look like they might,'' I chuckled. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. ''Besides, I haven't agreed to anything yet. I want all the details first, then I'll decide.''

''Understandable,'' Sebastian replied, surprisingly calm. ''Follow us, we'll talk inside. Were you followed?''

''No, I made sure of it.''

''Good.'' He glimpsed at the blond and jerked his head at me. ''Gabe,'' he addressed him. The blond nodded and stepped forward. A hard grip landed on my shoulder.

The instincts kicked in.

Sucking in a ragged breath, I lunged forward and tried to land a blow. He promptly blocked it and knocked me down. It threw me off balance but his arm wrapped around my back, yanking me upright seconds before I hit the ground. My foot collided with the back of his knees, hoping to catch him off guard. I failed.

He didn't budge, only yanked me closer. He was a skilled fighter and I was no match to his size and strength.

Sebastian cleared his throat, drawing my attention. Amusement flickering in his eyes. The distraction was enough for me to relax. Gabe took the chance, slipping his arm around my neck and locking it in place. He trapped my hands and spun me around, pressing my body immobile against his rock solid, warm body.