The Shadow Kingdom

Chapter 12i

"Why is my possible half-sister here?" I ask.

"I have no idea. However, the fact that she came here and not to the Carlyle suggests that she wants to talk to you specifically." Adrian answers.

Adrian and I stand in the atrium while awaiting her arrival. The doors open, and two men carrying UMP45s with extended magazines stand guard on both sides. Adrian really isn't taking any chances. "Don't tell me you're this scared of a little girl." I joke.

Adrian doesn't take his eyes off the hallway. "Selena Ashcroft could take out ten armed men with a kitchen knife, using her abilities. She's eighty-five-years old, and she has had plenty of training. And she's a murdering psychopath."

"She sounds charming."

As the men escort her down the hallway, I see her at last. Selena Ashcroft is the quintessential English rose – a perfect specimen of patrician beauty. Her golden, platinum blonde hair is tied into a sophisticated bun with hair sticks. She is just as tall as Adrian, for which her Christian Louboutin shoes may be responsible. Her face is symmetrical to an unnatural extreme with delicate, almost porcelain-like features. And to top it all off, she is wearing a black Vivienne Westwood halter neck dress that carries an intimidatingly aristocratic hauteur. Even her stride exudes royalty, utterly undefeated.

All the men in the room turn their heads as she enters except Adrian. I subconsciously grab onto his arm for fear that Selena means to steal my boyfriend. But when she enters, she is not at all hostile. She beams at Adrian, and he bows slightly. "Ashcroft Highness. Welcome to my home."

"Shang Highness." She curtsies. Seriously? "Thank you so much for receiving me." She extends the back of her hand to Adrian, and he kisses it briefly. I roll my eyes inconspicuously.

"What can I do for you?" Adrian asks. Our bodyguards never take their eyes off her though that may or may not be for security reasons.

"I am here for two reasons." And she has that sexy, English accent. What a bitch. "First of all, I must deeply apologize for my father's behaviour last night. It was completely out of line for him to demand that you supply your blood to the Consortium at a fixed rate. It is your blood! If a man's own body does not belong to him, then he is fundamentally a slave! You have every right to sell or not sell your blood to anyone you choose, for whatever price you choose. And that is my personal opinion."

"Thank you for the sympathetic words, Ashcroft Highness. What is the other matter you wanted to discuss?" Adrian's voice grows impatient.

Selena turns her attention to me. She beams in the same Paris Hilton-esque fashion as she approaches. "You must be Scarlett Whitmore, yes?"

"Yes," I answer. "Ashcroft Highness."

"Oh, you don't have to call me that! The way I understand things, you and I are long lost half-sisters. Nathaniel doesn't call me that, so why should you? Please, call me Selena." I look at Adrian, and he simply shrugs.

"Selena." I smile. "What did you want to talk about?"

"I want to know if you and I can spend a little bit of time together. You know, in order to get to know each other. I thought we could spend the day together tomorrow, just you and me. A little girl time!" She shows off two rows of perfectly white teeth. "What do you say?"

"Uh..." Once again, I look to Adrian for guidance. He is just as surprised about this turn of events as I am. "I don't know if that's...."

"She accepts." Adrian interrupts. "I'm sure Scarlett would love to get to know her blood relatives." I glare at Adrian. What is he doing? "Provided that she is safe of course."

"Oh, of course! How could she not be? She is among family!" Selena replies.

"I would feel more comfortable if some of Adrian's men accompany us." I say.

"Certainly! We can even take one of your cars if you like. Scarlett my dear, you have nothing to fear from me. I know that the Shangs have been kind to you and that you consider them your allies. But you and I are family, and the bond that we share is far greater. I would never do anything to deliberately cause you harm." She makes it sound so sincere that I almost believe it.

"Very well then. I will see you tomorrow."

"Excellent!" She claps gleefully. "I have so many fun things in mind for us!" She spins on her heels to face Adrian. "Shang Highness, thank you so much for you time." She curtsies again and leaves.

As soon as Selena and all the guards have left, Adrian and I let out a collective sigh of relief. "What the hell was that about?" I ask.

"I don't know. Maybe William knows that you're his daughter, and he's trying to endear himself to you. He wants to make you think that he's your friend before the news comes out."

I laugh. "He kind of lost any hope of that when he sent three men to kill me and my real sister!"

"I'm sure Selena will have some well-thought out lie to explain that."

"Why did you even agree to this? Why would you want me to spend some 'girl time' with her?"

"Because I want to know exactly what kind of lies she has thought of. There may be some half-truths in them. And if they do have some ulterior motive, then this will give us a chance to decipher it before they strike."

I cock my head and groan. Adrian wraps me in his arms, sensing my growing frustration with this whole ordeal. "Don't ever expect me to curtsy for you." I say.

He laughs. "The thought never occurred to me. But when you are with her, don't take your eyes off your drink. There is no telling what she might slip in it."