The Game of Hearts

18. Partner

It wasn't like I liked the idea of ganging up with Liam Chick-Stealer. However, my guys getting in the way of things weren't what I'd call ideal. It wasn't like they couldn't take care of themselves, either. Alaric had something over all of us. He had a way of getting into people's heads and twisting words. Alaric was a true manipulator, as well as a gentleman. If you were his friend, he was kind and just as a perfect friend would be. Destroy his trust, you're a dead man.

It was unclear how I could possibly contact Liam, but I knew where to start. I found myself at Aria's apartment, which was still unlocked and opened in the slightest. That was probably how Alaric caught Aria and took her. He wouldn't take her phone with him though, would he? The apartment was dim and cold from the outside air. When I turned on the light to the living room, the first thing I saw was her phone on the brown wooden floors. To my surprise it began to vibrate a number that wasn't in her contacts. I swooped for it and quickly answered it.

"Aria? Is this the right number?" Liam's voice was scratchy through the com but was easily noted as gentle and kind, making me cringe. It was him. Hate boiled up in me, but I needed to keep that emotion hidden for the time being. "Hello?" Liam said when I didn't answer.

"Liam," I said, grinding my teeth. Do this for Aria, "Don't get upset... Aria was kidnapped," I said quietly. He made out a sound on the other end, then there was a pause.

It was as though he were trying to figure out if it was a trick. "What do you mean kidnapped?" He finally asked, suddenly that cool and composed voice from before became much more serious and business-like.

"A man I used to know... he took her as a hostage to grab my attention," I said through grit teeth, my eyes squinting as I began to boil up again except it was at Alaric this time.

"And why do you want my help?" He sounded slightly disgusted. Same here, buddy.

"I'd never want your help. Your life is just less valuable than my friends' lives, but you're also skilled and know what you're doing..." my voice became monotone and plain as though I were stuck in a room with elevator music for hours.

Another pause lingered over the call, then Liam sighed. "What do you need me to do then?"

"Just accompany me to the meetup spot. If we need to fight, bring your toys," I said carefully. When it got to the point that Liam seemed convinced to help, I felt slightly better. My body's tension lifted and cooled, my eyes closed calmly. "Despite what you must think, I care about her... to an extent," my voice faded out.

"Yeah, I do too," he said in agreement. You literally just met her yesterday kid, I thought with a scoff but it wasn't hard to see why he would care about her. So I saw where he was coming from.

"Meet me at the bar, there's only one in town so you'll find it," I said quickly before hanging up. Slipping Aria's phone into my pocket, I made my way back to the bar. Alaric was going to get what's coming to him. He shouldn't have messed with Aria, and he won't ever again.

----

I waited impatiently outside the bar, leaning against the wall. I knew it would take some time for the baby hunter to find his stuff but it was taking too long. I wouldn't say Aria would be dead in Alaric's, because he was an honorable Vampire.

Finally a black car drove up by the curb, blinking it's lights at me. Opening the door, I quickly caught the sideways glare Liam shot at me but I decided to dismiss it for the time being. "Let me drive. It will save time."

"Oh, hell no," he said but I rolled my eyes grimly.

"Do you want to get Aria back or not?" I growled at him. It wasn't as intimidating to him as I thought it would be. He paused a moment, holding a cold and thoughtful expression. Through the darkness I could make out the professional lining of light scruff that went from ear to ear and around his mouth.

He grunted finally and got out of the car, throwing the keys into my open hand as he began walking to the other side of the car. I was in the drivers seat by the time he got into the passenger seat. The engine roared to life and we were on our way to bring Aria back, and maybe kick some ass if it came down to it.

"So what exactly did you do to piss off this guy?" Liam asked.

"Well. It's a long story."