Avenge Me

Avenge Me - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

“Favian,” I breathed. I couldn’t ignore the connection we had always shared. Neither of us knew what to make of it, and we switched between friends and something more over all the years I’d known him. He was the man who had changed me. He was the man I had foolishly regarded as a god in my human life.

But I wasn’t his. And the inevitable question popped into my mind: Why was he here?

The corner of his mouth curled up in a half smile, revealing a lengthy white fang.

“Celina,” he greeted. And in a flash he was in front of me, and grabbed me into his arms. I stood there, frozen, for a moment, until I relaxed into his grip. It had been a while since the thought of Favian even crossed my mind. I’d always been thinking of Emil, but I guess I’d never really forgotten Favian. He was always in the very back of my mind, tugging at my conscious, reminding me of the rules. The same rules he’d taught me ages ago when I was a newborn vampire echoed around my mind all the time. And right now, with his powerful body flush against mine, it was hard to think of much else.

As I stood in the middle of Scarlet’s room in Favian’s embrace, I felt the stares of both Scarlet and Ace. Scarlet had always known about the complicated truth Favian and my relationship, so she didn’t seem too alarmed. Ace, on the other hand, had a look of accusation plastered on his face. But I didn’t spare him another thought as Favian suddenly backed up and held me at an arms distance, studying me intently. I raised an eyebrow at him, and stood up as tall and straight as I could. He was the only one in that world that could make me feel small. As my maker, I there was always an undying need to win his approval, and running off three years ago without a word of notice was not helping me there.

“So you’ve returned from the dead, then?” He asked, a slight mocking tone in his voice. There was something in the back of his expression however that betrayed his jocular tone. I’d hurt him, I realized, guilt seeping into my chest. Besides Scarlet, he practically composed my entire life. He cleaned up the mess of death I’d caused as an untamable newborn. He had shared all his success with me, he gave me this life. And I had walked out on him without ever looking back. I cleared my throat to rid myself of the lump forming there and plastered a sly grin on my face.

“Not even death could keep me from you, Favian.”

To this he smiled briefly before settling back into a stoic expression. He was never one for long, dramatic portrayals of emotion. He greeted Scarlet, who said hello back shyly. They had never shared in the bond that I had developed with my maker; he turned her because I basically left him no choice. Scarlet was immensely intimidated by his daunting strength and power, though he would never harm her.

Ace cleared his throat, reminding us all of his presence.

“Favian heard that you resurfaced after your period in hiding, and decided to pay you a visit. He just arrived at our headquarters and I offered to bring him up to your room, Celina,” he explained, his eyes hard and unreadable.

“This is true,” Favian admitted. “But there are other reasons for seeking you out than my unrequited love for you, Celina. There are matters which we need to discuss.” His mention of unrequited love made look down, and if I could have blushed I would be beet red. He was definitely teasing me now, but that did not help my emotions.

However the rest of his words sunk in after a moment. What matters did we need to discuss? I looked at him questioningly, but his expression revealed nothing.

“What matters might you be speaking of,” I sighed.

“Council dealings.”

My heart dropped a little. I don’t know what I was expecting, but perhaps something a little more personal than the Council, of which I was not even a part. Ancients dominated the Council, but being so old and the product of Favian’s blood gave me the right to hold a seat. Many other non-Ancients were members, but I had relinquished my claim to the Council around the time I began seeing Emil. I couldn’t fathom what he needed me for then.

“Is that all I get to know?” I asked, sounding impatient.

Favian chuckled at my mood swing. “For now it is, sweetheart.” I frowned at him, perplexed. Suddenly he grabbed hold of me and flipped me over his shoulder. Scarlet gasped as Favian carried me.

“Favian!” I scolded. “Put me down!”

“After over three years of searching for you, Celina, I’m not letting you go anytime soon. You’re coming with me.” His comment silenced me, however it had the opposite effect on another in the room.

“Favian, the girl asked you to put her down,” Ace spoke up, looking brazen as hell blocking the doorway of Scarlet’s room. This was the first time in a while I’d seen anyone stand up to Favian, and it surprised me completely coming from Ace. He seemed like the stay-under-the-radar, do-as-your-told type.

Favian’s body shook slightly under me. He was chuckling. He found Ace’s attempt at chivalry wildly amusing, and was nowhere near going to put me down. I knew there was no point in struggling: his mind was set. And if I was being completely honest with myself, I really didn’t mind Favian’s territorial side so much.

“Move, boy,” Favian ordered Ace. I lifted my head from my captor’s backside to see Ace falter slightly at the power behind Favian’s demand. He stayed tall though, and stood his ground blocking the door. Watching him there tugged at my emotional side, a part of me that wanted to coo “awwwww” at his behavior. Luckily, I could easily ignore this urge.

Favian began backing up, with my body still slung over his shoulder like a towel.

“Have it your way, Ace. I don’t need to exit through the front door. I’ll see you later Scarlet,” he concluded. With that, he turned, sprinted towards Scarlet’s open French windows, onto her balcony, and leapt over the edge. For a moment I was crashing down, encompassed by Favian’s strong arms. He landed lithely to the ground three stories down and pulled me to my feet. He smirked at me, and I forgot all about leaving my best friend and her coven behind after only a very brief period of time. All I could think about was how alive I felt when I was with Favian.

“Come on, girl. We’ve got a town to paint red.”