Abyss - Book Five of the Alpha Series - MxM

Chapter 36

"What did they offer you?" We've been going in circles for what seems like hours. While I had commanded the space and gained an audience, things are different here. There's no court, there's no audience in the form that I'm accustomed to. While there is a small parliament, assembling all the controlling forces of this nation would take months and our business was with the emperor. It feels so strange to me, more like a monarchy than even my own rule, that one man would decide so much. 

"Naptalion, there is only one reason Mr.Balan is here. What deal did you make with the mob? I must remind you, our cohorts are very much dead and it's on your land that this occurred. You know, as well as I do, that Mr.Balan is a wanted man in many countries and you're giving him refuge here at the same time as our Good King. 

I highly recommend you start talking before you find you are on the receiving end of a sword." I let my warlord handle it, I've still reeling from my mixed emotions on the very deaths he speaks of. 

The Emperor grips the arms of his chair, watching the ground with a look mixed with defiance and terror. "You know what will happen if I talk."

"I do, it sounds like a personal problem. If you won't talk, how about you sing?" He unsheaths his knife, pressing the fine edge of the blade to the man's throat as he braces himself on the back of his chair with his hand.

 Naptalion tilts his head back, swallowing against the cool steel. A man decided, someone willing to die with their secrets. 

"An oath is an oath.Faites ce que vous devez." 

I stand, pushing my chair away to march over in frustration at the exchange. "Men died today. My men."

"Traitors." He spits back. "You're welcome."

My eyes darken, and I can feel the shift in my body as I change from who I was to who I have become. I divert my eyes to take in the expression on my warlord's face, knowing how he wants to handle this. I know how he was trained to handle this. 

"They tortured Haryek. Broke his fingers, one by one, and that's all that I saw. Who knows if there was more?" I'm speaking to him as if our host isn't here. 

"He was lucky." Naptalion shows little remorse, confirming my decision. "The Mafia does much worse to those who don't play the game." 

I purse my lips, quietly reclining back to lean against the table beside the man before I extend my hand and form an ice cuff around his wrist, attaching him to the chair.

 "What is the meaning of this?!" He's like a caged animal coming to life as he realizes he's trapped. With a sharp gust of wind, I shove him back into the chair. 

"Sit down. Naptalion." I command him. My hand snaps to the side as I freeze his other wrist. "I have been more than patient with you, playing this game, giving you every opportunity. I'm not in the Mafia, I'm a free man and I don't much care for dealing with the middleman. So, I think I'm going to start asking you questions that are more valuable to me." 

I cautiously steal a glance towards Verando who's watching me as if he's uncertain of my intention. Even with his composed expression, I can see it in his eyes. The French Emperor looks quickly back and forth between us both and grits his teeth. 

"You Romanian trash! Street rat! Threatening me as if I do not own this kingdom! I own way more than this kingdom, I could rule the very world if I demanded it! Release me immediately or-" I stuff a rag in his mouth and adjust my vest as I settle back into my position, watching his face turn a variety of colors as I contemplate if he's suffocating.

 His hair has sprung free from its careful style, he looks like the crazed one so surely that absolves me. 

I fold my hands in my lap, crossing my ankles as I take him in. Slowly, I cock my head to the side, as if I was trying to hear him and yet all that comes out are muffled screams and curses. Eventually, he runs out of steam and his chest is left heaving.