Abyss - Book Five of the Alpha Series - MxM

Chapter 44

"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." Verando comes to my defense, and the tone of his voice makes my mind drift back to the bedroom; my back aches at the thought of it. 

The Emperor grips the arms of his chair, gazing at the ground with a look that is a mix of 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 Verando braces himself on the back of Naptalion's chair with his hand.

 Naptalion tilts his head back, swallowing against the cool steel. He was someone willing to die with their secrets, and truth be told, I hadn't planned on tormenting him for answers when I'd arranged this meeting. It was another glimpse into the darkness of my lover and the lengths he was willing to go to protect me.

"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, giving him silent permission to do what must be done. 

"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?!" Our host demands, struggling violently against the cuff, when a hard gust of wind blows him against the back of 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 middle. So, I think I'm going to start asking you questions that are more valuable to me." 

I cautiously steal a glance towards Verando, even with his composed expression, I can see in his eyes that he's decided the best course of action. The French Emperor glances 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 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.