“I’m locking you in here,” Xavier says arrogantly.
“You have got to be kidding,” I reply as he slides me off his big broad muscular frame and then proceeds to tower over me with a grimace of disapproval as I look around for ways to escape from an even bigger bedroom than Darrius’, “You don’t have to lock me in here.”
“Little one,” Xavier growls as I try and dodge around him to get to the door. He just snaps out an arm and puts it around my waist, so I can’t get around him to the door. I step out of his arm and out of his reach, narrowing my eyes at him.
“Darrius needs me. I need to do something,” I say, watching in irritation as Xavier lazily takes back his hood, takes off his gloves and then the black robe. At least he doesn’t just wear pants. He is wearing normal black pants and a white shirt. He is so similar to Darrius his handsomeness manages to stop my ability to breathe as I try and handle how good looking he is.
“Rushing isn’t going to save my brother, have patience,” Xavier gives me a disapproving frown as I try and look around his shoulder to the door, I hear footsteps outside coming closer.
He turns around just in time to see his door get flung open.
I see Maximus standing on the other side, a phone to his ear.
“Maximus!” I call out happily, I never thought I’d be so happy to see his gorgeous face again. However, he doesn’t seem to hear me.
“I’ll call you back,” he snaps into the phone, his eyes narrowed at Xavier, “Offer him fifty thousand, he should accept.” He hangs up and glares at Xavier, “Where the hell have you been?” Maximus snaps.
Xavier doesn’t reply.
“Maximus!” I call out his name again and this time he registers me, his eyes flicker to mine and they widen.
“Darling, how did you…” he puts two and two together, “Xavier, saved you?”
“I did save her,” Xavier answers for me, “Since no one seems capable of securing what is rightly ours,” Xavier growls at Maximus, “How were humans allowed to penetrate the fortress? It has been impenetrable for decades –”
“We all thought you were dead,” Maximus cuts in, “You could have been here, helping us. Where did you go?”
“It’s called none of your damn business,” Xavier snarls, fangs glinting dangerously.
“I have no idea what you guys are talking about, could someone fill me in on what is happening?” I ask, “And Maximus, why aren’t you out their saving your best friend’s ass? Darrius needs you!” I yell at him, suddenly furious that he is here, at the palace, when he should be searching for Darrius –
“I’m doing everything I can,” Maximus growls, glaring at me now, “You stay here, we can’t lose you again. Xavier, I suggest you stay with her. I’m busy trying to save Darrius right now –”
Maximus’ phone starts to ring again and he quickly answers it.
“I have to take this,” Maximus closes the door and stalks off, chatting away to whoever is on the other end.
Xavier reaches the door, locks it with a key and stalks past me.
“What are you doing?” I ask, exasperated. He starts unbuttoning his shirt as he reaches the other end of the room where the bed is and he stalks towards the adjoining bathroom. He laughs as he takes off his shirt and throws it across the room and it lands on the bed.
“I’m going to have a shower,” He says slowly, giving me a raised eyebrow, “And when I’m done…” he pauses as his eyes travel from my eyes to my neck, “You’ll be giving me some of your blood.”
His voice is so hypnotic I can only gape at him as I try and figure out what he just said. Before I can reply he walks into the bathroom and shuts the door.
“But you can’t drink my blood…” I mutter at the closed door, then I add in a louder voice, “Not that I’d let you if you could anyway!”
In the sudden silence, I thread some of my fingers through my hair and look around the massive room. I feel nervous all of a sudden, and scared. I find a seat by the fireplace to the left of the room and I hug a pillow to my chest as I recline on a love seat.
Darrius was still in danger.
So were my parents.
Xavier was a handful to deal with.
And all I could do was sit on the couch and hug the pillow to my chest, worrying and wondering.
I didn’t doubt Maximus would find a way to save Darrius.
I look towards the bathroom door as I hear the water from the shower start running. Xavier…
What was his past and why did he disappear from the palace without telling anyone where he was going? And how long ago did he leave?
I’d endeavour to find out.