Chapter 317 - What do you want from me? (2/2)
He narrowed his eyes. ”Think about it as long as you need to, but don't give Arei the specifics of what we have discussed. He would not willingly agree to what I have in mind for you.” He cupped her jaw, letting his hand slide slowly toward her chin. ”But I know you can handle it... that you crave it... need it even...” He tapped his thumb lightly against her chin before releasing it. He stood and held his hand out to her. When she took it, he pulled her to her feet. ”I'll trust you to do as I directed... and to give me your decision within the month.” He lead her out the doors of the study and back to the room she'd woke up in.
Arei stood leaning against the doorframe as they turned the corner. ”Dad...” He said nodding to his father. His eyes held Poseidon's as he held his arms out for Jos. ”I was worried when I woke, and you were gone.” He whispered as he lowered his lips to the top of her head. ”It's late, would you like to lay back down, or are you awake now?” He asked as he turned and guided her into the room.
”Wait.” Poseidon stopped them. ”You should know, I may be a little harder to get a hold of for the next day or so. So, try to stay out of trouble in the meantime.” He sent Jos a wink as he disappeared.
Arei frowned as he closed the door. Holding Jos away from him and searching her face, he asked. ”What did he want?”
Jos frowned. ”He only had some questions about earlier...”
”Yesterday, you mean? You were out nearly an entire day.” He sighed when she only nodded and walked over to the bed. ”What kind of questions did he have?”
She shrugged not lifting her gaze from the bedding she was fumbling with. ”Just questions about my level of control, ya know... I'm sure the council will have similar questions for me as soon as they find out I'm awake.”
Arei caught her wrist and lifted it gently. ”Where is the watch?”
Her eyes glittered with indecision as they held his. ”Your dad got rid of it.”
His brows furrowed. ”Why? Did he give you a reason?”
She shook her head. ”No, it was all weird and out of character for him.”
Arei squeezed his eyes tightly shut as he shook his head. ”Not out of character, rather finally within it...”
***
”The mission wasn't fully successful Mistress.”
Vivian gritted her teeth painfully together. ”How could you idiots fail something so simple?! You were given every advantage going forward and you still failed!”
”The Prince happened upon us mid-mission, Mistress.”
”You are telling me the best ȧssassin in the European Vampire Association has to offer couldn't fight off one pampered pup?” She glared at the man standing in front of her desk.
The man's gaze dropped to his feet as he shook his head. ”He was not alone, Mistress. The demigod Orion is still by his side... not to mention many of their new guards, as well as some of the girls in question, were found to be quite formidable. We lost several of our own men trying to escape them.”
She swept her arm across her desk in frustration. Shards of glass and ceramic scattered across the tile as it fell to the floor. ”Get out of my sight.” She muttered, raw anger reflecting in her voice.
”What of the old councilman, Mistress?”
Her angry expression morphed into a cruel smile as her eyes lit with manic pŀėȧsurė. ”Take him to the basement. I need to know for sure whether he has the ability to follow through with his threats.”
Marcus spat a mouthful of blood toward Vivian. ”Is this all you have? Even that wolf pup was more intimidating than this lot.”
Vivian smiled sadistically at him, tapping her stiletto nails against her chin as she stepped forward. The guards that had been leading the interrogation stepped aside as she neared. ”You know I hate getting my hands dirty, so why don't you just tell me what I want to know, Marcus. Save us both the trouble.”
He was about to spit another mouthful of blood at her when she caught his mouth.
”Do it and die right this second.” She snarled. Her eyes danced with wicked intent as she studied him closely. ”You will answer everything I ask.” She slid one sharp nail down the seam of his shirt. Buttons popped off, scattering through the room. Once his ċhėst was bȧrė, she slid her nail down his ċhėst leaving a trail of blood in its wake. ”You will tell me, or I will put you through a torment you'll not live through.”
His eyes narrowed with hate and resolve. ”You'll likely kill me either way.”
Her crazed smile widened. ”Yes, but if you cooperate, I'll kill you fast.”
”The only way I'll answer any of them is if you release me first. Once I'm far enough away, then I'll answer.”
”Ha cute... truly.” Her velvety laugh filled the room. ”You'll tell me now.” She purred as she pressed the tip of her index finger into his shallow navel. ”Speak while you are able councilman.” When he only locked his lips tightly, she pressed the sharp tip deep into his flesh and tore upward. ”SPEAK!” She hissed.
He screamed out but didn't answer.
”Very well, but you know how much I hate messing up my nails...” She picked the jagged incision open and pushed her hand inside.
”I'll talk!” He yelled as she pressed through his flesh.
A devious smile curved her lips. ”Speak fast, for I've only just begun.” She said as she hooked a finger around the slimy organ she had been aiming for. She tugged at it slowly as he stumbled and stuttered through his words. ”Not good enough!” She yelled as she ripped the intestine from the opening of his stomach.
His eyes widened in terror as he gazed upon his own internal organ clenched tightly in her grip. He mumbled the words he hoped she wanted to hear... the words he hoped would put a stop to the torture... but it wasn't enough. As he slipped in and out of consciousness, he struggled to keep his eyes open knowing it would be the last time they would be. Flashes of the family who'd been taken from him over 500 years ago flashed in his mind. A warm smile spread across his lips as his entire body became cold. Just before him his wife and three children stood with their arms opened wide to him. ”Finally...” Tears streamed down his blood-covered face as his last words left his lips.
Vivian blew out a huff of irritation. ”What a pity... He was able to find peace in his last few seconds... My efforts were wasted... along with my perfect manicure...” Her lips pressed out in a pout as she examined her blood-coated nails. ”Clean this mess up, will you..” She instructed as she turned unaffected from the room.