Page 60 of Beneath the Watching

Sitting up, I asked, “What do you mean ‘us’?”

Stefan let his arm fall to the side of the chair. “Us. Me and you.” He tilted his head at me and then glanced down before raising his eyes. “Did you think this was temporary?”

I spent more time during the day than I cared to admit daydreaming about being curled up by his side when we went to bed. It was my favorite thing to do, and I looked forward to it constantly. He’d hold me while whispering sweet things, ask me about my day, and I’d drift to sleep in his arms. It was the highlight of my evenings.

Frustratingly, he hadn’t gotten physical with me again, other than some intense make-out sessions. I’d honestly thought he’d changed his mind about me.

“You did, didn’t you?” Stefan got up and walked over to me. “There’s nothing temporary about you and me. I knew that thefirst time I saw you. I claimed you the first time I laid eyes on you, even as you know, I tried to fight it.”

He had just as much trouble expressing his feelings, or letting himself feel, as I did. The slight tremor in his voice showed me how difficult this was for him, to admit a vulnerability, a weakness. But we’d been doing better with it, both of us.

“Oh no you don’t,” he chuckled. “I may not be able to read you as well I’d like but I can see what you’re doing just by looking into your eyes.”

I’d quickly become quite proficient at using the psychic gifts he’d taught me, and he’d sensed me using my shield to hide.

“Tell me you feel the same.,” he insisted I nodded my answer, swallowing.

Satisfied with my gesture, he continued, “When you set pen to paper, you leave a bit of yourself in the ink, a piece of your spirit no matter how small. That tiny signature can open a door. Not many utilize that avenue, but the possibility remains.”

This was something I’d never thought of before, and never would’ve imagined as being a weapon. “How? Has this been done to you before?”

“You put energy into it and leave a piece of yourself.” Stefan returned to his seat. “It hasn’t been done to me, but it's happened in my family.”

He went on to tell me what had happened to his sister and how he felt he’d failed his family. My heart ached for the man I realized I was in love with.

20

STEFAN

Mabel was goingto be the death of me. She wouldn’t drop the subject of Kiara, no matter how many times I told her she had to stay away. I left her below in the crowd with Benjamin and Jack, who both seemed to have forgiven her for her untimely excursion into the forest.

They’d been left with strict instructions, though it pained me to leave her so exposed. Their earlier lack of regard for her safety pissed me off and my trust didn’t come easy, yet I had to give it. From where I stood on the balcony with Lucian, Ilya, Kiara, and others, I did my best to watch for any threats.

Lucian thanked the crowd for coming and presented his daughter, Kiara, to the public. I caught her eye just as her crown was being placed on her head. I knew her secrets. I knew she was waiting for Ramone to come and whisk her away. Her heart was treacherous even while she swore up and down she loved my best friend. I also knew of Ramone’s uncanny power, his ability to get into her head and manipulate her.

She’d opened the door and her legs wide for his games with little thought for anyone but herself.

Lucian yelled to the gathering, “Tonight we celebrate this victory!” The crowd cheered as he encouraged everyone to enjoy themselves and I trailed down the stairs following Ilya, Kiara, another demon named Alexander, and Lucian himself.

Vaguely, I heard Ilya reassure the girl before he stopped me and instructed me to check in with the captain of the Black Guard, Leo. Our security was top tier, but then again so was Ramone.

Leo stated everything was good and there was no sign of a breach. This wasn’t unusual, our kind were experts at being undetected. We had the best sorcerers and expert spells had been set in place. The chances were better than average we’d be alerted immediately should things go sideways.

With Ramone being next in line for the satanic throne and his possessing of a strong bloodline, there was nothing we could do to ensure absolute peace no matter how hard we tried.

Making my way across the dance floor, I joined Benjamin, Jack, and Mabel. So far, no one had recognized her, thanks to the cloaking spell I’d covered her with. I could see her true form but anyone other than me, Ilya, Lucian, and my two men would see a total stranger. I had to let some others in for her full protection. They couldn’t help her in any way if they were unable to recognize her.

“I can’t believe Kiara’s a princess,” Mabel said in wonderment, taking my hand. We spent a while wandering the entertainment areas, explored a terrace, and drank some wine. It was the perfect opportunity for Mabel to see more of the castle and I enjoyed seeing everything through her eyes. We were now in a parlor, a few other couples seated in quiet conversations on the other side of the room.

I had to force myself not to laugh. “Does she seem like the princess type to you, my love?” As far as I was concerned, Mabelwas far better suited. She was classy, elegant, graceful, and stunningly beautiful.

She paused a moment. “No...not really. But she could be.”

“You’re a better person than I. Everyone’s headed back to the ballroom, let’s go.” She set her wineglass down and I took her hand as she stood.

We entered a vast space decorated to within an inch of its life. One of Ilya’s friends, Branko, had a very talented girlfriend who’d overseen organizing and decorating this event. I suspected the woman knew who Mabel really was; being that she was constantly eavesdropping and generally not minding her own business and I steered clear of her as much as I could.

It grated at me how hard I could try and ensure Mabel’s protection and yet she would still be at risk. The voice hadn’t spoken to her lately and I’d been encouraging her to let it come through so she could evaluate the information it provided, hoping it would give us some insight. It had been irritatingly silent as of late, providing zero assistance.

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