Page 33 of Beneath the Watching

She had been married to my father, but still fancied herself a courtesan. Her skills with carefully placed words and immaculately crafted narratives put my own psychological skills to shame. She used her natural gifts to destroy everyone she claimed to love and used them to grow in power.

I knew I manipulated those around me, but I didn’t want to hurt those I loved few as they may be. I’d only cause hurt if it benefited them. Refraining from my kind’s basic sustenance ensured I’d stick as close to my principles as possible.

“Are you hungry?” I asked, suddenly aware of her basic human needs.

Her stomach growled. “No.”

“It's okay to ask for what you need.” I knew she didn’t want to. “That doesn’t mean you’ll get it, but I will provide what I can.”

Mabel placed her reading material down on the table. “What I need is to know what’s going on.”

Her hand was trembling. I walked over to her and stood in front of her, waiting. When she glanced up, I said, “You’re here, now. This is where you’ll stay. When Ilya gets things worked out, we’re heading north to the mountains.”

Her shoulders slouched. “I don’t want to go to some mountains, I want to stay here. You can’t just keep me; you don’t even want me.”

“Oh, Mabel. Whatever gave you that idea?”

Her cheeks bloomed red. “Stop fucking with me. You know you said you want to be rid of me.”

“I never said that. You’re stressed out over your friend.” With a huff, I crossed the room and pulled a map of the castle out of my desk drawer. Memorizing escape routes if things went poorly with Ramone and Lucian tonight would be prudent. I knew the layout, but a refresher would be wise on the off chance I’d missed or forgotten something.

“Don’t gaslight me. You told me to leave you alone and said you wanted to be rid of me. I don’t know who you think I am but I’m not stupid. And I pay more attention than you’d think.”

It was all I could do not to smile. “It's not you I’d like to be rid of.”

She crossed the room and peeked over my shoulder at the map. I should’ve covered it up or spelled her to make her unable to translate the diagram, but I didn’t. Before I could decide what to do, another knock sounded on the door. Ilya should’ve had plenty to do to ensure his plans unfolded optimally rather than take the time to darken my doorway again.

“Come in,” I called out.

The door opened and Lucian strolled in, casting a casual glance at my companion. If I'd been paying attention to the important things rather than brooding over my ward, I’d have known it was him rather than assuming it was Ilya again.

I stood up in greeting and did my best not to maneuver Mabel out of the way and show my hand. He couldn’t know how important she was to me; I couldn’t give him that advantage. If he saw me trying to protect her, he’d identify a weakness he could exploit to control me.

“Stefan,” Lucian began. “I see you have company.” He tilted his head slightly toward Mabel, a small smile on his lips.

“Indeed. How can I help you, Lucian?”

The man that sired the object of Ilya’s affection and obsession was largely unassuming in appearance. He had a soft and paternal look to him that hid the ugly underneath. He was relentlessly ambitious, coupled with a bitterness over his lack of natural magic. He reminded me of my mother, at times.

He was human through and through, with an aptitude for teleportation and sadly for him, minor magical or psychic capabilities. He could work a spell just as well as anyone else, and therein lay the problem. He wanted more.

Lucian wanted what the demon gods, other demons, and the witches had—an inherent affinity and talent that lent power. Such things could not be acquired; one must be born with them or gifted such by others willing to part with some of their own prowess. With his caring demeanor and friendliness, peopleadored him, and few suspected the true nature I knew lay just below his curated veneer.

The man kept sneaking glances at my woman, irritating me. I hadn’t had the opportunity to fully explore the depths of Mabel’s magic nor discuss her circumstances with her. So far, her knowledge was limited to the few snippets of on-topic conversation we’d managed and what she’d picked up from those around her.

Lucian helped himself to one of my leather armchairs, lowering his hefty frame down with a flourish. “One of your men was seen purchasing a dress. He has exquisite taste, I might add. I could only assume the pretty frock was not to be worn by you.”

“You assume correctly.” I watched and listened as he chuckled at his own joke.

He leaned forward slightly, tugging at his suit coat. “That’s not why I’m here, though I’m happy you’ll be attending tonight.” He cleared his throat. “I received a message from the Higher Court. Josiah is requesting an audience with you.”

My blood ran cold. I hadn’t been summoned for hundreds of years and the last time I’d been, it wasn’t under the best of circumstances. I’d been held and questioned in regard to my mother’s murder and then banished from the High Court’s grounds and properties and sent to the battlefields where it’d been assumed I’d meet my demise.

And I would have, if it hadn’t been for Ilya.

10

MABEL

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