Page 42 of Beneath the Watching

It’d been many years since I’d last stepped foot inside the compound, and I had no remembrance of the flora or fauna. It occurred to me that perhaps Mabel would like a bouquet of unique flowers and made a mental note to bring some home.

The sky overhead was a deep navy blue with a brilliant yellow sun hanging low, the light emphasizing the blindingly brightivory flowers and illuminating the red drips. Demons stripped of their corporeal forms known as wraiths glided along the grass, busy with whatever assignments they’d been tasked and largely ignoring me. Small yellow and black birds flitted about, dipping their long beaks into the flowers, and buzzing through the gray fog the beings left in their wake.

The atmosphere was heavy with a sense of foreboding and carried the weight of limitless authority. It was rare I was reminded of my place in the food chain, being so used to exerting my own will and having others fear me. Here, I was nothing more than a bug on an ant hill and I was very much not the one holding the magnifying glass.

I scanned for any lingering threats all while knowing I could be mercilessly cut down without warning. The stories of my kind being slaughtered for the slightest infraction were enough to keep me in check. I’d arrived unarmed as was required. Well, almost. They’d have to expect I’d strapped at least one spelled blade to my ankle though I was certain to be relieved of it quickly.

I climbed the steep incline of stairs leading to the guarded door. There was no way to estimate how long the trek took, with more steps appearing every time I’d thought I’d reach the end. Finally, I stopped outside the entrance and the keepers opened the double doors, waiting for me to walk through.

Immediately, I was enveloped in a scene engaging all my senses. The air was rich and fragrant, filled with the scent of blood, flowers, human flesh, and the smell of crystals—a fragrance only those of my kind could detect. My mouth moistened and I gave in to the pleasure and lust that coursed through my veins, allowing the ecstasy of temptation to flow if just for a moment.

“Stefan,” a familiar voice interrupted my moment of weakness. Josiah gazed at me with a smug smile, highly amusedat my reaction to the assault on my spirit. “This way,” he directed, with an outstretched arm.

He was impeccably dressed, in a three-piece suit of the sharpest cut and finest quality, the hems of his pants precisely tailored to allow for glimpses of his well-heeled boots. They coordinated perfectly in light of their utilitarian purpose and appeared to have seen little, if any, action. I followed him to a desk, the milling occupants of the hall naturally and respectfully getting out of our way.

The woman behind the desk was exquisitely beautiful, her hair appearing as spun gold framing a face bearing bright emerald-green eyes. Despite her beauty, she was no competition for the girl waiting for me at home.

I felt this female human’s aura reaching for me, attempting to elicit a physical response and extended my own in refusal. Josiah chuckled lightly under his breath before arching a brow. I’d been here five minutes and already, I’d displayed another vulnerability as if I had shouted it from a rooftop.

“Place your hand on the counter,” the woman directed.

I did so and she tapped away at a screen. “Modernization,” the man beside me stated.

“I see that,” I replied to Josiah while my palm was scanned.

“It would be in your best interest to remove the blade from your leg,” he said as he turned toward me.

Sighing, I lifted my leg and unstrapped the metal, placing it in his outstretched hand. He tossed it on the desk and the woman grabbed it to tuck it somewhere underneath the counter. “I expect that will be returned to me?” I asked.

“Of course,” the man drawled, politely lying.

We headed out of the foyer and down a long hallway as I looked at the familiar furnishings. The black marble walls were filled with paintings and statues of Roman and Greek gods as well as various, other creatures. We passed an openatrium with pterodactyls hanging upside down from the rafters, swinging lazily as if there were a breeze. Creatures such as those thankfully hadn’t been seen in the Fourth Realm, much to the benefit of humans.

Josiah fished for information about Ilya and Ramone’s business, and I gave him as little as I could. It was easy, as I didn’t involve myself often, only offering the men the occasional bit of legal advice.

Clearly, Josiah knew more than he said but even his kind had their limitations, few as they may be. Ilya was brilliant in his work and knew exactly how to cover the true nature of what they did with elaborate sorcery and curses designed to prevent outside knowledge of the company’s inner workings.

“Your loyalty is admirable though perhaps misplaced,” Josiah remarked. “You know breaches in the hierarchy will not be tolerated.”

His words were spoken lightly but I knew the weight behind them. Ilya and the other man would only be left unchecked for so long. While it wasn’t my problem, I was mildly concerned for my friend. If he and Ramone continued their trajectory, they’d usurp their superiors. But Ilya knew how to take care of himself and must’ve known the risks.

By the time we reached our destination, Josiah had made it clear the High Court was aware of the mess my best friend had found himself in. They were tracking the progress of his woman, a source of magic, and the soap-opera like drama between Ilya and Ramone. He gave no opinion of the events; he’d merely divulged their awareness. There had to be a reason he’d given me this insight; nothing was done without an ulterior motive in the Court.

“May I ask what the interest is?” I glanced at him when we’d stopped outside the entrance to the throne room.

“You may. However, that is not for me to tell.”

Josiah turned forward, halting at the guards’ crossed blades. I stood beside him and waited before he announced, “My Lord, Stefan is here to meet with you as requested.” He bowed his head lightly, raising it when he was answered.

“Come forward.” A voice called out.

“Sem will see you now,” Josiah said, trailing behind me.

The swords lowered and Josiah ushered me into the open space with the sound of our shoes lightly tapping the marble. The scent of blood and desire hung thickly in the atmosphere invading my spirit and nearly choking me.

The throne was on a short dais, set against the far wall with what would’ve been a water feature if it weren’t for the crimson tone of the liquid. Blood gathered in the edges and crooks of the ceiling, never congealing but flowing down in a thin wash and disappearing into the floor. A hint of orange hung in the air above the throne and encompassed the entirety of the far side of the room.

Sem sat robed in black and silver, a naked woman on his lap. She appeared nearly unconscious as his silver talon tipped fingers plunged in and out of her core while he simultaneously drank her blood and essence. Rivulets of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he shuddered.

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