Page 18 of Sonata
12
Étienne
Ishould’ve known to expect new assassins would come. I did not. Focusing on my mate and assuring myself more than her that she is safe and out of harm's reach took all my attention. Maybe Lucien was right when he accused me of having obsessive behavior. Alias, it was too late to dwell on things that should’ve been done, and I had to protect my mate.
From both sides, if all the noise coming from the church was to go by.
"Emmenez votre femelle en sécurité, je m'en occuperai, mon frère." Moël offered to fight seven assassins on his own just to allow me to take my mate to safety, but that was too great a sacrifice for me to accept with a good conscience.
“Nous nous battons ensemble, mon frère.” We always fought together, so I made sure he knew nothing has changed.
“Yeah, whatever he said.” Melody chuckled nervously from behind us while Alto streaked across the street, his tail trailing behind him.
That fucking cat was a coward.
I assessed the situation the best I could. If my mate was not present, we would’ve already met them fists flying and fangs tearing, but I had to be sure no harm will come to her first. It was a cloudy sky that didn’t allow much moonlight, but it worked for me. All of them stood in the middle of the empty street, arms lose at their sides. A strong breeze was rustling the trees' leaves, tumbling a paper bag and a double page of some newspaper down the asphalt. No other sound could be heard, not even a breath. My mate guessed correctly that a stench clung to the assassins, the odor same as the one we captured not long ago. Remembering him and his death made me look at the seven in a new light.
“Stay back to make sure no one gets past me to reach her.” I was grateful it was Moël with me and not Lucien. My middle brother would’ve been swinging and roaring by now for a while if he was present.
“Je vous ai entendu.” With that acknowledgment, Moël pulled back, taking Melody with him.
Crashing came from the ruins of the church as I approached the group.
“I see the others not returning; instead of warning whoever hired you to stay out of our way, it encouraged them to send you lot to your deaths.” Hands in my pockets, I rocked back on my heels as I stood closer to them than any sane male would.
More commotion followed from the cursed building, too low to garner attention from the humans but loud enough to my ears.
Haunting music accompanied the crashing, raising the hairs on my neck and arms, and the air started pulsing around us.
No one seemed to notice.
One of the assassins stepped up, separating herself from the others. “We were sent not to kill you but to bring you in, Étienne.” The accent was strong as she spoke English, but there was no mistaking the voice.
My entire being stilled.
“Josephine?” my eyebrows dipped low over my eyes as I ducked my head to better see under the hood she was wearing. “What in the fates name are you doing outside Paris?”
“Who is that?” Melody’s question floated to me, and it made me grind my teeth. I missed my brother’s answer.
“Many things have changed since you cowardly ran instead of facing judgment. Those not strong enough to face the consequences of their actions do not live long in the court.”
“Is that so?” with a snort, I cocked my head to the side, looking her up and down.
The female could pretend she was strong and brave, all she wanted. It didn’t escape me the way her hands were balled into fists, nor the slight trembling of her body. Faking courage and having one were two very different things. A lesson all seven were about to learn the hard way.
“Will you come willingly?” Josephine jutted her chin up.
Before we came to the Americas with my brothers, the female I knew was all about the latest fashions, popular parties, and keeping an eye on a potential partner she can snag to improve her standing. She was welcomed to dress like a killer, even fake the bravado and competence of one, but she would never be able to fool me. I saw through her shallow mind then, I saw it at that moment, as well.
If only my brother listened to me back then when I told him.
“I do not see Lucian with you.” Speak of the devil, and you shall find it.
“As I have told you before many times, Josephine. Stay away from my brother.” Added warning to my tone was not enough to discourage her. “He wants nothing to do with you, and we have no intention of going anywhere. So, you either turn back and leave, I will allow you one chance.”
Pausing for effect, I made sure she sees the promise in my eyes. “Or die. Le choix t'appartient.”
I meant it.
