Page 13 of Chosen
His lips tighten but there’s no retort.
Anothersuperiousin a formal uniform with a gold sash steps forward. His long blond braid hangs over his shoulder. I immediately recognize him as the Sector Leader’s second in command, General Rohman Crafteshon. He extends his hand to me. “Sector Leader Draken, it is our great pleasure to welcome you to our sector once again. I couldn’t help but overhear that you don’t plan on staying with us long. It’s a shame because our chefs have prepared a feast featuring several of the dishes you favored at your last visit.”
I offer him a brief handshake. These formalities have always made me uncomfortable. “I appreciate the hospitality but I do not plan to stay longer than is necessary.”
Magnus and Rohman exchange a silent look that says nothing and everything all at once. My years of struggle and clawing my way to the top has taught me how to read people and I can tell they believed they could convince me to change my mind.
I hate to say more than necessary at any given time, but now is not the time to mince my words. “I think I’ll take that drink now so we can talk, Sector Leader Magnus.”
“I believed on you last visit I said that you could call me Magnus,” the redhead responds.
This tactic to soften me is only making me annoyed. “Or perhaps we can skip the drink and you and I can have a conversation,Sector LeaderMagnus. But I doubt you would like to have it in the open.”
“I would be happy to have any discussion you wish, however?—”
“About what’s in her file,” I interrupt him.
The only indication that my words have gotten to him is the stiffening of his shoulders. Again she shares a wordless glance with his General. From that I can discern that his second-in-command is also aware of what’s in my breeder’s file.
He released a heavy sigh. “Perhaps we should have this conversation in my office.” He then turns to the General. “Rohman please have someone inform my wife of the situation. I’m sure she would like to give her sister a proper farewell.”
The blond nods. “Of course.”
“This way please.” The Sector Leader turns on his head and leads me up a white marble staircase. The inside of his manor is much grander than my base back home. It reminds me of the high-end homes of wealthysuperiousfamilies on a much grander scale. There is a marked difference in the décor from my last visit, perhaps the due to the touch of his new bride.
I usually take in my surroundings wherever I go more out of necessity and security than for admiration, but my focus is only on the back of the Sector Leader as he takes me down the grand hallway toward his office.
As we get closer to our destination, my nose twitches. Something smells amazing but I don’t believe its food. If I remember the lay of the perimeter from my last visit, the kitchen is on the other side of the manor. My sense of smell is stronger than most, even as asuperiousyet I can’t figure out what that scent is or where its coming from.
There are vases of flowers on white marble pedestals yet the smell doesn’t match ay flower I’ve ever smelt before.
Magnus halts abruptly. “Jamie. What are you doing here?”
There are two Enforcers standing on either side of the door and since I’m standing directly behind the Sector Leader, his body blocks the person he is referring to.
Jamie?
Before I realize what’s happening, I’m again hit with an intoxicating scent that shoots through my nostrils and gives my body a euphoric sensation. But this time it’s much stronger and sweeter.
Drawn to it, I step around Magnus and freeze.
Standing in front of his office, a slender woman with rich brown skin.
Although the picture in her file had been blurred, I’d know this woman anywhere. This was Jameshia.
My breeder.
Chapter
Six
DRAKEN
When Magnus had told me about the cross-breeding program, my interest was instantly piqued. I was in need of a breeder and it sounded like this new implementation into the Registry could find a match more efficiently than using Braeden’s idea of selecting someone he thought would be a suitable partner for me.
Besides, this way, if I had a homo sapien breeder, once she provided me with an heir that I needed I could send her off with a handsome reward and never hear form her again. However, I’d had a brief conversation with Magnus about his thoughts of the program and clearly he’d been satisfied with the results.
Clearly it had worked out for him but one thing he’d mentioned was that upon meeting his breeder, he was hit was an indescribable scent that he couldn’t quite explain. Apparently no one else could smell it except for him and if they did, it didn’t affect them the way it did him.
