Page 50 of Curse of Immortality
Maeve didn’t answer but soaked up how Charles liked the powerful and dangerous part of her.
He in return felt a surge of excitement he hadn’t felt in centuries. When she had burned him in his snake form, he had experienced intense physical pain for the first time in a millennium. He would have sworn that no one could stand up against the Cobra because he was the most powerful being alive, but Maeve had proven that she wasn’t an ordinary Earthen. For a moment her powers had startled him and until he understood her abilities better, he wasn’t going to challenge her to another round of “who kills the other first?”
Charles was a collector of people and after the demonstration of her powers, he was determined to bring Maeve into his fold like a dangerous predator he could study up close and find a way to make it a pet of his. He had already picked up on Maeve’s sexual innocence from the way she reacted to his closeness. Letting his finger lift her chin to meet his eyes, he used a seductive voice as he spoke. “You need someone who understands your anger, ambition, and your need to connect to something or… someone. I won’t ever judge you, Maeve. There’s nothing you can do that I haven’t already done. I think you and I have a lot in common. In some ways we are the same. I have more than enough wealth and power to help you build the kind of lifestyle you want. Together, we would dominate the world.”
Her breathing became faster from his sensual attack on her senses. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
“Marry?” The thought hadn’t occurred to Charles, but he was adept at giving a hopeful young woman a satisfying answer. “It would be a crime to lock someone with a beautiful rebellious spirit such as yourself into a confining arrangement such as marriage. What I suggest is giving you the means to live an independent life on your own terms. But of course, I wouldn’t mindmentoringyou in different aspects of life that might be… shall we say new to you.”
Maeve looked deep into his eyes. “Such as?”
Arching a brow, Charles said, “Such as finding the pleasures in life. It’s one thing to have ambitions but you need to be smart about who you kill and why. Burning down towns isn’t the way to go unnoticed.”
“I grew up caring for nature and animals and healing the wounded, but I’ve come to realize that helping innocent animals doesn’t compare to the satisfaction of destroying their enemies. Humans slaughter animals and Earthens for no good reason and I’m turning the tables on them.” Maeve didn’t back away from Charles’ closeness.
“You really don’t feel any guilt?” Charles asked with his gaze falling to her lips.
“No,” she lied.
“Then what do you feel?” he asked, wanting to understand Maeve.
“Humans have taken everything from me, and with every kill, I take my strength back. It makes me feel in charge of my own life.” Maeve thought back to all the humans she had already killed in a short time. This time, she was changing the narrative and focusing on her sense of vengeance. “Killing makes me feel powerful.”
“I understand, but if you let that feeling become an addiction then you’ve lost all your power. Don’t kill in vain, Maeve, it makes you appear weak,” Charles advised.
It was impossible for Maeve to like anyone because being a whirlpool of self-pity and anger she did not even like herself. But with Charles, she felt like she could breathe. He was unapologetic and demanding, which was exactly what she was striving to become. Not only did Charles understand her rebellious and independent nature, but he was offering to support her. In a world with no allies left his offer was enticing. And then there was the soothing part about being around someone who was so much worse than herself, which made it easier for Maeve to silence the self-loathing voices in her head. Her wrongs were nothing compared to his.
Finally breaking the intense contact between them, Charles walked over to pour two glasses of scotch while he spoke. “You’re the first Earthen I’ve met, Maeve, who isn’t a soft pushover but actually has ambition in life.” He turned around and walked back over to stand in front of her. Maeve found it fascinating to watch Charles walk. His movements were precise yet smooth as he narrowed in on her and handed her the heavy glass.
“If we are to be partners, I’ll need proof of your loyalty.”
Maeve watched him intently as he began to walk around the room in slow steps. “I’m impressed that you have defied your natural instincts as an Earthen and killed humans, but I need to know the extent of your strength.”
“I already proved that by burning down Lerwick and those other towns.”
“And why did you choose those towns exactly?”
“The people in Lerwick killed my aunt. The others lacked manners.”
“Ah, that means you didn’t prove anything. You killed humans who had killed your aunt. It’s one thing to hurt those you hate, that’s easy.” Charles stopped and stared at Maeve with a serious expression. “But the question is, could you kill an Earthen?”
Her lips parted a little. The very reason Maeve hated Zosia was that she did not protect Earthens, and while killing all those humans, her heart had told her it was in vengeance for her people. What righteous purpose could make her kill an innocent Earthen?
But Maeve’s thoughts spiraled quickly and as they fell into her deep layers of self-pity, she thought back to her sister. She had left Althea for dead but wondered if the crystal had healed her or if she had burned away with the rest of the cruel townspeople. Either way, Maeve was determined not to care; Althea had betrayed her and chosen humans over family. Her fate was deserved. In Maeve’s mind, Althea became a representation of all Earthens, which made it easier to hate them altogether. They would never understand or appreciate all she had done to save them, so why should she do anything for Earthens when she would always be a villain in their eyes, and they chose to side with vilehumansover her?
Though it went against the essence of an Earthen to harm others, especially the innocent and helpless, Maeve had already crossed so many of the lines and values of Earthens that this request did not scare her.
With a hard expression, Maeve confessed her darkest secret, “I already killed my sister when she tried to protect the humans. Make no mistake that I would kill Zosia if it was possible.”
“Good. Then this challenge will be easy for you. Retrieve a compass that belongs to me, and I shall reward you generously. The Gleaner who has the compass may be scary to look at, but I should tell you that there is a kind Earthen inside of her and that she is one of the most helpless creatures you could ever meet. Killing her will most likely feel as unnatural to you as killing an innocent deer in the forest. I want you to bring back her head and show it to me as proof of your loyalty.” Charles spoke in a matter-of-fact tone as if he were conducting a business deal. He hoped Maeve would live up to his demands, but if she tried to cheat or steal his compass for herself, he would hunt her down and make her regret it.
Maeve had already made up her mind but preten ded to think it over. “You’re asking me to prove my loyalty to you. What about your loyalty to me?”
“Should you bring me my compass, I assure you that you have both my protection and loyalty.” His smile was so rehearsed that it looked genuine. “I think we’ll have a beneficial partnership, Miss Maeve.” Taking her hand, he planted a kiss on the back and looked into her eyes. “I should warn you though, don’t let her get her hands on your head. At least not if you want to keep your soul.”
Chapter 20
A Maze of Treasure
