Page 47 of Curse of Immortality
Getting up from his chair, the youngest-looking man of the three moved closer to Maeve. His skin was flawless without a scar, and he had thick black lashes that complimented his black hair. “Is this some type of rebellion against the confinements of a privileged life? Did you really come here without an escort?”
“I don’t need an escort,” Maeve said in a defensive tone.
“No?” Walking closer to her, the youngest of the men muttered low to his friend with the scar. “She’s so much like the red-haired beauty we saw up North.”
With a scowl, Maeve moved back and refocused on Charles, who hadn’t said a word. “I know what you are and so does Zosia.”
Chapter 19
A Handsome Face with Long Fangs
Like the snake he was, the Cobra had shed his skin many times. His origins were so ancient that he had forgotten when he was born and to whom. Since then, he had gone by many names and lived in many bodies. His current body had belonged to a Fader who had wronged him long ago. After killing him, the Cobra took his body and name, just as he’d done with others so many times before.
The identity of Charles Fuji had served the Cobra well because as a wealthy Asian man, he had lived a luxurious and powerful life. The Cobra had spent two centuries in Asia and one in England as the handsome Charles Fuji where he manipulated and controlled others for his amusement and gain. He did not carry Charles Fuji’s ancestry because a Fader could not turn into their victims but only appear to look like them, and Charles’ attractive appearance did the Cobra many favors. He was tall for a Japanese man, and his silky black hair, dark eyes, toned face structure, and well-built body gave him an easy time with women.
“How did you get in here?” he repeated while watching Maeve, who despite feeling very flustered, kept her face stiff and emotionless.
“If you must know, I climbed the tree in your back garden and came in through one of your windows.”
The man with the scar chuckled. “Didn’t I tell you to cut down that tree?”
Charles didn’t look amused. “Why would I? Any thief or assassin stupid enough to come into my house would quickly wish they had never entered.”
Maeve wasn’t fazed by his threat and raised her chin.
Moving closer, Charles tilted his head and narrowed his eyes a little. “You’re not the first Earthen who’s been stupid enough to come here.”
“I’m not stupid,” she answered sharply and looked up at Charles.
“Then why would you think it was a good idea to come here?”
Maeve raised her chin and exuded all the confidence she could muster. “Because I have something to offer you. Something, I’m sure you’ll be rather grateful for.”
He didn’t answer at first, but then he spoke in a smooth voice. “You’re much prettier than the last one who came knocking, but if I wanted a lady of the hour I’d go to a whorehouse.”
His words triggered the memory of James calling her a whore before leaving her for dead and it made her spit out, “I’m not here to sleep with you.” Maeve’s tone was sharp as she spoke through her clenched teeth with a sideways glance to the two other men in the room, and added, “Or them.”
The man with the scar sighed. “How disappointing. It’s so rare for women to take initiative these days. I was hoping you had a rebel’s desire.” Looking to his friend with the dark hair, he sighed. “I miss my days as a Viking. Women back then were uninhibited and unashamed of their sexuality.”
“Stop!” Charles didn’t look at the man with the scar when he barked out his order, but the man complied without complaint when Charles added, “You two, leave us.”
Maeve stood locked in a staring contest with Charles when his two friends left the room and closed the door behind them. Covering her right wrist with her left palm, she felt her pulse race and tried to calm her nerves. The executioner had been a large man but nowhere as scary as Charles. He was hard to read and his dark eyes hardly blinked.
“I’m listening so state your purpose,” Charles demanded.
“Zosia intends to kill you.”
He raised an eyebrow and spoke in a mocking tone. “Everyone intends to kill me, that’s nothing new.”
“She chose me to do her bidding, but I won’t.”
A small smile tugged at his lips. “Is that so? Did you know that you’re not the first Zosia has sent to kill me?”
“Yes. I’m aware,” she answered without looking away.
“Are you also aware of the fate that fell upon the last Earthen who tried to kill me?”
“No.” Maeve frowned. “I didn’t come here to talk about her. I came because Zosia hates you and I hateher. If I could, I would kill her for what she’s done to me. Since that’s not possible, I want to understand what it is you do that makes her see you as a threat.”
