Page 49 of Curse of Immortality
Charles understood that she used an endearment back to create leverage between them. He couldn’t remember feeling this intrigued by a woman ever and leaned forward so that their faces weren’t very far apart. “I just told you I started the witch trials that killed your people. Why does Zosia get all your hatred and not me?”
His question was valid, but Maeve hadn’t arrived here hoping to find a good person. She had known Charles was a selfish man who took what he wanted. That was why she had been curious about him to begin with. Narrowing her eyes, she looked him over. His clothes weren’t flamboyant, but clearly of good quality and fit him perfectly. Where James had been all about flashing his wealth, Charles was understated yet oozed ten times as much superiority and masculinity. And then there was the obvious difference that Charles didn’t use his tongue to spin lies as James had.
“Because unlike her, you don’t pretend to care about me or anyone else. I haven’t caught you in a lie, yet, and like you, Ihateliars. Zosia and James both pretended to care, and they used me but weren’t there when I needed them, andthatis unforgivable.”
“James?” Charles raised a flirtatious eyebrow.
Maeve ignored his question and continued talking. “Zosia is crueler than you could ever be because you don’t pretend to be good when you’re not. I don’t blame you for taking what you want from whoever can give it to you. In fact, I plan to do the same. That’s why I’m here. If I must live among humans, then I want to be in control and live in the greatest comfort possible.”
Charles watched the determined expression in Maeve’s beautiful intense eyes. It was a good thing she couldn’t hear all the dirty thoughts in his mind because it would have flustered her and made her cheeks blush. “Being honest about my desires justifies my motives in your view. Are you saying I could kill you right now, and you still wouldn’t judge my actions?” he challenged in his deep attractive voice.
“I think we just established that you don’t have the power to kill me.”
“Ah, but I didn’t bite to kill you. I intended to turn you into a Gleaner.”
Maeve didn’t want to appear illiterate, so she didn’t reveal to him that she didn’t know what a Gleaner was.
“Killing you wouldn’t be difficult. I could do it with my bare hands or turn myself into any predator I choose and rip out your heart or throat in a blink of an eye.”
“I wish you could, but Zosia has cursed me with immortality.” Maeve looked up at him and watched how hundreds of thoughts spiraled behind his dark eyes.
“What type of immortality?” he asked.
“Is there more than one?”
“I give my Faders the possibility of living forever if no harm is inflicted upon them,” Charles explained.
Maeve paraphrased his words: “So, unless they are murdered or fall off a cliff, they could live till the end of time.”
Charles nodded.
“But that’s not the type of immortality you have?” Maeve asked, instinctively knowing the answer.
“No, it’s not. There is only one weapon that can kill me, and despite what Zosia says it’s impossible to get to, which makes killing me impossible.” Though his eyes had returned to normal, there was still the glimmer of yellow in his pupils. “What type did she give you?”
Maeve sighed. “I should be dead, but my body heals and regrows itself, which means I’m cursed to live in this world forever.”
Charles furrowed his dark eyebrows. “Your limbs regrow themselves? That’s impossible.”
“It’s true. And my natural powers as an Earthen are enhanced as well. I can shoot balls of fire from my palms, throw people or objects around, and strangle a person from a distance.”
Charles arched an eyebrow. “Impressive. But you are still an Earthen and that makes you soft. We both know you couldn’t kill anyone if it came down to it.”
Maeve felt frustrated and embarrassed that Charles was patronizing her. Squaring her shoulders, she spat out, “I’ve killed plenty. Go see how much is left of Lerwich, Glanchester, and Wintervale.”
His mouth opened slightly and for a moment he stared at her before he muttered, “That wasyou? From what I heard those towns have been obliterated and everyone is looking for the culprit. Someone told me there are rumors that a dragon is to blame.
Maeve rolled her eyes. “Dragons aren’t real.”
“Nor are Earthens who kill. Or so I thought,” Charles pointed out and went to sit on the edge of his desk. For a long moment, he watched her with a finger on his chin and an expression on his face that signaled deep thinking. “You want to become my equal?”
“I already am in so many ways,” she answered without breaking their eye contact.
He crossed his arms. “If you want this lifestyle, I could help you get it. But it would require that you’re useful to me.”
Maeve didn’t answer, but she tilted her head and listened as he continued talking.
“I like that you are smart and ambitious. I’m sure your anger toward Zosia can benefit both of us somehow and…” Charles raised one side of his mouth in a flirtatious smirk. “You’re incredibly pleasing to look at.”
