Page 66 of Curse of Immortality
“Ahh, come on. Even an old snake like you can’t deny that she’s pretty,” Thomas teased.
“I’m not denying anything. I already decided that I’ll seduce her and sleep with her.”
Damon had been drinking and coughed. “Who, Althea?”
“Yes. There’s nothing to entice a woman’s sexual appetite like a little competition. I’m certain it would vex Maeve if I slept with her sister.”
Thomas laughed, but Damon didn’t even smile. He never favored the toxic intrigues that seemed to entertain Charles when it came to his women.
“I got everything from Maeve that I could. She shared that Zosia is in search of the next Earthen to go on a quest to kill me.”
“Ah, yes, because so far her success rate is pretty great,” Thomas pointed out with sarcasm.
“It doesn’t matter who Zosia sends on that quest. They’ll never succeed. I made sure of that.” Self-importance was written all over Charles’ face. “Not only are the objects hidden well but finding them would also require teamwork between a Fader and an Earthen.”
Damon frowned. “But what if a foolish Fader decides to go on the quest to defy you?”
Charles looked to Damon as if he were slow, and stated the obvious. “Every Fader knows that killing me would mean certain death to themselves and all of you. If I die, you die. Show me a Fader who isn’t happy with their privileged life and wants to commit suicide, or even worse suffer my wrath and end up as a Gleaner?”
Damon knew better than to disagree with the Cobra. With a small nod, he agreed, “Then you have nothing to worry about.”
“We need all the information we can get on this Orenda village and the Earthen that Zosia is planning to send on the quest.” Looking straight at Damon, Charles ordered. “I want you to find Althea and win her trust.”
“Excuse me?” Damon wrinkled his nose.
“I don’t care how you charm or seduce her. Just get all her secrets.”
Pushing his plate away, Damon protested. “Can’t you get one of your new Faders to do it? I’m far too busy with my businesses and the newer Faders are always hungry for your approval; let them kiss your arse.”
“You’ve followed Althea for more than forty years. If anyone can find her and get her to talk, it’s you.”
Usually, Damon wouldn’t have pushed back a second time, but he hated that he had to spy on Althea. He had overheard enough conversations between her and Annabel over the years to know she was no danger to anyone. She had confessed her inner thoughts to him when she thought she was talking to a fox, a deer, a bird, or whatever animal form he chose to get close to her. “I apologize but following a harmless Earthen around the country when I have important business meetings in London is inconvenient to me.”
The change in atmosphere happened instantaneously. Charles’ eyes turned cold and his voice stern. “You think this assignment is below you?”
Damon had multiple reasons which he couldn’t and wouldn’t share with Charles for most of those reasons he was in denial about himself. He didn’t want to admit that Althea’s confessions sometimes made him reflect on things that didn’t serve him. He was well aware that she would loathe him and everything he stood for if she knew who he truly was. It wasn’t that he cared about her, because he had stopped truly caring about anyone a long time ago. But now that Charles had declared that he wanted to seduce Althea and sleep with her, it had also placed her in the same category as her sister Maeve in his mind. Sleeping with the same women as Charles wasn’t wise. Most of the time, Charles interacted as a normal person would, but Damon had known him long enough to witness his unpredictable and deviant nature firsthand. There was no doubt in his mind that Charles Fuji was by far the greatest embodiment of moral depravity to ever walk the Earth. Damon was intelligent and driven enough to understand that being in Charles’ inner circle was better than being his enemy. But he was never completely relaxed around him or foolish enough to forget the serpent that Charles could turn into at any given moment.
“You seem confused. Did you think I was making a request that was open for negotiation? Do I need to remind you, young Damon, that the reason you have your age and superior status in life is because of me? I can take all of that away just as quickly as I gave it to you. Now, rethink what you just said. Did I make a request or an order?”
Damon drew in a long steadying breath. His hands were rolled into fists under the table, and he was in a heightened state of alertness. Charles’ anger could be lethal and there was no wiggle room to say the wrong thing.
Thomas moved in his seat. “Damon understands and will do as you asked. Right, Damon?”
His friend’s concern was touching. It was rare for Faders to have true friendships.
Nodding, Damon agreed, “Of course.”
It was as if the Cobra’s head had been raised, ready to attack, and now lowered, making everyone let go of the breath they were holding. His tone of voice softened as he said, “Good. I would think asking you to seduce a beautiful woman would be considered an enjoyable task.”
“I’d gladly do it.” Thomas laughed to lighten the heavy atmosphere. “I’ve always had a thing for redheads. Besides Damon isn’t nearly as devilishly handsome as I am.” Thomas grinned, though in truth, Thomas was a well-built man with charm, he was well aware that he couldn’t compare to Damon when it came to appearance. It didn’t bother him as he compensated with buckets of charisma and confidence that always drew people to him.
“Damon will do it. He’s already been watching her for so long.”
“You’ll have to put a smile on that ugly face of yours then.” Thomas lightly slapped Damon on the shoulder. “Otherwise, no woman will spill her secrets to you.”
Damon looked at Thomas and exaggerated a smile to mock his friend.
“Whoa, with a smile like that she’ll be begging you to marry her.”
