Page 103 of Sergi
“Let’s sit and be comfortable.” He waved me to one of the armchairs by the fireplace, and he sat in the one across from me. I was grateful he didn’t ask me to sit on the sofa. That would have put me at a disadvantage, and he seemed to know that. “Don’t let the first couple of nights fool you. Sometimes the dreams don’t come until later. I’m sure it comes as no surprise that I’ve experienced similar circumstances. My advice, if I might suggest, when they become so bad you avoid sleep, find someone to confide in. They won’t be able to heal you. Only you can do that. But, as they say, sometimes talking about it helps.”
“You sound like my uncle.” I didn’t want to admit the nightmares had already started. But before they took hold, Sergi was there, chasing them away in my dreams. It comforted me, as silly as that sounded.
Trelane laughed. “We are both wise leaders. So, what is it that I can do for you?”
Thank heavens the chit-chat was over, but that didn’t mean I’d been ready for it. I thought Braden had told him why I was here. I relaxed against the chair. A maneuver my uncle told me would give me time to think. When I took a deep breath to halt the restless butterflies that had returned, I realized if I wanted something from him, I would need to ask.
“I was speaking with Braden about the coming war.” I rubbed my hands on my thighs, and though Trelane flicked his gaze to the motion for the briefest of seconds, his expression never changed at my apparent nervousness. “I realize it’s a vampire matter, but with my uncle taking a side, and…” My brain went blank. What should I call being held captive and watching vampires kill members of your own species in the most brutal ways possible? What the hell was I even doing here? I didn’t have a chance to complete my thoughts.
Trelane leaned over and rested his elbows on his knees as he caught my gaze. Thank heavens mesmerizing didn’t work on shifters, though his closeness didn’t bother me. He acted as if he were taking me into his confidence. “You’ve survived a horrific experience at the hands of vampires, yet here you are, wanting to team with a species who you’ve seen as your enemy, possibly for your entire life.”
Had my uncle told him something about my past, or was he just clairvoyant? I thought I’d learned how to school my emotions, yet there was something about the vampires in this House that constantly surprised me.
He gave me a moment to catch my breath and settle. I placed my arms on the chair, and while I gripped the fabric a bit too tightly, at least they remained still.
“My uncle kept me away from vampires, though all pups were taught about your species.” When Trelane gave me a knowing smile, I relaxed and returned the grin. “I see you also follow the teachings of Sun Tzu in knowing your enemy. But I’ve only recently learned that one can’t judge a species by their history.”
“Well said. Though, as you know all too well, that can’t be said of all of us. But I want you to feel comfortable and safe at all of the Trelane properties. And, since you’ve taken the first step, I’ll make this easy on you.” He sat back and winked. “This time.”
My cheeks heated, but I appreciated him taking the lead.
“You’re here about the counter-strike team, and your uncle is, as of yet, unaware of your request to join us. I have no biological children of my own, but my sister has always been dear to me. For a short time, I had to take care of her every need—until recently. It scared me to see her gain her independence, but when I witnessed her return to the strong woman she once was, I knew my fear was unwarranted.” His smile returned. “Although I’d never admit it outside this room, I never want to be on the wrong side of her wrath.”
I chuckled. “I assume Braden told you my uncle won’t be happy about me being here.”
He shrugged. “That will be up to you to sort out. But, if it helps, I’ll ask Decker to intercede if Remus won’t back down. Though, I won’t risk our partnership over it.”
“I understand.” What a relief to have Decker on my side. I’d wondered if the old shifter was still around. I remembered him befriending vampires and shifters alike at his fight club. I glanced up to find Trelane staring at me. Had I missed a question? I replayed the conversation in my head.
“Wait. Does this mean I’m on the team?”
Trelane grinned just as a knock came. I didn’t turn to look, but a woman’s voice called out.
“I gave you as much time as I could.”
“Just another minute,” Trelane called out before he refocused on me, that smile still hovering. “I don’t have the last word on the makeup of the team, but I have some influence. In fact, I’ll ask Cressa to take you to the team leader. He’ll make the final call.”
“Who am I taking where?” The woman had entered the office, and when I turned, I found the brown-haired female I’d seen earlier in the hall.
“Cressa, this is Alex, Remus’s niece.” Before he could say anything else, the woman raced around the sofa and dropped onto it, her eyes lit with curiosity.
“I’d hug you, but I’ll refrain since you don’t know me well enough yet. I can’t tell you how thankful we are that you brought Sergi home.”
That didn’t take long for the gossip to get around.
“You’ll have to excuse Cressa. She’s human and filled in for Sergi while he was on mission. You might say they have a special relationship.”
My stomach fell, and Cressa slapped Trelane’s leg.
“Did you hear what you just said?” She turned to me. “It’s not that type of relationship. It’s more like big bully brother and misunderstood little sister.” She grinned and chucked a thumb toward Trelane. “I’m with him.”
Should I be concerned by how relieved I was?
“Come on. I assume I’m taking you to Sergi to get his approval to join the team.”
Those butterflies returned. Sergi was the leader of the counter-strike team? I guess there was no question of seeing him before I left.
Cressa stood and strode to the door. She glanced back at Trelane. “Five minutes, and then I expect you on the widow’s walk.”
