Page 25 of Wicked Savior
I stare at the light green eyes assessing me with an unblinking stare and swallow. I’m not sure if he approves of this assignment, but it is nice to know we have back-up.
“Nice to meet you, General Ishkova, and thank you.” I glance at Lucifer. “I’m going to go upstairs. Meet you up there?”
Lucifer studies me for a second. “I’ll be there in a couple of minutes. It couldn’t hurt for me to walk the perimeter.”
Relieved to have a few minutes to myself, I nod and bolt up the stairs. Except when I get there, I stop abruptly and blink. Then blink again. The normally bare room has been transformed into something… cozy. A fire blazes in the previously non-existent fireplace with furniture grouped around it. Rugs line the cold concrete floors and drapes flank the drafty windows. In the far corner sits a massive bed fit for a ruler, piled high with luxurious-looking pillows and plush blankets. A good place for a massage. I quickly shift my gaze away.
It feels like the home I had when I was a child, when my father was still alive. It was him, my mother, and me, and it was full of cozy moments like this one. I haven’t felt this way in ages, like someone gave me a warm hug. When he died, my mother turned her focus to science, and I followed in her footsteps.
With a sigh, I run a hand over the soft, furry throw on the back of a chair. The urge to tell him who I am is strong, but it’s too early and dangerous. Soon though.
A pile of books catches my eye, and I move over to the new dining table to grab the one on top. It’s the hierarchy of the Druids. Fascinated, I flip through the pages to see if there’s anything new to note but find I know most of the information.
The air around me stirs with power and something dark and sensuous.
“Those are from my personal library. When the torque came into my court, I ordered the scholars to find everything we had on Druids. I have also sent requests to other libraries to borrow any books they might have on them, too,” he explains, before reaching over my shoulder to push the books aside. His breath blows on my hair, and I shiver at his nearness.
He motions to a small pile of metal items on the table. “In addition, I asked them to find all the artifacts with Viridian engraved on them. This is it.”
The heat from his body surrounds me, and for a second, the image from earlier flashes in my mind. My feet shuffle the tiniest bit closer to him, wanting to feel him wrapped around me. I pull in a deep breath. It’s so very tempting, but we… I have more important things to do. To prevent myself from giving in, I exhale, turn, and face him.
“Thank you. This means a lot. I put out additional requests for information, but few have come forward, and what little they brought didn’t amount to much. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of information available, maybe because the Druids led a mostly secretive existence,” I tell him, my voice husky.
His eyes darken a shade. “My sources say they were a pretty insular group. Only married other Druids,” he informs me.
If they only married other Druids, it means there was more than one line of succession with Druid power. The chances of several families evolving at the same time are astronomical. My mother must have used power or magic to make this happen. How did she choose the families? How many were chosen? I look over at the pile of books. There has to be something in there. I wonder if other families have lineage books like Brennus’?
“I seem to recall at least one family’s book,” he replies. The amused tone to his voice tells me I spoke the last question out loud. “Who’s Brennus?”
“I thought he was the first Druid, but now, I’m not sure. If there were other families, we need more information. Is there something that connects them? If they share a commonality, all my experiments will need to be adjusted, but I’d be closer to the answer,” I say excitedly, already starting to think about the possibilities.
He studies me closely. “Why is this so important to you? Is it a legacy you’re trying to fulfill? The science? Or something else?”
His questions make me pause. I could have come here and searched for clues on my mother’s whereabouts, but instead I made a choice to get involved. “I wish I could stand on the sidelines of life, but I can’t. I’m not built that way. I can help them. I may not know how yet, but I know, with every ounce of my being, I can change their lives for the better. Humans deserve a chance.”
“I hope so, but I’ve learned that some things can’t be prevented,” he replies with a distant look in his eye.
“You helped Aurora,” I point out to him.
He stills. “How’s she doing?”
“Aurora’s doing well. She needs a few more treatments, but Arden thinks she will be able to eliminate the cancer… at least for now,” I tell him.
He dips his chin in a brief nod.
“Why did you save her?” I ask, curious to see what he’ll say.
Hooded eyes study me for a second. “She should have a future. A chance to grow up, dream big, and find love. Out of everyone, children deserve it the most.”
His vague reply doesn’t fool me.
“Arden thinks Aurora reminds you of Danica. Is that true?” I tentatively ask, not wanting to intrude on something that seems so personal, but unable to stop myself from asking the question.
His lips curl in disdain, but his eyes shine with memories. “Trying to analyze me like you do everything else?”
Ignoring his reply, I arch a brow and stare at him. The look on his face reminds me of the sadness I sensed when we were at the cottage.
The emotion disappears as if it was never here. He waves a hand toward the room. “What did you think of the changes?”
