Page 71 of Deceived By a Warrior

Artem grinned, relishing Gedeon’s fear. It was much greater than Darius’ fear ever was. Perhaps that was where Artem went wrong in trusting Darius. Initially, Artem considered Darius’ bravery an asset. Now he realized bravery among his subjects was something he should have never sought out.

Fear.Fear was what he needed his followers to feel, and Gedeon was brimming with it.

“I appreciate your allegiance, though now I am asking you to reach out to him. Darius Fischer and that bitch he’s running with must be found. I can’t imagine anyone better to find them than you.”

“Me?” Gedeon pointed a shaking finger to his chest.

Artem nodded. “Yes, you. He trusts no one more.” For some bizarre reason Artem never understood, Darius chose to cling to Gedeon the day he was turned and recruited into the Voivod. Darius had taken the young vampire under his wing, training him until he became one of Artem’s greatest warriors.

And now Artem planned for the trainee to betray his trainer. A delightfully entertaining ending to their story.

After a much too long pause, that did not go unnoticed by Artem, Gedeon said, “I will not disappoint you.”

Was Artem aware that Gedeon might disappoint him? Absolutely. But the chances of this mission being successful far outweighed the chances of this mission failing.

Without Gedeon, his chances of finding Darius were slim to none. It was a big world out there.

In case Gedeon needed further convincing, Artem warned, “I know you won’t. If you choose to disappoint me, you will regret it for the rest of your days, and I can assure you that your days will not fall short.” There was no threat like eternal suffering - one of the few disadvantages of being immortal, but a disadvantage Artem utilized often.

Before Gedeon had a chance to say another word to try to further prove his loyalty to Artem, the doors at the other end of the hall unexpectedly cranked open.

A servant rushed through the doorway, revealing who had interrupted Artem.

Speaking of eternal suffering…

“Artem, my lord.” The servant speedily bowed. “You have a visitor.”

Artem groaned. Everyone here knew how much Artem hated visitors. They weren’t welcomed.Artem couldn’t wait to pick this servant’s brain until he understood what was going through his thick skull when he decided to allow an unplanned visitor into Artem’s great hall.

“And who is stupid enough to visit me unannounced?” If this servant had something coming for him, so did this unknown visitor.

No more than a second after Artem spoke, every unlit torch that lined the walls of this hall suddenly raged to life, firing illuminating the dark room.

Artem’s attention had undoubtedly been grabbed. Curious, he leaned forward where he sat, awaiting what powerful being stood behind the shadows of the hall’s doorway.

He heard the clicking of heels against the floor first. Then he saw her. A stunning, middle-aged woman strutted in from the darkness. Hair, as red as the fire she just lit, draped down past her waist. The hips beneath her tight skirt swayed with every step she took. She revealed no hint of fear. Pride exuded from every inch of her.

Artem sensed she wasn’t young, as Eva was. If this woman wasn’t fearful of Artem it wasn’t due to ignorance. It was because she knew better than to be fearful of him.

Was it possible he met someone who was his equal?

Yes it was.

Finally.

Perhaps the servant who allowed her in would live to see another day.

As the woman walked forward, she spoke with a smooth voice that elegantly carried itself around the room. “The room was a bit dark, I hope you don’t mind that I lit it up a bit.”

He didn’t mind. Gods, he didn’t mind at all. Still, he managed to keep his cool. “And you are?”

She was obviously an incredibly powerful woman. He needed her on his side.

Continuing her strut forward, she said, “I hear a certain psychic has escaped your clutches.”

Artem was ashamed to admit it, but there was no denying what she said. “Yes, it seems one has.”

“If it’s any consolation, I once wanted that psychic bitch dead.”

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