Page 6 of Deceived By a Warrior

Darius shook his head, “Of course not.” Darius knew his lifeblood was most likely the missing sorceress.

Only, he wanted nothing to do with her.

“Send someone to find her, but don’t send me,” he told Artem.Out of sight, out of mind.Whatever Artem wanted to do with the woman, Darius wanted to know nothing of it. “I want no part in this.”

Artem’s tapped his nails against the throne again. “I want to act as if I’m frustrated that you denied me, but I’m not. I expected this.” He looked at Darius with a much too knowing expression. “Unfortunately, I cannot accept you denying me. You see, you are the only one who can track her. No one here knows her scent or what she looks like. You are the only one who does.”

“I can explain what she looks like to someone else…” Darius couldn’t be anywhere near that woman, or he’d risk losing control over both himself and his sister’s life.

“I’m not surprised you’re asking to have this task put onto someone else. Taking your own lifeblood as a prisoner is a difficult task - one most vampires would not be able to do. But did you not explain to me that you have no interest in her?”

Darius ground his teeth together. “Have I not proven that to you?” He stayed away from her for years. That should be proof enough.

“Perhaps. Sadly, that does not matter. I am convinced only you can find her.” Artem clasped his hands together in falsified excitement. “Let’s make a game of this, shall we? You find this sorceress and bring her to me, and I will truly consider your fealty towards me indisputable.”

“Haven’t I already proven my loyalty to you?” Darius never denied a task Artem tossed his way. Not once. Wasn’t he allowed to haveonepass?

“I see no better test of fealty than to have you find and surrender your lifeblood to me. That act will show me a loyalty I never had the privileged of seeing before. Perhaps I may be so impressed I will grant Karina and you a place to live down south, away from here.”

Darius’ heart sped up. For he and his sister to be granted enough freedom to leave this fortress? That almost sounded too good to be true.

Darius found himself asking, “Truly?”

“Truly.” Artem leaned back in his chair, letting out a relaxed breath as he added, “But fail to take on this task…” Still as at ease as ever, he raised a slender finger in the air, calling for someone standing beyond the crimson velvet curtains behind him to come forward.

Someone did.

No,twopeople did.

Because thatsomeonedragged a bound and gagged Karina forward - dragging her behind him as one would drag a dog on a leash.

When she caught sight of Darius her eyes widened, a tear already trickling down her cheek.

Darius tore a fang through his lip. Karina never healed from what the two of them went through during their years as Artem’s slaves.

She’d break if she was put through much more.

Darius took a step forward, slamming his foot against the floor, “You promised.” Artem swore he’d bring no harm to Karina. Darius was much too smart to believe Artem’s promises, but he still tried to use that promise as leverage in his argument to fight for Karina.

“I promised I’d never harm your pathetic sister as long as you did exactly what I asked of you. Yet now you’re refusing me. If you refuse me, that promise is off the table.”

Darius’ eyes darted between his sister and Artem. “How will I know you won’t hurt her while I’m gone?” It was no longer a question of whether or not Darius would deliver that sorceress to Artem. The question was how quickly he could do it.

“I could’ve killed her centuries ago, but I didn’t. I’ve kept my promise this long, haven’t I? You have no need to worry, she’ll only be harmed if you fail, which you never do. And if you succeed? I’ve already situated a home for the both of you. Away from here. I’m no fool, I know that is exactly what you want.”

Darius clenched his fists together so tightly they turned white. One last look at his petrified sister gave him all the assurance he needed to dive headfirst into this mission and do exactly what was asked of him. “I will be back with the sorceress in less than a week.”

“I hope that’s a promise,” Artem smiled, and Darius noticed a certain glimmer in his eyes. He was enjoying this.

Sadistic fuck.

“If that soothsayer isn’t in your hands in a week’s time, consider me a failure. But let’s not forget, I never fail.”

Darius never did.

A sinister grin spread across Artem’s flawless face. “That is exactly why you’re my favorite warrior.”

Chapter Four

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