Page 32 of The Arbiter

I quickly school my face. “I don’t look dreamy.”

Monroe chuckles and thumbs my chin. “You do, but that’s alright, ma chérie. I like this look on you whether it was me who put it there or not.” He finishes his sweet words with a kiss to my nose.

I can’t help the grin that stretches across my face. Because Monroe is an Infernal, I know he can be vicious and cruel when called for. But this Monroe, he’s kind and understanding. He has a sweetness to him that not many Damned possess. It warms my heart in places that haven’t felt that beautiful heat that comes from affection. Enoch had moments where he warmed me like that, never to this magnitude, though. I may act about ninety-five percent Damned most the time, but there’s still that five percent that is Divine and craves gentleness.

Who’d have thought I’d get that from a Strige Liege?

“You’re amazing. You know that?” I ask him breathily, then softly press my lips to his.

He wraps me in his arms, lingering in this moment with me for a short bit.

When he lets go, he places a chaste kiss to my forehead and steps back, his expression falling a bit. “Now, I know you’ve just had yourself a wonderful evening, but I’m afraid I’ll have to ruin it a little.”

“What’s wrong?” I ask seriously. If Monroe’s not smiling, it can’t be anything good.

He takes my hand and pulls me towards the couch to sit. “I received word that one of my people has been taken. His wife came to my mansion in the middle of the night in a panic when her husband didn’t come home. She found a large patch of blood on the lawn right outside their home and could smell it was his. They need me and Raphael back home to help find out what happened and question some of the men that were on patrol that night.”

My hand covers my mouth in horror. I can’t imagine what that poor woman must be feeling. What is happening to our people?

“Should I come too? I can help find out what happened,” I supply, eager to help him in any way I can.

He shakes his head. “No, ma chérie. You should stay here and look into the matter where it’s safe. I don’t know who to trust back home right now. I need to know you’re here around those who would protect you while you learn your new power.”

I huff with aggravation. What’s the point in being all powerful if I’m not able to use the powers for what they’re meant for? I am more than my power, and I can fight through a hoard of Damned like a bowling ball through pins.

He palms my face tenderly. “I know that look. I know you’re not some timid, powerless child. You’re a powerful woman without your Arbiter abilities, Nocturna. You’re also irreplaceable. No Arbiter that would come after your untimely death could fill the shoes you have on your beautiful feet.”

I breathe out a resigned sigh, “You’re right. About the needing to be here thing, not the other stuff. One day, I might agree to the rest of that.” Monroe chuckles and leans forward, kissing me hard and deep.

While I had totally agreed with Monroe the night before that staying here was best for everyone, namely me, the more I thought about it the more pissed I became.

I am the fucking Arbiter. It’s my job to deal with shit like this, not his. Even if it’s one of his people. What’s the point of being what I am if I’m not going to start doing my job? I can’t just sit around here the whole time. I’ll never learn that way, and the Infernal will never take me seriously if I just hide away in my club.

I didn’t want to be what I am, but if I don’t embrace it, I’ll certainly fail. Or worse, I’ll end up dead. I can tell the Infernal already see me as weak. Damnation, I’m over two hundred years old! Even before I got this power whammy, I was settling disputes between races like a pro.

Ugh! Why does everyone try to make decisions for me?

At least I got to make the decision on my own that Enoch didn’t have to leave. I didn’t entirely want to be around him, but with everything going on, I knew he probably needed to stick close by. At least then I could keep an eye on him. The conversation had been pretty lackluster when he approached me about an hour after Larkan and I had returned. I thought back to it, surprised at how calmly he had spoken.

“I get that you hate me, and I don’t deserve your consideration, but I’m not going anywhere because I’m here to look out for you,” he said, his voice cool and soft.

“Fine. I’m too tired to argue, so you can stay,” I replied with a sigh, but then decided to add, “but fuck up again, and I’ll send you with a one-way ticket back to the bowels of Damnation where you were created.”

He smiled then gave a bow of his head before retreating from the room.

That was pretty much it. Hopefully things wouldn’t be so awkward for a bit because I had enough to handle right now.

I stomp my way down from my loft and head to the bar on the second floor. Cedric is sitting there with a drink in his hand. When he sees the look on my face and the general vibe offuck youthat I probably have floating around me, he frowns.

I huff and sit down in the stool next to him, reaching over the bar and helping myself to the tequila.

“Uh oh, what happened?” he asks.

“Men are stupid,” I reply without hesitation before throwing the bottle back and taking a big swig.

He snorts and sips at his drink, amusement lighting his face. “Yes, we can be. But pray tell, who are you speaking of in this instance?”

I take another swig and slam the bottle down. “Quite a few specific men, actually. I’ve already had the highest level of Enoch I can handle. Larkan won’t take me on another stakeout anytime soon, I bet. And Monroe has decided that I should stay here while he goes prancing off to deal with some missing Strige back home. It’s my fucking job to handle this stuff. Why should he decide whether I stay or go?” I look over at Felix and almost laugh.

---