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Later that night, Willow slipped from the suite. Earlier she’d seen him come down this hallway and could only hope she was going in the right direction. Most people were in bed at this hour and here she was skulking about like an intruder. When she came to the end of the hallway after passing only one other door she figured this had to be it. She knocked on what she hoped was Hadrian’s room. With them leaving tomorrow she knew she needed to confront him before they left. After a minute, he answered the door. She could tell he must have hastily thrown on some clothes because the linen shirt he wore was unbuttoned and part of the collar was folded under. The linen pants he’d put on made it obvious he was going commando. Hadrian was pretty well endowed.
Go mom.
She thought, but then quickly realized she was ogling her mother’s boyfriend and flushed.
“Willow. Is everything okay?” He peeked behind her and around the corner not hiding his surprise.
“Everything is fine. Maybe I shouldn’t have come. I interrupted you. I’m sorry.” She turned to leave.
OMG. What if he was in there with Damaris and I just interrupted them? Eli did say he believed they were a couple. That’s why he had to throw on clothes because I interrupted them having sex.
She wanted to get away as fast as possible. The way he’d looked at her ever since she arrived had her conjuring up images of him asking her to join them for a threesome. She tried to hurry away.
“Wait.” He stepped out of his room and shut the door behind him. In bare feet he padded towards her. He adjusted his collar and buttoned a few of the buttons on his shirt. Maybe he didn’t want things to be awkward either.
“Why don’t we walk out by the pool?”
She nodded at his suggestion. Outside, they walked the perimeter of the pool. For a while neither of them said anything. “I’m sorry. I knocked on your door in the middle of the night and now I’m not saying anything... I’m not sure how to bring this up.” She stopped walking and turned to face him. Before she could stop herself she blurted out what she wanted to know. “Were you my mother’s lover?”
Hadrian looked startled.
“I know that question seems to have come from nowhere, but today at the ruins, I had a... a flashback... um, no. Not a flashback because it wasn’t my memory.” She looked down at the ground rambling, saying that last sentence more to herself than to him. Her eyes looked into his. “At the ruins today, I had a vision of you with my mom. You kissed. It was clear you meant something to each other... I was hoping you would confirm it.” She looked at him expectantly and tried not to fidget.
When he sighed and slumped down on one of the lounge chairs, she sat on the one across from him. “I wasn’t sure whether you knew or if I should tell you.” He finally looked at her. “I cared for her deeply.”
“Is that why you looked at me the way you did when we first met? Because I look like her?”
“Yes. It’s very hard for me.” He peered at her from underneath his lashes.
“I know this might be hard, but this was one of the last places my mother was at before she died... or was possibly murdered.” She bit her lip to keep from getting too emotional. “Can you tell me if anything happened here? If she came across anyone that might have been an enemy?”
“No. Everyone liked your mother. I was shocked and devastated when I heard the news.” It was hard not to feel disappointment. She wasn’t sure what she expected him to say. It wasn’t exactly like he was about to hand her a motive and a suspect. There was still nothing that said that it was a murder and not just an accident.
“Thank you.” She was about to leave when he spoke again.
“Willow, does anyone else know?” He regarded her with an uneasy look.
She shook her head. “No, I wanted to confirm it with you first.”
He took her hand in his and dropped his voice. “Maybe, it should stay our little secret. I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but there are some supernaturals that don’t like the idea of supernaturals from different factions mixing.”
Ever since Eli had told her about that, it made her feel sick to her stomach. She scowled and looked at him with sad eyes. “Yeah, I’ve heard and it fills me full of rage. Why are people such idiots? I would think in the supernatural community that wouldn’t matter, but I guess for some people it does.” Her face scrunched into a look of displeasure. “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything. I don’t want you to get hurt just for loving my mother...” She placed her free hand over his. “You should know when I saw her in my vision, I could tell she was happy. You made her really happy Hadrian. I’m glad in her final days she had that.” She gave him a quick hug and then turned and walked away.
***
TO HER SHOCK, LYSANDER had accompanied them to the train station. He was probably ready for them to leave and only making sure they were actually getting on the train. He hadn’t said a single word to her since she’d been here. He might look like his brother, but they were nothing alike.
As they pulled up at the station, she noticed the maenads were standing on the curb. Arsenio must have made a call to tell them they were leaving.
Nyssa and Damaris stood in front of her fan club. Damaris was her usual subdued self, but Nyssa looked like she’d already had way too much sugar or caffeine. She half expected them to hold up signs. Nyssa stepped forward with a pout on her face. “We hate that you must leave so soon.” The woman ran forward and hugged her and the others followed suit. Pretty soon she was suffocating from the big group hug. When they finally released her she let out a much needed breath.
“Thank you. It’s been fun.” It was the only thing she could think to say.
Nyssa gave her one last wave and they walked off. Lysander and Arsenio walked up as they walked away.
“It has been lovely to meet you. I do hope we meet again.” Arsenio smiled and then wrapped her in a big hug. She was going to miss him.
“It was nice to meet you too, Arsenio.”
He proceeded to give each of them a hug. Then Lysander stepped forward. He held his hand out to Eli and they shook hands. “If you need anything further, you know where to find us.” After the handshake concluded, his eyes rested on her for a few seconds. He said nothing and his face gave nothing away. Then he turned on his heel and left. She thought his behavior strange and interesting much like the man.
Over twenty-four hours later they were back in the U.S. It felt a little like coming home when they boarded the Protectors RV 2.0 and headed to Salem. Ulrik had been a great travel companion. It was nice to have him along. She knew he’d told Eli things about Killian and Katana. She’d wanted to ask her own questions, but hadn’t found the right time. Maybe once they were at the coven. He could possibly have some ideas on how to deal with Killian.
Her thoughts were presently consumed with finding The Book of Prophecy. Now that they knew it was in Egypt, what was there next move going to be. It was a good possibility that they were currently one step ahead of Killian since he would have no clue where the book was located.
They arrived at the Walker house late at night. There was no waiting for Archie to come and greet them this time around since most would be asleep at this hour. All they wanted to do was get to their beds.
When Eli turned around to shut the door, they found Ulrik still standing outside on the porch.
“It’s late Ulrik. I know you haven’t been on U.S. soil in a while, but we can sightsee another time. It’s late.” She yawned to indicate just how late. It was hard not to be annoyed that he was keeping her from her bed.
“Yeah, come on man.” Eli gestured him inside.
Everyone stared at him, still standing perfectly still on the other side of the door.
Ulrik was amused, judging by the look on his face. “All of you must be very tired if you forgot.” He pointed to himself. “Vampire. I cannot come in unless you invite me.”
So that was a thing? If only she could disinvite Killian from her dreams.
“Ulrik, you are invited inside. Please come in.” Eli said with a mocking bow.
The Dane stepped over the threshold.
“I’ll show you to a room.” Zoriana smiled tiredly. “Then I’m going to find my husband and sleep.” It was the first genuine smile she’d seen on the woman’s face in a while, it wasn’t the kind of smile that only hid her pain. It was probably a comfort to come home to someone that loved her. She led Ulrik down the hall. Everyone else said their good nights and departed for their rooms.
Last time she was here, she didn’t get to see Eli’s quarters. A little thrill ran through her at seeing what his space would look like. Unlike the room she inhabited last time she was at the Walker House, Eli’s suite was a far contrast.
The living room was painted a light gray with abstract and modern art decorating the walls. A large Chesterfield sofa sat against one wall with a giant flat screen TV mounted on the opposite wall over a cabinet. An Eames lounge chair sat in one corner. There were shelves overflowing with books. The coffee table even had a few books sitting on top. His place was very cozy.
She smiled sleepily at him. “I really like how you decorated it. It feels very... you.”
He pulled her close and kissed her forehead before walking further into the room and switching on a lamp. The light illuminated a kitchen sitting off of the living room.
“What? You have a kitchen?” She walked into the room filled with modern, stainless steel appliances.
“You stayed in one of the guest rooms while you were here. If you’d wanted a kitchen we could have added one on for you, but you never said anything.” It was clear he was trying to hold back a grin that she wanted to wipe from his face.
Her mouth hung open as she looked at him. “I didn’t know it was an option... no one ever said anything.” Her eyes narrowed into slits. She wanted to throw something at him. The whole time she was here she could have had a kitchen? “You’re going to pay for that.” She took menacing steps towards him.
“Babe, be sensible. You have to admit it’s funny.” She chased him into his bedroom and they rolled onto the bed when she tackled him. They giggled as she lay on top of him. Once they’re laughter died away, he pulled her down for a sweet kiss. His lips feathered kisses across her skin. “Did you want a shower?” He asked in between the drugging kisses he was giving her.
She shook her head. “Just want to fall asleep with you wrapped around me.” She kissed him and rolled off of him and started removing her clothes. She stripped down to her panties and tank top. He smiled at her from across the bed where he was removing his clothes. The sexy boxer briefs he was wearing made her want to rethink going straight to sleep. When a yawn escaped, she knew tonight would not be a sex night. They pulled back the covers and crawled beneath them. His arms encircled her and she placed a kiss on his forearm. She wanted to stay in his arms all night.
Halfway through the night, she found herself dreaming. This time she knew he’d invaded her dreams and not the other way around. She stood in the middle of his throne room and tried to look defiant. It should have been expected. Katana and her minions had failed to get the book or her in Greece. Of course, he would try and get to her the only other way he knew how after that defeat.
He was always hard to read. The sly smile he sported didn’t necessarily mean he was happy. He was just good at holding his cards close to the vest and giving nothing away. She puffed out her chest and stood taller, chin out, to try and prove her bravery.
Maybe, that was a bad idea. Killian stood and walked down the steps from his throne. If these dreams had taught her anything, it was to expect the unexpected. He took slow, deliberate steps meant to intimidate her.
“Where is the book?” His tone was menacing. He bared his teeth in a threat, reminding her what he was capable of, that he could butcher her. When he continued to approach she took a step back and cursed herself for a coward. She would have taken another, but found herself gripped tightly by her arms and held fast. Glancing back over her shoulder she found Katana glaring at her. “Going somewhere?”
She turned back around to face Killian, who now stood in front of her. “Tell me what I want to know.” Nearly nose-to-nose with him she could see the flash of rage that he barely held in check.
Could he tear her limb from limb in a dream? Would her mortal body survive? It was possible she’d had all the bullying she could take from him, she couldn’t tell for sure. But with a fearlessness and boldness that she didn’t quite feel she stood up to him. “I will never tell you.” Her eyes stared into his unwavering. A tremor started in her body moments ago, but it was okay. She would do her best to withstand whatever torture or punishment he intended to inflict to get what he wanted.
His nostrils flared in anger before he masked it. The sadistic smirk that crossed his face made her want to shrink away from him. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know he was about to hurt her. His hands gripped the sides of her head and his touch ignited a pain so vicious she cried out. If Katana hadn’t been holding her she would have fallen to a limp heap on the floor. The last time he’d hurt her paled in comparison to the thousand flames that licked over her brain. She howled and screamed for relief.
“Tell me where the book is.” He demanded and increased the torment. The agony was like a blowtorch frying her brain. It was possible he was going to kill her. Tears ran down her cheeks, mixing with the bloody nose that had started. She couldn’t form the words to tell herself to wake up.
“Willow! Willow!” It took several seconds for her to realize it was Eli’s voice calling her and not her punisher. She tried to focus, but her tears obstructed her vision. Her head was still on fire. For a moment, she felt like she was going to be sick.
“Willow.” This time he spoke her name softly.
She finally managed to focus and her vision cleared. His face was horror-stricken. He cradled her in his arms. The inferno in her head was finally extinguished when she clearly saw his face. Tears seeped out of the corners of her eyes.
“I couldn’t... I couldn’t get you to wake up. You were screaming and crying... kicking and flailing about... I was...” He’d been scared. The words wouldn’t form and move past his lips, but she knew. She could see it all over his face. Then she saw the bloody towel or whatever it was in his hand. Her trembling fingers reached up and touched her nose. When she pulled her fingers back to look, the smear of red stained her fingers.
It was all too much. Later, he would tell her she was in shock, but she started babbling, unable to shake the horror of how the torture had felt, but glad she’d stayed strong. “I was brave. I didn’t tell him anything... I stayed strong.” She shook her head and then began to keen and wail in a way she’d never done before. Her body shook with the effort to exorcise the event from her sub-conscious.
“Yes, you’re very brave. The bravest person I know.” He kissed her brow and crooned reassurances to her as he held her close. “You’re safe... I’m here... You’re safe.” She wrapped herself around him tightly. It was a possibility she was hurting him, but he let her stay like that. Fear had her in its hold and wouldn’t let go. She was frightened that if she let go of him she would find herself back in the nightmare, being tortured all over again. As long as she was in Eli’s arms, Killian couldn’t get her. Her grasp on him tightened every time she wandered to that dark place. It was a little after dawn when she finally wore herself out and fell asleep in his arms.