Fated(22)

Stefan's face darkened. “I have only known her for a day, Lukas. I mentioned the Council. There is no reason to scare her. Enough,” Stefan muttered, his handsome face becoming severe and frightening.

For the first time, he looked like a vampire to me.

Lukas bowed his head and sat back in his chair. I was scared about whatever this ‘Council’ was, but I was turned on by the sense of power that Stefan had over Lukas. Stefan's nostrils flared, smelling my arousal. I sighed and self-consciously pressed my legs together, wondering if I was the human equivalent of a plug-in for him.

Stefan must have read my thoughts because his face lightened and he chuckled quietly in response.

I looked up to see Anna approaching the table, the server behind her with her drink. “It's about fucking time. I was wondering what a girl had to do to get a refill,” Anna announced to the table. “And I see you started eating without me, Lukas. Don't you need to watch your girlish figure?”

Anna was one of those people that made you either laugh or cry with her biting sarcasm. She took no mercy on anyone.

“I'm sure it would be nothing you haven't already done. Sit your bitchy ass down and drink your drink,” Lukas retorted loudly, causing her to shoot Lukas another look. Vampires must be immune to Anna's death stare because Lukas simply rolled his eyes and pushed the drink closer to her.

Stefan and I stayed for another hour, mainly to laugh at Lukas and Anna. I soaked up Anna's happiness like a sponge. She was thrilled to have finally found her gay friend here in Bali. Lukas alternated between lamenting over his lack of love life and exchanging snarky barbs with Anna. Finally calling it a night, we paid the bill and made our way to our respective vehicles.

Anna pulled me into a hug. “Stop by the office. We can chat about sex on a stick over there.” She jerked her head towards Stefan as she whispered in my ear.

Hugging her back, I pulled away to give her a non-committal smile. “I'll do that.”

Stefan came up behind me and wrapped his long arms around my shoulders, resting his chin on the top of my head. I leaned back against him, enjoying his cool embrace.

“No you won't. But I still love you like a sister.”

I shrugged and smiled weakly. Anna knew me too well.

“Anna. It was a pleasant surprise seeing you again this evening. Lukas, be safe getting her home,” Stefan said, tugging me towards his Audi and opening the door for me. I waved goodbye to Anna as Stefan to slide into the driver’s seat. He started the car and headed down the road to my villa. We had barely been driving for a minute when I started asking questions.

“Explain why I would need to meet the Council?” I wasn't waiting for Stefan to explain this to me in a smooth, sugar coated version. I needed more information and I didn't want to wait for him to decide when he wanted to explain it to me.

“They know of you, of course. Other vampires have talents, Josephine. A telepathic vampire was able to see my vision of you many years ago,” Stefan murmured, his voice quiet. I silently scanned his face, illuminated by the interior lights on the dashboard. “You would be a powerful ally for us to have. You have the ability to see what I cannot, which is the future of humans.”

I swallowed back a gasp, a mixture of anger and fear making my blood run cold. I was going to be used to read the futures of humans for vampires? My stomach churned and I felt like I was going to vomit.

“Is this the real reason you found me? You and your ‘Council’ need me to read humans?” I spat, feeling my eyes fill with angry tears. Without thinking, I went into panic mode. I knew it was too good to be true. I'd been lied to once again. Stefan and his vampires would use me like a toy, only to be thrown away when my usefulness had run its course. When I felt the car come to a stop and pull slightly off the road, my jaw was clenched in anger.

“It is nothing like that,” Stefan said, his voice strained. I ignored him and stared straight ahead, refusing to meet his eyes. “Josephine, please look at me.”

I turned my head slightly to look at him, my expression hard. Stefan's handsome face was pained, his eyes fearful. I felt my resolve soften slightly as I took in his appearance.

“You must believe me when I tell you that was never my intention. I have loved you for over two centuries. I never searched for you just to find you and use you,” Stefan hesitated for a moment, his voice thick with emotion. “Josephine, you have to believe me. What can I do to make you to trust me?”

Hot tears leaked from my eyes in earnest. I may not be able to read Stefan's emotions but I could see them as if they were written on his face. He was tense and worry flashed in his eyes. He was possibly more afraid than I was at the moment.