If concentrated panic didn't already ooze through my veins, I may have been able to take in the magnificent splendor of the top floor. But knowing that I would be surrounded with Warlocks and vampires, not to mention the most diabolical of them all, the Dark King, I can't focus on more than putting one foot in front of the other. I work to steady my breathing and let Niko's soothing touch wash over me. Having my hand locked in his is the only thing keeping me from bolting back to the elevator and getting the hell out of there.
Niko gives my hand a little squeeze as we step into the vast living area and I stop before crossing the threshold. Sitting in an elaborate high back chair, reminiscent of a modern day throne, sits Stavros, the king of the Dark. To his right stands the man that I couldn't stop loving even if I tried. His eyes instantly find mine as if he's been anxiously awaiting my arrival. He makes a slightly pained grimace before his lips curl into a smooth half-smile. That, along with another squeeze from Niko, is enough to make me continue into the room. Niko gives me a swift kiss on the cheek before going to take his spot on his father's left side. I stifle the whimper at the loss of contact and knot my fingers in front of me.
"Gabriella," Stavros coos silkily, his intense blue gaze molesting my body. Of course, he is impeccably dressed and downright edible. I hate my physical attraction to him. It is the most maddening, sickening feeling in the world and I'm tempted to claw my eyes out just to escape his beauty. "I'm so glad you could join us this evening," he adds with a devilish smile.
I take in the sight of the three most gorgeous, deadly men alive. It's hard to accept that such beauty could harness such evil. Between the three of them, they could probably demolish Colorado Springs in the blink of an eye. I swallow back the rising anxiety.
"Did I have much of a choice?" I ask quietly. Shit. He needs to know I mean business. I clear my throat and flick my cold eyes back to him. There's no way I'm letting him think I'm intimidated.
Of course, Stavros isn't ruffled in the slightest at my icy demeanor. He smiles, his grin sickly sweet and devastatingly handsome, before licking his lips. "Can I get you a drink?" He raises a finger and another dark suited wall of muscle with dark shades appears before I can even answer. Another vampire. I begin to wonder where Cyrus is but the thought leaves me as quickly as it manifests when I catch Dorian's gaze. His eyes haven't left me since I arrived.
I shake my head, my hazel orbs still fixed on Dorian's stoic expression. God, he's magnificent. How could anyone get over someone that extraordinary? How could you ever settle for anything less?
"Very well then," I hear Stavros say. "I don't suppose introductions are in order, considering you and Dorian are well acquainted. And you've met Nikolai."
I tear my eyes away from Dorian and look to Niko at the mention of his name. He gives me the famous Skotos crooked grin and winks, causing me to smile genuinely for the first time since arriving. I look back at Stavros, squaring my shoulders and ready for the onslaught to ensue.
"Gabriella, first I want to sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you have suffered at the hands of my sons."
I narrow my eyes viciously. "Bullshit."
Stavros looks as if I've just slapped him across the face. Niko fails to stifle a chuckle and earns a sharp look from his father. "Excuse me?"
He wants the truth; I'll give him every ugly truth he's conspired to show me for the past year.
"That's bullshit and you know it. This is exactly what you wanted. You sent your son after me, remember? And you've done everything in your power to ensure that I can't forget him." I give each of them, even Niko, a stern glare. Each wears the same blank face, not even allowing a crack of emotion to give way to their solidarity. I realize now that I'm an outsider. No matter what type of relationship I have with Dorian and Niko, they will stand with Stavros. They won't defy their king.
Stavros breaks into a menacing leer before chuckling darkly. I'm certain he isn't used to being addressed like this, especially in a room full of his supernatural subordinates. "Don't be ridiculous, Gabriella."
"Ridiculous?" I spit out venomously. "As ridiculous as sending a wedding invitation to my parents' home? Or sending me a sex tape?" My eyes snap to Dorian whose icy fa?ade cracks at the mention of his betrayal.
"I can assure you," Stavros says, his gaze darting between Dorian and me, "that I had nothing to do with either of those infractions."
"But it was you who orchestrated this little marriage, correct? You couldn't have me so you ensured that Dorian couldn't either."
Stavros gapes at me for just a second, caught off guard at my accusation. I can see he's growing angry at my challenging behavior. I can nearly taste the shift in the atmosphere. I let my eyes close for just a moment and suck in a breath, an almost metallic flavor resting on my tongue and simmering. The thin hairs on the back of my arms stand at attention and a sensation sweeps over me, causing my skin to slightly tingle.
The three men send each other questioning looks, no doubt silently communicating the sudden change in the air. Stavros appears to be on the brink of fury, Niko seems amused, and Dorian looks almost hopeful. I'm not exactly sure what has penetrated their impassivity but whatever it is, I know it has them on guard.
Stavros clears his throat before addressing my claims. "You do realize that the arrangement between Dorian and Aurora is necessary. That it is imprudent to assume that it was done for any other reason than to assure your safety."
I take a small step forward, suddenly feeling bold. I can almost feel Dorian's growing tension at my advance. "My safety from whom? People keep claiming that this is all to keep me safe but no one has told me who has threatened me. Other than you, Stavros, I'm starting to believe that there is no one out there that wants to hurt me."
He steeples his fingers in front of his face, resting his chin on the very tips. His eyes grow colder with every tense second that ticks by. "I don't want to hurt you, Gabriella. If I wanted to, I could. Very easily," he spits back, causing both Dorian and Niko to flinch at his tone. "But there is still someone out there who does. It would be wise of you to remember that. We don't want any more of your … loved ones … to be hurt."
His words sound like a threat, and I shift uneasily on my high heels, fingering a bead on my dress. "What are you saying?"
The corner of Stavros's mouth pulls up on one side, his icy gaze fixed on my fidgeting. I hear Dorian take in a sharp breath and my eyes fly to his. A frown puckers his forehead and his jaw is tight with anger. I look at Niko who mirrors his brother's expression before turning back to Stavros, who seems oddly amused at my discomfort.
"How far would you go to protect your family, Gabriella? Your friends?" He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "That human boy you seem to be so fond of? What's his name … Jared?" He turns to his oldest son and smiles menacingly. "Hmmmm."
The subtle shift in the air evolves into a low hum and my skin prickles. A hiss escapes through my teeth involuntarily. "Is that a threat?"
Stavros shakes his head, waving off the thick tension between our bodies. "Of course not. But accidents do happen. It would be most unfortunate if one were to happen to any one that you care about."
"Cut the shit. What do you want? Why did you call me here, Stavros?" I snap, growing tired of his games.
He sucks his teeth at my crassness and sits back on his mock throne. "You know what I want. Give me your allegiance. I can make you great, Gabriella. I can ensure that you are the most feared force this world has ever seen."
"What if I don't want that? What if I don't want to be feared?"
Again, Stavros's eyes flick to Dorian, then back to me. "Then what is it that you want?"
Reflexively, I also look to Dorian, whose eyes have been locked on me since the moment I stepped in the grand room. His face is a tortured mix of anguish and hope, so painfully beautiful that my heart aches for him. "I want you to undo the link," I say quietly, not even bothering to look at Stavros. Dorian's eyes widen with horror but I continue. "And then I want you to break his curse. His curse to love me."
Physical pain rocks my entire frame as the words leave my mouth and I blink back scorching hot tears. However, a stubborn one escapes, sliding down my cheek as I take in the look of sheer agony on Dorian's face. Yet, I can't look away. Neither one of us can turn away though it hurts us both. It seems like putting each other through hell is what we do best.
Niko gasps. "Gabriella, you shouldn't-"
"Silence, Nikolai!" Stavros demands, raising a palm to halt any further influence. "What curse do you speak of?"
I finally pull my gaze away from Dorian and bring it to Stavros. "You cursed him to love me for the sole purpose of making him suffer when he had to kill me."
"Hearsay," he says dismissively. "But if you would like me to break the link, I'd be happy to. Is that what you really want?"
"Yes," I whisper breathlessly.
"No," Dorian growls.
Stavros ignores his threatening tone. "Upon your ascension into the Dark, I will break the link. And whatever...curse … you speak of. Do we have a deal?" He extends his palm for me to shake.