Chapter 30

**Nova**


After Charles leaves, I don't follow him. I need time to work through my thoughts and being around everyone would make it hard. They can be very distracting for one reason or another.

The sun is going down and barely a sliver of it can peak through the tall trees growing out of the swamp. The last rays sparkle along the water making it hard to remember that a war had been fought here not long ago.

Wait...

Where is the mess from all that?

I look around and see that there isn't a single piece of evidence that anything happened here. Even a deep breath doesn't reveal the lingering scent of blood. Strange...

"It's funny how it is so easy for us to feel a false sense of security in the silence." A voice startles me and I whirl around to see a man standing behind me.

I glance over my shoulder at the house where my mates are and move to keep myself between this man and it. He smirks like he knows exactly what I'm doing but I don't care. He'll have to get past me to get to any of my mates and our temporary guest.

"Don't worry little Vamp I won't hurt your family. That's not why I'm here." He says with a sigh.

He walks toward me and it takes a lot of self-restraint to not step back. I don't want to give him the impression that I'm intimidated by him. Charles says I am the leader of our family, well that means it's my job to protect them. I'm nowhere near ready for that kind of responsibility but there is no time for doubt when a real possible threat is standing right in front of me.

How do these people keep finding us?

Only one person knew we were here and she...

She probably told someone else and word spread. How else could we be getting so many visitors when this place had been empty before?

"Who are you?" I finally ask him.

He smiles. "Aziel Gatlin my lady." He bows to me with a flourish.

I would be flattered if it felt like a kind gesture, but somehow I know in this case it's not. He's causing a spectacle about all this but why?

"Okay, Aziel. Why are you here?"

He chuckles. "Skipping the pleasantries I see. Well, in short, I'm here for you."

I raise a brow at him but my heart stutters. "Me? Why are you here for me?"

Why do people never come straight out and answer questions completely? It's like they want to hold out for suspense or something. What is that?

"I've been paid handsomely to bring you with me to a super secret location. You know those bad guy types, they like their secrecy." He waves his hand dismissively. "I don't care much for all that but they paid me to acquire something so here I am."

"Who sent you?"

I know it's a dumb question once it leaves my lips, but I never claimed to be smart when it comes to talking to some sort of bounty hunter.

"Can't share that with you Love, but don't worry your little head about a thing. I never deliver my goods damaged." Before I can ask what that means he snaps his finger and I feel my stomach drop for a split second.

I squeeze my eyes shut when the sensation hits but when it passes I quickly open them again. One look around is all it takes for me to know I'm not at the swap anymore. Nope, now I'm in some fancy living room.

"Where are we?" I ask as I turn in place.

"My place doll. Drink?" He asks and walks over to what looks like a small bar counter.

There are only a few bottles of dark liquid sitting on top, so I'm not sure if it can be called a bar. It's not like what I saw when I went into Chase's restaurant.

"No, I'm fine. Why did you bring me here?" And why am I not freaking out a lot more?

Maybe I'm in shock.

"Take a seat, our guests will arrive soon."

Yeah, I'm not sitting down anywhere.

"How did you bring us here?" I ask.

Instead of sitting I decide to look around more.

"Portal. Doesn't your Mage friend use them?" He walks over to the oddly huge white couch and sits.

"How do you know about him?" I ask instead of answering him.

He smirks...again. "I know a lot of things. Like how you were dead not too long ago and you somehow created a mate bond with four males of different species, something that should be impossible by the way."

"How do you know all that?"

Seriously who is this guy?

"I make it my business to know everything about the person I'm hunting. I must admit though that you are the most interesting person I have been sent to fetch." His eyes move along my body and I swear it feels like he's reaching all the way over here and touching me.

I shiver and wrap my arms around myself.

"I still don't know how you could have learned all that when no one else does." I point out.

"Does no one know? Why else would someone pay for me to find you if no one knew a thing about you?"

He has a point there. One that should have been obvious but I'm confused as hell right now.

"Could it have been the people who buried me? Do they know about me?"

I mean that seems like the most likely situation.

"I don't know if they are the people who killed you but they are very well connected. They would have to be to find me. I don't have a flyer hanging on a tree for my services. It's by referral only and my...clients are often high up in the political world."

"Do you kill people as well?" I can't figure out why he would work for politicians if they don't need him to hunt people down.

Unless there is a scandal involved, I guess.

He smiles at my question. "My services are diverse. In simple terms, I'll do anything for the right price. They also have to ensure I'm not caught or imprisoned for any role I play. I can't afford to live like this if I am continuously behind bars."

"Right. So there is no way I can convince you to let me go?"

He laughs.

"Thought I would give it a try," I say before moving to sit on the other end of the couch. "You won't go back for the others, will you? I don't want them to get hurt."

"Of course not love. My job was to pick you up. I have no business with your mates."

That's a relief.

"Could you give them a message for me?" I hazard to ask.

It's clear this guy knows what he's doing which is why I haven't bothered fighting this. Besides I don't even know where I am, how would I get back? I'm stuck riding this out until I know what's going on. Once I end up wherever these people take me, then I can figure out how to get away and find my mates again.

Freaking out won't do a thing to help, so I have to keep my head on straight. Only my heart can give away the fear and panic I'm feeling but I can't show any of that on the outside.

"It depends." He says as he leans forward and sets his glass down.

"Depends on what?" I ask him.

He looks at me and watches me for a long moment. "It depends on what you're willing to give me."

"I don't have anything. I just died and was imprisoned before that. So I don't have much money sitting around." I say sarcastically.

"I see. That could make it difficult to fulfill your request. As I said, I get paid well for my services." He muses and taps a finger on his chin like he's thinking about something. "But I'm feeling generous today. I'll do as you ask for one small thing..."

"What?" The way he's looking at me now makes me think that I won't like what he'll ask of me.

"A kiss."

I flinch back. "A kiss? I'm not kissing you! I don't even know you!" I'm offended by his request.

Not that I'm a prude since vampires are known to have many partners over their lifetimes, but still.

He shrugs. "Very well. I guess I can't help you."

He stands and starts to walk away. I battle with myself on what to do, but I need my mates to know I'm okay. That means I need to kiss this stranger. I guess it could be worse...

"Okay!" I yell at his back.

He stops and slowly turns to me. "Great. Come here."

He bends his finger at me in a 'come here' motion. I'm not a fan of his commanding me around but I do what he says. When I'm standing in front of him I look up at him and wait. I may have to kiss him but I won't be the one to start it. He smiles down at me and tips my chin up with one of his fingers.

"You are a beauty...I hate to let you go." With that, he leans in and kisses me.