Chapter One-Hundred

Scarlet was sitting on her bed thumbing through one of her spell books when a knock sounded on the door. Stretching up on her toes, she looked through the peephole and smiled. Unpinning the lock, she opened the door wide. “I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting to see you come down here to be all chummy.”

Gavin stepped into the room, handing her a bottle of wine. “I’m not here to be chummy with you. I’m here to see what kind of information you might be willing to give me about that room that Izabella found.”

She gave a tinkling laugh, shaking the wine bottle. “You’ll need more than one bottle for me to tell you, one of Bram’s little lackies, what he wants to know.”

“I’m not here on Bram’s accord tonight.” Gavin turned his cold hazel eyes on her. “I’m here to find out if there’s anything in that room that will help me ensure that I get Tyler back.”

“And why is it that you are asking me this? What makes you think I know anything about whatever room you speak of.” She rolled her wrist through the air.

Gavin scoffed, grabbing two glasses from the cupboard. “Don’t play dumb with me. Izabella told us you knew where she went the moment she used the ring. Do you know how it works?”

“Look, pretty boy, I’m aware that anyone who knows Tyler well isn’t going to be a fan of mine. I’m not giving you any information. If Bram wants to know something, he can come down here and ask me himself.” She smiled at the glasses he placed in front of her and when he held out the corkscrew.

Leaning in, Gavin whispered in her ear. “What Bram doesn’t know, is that I saw the devil the night I was nearly killed by your daughter. I was the last person you wanted to survive. And I know you’ll kill Tyler to keep your secret forever. Since I don’t see any other way out of this, let me be perfectly blunt with you.” Scarlet yelped as one of the darts pressed into the crook of her elbow. “I’m here to make a deal. How can I ensure that Tyler walks out of whatever fucking scheme you have going?”

“What the hell was that for?” She yanked her arm away from him, scowling. “I already didn’t have any magic.”

Gavin shrugged, tucking the dart into his back pocket. “Insurance.” Folding his arms over his chest, he leaned against the counter.

“Yeah, right. Well, if you’re going to walk into a woman’s room and offer a deal, you should try to be a little nicer. Stabbing her isn’t a way to get into her good graces.” Regardless, she poured both glasses of wine. “Anyway, why don’t you elaborate what you know, that way I can decide how much your deal is worth.”

“What I know isn’t important. But. You should know, Mihaela has a fucking mouth on her. She was so damn proud of your plans. And she was more than happy to rub it in Tyler’s face. Making it clear that he wasn’t going to make it out alive. I’m also fully aware of who else was my room at the time she stabbed me and ripped me from my lover’s arms.” Scarlet handed him the wine, and he set it on the counter. “I haven’t told Bram any of this. You work with me though, and it’s not something he ever needs to know.”

“Get me that ring. That shadow man has what I need to collect him and any other elemental I need for my work. He’s the one I want most though. Or, if you can get into the room, there’s an orb. It will look like a shadow filled bubble. When you look in it, you’ll see what look like faces floating around in the foggy interior. Bring me that orb if she takes you there and you’re not able to get the ring itself.” She gulped down her wine, pulling herself up to sit on the edge of the counter. Her foot ran up the inside of Gavin’s leg which earned her an annoyed look. “You know, I haven’t had a good run for my money in a while. I may not be your preferred type, but I wouldn’t mind riding a pretty little thing like you.”

Taking a few steps back, he pursed his lips. “Sorry, this ride isn’t open for public consumption. What are you going to do with him? The shadow man, when you get him?”

“That’s for me to know, darling. I will tell you that it will change the world. I understand why Bram doesn’t want to have anything to do with our little plan. But I don’t know why he insists on viewing himself as half human either. Neither his father nor I are simple humans. Like you, we’re both so much more. It’s time for him to learn what we can really be. I’m glad he found his little mate though. She might be exactly what I need to bring his attention back to focus.”

“And what would you say if you learned she was pregnant?” Gavin asked, his eyes narrowing as he put his hand in his pocket wrapping his fingers around the ring hidden there.

“Don’t lie to me.” She smirked at him. “I learned a long time ago that Bram was useless. If he weren’t, he would have gotten Mihaela pregnant during their first two hundred years of happiness. He’s infertile. Why do you think we decided that he wasn’t worth keeping around? A man as loose as he’s been in his life would for as long as long as he’s been around? One would think he would have some sort of legacy to leave by now. The only question I have, is why is it that Devon suddenly has magical abilities just like him? I know that’s not his real son. How did he do it?”

Gavin smiled. Pulling the ring with a black stone from his pocket. “I don’t know. But, I’ll help you get the shadow man.”

Scarlet jumped down from the counter, reaching for the rind eagerly. “Oh, no.” Gavin tucked it back into his pocket, keeping it wrapped in his palm. “This is another form of insurance. You get this when I get Tyler back. Bram and Izabella must also make it out of your scheme unharmed too. Other than him never having any other children, is there another reason to believe that he couldn’t?”

“Perhaps. But that would be my own little secret. Assuming there was another reason, of course.” She touched the end of his shirt, slowly trying to pull it up as her fingernails grazed his sides. “It really is too bad. You would have been a lot of fun. You’re smart. And conniving. I find both of those traits of yours very sexy.”

“You’re not getting the ring. You may be able to squirl your way into the bed of most guys, but I’m *really* not interested.” His hand tightened around the ring, pushing Scarlet away. “Do we have a deal?”

“No. How can I possibly know that’s the real ring?” She pouted, returning to her wine glass, climbing back onto the counter.

“The same way I can know that Tyler’s still alive. With a little faith and trust. You let me talk to him, and I’ll prove to you that the ring is real.” Gavin frowned. He needed to know that his lover was still alive. This was the only way.

“Fine.” She jumped down again, crossing the room to where her phone was plugged in on the table beside the bed. Dialing, Gavin waited as she spoke quietly to someone else on the other end.

“My love.” The male voice on the other end sounded so much like Bram, there was no denying who had picked up the other end.

Scarlet’s eyes came up to meet Gavin’s as she gave him a tight smile. “Hey, this isn’t a pleasure call. I need to speak with the prisoner. I have company, so please, be careful with what you say while we’re on the phone.”

“I see. One moment.” The other side of the line was dead while he did what Scarlet asked. A few minutes later, he heard the guy on the other end again. “My wife wants to talk to you. I’d have you bear in mind that she’s the only reason you’re still alive, so you best show her the respect she deserves this time. This is your last chance. He’s here love.”

“Hello, darling. I have a guest with me at the moment that wishes to speak with you.” Scarlet smiled up at Gavin as she held the phone out for him to take.

“Tyler? Are you really there?” Gavin asked, turning away from her. He wasn’t accustomed to having big emotions in general and hated when others saw them. He could hear Tyler start crying in the background.

“Gavin? Gavin is that really you? I-I thought…”

“Shhh.” Gavin said, taking a seat at the little desk where he could keep his back to Scarlet. “I know. I’ve been worried about you. I’ll need you to take me to the rodeo.”

“Ha.” Gavin could tell that Tyler was in pain, and it was infuriating. “I’m the only rodeo you’ll ever need again. Maybe? I don’t think I’m getting outta here, babe.” Tyler struggled.

“Bram and I are coming for you. I swear. You will be all mine again soon. I love you, Tyler.”

“I love you too, Gavin.”

“You stay alive. I’m coming for you. I have to go.” Clicking the phone off, he set it on the desk covering his mouth. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll make sure they stop torturing him.” Gavin mumbled.

“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll make sure my son doesn’t find out about any of this.” She was standing behind him, her arms crossed over her breast.

Gavin turned, his ice-cold eyes trained on her. “You wanted your own proof, correct?”

“You said you and Bram were going for him. That’s what you told the traitor.” She countered.

Gavin nodded, “Do you think I, or anyone else, could stop him? Of course, we’re going there together. Did you think I would magically be able to keep Bram, of all people, away?” Pulling the ring from his pocket he held it up. “You wanted your own proof that this is the real ring, yes?” Gavin cocked his head. Her eyes trained excitedly on the ring. “Let me show you the proof.”

***

Happy One Hundred Chapters! Please enjoy.