«Very gracious of you, Mr. Hastings. Nevertheless,» Marc said, taking the floor, «your company will receive some compensation for the time you put in on this. If not by Sebastian, then by me and my organization. We have the economic resources you do not, but you have the manpower and the ability to track these mortals during the hours of daylight, both of which are very valuable to us. As Master of this region, I thank you for your willingness to assist.»
«Now then,» Cameron brought them back to the plan, «we have about a week to set this up. When we're ready to go, we'll have Lady Christina well guarded as she confronts her husband. Chances are, nothing will come of the initial meeting, unless we're extremely lucky.» Christy's stomach clenched at the idea of facing Jeff, but these amazing beings would back her up, and Sebastian was with her, in her very soul. She'd be okay. She had to do this.
«More than likely,» Cameron continued, making notes on a pad as he spoke, «Jeff Kinsey will contact Steel or Mario shortly after Lady Christina leaves his presence.»
«Why does he call me that?» she wondered silently.
«Because he first knew me as a British Lord and you are my mate. In his mind, you are therefore my lady.» Sebastian's calm voice answered her idle thought. His voice felt like a soft caress through her mind.
«Should I be calling you my lord?»
«Only under very special circumstances.» The scandalous image he sent to her mind made her heat rise to her cheeks.
«Oh, you are wicked…my lord.»
«Would you guys save that for later?» Matt groused. «Or are you purposely trying to give me a woody I can't explain, in front of all these old dudes?»
Christy had to camouflage her laughter by faking a cough, but Sebastian was much more in control.
«I'm going with Christina when she confronts Kinsey,» Sebastian spoke, his voice rumbling against her back.
«Are you sure that's wise?» Cameron asked. «Your presence will take any doubt out of their minds that she's still mortal.»
«I know, but I want to be there. I have to be there.»
«But I thought you wanted me to do this on my own?» She turned, breaking free of his light hold.
«I want you to confront your past, but I never said you had to do it all by yourself. I'm your mate now, Christina. Where you go, I go. You'll confront Jeff, but I'll stand beside you every step of the way.»
She shook her head. «I love you, but you don't know Jeff. If you come with me, it'll drive him to violence.»
A spark entered Sebastian's eyes. «Let him try.»
Christy laughed. It was a strange reaction, but she almost felt sorry for Jeff, with this amazing being wanting to tear him apart. Poor Jeff. He didn't have a clue just who-or what-he'd angered.
«Perhaps putting Sebastian out there will work to our advantage,» Hastings said from the sidelines. «For one thing, he can help protect his mate if things turn ugly. For another, he'll serve as a focus for the Venifucus. If she goes on her own, the mage will keep a sharp eye out, looking for her maker. If he's with her, the mage might relax his guard, not expecting any further threat.»
«Good point.» Cameron wrote on his pad. «All right, laddie. You'll go with your lady. We'll back you up.»
They talked a little more after that, but the majority of the points had been covered. Sebastian sent Christy off with Hiro to begin training while he dealt with the other men. It was a few hours, after a vigorous workout with Hiro, before Christy saw Sebastian again, but he'd been there, in the back of her mind all along. His existence in her mind was comforting, even when he wasn't an active presence. Just knowing they were connected on such an intimate level made her feel more secure than she'd ever felt in her life.
CHAPTER 7
Sebastian was careful to shield Christina from the rest of the meeting while he laid down the law to every man present. He would brook no argument when it came to the safety of his mate. They discussed the very real dangers to her, both from her mortal husband and the potential threats from Altor Custodis and Venifucus.
When everyone else left, Sebastian and Matt headed for the dojo. There they spent a few enjoyable hours sparring, practicing and alternately teaching, testing and teasing Christina. The men had spent many evenings training together, but having Christina there made it more special. She brought life and happiness to the entire room. Even Hiro was lighter of spirit for her presence.
Christina left the dojo first, excused while the men practiced a few things that were beyond her abilities, and would be for some time. There were some limitations after all, to the acceleration the were blood had given her. Not many, but enough to make the moves the men practiced well outside her abilities-at least for a while yet.
By the time they finished, all three men were sweating, but they each wore pleased expressions on their faces. Hiro left first, heading for his home, which wasn't far.
«Are you staying today?» Sebastian asked Matt as he wiped his face with a towel.
Matt nodded, snagging his own towel. «Yeah, I thought I'd stick around, if that's okay.»
«You know you're always welcome here, my friend.»
«Well, I thought – until we're sure what's going on with Kinsey and Steel – I'd keep an eye out.»
«Your vigilance is much appreciated. I'm not comfortable with recent developments.»
«I figured as much. I've got that itchy feeling at the scruff of my neck and it's got me worried.»
Sebastian's eyes were grim. «Yeah, me too.»
The men left the dojo, parting at the door to the guest room that Matt used when he stayed over. He'd probably sleep until daylight, then change form and head out to prowl the grounds. Sebastian couldn't thank him enough for helping protect Christina. Matt's willingness to help went beyond friendship. This was the act of a brother-regardless of the fact they were different species.
By the time Sebastian entered the master suite, Christina was out of the shower, dressed in a lovely silk nightgown. Sebastian was glad to see she'd found the things he'd had delivered for her. She looked so lovely, sitting there, brushing her hair at the small vanity he'd brought into the room, just for her. Sebastian stood in the doorway, staring at her. She was so beautiful, it almost hurt. But it was the best kind of hurt in the world, for she was his. All his.
«Are you going to just stand there all night, or are you coming in?» Christina didn't even look at him, sensing his presence through their link. The same way he sensed her at all times.
Sebastian moved behind her. She sat before the vanity, brushing her hair as she watched her progress in the mirror. It was a fable that bloodletters had no reflection. Only those without souls had no reflection and while some indeed, had relinquished their souls over the centuries, Sebastian had never been acquainted with anyone who'd done so.
He leaned down and nuzzled her neck, holding her in front of him. She smelled so clean and good, he realized he needed a shower himself. Badly. Hiro and Matt had given him a hell of a workout.
Rising, he winked at her in the mirror. «Give me ten minutes. I need to get cleaned up.»
«It'll take me that long to dry my hair. Take your time.»
Sebastian didn't dally in the shower, but did spend a few minutes thinking of all the things he'd do to-and with – his lady love in the hours left before dawn. He grew hard just thinking about it. Luckily, the solution to his problem was waiting for him outside. All he had to do was decide how he would take her.
He wanted to show her something new, something a little bit wild. Perhaps it was time to visit the dungeon.