Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Unexpected Guests

Lancelot’s P.O.V:

It was an hour later, when I was inside the shower, that I felt it, that familiar tug on my mind that always told me when she was nearby.

“Damnit!” I cursed as I turned the shower off and then started drying up so I could get this meeting over with. Why the hell was she here?

I dressed in a pair of black pants and a crisp white shirt before running my hands through my damn hair. Once I was ready, I checked on Anna to find her fast asleep. Good. She’d need lots of sleep to get back some of her energy. I locked the door to our suit on my way out and went downstairs, to the waiting area where I knew she would be. And I was proven right.

“Ah! There he is. I’ll leave you two alone to catch up.” Melinda gave a smile coated with venom before she went in the direction of her suit.

After the viper had left, I turned to the other woman in the room. Tall, slender, with sharp facial features, and hip length wavy auburn hair, she emitted power no matter what skin she wore. Just because she’d decided to wear a stark white jacket on top of a blue knee length pencil skirt, didn’t mean she was harmless. No, Incubus Queen Jalyna Eustis was a force to reckon with, and it was proven when she became the Queen by marrying our King very soon after the death of her first husband, Ace’s father, Vivian Turner.

“Mother.” I greeted her with a kiss on her cheek, although I could feel dread settle into my stomach. “This way.” I guided her to one of the office rooms on the second floor. It’d be fitting given her rank but it would also imply that I didn’t want her to stay here any longer than necessary.

“My son! It’s been a very long time,” she settled into one of the couches, all pose and glamour.

“Indeed.” I left it at that.

I don’t visit her or my father until it was absolutely necessary and this time, I’d managed to stay away from both of them for more than five years.

She angled her head slightly to the right, glossy pink lips upturned into a smile. “Melinda says you’ve gotten yourself a new Scribt.”

Of course, Melinda said so; why else would my mother find a sudden interest in visiting me at my workplace, amongst mortals she considered beneath her. “That doesn’t concern you.”

“Of course it does, she’s my son’s Scribt after all, she has even bigger responsibilities than others of her kind.” Her smile was intact, but her eyes, they were icy cold, the blue of her iris the color of a frozen lake.

“I’ll remind you again mother, she’s none of your concern. What’s the real purpose of your visit?” I’ve had enough of skirting around the subject. If I don’t get this over with right now, my mother would make sure she had her way with Anna. Jalyna loved to cause people discomfort; enjoyed watching people suffer.

“I have a proposition for you.” She said, crossing her legs one on top of the other.

“Which is?” I felt my nails dig into the hands of the leather couch. I was pretty sure this was headed in a direction that would involve me and Melinda getting together.

“Marry Miaka Weller.”

I felt my shoulders relax as all the tension evaporate from me. My nails retreated back to their normal size and I felt myself erupt into laughter.

My mother watched me with a flabbergasted expression on her face, before she settled for a scowl. If looks could kill…

“What on Earth is so funny?” She asked, her stance becoming rigid. She was one of those women who didn’t like no for an answer.

“I’m quite surprised by your audacity mother, although I know I shouldn’t be.” I answered her with a humorless smile.

“How dare you!” I saw through her layers to the true heart of the woman at that instant. “I’m your mother! The Queen of-“

“And right now you are not speaking to your son but a member of the Dark Council.” I reminded her calmly. “As of now, my position far exceeds that of the King or Queen of any one realm.” It was a pleasure to watch her perfectly sculptured mask crumble. “That was quite an interesting suggestion mother. Maybe I should call Miaka here so we could discuss all the advantages of this marriage.”

“It’s your duty to woo her!” She snapped, her long, slender fingers curling to fists on her lap.

“You want me to woo a child I helped raise?” This time, I knew my eyes had changed color and I didn’t care if anyone saw me. “I held her in my arms when she was only an infant! She learned to walk by holding onto my hands! How can you even think that I touch her with those same hands with any other intention than to protect her?”

“Lanc-“

“But then again, you use your beauty to sleep your way through the ranks until you became Queen.” I cut her off. “I think it’s time for you to leave now, mother. You’ve done enough damage for today.”

But my mother gave me a cunning smile instead. “I can’t do that unfortunately. You see, I’ve received a special invite to the Grand Opening Ball the day after tomorrow and since the invite was sent by my son, how can I refuse that?”

Ace? Why would he do that? And why didn’t he warn me when I called him?

I stood up from the couch. “Fine. You can stay. But if you cause trouble for Anaya in any way, I’ll immediately have you thrown out.”

With that, I walked out of the room and went back in search for Anaya. She’d probably be out for a few more hours, but I wanted to be near her for as long as I can.

Melinda’s P.O.V:

“You did a splendid job, Keith.” I told my little puppy as he stared at me blankly.

The Keith Simmons that had come to work for me two years ago had been energetic, hard working and ready to please, and I’d used that energy to turn him into my handy little puppet. Not many Incubi had the power to manipulate emotions, it’s a rare gift passed down the Valentino family line and very few know about its existence.

Keith had done exactly what I’d wanted him to do and Lance’s little secretary had run straight into his arms. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror as I brushed out my long blonde locks.

It was a common belief that Hunters could see the energy dissipation aura of a person who had fed an Incubus. But usually, hunters work under a strict code of honor. But I had been able to stumble upon someone who had been open to corruption.

“The Opening Night Ball is the day after tomorrow.” I told no one in particular but I knew Keith was listening. “And I’ve invited some special guests. Be sure to inform them of their correct entry time.”

Keith nodded his head once and went out the door. His puppet-like state will be over in a few seconds and no one will be able to tell the difference, not even Keith himself.

Lance had rejected me in front of the entire court and I’d never forgotten my humiliation. But then he’d brought me back into his life again to keep me away from Ace. In doing so, he’s given me the perfect opportunity to have my revenge. He had no idea what was coming his way.