Isaac rubbed his temples as he climbed the stairs to the viewing room above the cell. Once he entered, he noticed his Brothers staring out at the woman.
“She’s good,” Rue said with approval first.
“You let her follow you? Are you stupid?” Wyatt growled, rounding on him.
“I didn’t know the human escaped the disciples; let alone be able to follow me,” Isaac defended.
“She doesn’t understand her situation. You didn’t have to be harsh,” Ruben said.
“She wouldn’t listen otherwise,” Isaac said and turned to the window to see Raven leaning on the same wall but sitting now. She was hugging herself and he smirked slightly, believing he’d scared her enough. “Now she understands that the situation is bad. She’s hard-headed.”
“No, she’s smart,” Liam said next, watching Raven as well. “The way she made you name the ‘blondes’ and lose control. She wanted those answers and she knew how to get them.”
“She’s a liability,” Damian said next. “She’s already started transforming; her hair is evidence of that and so is her speed. If she doesn’t agree to our protection by tomorrow and the transformation continues, we’ll have to kill her soon.”
“It won’t come to that,” Isaac said, defensively.
“She’s already a threat,” Damian said. “Having her here any longer could bring the hunters right at our doorstep.”
“She’ll agree to our help,” Isaac said, not backing down.
“She’d better,” the King said and turned to the others. “I want someone watching her while she’s here.”
“I’ll do it,” Isaac said immediately.
Damian nodded. “So be it. I’ll go consult with the Goddess,” He said and left the room.
“You’re being really protective of her, man,” Wyatt said cautiously.
“No, I’m not,” Isaac turned to him.
“Yeah you are,” Wyatt said and an unspoken understanding passed through the group.
“It’s not like that!” Isaac didn’t realize he’d shouted until he read Wyatt’s expression. “It’s my fault she cut herself that night. That makes her and whatever threat she poses my responsibility. I just want to clean up my own mess. I’ll kill her if I have to.”
Isaac stood at his full height, eyeing his Brothers to dare question him again. All of them varied in height and were each very unique… except Zeke.
Wyatt looked the part of playboy model and, before his wife came along, he played the part well. He’d bedded more females than Isaac had dared to count. Flowing blonde hair, electric blue eyes, muscles that stretched his thin workout top. He’d obviously been planning to hit their gym after this interrogation ended. He was their hand-to-hand expert in a pinch, creative and deadly.
Liam was the tallest of the group with leaner muscles. His mind was his greatest weapon but he could hold his own as well. With long dark hair pulled back into a low ponytail, a thin beard and violet eyes, he actually looked the part of vampire. Except he always wore gloves to hide the symbols he’d etched onto them centuries ago. No one wanted to touch those things either.
Ruben was damn near everyone’s opposite. Built like a tank, the man should be terrifying. Yet he was the softest and gentlest man he’d ever met. One would never suspect this man of being a killer but when he wielded his twin swords, he was unstoppable. His auburn hair was short enough to compliment his features and his warm olive eyes. He never really allowed his beard to grow beyond a five o’clock shadow and could always be found with a flannel on. He seemed to have a flannel for every occasion thus earning the nickname, ‘Lumberjack’.
Liam was the first to move, glancing back down at Raven before meeting his eyes. “I believe there won’t be need for such promises. Just do your duty but don’t let it blind you.”
Isaac stared as he left the room.
“Wiser words were never spoken,” Rue straightened his flannel shirt and moved forward, thumping his heavy hand on Isaac’s shoulder. “Stay objective, Brother. We guard the realms of man as well. Sometimes they deserve our pity.”
Isaac didn’t respond as Ruben moved to the door as well.
Wyatt shrugged and glanced back down at Raven. “She’s definitely impressive.”
Isaac moved to the glass and looked down at her too.
“I’ve known females, Brother,” Wyatt continued. “Vampire… human… I couldn’t see a difference before Mary.”
Isaac fought to roll his eyes. Another sappy love story from another whipped male. He’d heard it all before from Damian. Vampire King or not, his wife was his world. Rightfully so, yet it was annoying to watch another man drool.
“I haven’t seen a human built like her. A female warrior. I wonder what could have led to her becoming so?” Wyatt mused.
Isaac frowned slightly, wondering that himself. The woman’s fighting techniques were precise and strong. She was comfortable with attacking maneuvers and with defense. She’d faced him despite his speed and her heart racing. She was definitely not what he’d expected from a human.
“No woman should have to train like she has,” Wyatt sighed and began to move away. “I hope you don’t have to kill her. I wanna test those skills of hers myself.”
Isaac listened as Wyatt left the room. Then the door closed with a snap and he let out a sigh. “Yes, brother mine?”
Zeke moved closer and stood beside him, eyeing Raven with a glare. “I don’t like her here.”
Isaac glanced at him. “What exactly troubles you?”
“She snuck in with a skill beyond most human ability. How?” he growled.
Isaac thought that over. “She mentioned blind spots.”
“She didn’t lie about that. The security footage missed all of her movements. According to Liam, there was an overlap where she should have appeared by the wishing well,” Zeke crossed his arms. “Yet she didn’t. It was like she was a ghost.”
Isaac eyed her closely as she flexed her hands, undoing the bandages. He noticed her raw knuckles as she aired them out. The rage he felt at seeing her injured surprised him. He shouldn’t care. “What is your theory?”
“She’s dangerous. I know a killer when I see one,”
Isaac let out a soft chuckle. “She is human. What threat could she pose to us?”
Zeke glared at him now. “Did she not render your arm useless with a mere strike? What other skills could she possess?”
Isaac shook his head. “We are faster than her eye could see.”
“And yet she nearly matched your attacks,” Zeke moved a fist forward and pushed his knuckles into his chest, where she’d barely managed to touch him. “I do not think you should bind yourself to her. Let one of the others guard her. Perhaps Liam. She will underestimate him and he could see her attacks before they occur.”
Isaac frowned and pushed his brother back. “I am fully capable of handling a human, brother. I have made my decision. I will see it through.”
Zeke frowned and left without another word.
Isaac watched as Raven retied her bandages and then placed a hand on her sigh. He noticed her wince before she set a hand over a specific spot and pressed into it. She then brought her knees up to trap her arm in place, lowering her forehead to her knees. Her free hand held one of the blades at her side, ready to strike.
He froze as he realized that he hadn’t scared her. She was hurt beyond the marks that he’d seen on her face and hands. With a growl, he swore he’d kill four disciples for every bruise she had.
Isaac leaned back and stared at his reflection in the glass. Why did he do that? Why did he care? What was happening?
Cursing, he moved to the controls and adjusted the camera settings to send him a live feed on his phone. Then he left the viewing room to go to his own room. He turned on his phone and watched as Raven sat there unmoving. She was still breathing but she refused to move beyond that.
Isaac lit a smoke and took a deep drag. Who exactly was this woman?
He went over their conversation.
She’d mentioned that she had walked to his house. She had dark circles under her eyes so he could imagine her walking all night from her apartment… why? She mentioned her house not feeling safe. She was correct but why go to him? Why not go to a friend’s house for the night or to her family’s house? Did she not have family?
He eyed the screen as if expecting her to suddenly look up and answer.
She mentioned how he’d helped her at the park.
He realized a woman like her must appreciate acts of kindness.
Tomorrow, he’d take her food and hear her decision. If she accepted, he’d introduce her to the others and then take her to the room their servant had prepared. If she refused, he’d have to kill her on the spot.
Just the thought made his stomach twist uncomfortably. He’d killed humans before but for some reason, this one felt different. She was surprising. It would be a shame to kill her.
Throughout the day, he watched her as she remained in her position. He imagined what she’d look like laughing.
The next afternoon, Isaac moved down to the kitchen where their butler, Luther, was busying himself making breakfast. As soon as he waked in, the butler whirled around and bowed.
"Master Isaac," he greeted pleasantly. "You have arisen a bit early, sir."
Isaac waved him off, sitting on the counter stood. "Couldn't sleep."
"May I serve you now or would you like to wait for the house?" Luther asked as he vigorously whisked pancake better.
"I will wait for everyone else," Isaac muttered, setting his phone on the counter. Raven still took up the screen, frozen in her spot. He went over his ideas to get her to talk to him. What kind of food did she like?
"Sir?"
Luther's voice broke into his thoughts and he realized he was frowning as he looked up at the butler who had appeared beside him. He eyed the screen before letting out a hum and moving around the counter to the fridge.
"Might I suggest some food for the young miss?" Luther asked, pulling out a melon. "I am sure she must be famished after the tranquilizer."
Isaac smirked at the butler. He was sure the servant had mind reading capabilities but they could never prove anything. "Good thinking, Luther. I should take her something to drink too."
He watched as Luther quickly prepared a tray with the items, keeping one eye on the phone screen. He quietly hoped she'd wake up before he got there so he wouldn't freak her out.
Tray finished, Isaac made his way to the interrogation chamber and stopped in front of the door. He suddenly felt nervous and couldn't figure out why.
"Wise choice," Liam suddenly said and he eyed the vampire coming his way. "She would not dare strike you with this peace offering."
"Do you mock me?" Isaac asked dangerously.
"Never, Brother," Liam stopped in front of him. "I had hoped you would attempt something to gain favor. I had my own suggestions."
Isaac tried not to bare his fangs. "I can handle a human just fine."
Liam didn't respond, his face schooled into something unreadable. "We will be watching all the same."
Isaac let him reach around to open the door for him and made his way into the room quietly. He eyed her as Liam shut the door quietly behind him but she hadn't moved yet.
Her long black hair flowed like a curtain, shielding her face from the lights above which were always on. He wondered if she had truly fallen asleep and how she could (given her position on the floor). He dared to move closer, keeping the tray steady despite his slight limp. He felt like a fool and, as she suddenly stirred, made sure to give her space in case she immediately attacked. He should have removed her blades yesterday. Where did she even have them? Hadn't they unarmed her before bringing her in?
He shook the thought away as he waited for her green eyes to look upon him again.
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