“Contract or not, Vlad, I'm not a piece of property, and I'm not some fucking animal that Ryder can collar and claim as his own. He had no right to brand me.”
“Be that as it may, Syn, he did, and it can't be undone unless he removes it. Drink? Gin and tonic right?” Vlad said, already turning and diving into the endless bottles behind the bar.
“Please, make it strong,” I mumbled, turning away from Vlad to take in everyone who was in the bar. I was surprised to find Alden sitting further down the bar by himself, watching me carefully with a sad smile. He was surrounded by the few Guild issue guards who stood just far enough away to give him a little breathing room.
Alden nodded and started towards me, settling on the seat next to me as his elite guards took standing positions close enough to protect him, should the need arise, but far enough away to give him some semblance of privacy.
“We gotta stop meeting like this,” I said with a quirky smile.
“This one is bad, not saying the last one wasn't,” he rushed the last words in when I glared and opened my mouth to say just what he had. “This one looks like it was more than likely radicals. Hate crimes are unstable and unpredictable. I'm relieved to know you are with him.” Alden nodded in Ryder's direction and continued. “He won't let anything happen to you. The National Guild in Washington D.C. wants us to assist the Prince on this one. I told them I had my best working side by side with him, Synthia.”
“Did you tell them I was your best?” I looked right at him and saw his hesitation. “Figures. Wouldn’t want them to know I'm on the job, anyway.”
Not that I had known I was.
“Are you okay, Synthia?” Alden asked when I wiped the sweat from my forehead and neck yet again.
“I'm fine,” I growled.
“Don't use that word on me, girl. I taught you to say it, and I know you better than you think I do. You're sweating profusely, Synthia Raine.” He held his hand up to my cheek and swore. “You're burning up.”
“I'm fine, just coming down with something,” I snapped, tired of being told what I was and wasn’t.
“Drink this, Syn. It might help,” Vlad said setting the glass down on a napkin and pushing it closer to me. I accepted it and threw back the glass, drinking it all, and enjoyed the burn as the alcohol slid down my throat.
“Another one,” I said, sliding my tongue over my teeth.
“Your wish is my command,” Vlad said, eyeing me carefully, before looking past me to where Ryder sat with his men, pouring over what I assumed were crime scene pictures. Vlad quickly made another drink and pushed it to the place where the empty glass still sat. “Syn, when you cured those people earlier—what did it feel like?” Vlad asked, leaning against the bar and using his folded forearm for support on the glossy surface.
“I don’t remember. I just remember being pissed that we couldn't help them. I was pissed at feeling useless, and was tired of death. It's stupid. I don’t understand why someone would do that to another being—even if they are Fae. I'm tired of people pretending to be God and deciding to end someone else's life, just because they can!” I was shouting, and the entire bar had gone silent. I slumped down and shook my head—this wasn’t me. Normally I could control myself better.
“The blood called to you?” Vlad continued, as if I hadn’t just had a mini-meltdown.
“I don't know. I just knew I could do it. Knew if I removed the iron they would live, or hoped they would, anyway. I have no idea how, or why I did it, Vlad, I only know that being helpless isn't something I like or will accept.”
“You removed the iron. You saved everyone in that room, Syn. My question is—did you feel the need to taste it?”
“You mean did I want to rip into their necks and suck the blood?” I narrowed my eyes on his silver ones.
“Something like that, yes.”
“No, I'm not a vampire.” Ewww….
“But, you cleaned Fae of iron—from their blood. And you seem to have won over Ryder’s men by doing so.” He replied, reaching over for the empty glass, before tipping his head to where Sinjinn sat smiling at me invitingly. Sinjinn was another of the men who was always close at Ryder’s side.
“And?” I blinked at Sinjinn and shook my head.
“And that’s not an easy feat. They are loyal to one and one alone. Yet, you have them looking at you with respect now.”
“I’m supposed to care?” I snapped, feeling my head swim as heat seemed to pool into one central location, and it was pissing me off.
“Syn, are you okay?” Vlad asked cautiously.
“I'm fine, just feel weird.”