“I have,” Maxim told her. “They attend some of the claiming ceremonies, but strangely enough, they do not have a concubine themselves.”
“Really?” she asked and raised her brows. “Any particular reason why?”
“Same as anyone. They haven’t found the right one.”
“Hmm,” she said to herself.
“Here’s the information to the hotel you’ll be staying at until the contract is filed as nullified. No one has access to records to where you might be, in case you’re wondering about Aubin.”
“How do you know he won’t find me? What if he has friends on the inside?”
“Good question, but please trust in our system. Not even I know where you’ll be staying.”
She smiled with a slight nod and accepted the sealed documentation. The emblem of The Covenant pressed into wax held the papers in a tri-fold. She tucked them into her purse and slung it over her shoulder. Extending her hand, she smiled. “I appreciate everything you did and getting me out of this. It’s time I move on to bigger and better things.”
“Yes,” he shook her hand. “I agree.” Dropping her hand, he picked up his briefcase. “What’s next for you after this?”
She shrugged. “One day at a time, I guess. I’d like to get clothes of my own and figure out how I fit into this world after that asshole kept me locked away for so long.”
He nodded. “Keep me in the loop if anything happens. The Covenant will send an email to you once everything is settled, as we discussed. And if I may be so bold,” he leaned in and grinned. “Go back into the choosing ceremony. Give it another round. There’s bound to be a group of vampires who would treat you like the princess you deserve to be.”
She felt her cheeks warm. “I appreciate that very much, but I’m not a princess in need of a rescue. I want to find a few knights along my way through life, but all in due time.”
“Have a good rest of your evening, Alexia Daucourt. It’s been a pleasure working with you.”
“Likewise.”
Maxim Lambert took his exit and before Alexia left the room, she took one last look upon the portraits of the four covenant leaders. She wanted a closer look and carried herself back into the meeting room.
Coming up to the first of four portraits, her gaze set on a man with an inscription of Jean-Paul on a golden plaque. He had what looked to be broad shoulders and dark, sandy blond hair, slightly on the longer side, and his eyes were an azure color of blue. It was almost staggering how the artist had captured the man’s beauty.
Next to him read the name Marcus. This vampire had a paler look to him with raven black hair and a set of the greenest eyes. The smirk on his lips told her everything she needed to know about him. He was danger wrapped up in a red bow waiting to be unraveled.
The third read Stephen. His hair was a platinum shade of blond, almost silver, that fell past his shoulders, and his eyes were almost white, the blue pigment was like that of a mid-morning sky. He looked more dangerous than the previous vampire, in an almost deceitful sort of way.
Then the final vampire had the name of Pierre under it. Pierre had the darkest brown eyes, almost black, she’d ever looked upon. His hair was a dark, chestnut brown, and he had a beard cut close to his face. He seemed to have a gentleness to him that was captured in the portrait, but then again, looks could be deceiving.
Taking a few steps back, she felt the table touch the back of her legs. The voices of men caught her attention and fear rocketed through her, causing her heart to pound in her chest.
She closed her eyes and put her hand over her heart.
It’s not him.
You’re safe.
It’s just the people who work here.
When she opened her eyes, Alexia rushed across the floor to leave the room and make it to her hotel, into the safety of her own bed. As she reached the door, the voices grew closer. She glanced down the hall and to the short distance to where six men stood. One of them glanced her way.
She blinked. He looked just like his painting. The vampire smirked, then turned back to the conversation. It was Pierre, one of The Covenant leaders.
Closing the meeting room door behind her, she slipped out into the hall, hoping not to be heard or seen. Although, Pierre had already looked upon her, but not the way Aubin had looked down at her. No, this was quite different and there was a hint of desire in his eyes. It was quick, she’d almost missed it but it was there.
Then again, she had been alone for so long, anyone looking her way could be considered desirable.
Stop it.
She made her way out of the hall into the front corridor of the building. The evening air of Paris slipped around her, causing her to quake where she stood. She took quick steps toward the road’s edge, intending to flag down her ride back to the hotel.
When a hand touched her shoulder, she screamed and jerked away.
Turning, wide eyed, she saw it was the man who’d smirked at her in the hall. He held his hands up and took a step back.
“Excusez-moi, mademoiselle, désolé pour la frayeur.”
She blinked and lifted her brows. “Je ne parle pas français.” Almost too embarrassed to look into his luscious brown eyes, she shifted her gaze to the ground.
“Ahh, American. Okay, no problem,” he offered. “I said, I did not mean to give you a fright. Are you all right?”
She nodded but didn’t give him her gaze. “Yes, I’ll be fine. I’m waiting on my ride.”
“What is your name?”
Did she tell him?
Why was he out here talking to her?
What did he want?
She chanced a glance at him and immediately regretted it. He smiled and tightened his black cashmere coat around his body. Good lord, he was beautiful.
A car pulled up next to her, catching her attention. “My ride is here. And yes, I’m okay, thank you.” She turned to the car and leaned in. “Hotel Edgar, s’il vous plait.”
He nodded and motioned for her to get into the car. She turned back to the vampire and was surprised to still see him standing there. If this was, indeed, Pierre, he was a covenant leader. She was no one.
Why was he out here with her?
“My name?”
He nodded.
“Umm, Alexia. Alexia Daucourt, sir.”
“Pierre DuBois.” He held his hand out for hers.
She hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand in his. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine,” he whispered and pressed his lips to the back of her hand. “I hope to see you soon, blood demon.”
She gasped and yanked her hand back from him.
He grinned and a sinister, yet gentle smile spread across his lips. He turned on his heel and started back toward The Covenant building.
Alexia slid into the car and closed the door. The driver took off and she sat back in the seat, grinning at the moment she just had with Pierre DuBois, one of the vampire leaders of the European sector.
But why would he follow her out of the building?
Was there more to this man, and did he know who she was and why she was there today?
CHAPTER 2
Alexia couldn’t help but think of the vampire she’d met, one of the leaders of the European coven, Pierre DuBois. He was kind, friendly, and one of the most striking men she’d ever looked upon. Why the leaders did not have a concubine of their own was definitely confusing, but it wasn’t something she worried over at the moment. What consumed her mind was getting the annulment in order from her vampire.