A knock at the door had me hissing my irritation. Few intruded on my rooms, fewer still did so more than once. “Open it,” I snarled to Sebastian.
He was quick to obey, his steps quiet and sure as he strode to the door. He bowed when it opened, his eyes on the floor as he asked, “May I announce you, sirs?”
“She’s got a pet?” I recognized the scornful voice. “I hadn’t heard of her having one.” The deep, rumbling timbre had me growling my frustration.
“What I have is none of your business, witch,” I called out, letting them know I knew who was at my door. “You have no business at my rooms.” I waved a hand at Sebastian, indicating he should step back, allowing them entrance if they so chose.
He complied, opening the door wide enough to show both of the twins as I stood to square off with them. “At least you’re clean this time,” Crowe remarked with a twisted grin. “You look far better like that than with the macabre decorations.”
“As if I care what you think I look like. Why are you in my rooms?”
“Well, you did invite your pet to let us in,” Draven pointed out. I scowled, resisting the instinctual urge to bite him. Crowe smacked the back of his brother’s head, the two exchanging a meaningful look before facing me again.
“We were directed to approach you,” Crowe explained. “Your mother suggested you would be the best source of information.”
“For?” I drawled, irritated at his need to drag this out and prevent me from my work.
“Apparently you’ve been taking all of the recovered history books.” Draven indicated the piles around me with a wave. “We came here for research, and you’ve been hoarding the information. I thought you were a vampire, not a dragon.”
I hissed, pulling my lip back to show my fangs as I approached them. Neither flinched, merely cocking their heads to study me. “You will mind your tongue, or I will tear it out. Do not underestimate me. Your status as guests does not protect you.”
Crowe held up a placating hand. “My brother does not always think before he speaks.”
“Then he should learn,” I snapped. “Or someone less patient than I will prevent him from gaining that opportunity.” I glanced at my pile of books, debating what I would be willing to let leave. “What are you looking for exactly?”
“We are interested in history,” Crowe explained. “Specifically history before the plagues and the formation of the witches’ culture.” I blinked in surprise and at the correlation to my own work.
“Why?” I had my own reasons for my research, and a small piece of me wondered if maybe their hypothesis matched with mine.
Both shrugged, the movement identical and instinctive, as though they had the same thought at the same moment. “Understanding the past brings us power,” Draven stated. “It allows us to prevent the same mistakes and gives us the capacity to garner spells and other abilities that may have been lost with time.”
I restrained the sneer that wanted to form. Of course the witches were doing it for power. I didn’t know why I had thought it would be for another reason.
“I’m not sure that much of what I have applies to the witches, though I admit I wasn’t making notes regarding anything about them I came across.” I considered the stack with worry, not wanting to release anything I might need at a later date. “You are aware how to properly care for books?”
“Says the woman who tried to drown herself in blood?” Draven muttered, earning himself an elbow in the ribs.
“We simply want to borrow a few from your collection.” Crowe offered up a smile with his statement. “You won’t even miss them.”
Torn, I considered my options. I could release my books to them, unsure if I would ever receive them back or what information they might damage or remove from them. Or I could allow them intrusion into my space, which was not exactly an appealing prospect. The two didn’t move, expecting an answer and unwilling to remove themselves before I gave them the chance.
I sighed, my frustration evident on my face and in my tone. “You can select what you wish, but they cannot leave these rooms. I won’t risk losing the information. These books are valuable, and they stay in my possession.”
“Really? You’re going to actually hoard them all?” Draven’s words dripped with scorn.
“Not hoard,” I retorted. “Protect.” I warmed to my excuse, crossing my arms over my chest and staring them down. “If Sebastian or I are in this room, you may use it for study purposes unless I find you are damaging any of the books. Anything you see or hear in these chambers shall be considered private.”
“We will not be made your pets as well.” Draven stepped forward, his hands sparkling, and I snorted.
“As if I would take a witch for a pet. Disgusting creatures.” I shook my head, my nose wrinkled. “You all taste terrible. This is a study, nothing more. Think of it as you having private access to my personal library.” I could see they both wanted to object, though after a short, nonverbal exchange that might have related to their relationship or might have as easily been magic, they nodded their acquiescence. “Good. Then let’s all get to work.”
I headed to my preferred seat, retaking the book I had been studying before dinner tonight. I was going to find answers to my questions, even if it took my entire lifetime. Now, at least, I would have help.
Chapter Two
Elsie
I had expected to rue my decision to allow the witches into my sanctuary, but they were surprisingly diligent, not to mention quiet. Sebastian had also remained silent, even as he threw heated glares at me as he worked on sorting through my notes and adding his own comments to my findings. I wasn’t willing to trust him with any solo research until I had a chance to review his skills and ensure he knew what he was looking for. I settled my book down with a soft sigh, angling my head so I could view his writing.
“Very good,” I murmured, quickly scanning the pages. His script was neat and clear, and his notes were succinct. It was obvious he had no problem with the concepts I had been covering.
“So is this really what you do all day?” Draven’s gruff voice had me rolling my eyes as I turned to him. So much for staying quiet.
“Study, you mean?” My lip curled as I stared at the witch across from me. Crowe’s gaze was on the tome in his lap, but I wasn’t fooled into thinking he was ignoring the conversation. Sebastian’s blue eyes were wary, glancing between the pair of us as he attempted to judge the dynamic between myself and the witch twins.
Draven snorted. “Yeah, sure. Study. Research.” He waved at the books piled on my table, at the notebooks full of my handwriting and intricate trees of ideas, at the walls of bookcases that decorated my room stuffed with every type of history book I could get my hands on. “I mean, most vampires are busy with other activities.” From the sneer on his full lips, I could guess what direction his mind was heading.
I leaned back in my seat, angling my neck as I attempted to work out the kinks I had from sitting hunched over for so long. “I assume this is your attempt to ask why I’m not torturing, feeding, or fucking?” I didn’t look away, unashamed of my words. Draven nearly fell from his chair, a flush decorating his cheeks as he shot a quick glance at his brother before turning his attention back to me.