Page 14

Zane stood outside of Concealed with his hands in his pockets, staring up at the way the colors of the setting sun reflected across the glass surface. He’d been there a time or two before but had never really paid attention to its design, not even that night he’d come here to help Muse pull that candle out of his ass.

Had the building always been so…cold?

It towered over the rest of the businesses on the packed street, seemingly stretching up forever. There was an underground and aboveground entrance, and Zane had gone with the above one, standing on the side of the walkway as he pondered whether or not this was a good idea.

The morning after Pavel had hunted him in the woods, he’d woken achy from having to find his way back to the parking lot alone in the dark and the cold.

The bitemark he’d been given that day in class had taken over a week to heal, two for the scar to completely vanish even with his level of healing.

There’d been a knot on the back of his head where his skull had hit the stone steps of the pool that’d lasted an entire weekend.

Every time Pavel showed up, Zane got hurt. He’d appear out of the blue, manhandle him, and then just leave. As though aftercare wasn’t a thing.

As if Zane wasn’t deserving of receiving any of it.

Not that he’d ever required that sort of thing from past lovers before. Hell, typically he was the one putting his clothes back on before Kazimir had recovered, and with Lyra…The aftercare portion had fallen on Zane’s shoulders. Now that he was standing out here, it was occurring to him how illogical his line of thinking had been.

How out of character for him to be mad over something like that.

But it wasn’t just that.

The other day at that shitty burger place though… That could never happen again.

Zane didn’t lose his cool. He wasn’t Kelevra or Kazimir. He didn’t do things to openly spite people, like Madden or Ledger, either. He operated in the shadows, behind a smokescreen, pulling people's strings without them even knowing what he was doing until it was too late. He cut them with words and offhanded remarks and saved his knives for true enemies.

That waiter hadn’t done anything more than lust after a Devil of Vitality, which, on this planet, was a given. Yet Zane had completely and totally lost his mind the second he’d looked at Pavel with those puppy dog eyes and confessed his feelings.

Actually, he’d lost his mind before then. When the guy had run his hands all over his lap under the guise of cleaning off the soda he’d spilled. On. Purpose.

Zane was only possessive of a few things. Things that were so important to him, the mere thought of sharing sent him into a rage. A person had never made that list, and yet there he’d stood, the urge to prove to everyone in that shitty burger joint that Pavel was off-limits driving him to do the unthinkable.

And therein laid the issue.

Pavel didn’t belong to him.

Things that weren’t meant to stick around couldn’t be owned. It was like trying to claim air or the ocean waves. No matter what the other Retinue member said, no matter how flowery or right his words, the inevitable was unavoidable.

And the inevitable was, eventually, Pavel would get bored of him or find someone more suitable.

Everyone always did.

As much as he loathed to admit it, Wells Diar might have been right about something.

Pavel Hart was a distraction, one that Zane couldn’t afford.

So why was he hesitating now that he was actually here, standing outside of the guy’s building?

The plan had been simple, confront Pavel and tell him whatever this game was, it was over. Do whatever he had to do to make him see reason and stop. It’d seemed doable when he’d been driving in his car here, bitter and, frankly, kind of afraid, but now…

They’d had multiple encounters this past month, all of which had been appalling and terrible in their own way, and yet Zane didn’t feel afraid or disgusted by his fellow Retinue member. It wasn’t Pavel causing this unsettling twist in his gut or the rush of anxiety. It was himself.

His own doubts.

He straightened his spine and forced himself to reevaluate his options. There weren’t many. Stick to the original plan was one. Go in there, tell Pavel this was done, and move on with his life. That was the smart choice, the choice that would allow him to return to studying without distracting thoughts constantly clouding his mind.

If thinking about Pavel cost him his grades, he’d leave himself vulnerable to Wells’ advances, and he couldn’t have that. Couldn’t give the professor or Lyra that type of satisfaction.

His other option would keep him smack dab in that situation. At risk of attack. Because his other option was to go in there under the guise of spying for Lyra, find Pavel and lay down some ground rules before this thing between them got any more explosive.

And ideally, get fucked again. Maybe even harder this time.

Like he’d been promised to be the other day.

After the problem at the burger joint, Zane hadn’t had much of an appetite. Pavel had driven them to another location, only that time he’d gone through the drive-thru and Zane hadn’t stopped him. They’d eaten in relative silence in the car, and before they’d finished, Pavel had received a call from the club saying there was an emergency that needed his attention.

He’d ended up dropping Zane back off on campus and speeding off to deal with it, all with the promise to return and pick up where they’d left off.

Only he hadn’t, and now three days later, Zane found himself incredibly annoyed and, admittedly, horny as hell.

“Are you trying to blow it up with your mind?” an approaching voice snapped Zane out of his inner musings, and he glanced over to find the Royal Consort walking toward him. Alone.

Rin Varun was an attractive Academy Cadet who was a couple of years younger. Since his engagement to Kelevra, he’d come around frequently enough that he and Zane had gotten on comfortable speaking terms.

Actually, if Zane really thought about it, he’d probably shared more words with Rin than he had his entire time knowing Pavel.

“He’s not here,” Rin said when he caught Zane searching the area. “Kelevra just left.”

“Without you?”

“I’ve got plans with my brother,” he explained, then tipped his head. “What about you? Planning on going inside? This doesn’t seem like your type of haunt.”

“It’s not.” High-end restaurants and exclusive clubs? Sure. But this… “I prefer for my hookups to be a bit more discrete.”

Rin seemed surprised by the confession but recovered quickly. “I wasn’t aware that was something you were into either. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re rather reserved. One might even say serene. At least in comparison to the other Devils.”

He snorted. “It’s such a ridiculous nickname, don’t you think?”

“Not any more so than Prince of Medicine.”

“Touché.” Zane considered whether to continue the conversation for a moment and then decided Rin was probably his best chance at working through some of the bullshit weighing him down. Despite being good friends, he wouldn’t really consider himself close with either Kel or Madden, at least not enough to go to either for advice.

It wasn’t so much that he was reserved, it was more like he didn’t really have anyone to talk to about personal stuff. He’d always bottled it inside to keep from causing problems for the Solaces, and later for the Imperial family. His studies kept him rather busy anyway, unable to waste much time on making friends or forming lasting connections. Even he and Madden were really only close because they’d grown up together and were Kelevra’s left and right hands.

“Do you have a moment?” he asked, tone brisker than he meant for it to be, though if Rin took offense, he didn’t show it.

“Sure. What’s up?”

Zane blew out a breath. “You must have heard about what happened at Vail recently.”

“If you’re referring to how Pavel supposedly took a chunk out of your shoulder, yeah, I heard.”

He didn’t correct the placement of the bite. It wasn’t important. “Why do you think he did that?”

Rin blinked at him. “I assume to make a point.”

“A point?”

“Yeah, to either you or someone else.” He glanced around and took a step closer. “Look, I’m going to speak to you like I would someone who isn’t a Devil of Vitality, is that cool?”

If it got him answers, yes. Zane nodded.

“There’s something off about Pavel. I’ve seen his expression a few times when he thinks no one is looking, it’s a lot like the one my brother gets. You know, the psychopathic, murderous one?”

Zane did know, though he’d never heard Rin talk about Sila Varun out loud like that. The twins were very protective of one another, and they kept their secrets close to the chest. The only reason Sila’s psychopathic tendencies had even come to light was because of Rin’s involvement with Kelevra. If the twins had coasted under the Devil's radar like they’d intended, none of them would have ever known there was anything abnormal about either of them.

Though, on a planet like this, what really was normal anyway?

“It’s worse whenever you’re around,” Rin continued. “More intense. It’s like the guy goes on high alert and tracks your every movement when you’re in the same room together. Honestly, I’m not sure how you managed not to notice, but let’s just say the violent bite isn’t as out of left field as it seems like you believe it to be.”

“He has alluded to something along those effects,” Zane admitted, though he hadn’t paid much attention to those words when Pavel had given them. People said all sorts of things when in the throes of passion or when they wanted something.

“Take it from someone who got caught by a sociopath,” Rin told him. “If this isn’t something you’re into, run. While you still can.”

Zane couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’m hardly the running sort. Besides, I can handle myself.”

“Normally I would agree with you, but I’ve seen Pavel do some weird shit. Ledger dropped his keys once, and Pavel lifted their car so he could crawl under and get them. Full on just picked the front end of it up like it was nothing.”

He’d noticed the other man’s uncanny strength before but hadn’t realized it was quite to that extent.

“People like my boyfriend and my brother don’t understand the concept of consent,” Rin’s voice dipped lower. “They won’t take no for an answer, no matter how many times or different ways you say it. You’re one of them, Zane, you have to know what I mean.”

“Brother.” Sila Varun appeared suddenly, as though coming into existence as he stepped from the shadowy alcove close to the parking area of the building. “Why are you spoiling someone else's fun?”

Rin merely turned toward him, and whatever Sila saw on his face somehow was enough to change his mind.

Sila grinned wickedly. “Oh. I see. You’re not ruining anything.”

“Just creating some of my own,” Rin agreed, ignoring the way Zane bristled and glanced between the two of them suspiciously.

“Why do I suddenly feel like I’ve just been played?” Better question, why did Zane feel like that was the theme of the month?

“Poor little doctor,” Sila drawled, only for Zane to warn him with a dark look.

“I’m older than you,” he clipped.

“Poor big doctor,” Sila corrected, a glint in his eyes. They were identical to his twin’s, one green, the other blue. “It must be confusing with the shoe on the other foot, isn’t that right? Although,” he gave him a once over, “I suppose that isn’t quite right either. You’ve always liked to act the part of prey more than you have predator, isn’t that right, Doctor ?”

Even though Zane was in school to become a doctor, and this wasn’t the first time someone had called him by that title, all he could do was think of Pavel and wonder if Sila had overheard them before. He was clearly taunting him, boldly even.

Riskily.

Sila’s grin stretched wide across his handsome face. “He wants to take out one of his knives and cut me.”

“ I want to take out both of his knives and cut you,” Rin exclaimed, exasperation ringing in his tone. “I heard he asked for the one he loaned Kazimir back. You’ve seen him fight. Don’t get cocky, brother.”

“The two of you are close,” Zane said. He’d known already, but it became more obvious in that moment somehow. “That is the last thing I need.”

More tightknit family rubbed in his face?

Yeah, no thanks.

Rin frowned. “Not following.”

“It’s personal,” Sila filled in before Zane could even decide whether or not he wanted to elaborate. He grabbed his brother’s shoulder and shook him before taking a step back toward the parking lot where he must have left his hovercar. “He didn’t mean to tell us that.”

Zane went on alert, the mood shifting to one less friendly. The implication that Sila understood he’d been referring to his own relationship with Aodhan made him uncomfortable and suspicious. Just how closely had that particular Varun been watching them to be able to even make an educated guess as to what Zane could have meant?

Rin took a protective step closer to Sila, shielding him somewhat, as though he thought his brother incapable of defending himself. Perhaps that earlier comment about Zane’s abilities in the ring wasn’t merely an offhanded compliment.

There was no reason for Zane to fight anyone for Aodhan though. Definitely no reason for him to kill for him. He didn’t like people knowing his weakness, hated how that brought them a step closer to the secrets both he and Lyra kept, but that was the extent of it. He certainly wouldn’t risk enraging Kelevra by having a physical standoff with his Royal Consort’s twin.

“I would prefer it if we were friends,” Zane said. “Even if your advice just now had ulterior motives.”

“Do you have friends, Doctor?” Sila asked.

“Do you?” He held his ground.

“You can call me any time,” Rin said, tugging his brother by the sleeve. “We’ll get going now.”

“Pavel is on the first level,” Sila called, that questionable grin back on his face as his brother pulled him away, muttering something Zane couldn’t hear under his breath.

The main level acted as a receiving area and branched off. One direction led to the elevators, with a seedier bar area tucked around the corner almost out of sight, while the other led to the first floor of the restaurant.

Zane got through the tall double doors with ease, greeted by two doormen who opened them with a flourish to receive him. He stepped into the large foyer, loafers clipping against white marble as he made his way toward the front desk. According to Sila, Pavel was somewhere here, but that didn’t narrow it enough for him, and he wasn’t about to waste any more of his precious time on this than needed.

There were several people behind the front desk, and all of them couldn’t seem to help but stare as he approached.

“I’m looking for—” he couldn’t even get a full sentence out before the woman directly in front of him beamed and cut him off, tossing her arm out to the side with a flourish.

“Of course, Mr. Solace. Mr. Hart is in the restaurant. Would you like me to escort you, or would you like to go on your own?” she asked in the sweetest voice he’d ever heard. Almost like she’d been explicitly coached to kill him with kindness if he ever arrived.

“I can go on my own,” he said, not even making it two steps before she was calling after him.

“You have full access to Concealed, Mr. Solace. Feel free to wander about at your pleasure. And if there’s anything I can help you with, my name is Tammy!”

If Zane liked Pavel as much as the guy claimed to like him, there was no way in hell he’d let any Tammys near him. Yet the staff had obviously been told to treat him this way and lavish him with attention.

Did that mean it was all one big game to him after all?

Zane kept going, heading down a long white hallway with gold detailing. The marble flooring continued here, leading into a sprawling restaurant with three levels, two of which overlooked the main floor. The entire wall across from the entrance was made of floor-to-ceiling windows, the view of the city from the upper levels probably spectacular.

Round tables with curved white leather booths filled the center of the room, with smaller square tables set against the window and larger party tables closer to the entrance side. The lighting was dim, golden orbs floating around, bobbing to simulate bubbles caught on the breeze. They kept the ambiance rich and romantic, setting the scene for diners. It obviously worked too, since the place was packed, but the volume was kept at an intimate level.

Until the sound of breaking glass to his right wrecked it.

Zane turned just in time to see a man lose his shit, practically shooting out of his seat with fury in his eyes. That anger was directed at one of the waitstaff, and it only took a second for Zane to recognize him.

Wasn’t that the guy Ledger had been helping out lately? He’d even gone to Madden and asked him to get him into Vail mid-semester.

Even though he’d recently been the one accosting a waiter, Zane moved to put himself between the angry customer and Ledger’s man before realizing, operating under the same set of subconscious rules he always had. If it had something to do with the Retinue, he protected it. Period.

Zane felt a hit to his shoulder, but it was nothing, didn’t even hurt as he twisted to move the waiter out of the way. He was so unconcerned by it that he took a second to ask, “Nikita, right? Are you okay?”

He nodded and then flinched, trying to pull Zane forward, no doubt in an attempt to help him avoid another blow.

It wasn’t necessary though.

Zane heard a grunt behind him, followed by a wave of shocked gasps and screams from surrounding tables. When he spun on his heels, he was met with broad shoulders and a long back, gaze momentarily trailing down toward the curve of a fit ass.

Pavel.

He shot around him, eyes widening when he saw the other Retinue member was gripping his side, his fingers staunching blood flow around the hilt of a knife. It’d only slipped in a couple of inches, but he was smartly leaving it in, glaring daggers at the customer who’d stabbed him and was now shaking.

The customer who’d clearly been about to stab Zane in the back before Pavel had intervened.

“Do you have any vital organs in that location?” Zane asked, trying to scan Pavel’s body. Without knowing exactly what he was, it was impossible for him to know, and that… “Answer me. Now.”

Pavel, still glaring at the customer, shook his head, wincing when that must have caused him to jostle the wound. The flash of pain across his face was a rare show of vulnerability.

A rare show caused by someone else.

Maybe Zane didn’t want anything to do with the other Retinue member. Maybe he’d really come here to get answers and put a stop to whatever twisted game Pavel was playing with him. Either way, it didn’t matter. What mattered was he was the one Pavel was currently playing that game with.

“I have been wanting to do that to you for the past two months,” Zane stated, trusting Pavel’s answer that at least nothing major had been damaged by the small weapon. He turned, tilting his head at the customer who was in shock and stupidly still standing there. “You. Are you Vital born?”

The man had shaved his head, but there was a bit of Sherbert orange peach fuzz that sort of helped identify that he could be. Still, just to be safe, Zane took a second to ask.

The customer stared at him, seemingly struggling with basic comprehension, and then started nodding frantically. “Yes! Yes, I am! I—”

One of his star crystal daggers slipped free from its hidden sheath, a high-pitched whistle cutting through the air as he flung out his left arm in a wide arch. The tip of the blade sliced through the customer’s right cheek with ease, and while the man was screaming, Zane slipped the other blade out.

He slammed it down into the meat of the customer's left thigh, expressionless when the man fell back onto the table, his sounds of pain turning shrill. It was so tempting to twist the blade, but he recalled they had an audience, and could even make out some of the flashes as onlookers not so subtly took pictures.

Damn it.

He was doing it again.

Being all possessive.

Zane yanked his weapon free and returned to Pavel’s side, allowing the other man to lean on the back of his shoulder. Several guards had arrived while he’d been working and he motioned them toward the customer with his chin.

“If he’d like to file a report against me,” Zane told them, seeing as how the sobbing man was far too out of it to be able to listen to his words, “have the paperwork sent to the Little Palace.” He cleaned the smears of blood from his blades off on the customer's shirt as he spoke. “For now, take him to the hospital and tell Doctor E’Ka that I avoided all major blood vessels.”

They didn’t even hesitate or check with Pavel, their actual boss, following the orders without question. As they hauled the customer away, they left a blood trail in their wake, but it wasn’t there long.

A cleaning man with a mop came up almost immediately.