Page 4

Chapter Two

Feral intent seethed behind those lilac blue eyes, and her vehemence spurred Niko on. Pivoting gracefully, Jade’s hourglass figure strode before him, leading the way out of the conference room where they’d met and down the hall.

Niko followed, pocketing his hands, and admiring the view.

The woman before him was utterly delectable. He’d researched the powerful CEO as he plotted the best way to take over her company, but seeing her in the flesh was entirely different than reading articles about her on the internet.

In person, her eyes were radiant, a dazzling mix of lightest blue with a hint of violet, and the cunning intelligence behind them ensnared his interest. Her stunning features were delicate and feminine but defined enough to not appear soft or matronly.

Sun-streaked blonde hair was gathered in a sophisticated knot. Everything about her attire screamed perfectionist from the tailored dove grey suit she wore to the classic navy high heels that didn’t have a single scuff on them.

The way she moved was a study in sensuality. Jade’s every stride held the grace and seduction of a jungle cat. She glided over the ground like water, flowing with a natural confidence that was well worn and edged on prideful.

With every step, he was panting after her, hungry for their next interaction and anticipating it like whiskey on a cold night.

Despite the besotted fool act, Niko had to keep his mind on the real prize: the company.

Jade may have been the figurehead, but Julian had fronted the startup funds.

The First Legion prime undoubtedly continued to hold a stake in it.

This takeover was one of many Niko had engineered in recent decades, all of them companies backed by Julian.

Swallowing Julian’s businesses would chip away at the prime’s capital. Eventually, his throne would topple, and Niko would be there to finish him off.

The fact that Jade was Sagani was surprising, but hardly unexpected.

She had seen through his barrier magic almost immediately, knowing he was immortal before he’d entered the room.

It complicated things, but he was ready to act if she’d already called for her prime.

A part of him encouraged it, even if that meant his life would be forfeit.

The likelihood was minimal. If she handled this situation the way she ran her business, she wouldn’t be calling on others to handle her problem.

The blonde retreated into the brightly lit corner office, pivoting to encourage him inside before shutting the door to the outside world. There, her entire demeanor changed.

Electric eyes pinned him on the spot, narrowing caustically before he could speak. Jade growled, “What legion?”

Niko smirked, a patronizing expression. “I belong to the Second Legion. And you?”

“First.” She said it with a subtle chin raise that indicated her arrogance. Niko could barely keep the darkness from shadowing his gaze. “You have no right to be here.”

“I beg to differ. I own the controlling share,” he reminded her. “I have every right to stand in these conference rooms—and in this very office.”

“It may be your company, but this is my home,” she snarled. “It doesn’t matter where we stand, you’re trespassing on my prime’s territory.”

“Julian?”

He growled the name like a curse. Frustrated with his slip in control, he went silent.

“Must you say his name with such disdain?” Jade spat. “He’s singlehandedly saving our society from extinction. He’s the saint we needed after our princess abandoned us.”

“A saint, huh?” He scoffed. “Is that how he’s marketing himself?”

“Julian doesn’t need to ‘market’ himself. His work speaks for itself.”

“How could I have forgotten,” Niko mocked, “his work has impacted so many lives.”

Jade seethed. “Be careful how you speak of my prime, Nikolas. You’re on thin ice already.”

She didn’t know the half of it. Begging his case here would accomplish nothing: either Julian had pulled the wool over her eyes or she was in league with him. Riling her up could cost him everything he’d painstakingly arranged to be here.

Barely refraining from pressing his point, Niko moved past her into the office.

He had a sudden urge to mess up her obsessively ordered binders or spill the perfectly matched pens.

He allowed the strongest intrusive thought to win.

He picked up the nearest work of art and studied the design.

The glass was shaped into a teardrop, with red, white, and black swirls blown in a sophisticated pattern.

It couldn’t have been mass produced, as a product of this quality was—

Jade plucked it out of his hands, gently setting it back on its perch and turning to pin him with another glare.

“We mustn’t touch things that aren’t ours, Nikolas.”

Her pedantic statement startled a laugh from him. “Jade Lascaux, former CEO and founder of McArthur Vegas, one of the most powerful women in business. See also: avid art collector who may bite when displeased.”

Though he loathed playing the fool, it would reinforce her belief that he was harmless. For this to work, she needed to write him off. Seeing him as a danger to her legion would expose him for what he was.

Jade moved away from him, rounding the desk to reinforce her boundaries and reclaim her turf. It was a move to put him in his place. Her Majesty, queen of all that she surveys.

She studied him before saying, “We were unaware that DNB Investments belonged to the Second Legion. Seems as though we should’ve been informed, especially when your underhanded move against my business also targets the heart of my prime’s territory.”

“We’ve spent years building this empire and had no idea you were owned by Julian,” Niko contended, moving forward to place his hands on the back of her guest chairs. “We’d never dream of doing something so underhanded.”

Jade fumed. “You’re lying. You purposefully kept your schemes below his notice.”

Niko’s heart skipped a beat as she cut to the quick, but his surprise didn’t show on his face. “Am I to be judged so severely?”

“My magic separates truth from fiction.”

Blessed with talents far beyond the spectrum of human ability, Sagani abilities typically fell into one of six categories: psychic, situational, material, skill, body, or soul. Those outside of that spectrum were few and far between, and most had died out after the queen’s murder.

Menders could heal wounds with body manipulation magic, while those with material magic could craft unique weaponry.

Jade’s magic, a form of situational manipulation, was able to discern truth from lie.

The reveal settled in Niko’s stomach like a lead balloon.

Her ability would certainly spice up their conversations.

It could easily counterbalance the transition proceedings, as well as potentially landing him in hot water for personal reasons.

“Well, dove, that’ll certainly make things interesting.”

“I’m not your ‘dove,’” she snapped. “I’ve never been prey, and I’m certainly not yours.”

Raising his hands in a placating move, Niko said, “My most sincere apologies, Jade Lascaux. Consider me tarred and feathered.”

Her bland look told him that she’d seen through the false sincerity of his apology but had decided not to comment on it. She glanced at the clock. Clearly, he was wasting her time.

“Have you petitioned for access to my prime’s territory?”

“I doubted my temporary stint in Chicago merited an official request. I’m not waltzing into your legion’s capital.”

“You thought wrong. Petition for entry immediately or I’ll report your stint to my prime. To him, unauthorized access is tantamount to invasion.”

And didn’t Niko know it.

A slight pinching at the edges of his eyes was the only indication he was displeased. “Only if you say please, dove.”

“Call me ‘dove’ one more time, Nikolas,” she warned.

“Or what? Please, do finish the threat, I’m dying to know where it leads.” Then, smugly, he added, “Dove.”

Jade’s teeth bared, and he found himself admiring just how perfectly straight and white they were. She didn’t make a single move toward him, nor did she speak—and he took it as an opportunity to give her a mockingly concerned look.

“It must be exhausting to never do what you want.”

It was the straw that broke the camel’s back. “Cut the cutesy act, Nikolas. You and I both know that if I drew a blade, you’d go toe to toe with me and enjoy it. Stop insulting my intelligence and give me the same respect you’d show any male of my standing.”

Niko leaned forward conspiratorially, whispering, “That’s where you’re wrong. I don’t respect anyone until they earn it.”

Wheels turned behind those calculating eyes, and when Niko said nothing into the silence, she straightened. “My prime has earned the right to your petition.”

“Oh, we completely disagree on what your prime has earned. Look at us, our first fight. We’ll have to tell the grandchildren.” Without waiting for reaction, Niko strode to the door and glanced over his shoulder. “Coming? Wouldn’t want to be late.”

The sound of her grating teeth made him smile. To add fuel to the fire, he gently pressed a hand into her lower back to escort her back to the conference room.

Conversations quieted as they entered. “Thank you, Jade, that was most enjoyable. Shall we get back on task, everyone?”

***

A morning filled with politeness and pleasantries—genuine from everyone except Jade—gave way to an afternoon that delved into far stickier topics.

McArthur Vegas, Jade’s company, was a well-known giant in the industry, but DNB Investments was stronger financially. And though technically DNB was acquiring her company, they were a newer organization and held significantly less market share.

The dynamic made for interesting conversation.