Page 19 of The Fang Arrangement (Celestial Witches #2)

A s soon as I lock myself in Warin’s room, I realize Gus is still passed out in the guest room.

“Dammit,” I hiss as I bang my head against the door, considering what to do.

Do I listen to Warin and keep myself locked in this room until he comes back? Or do I go get Gus and make sure he’s safe?

What if Conner took Gus? What if Gus was passed out and had no idea what was going on?

I’m safe in here, at least for now. I’m not so sure about when Warin gets back. The way he was holding me and speaking to me before he woke up was…something.

I’m still flushed thinking about it. I’ve never been touched quite like that. But he was in a deep sleep, nothing else.

With a shake of my head, I make a decision. Gus is my familiar, his job is to guide me through my life filled with magic, and I owe him the same respect.

My hand is high in the air as I release the spell locking me in the room. When I swing the door open, a very pissed off Warin is standing before me.

I don’t think as I slam the door shut in his face.

“Did you just slam the door in my face, again?” he says through the wood and I wince.

“If I told you I could sense you were on the other side of the door, would you believe me?”

“No,” he replies sharply. “Open the door,” he says.

I’m not sure why he doesn’t open it. I’ve lifted the spell, and it is his room, after all. But against my better judgment, I open the door and look into his hypnotizing eyes.

He digs in his pocket. “Put this back on and for the love of fuck, cast a quick illusion spell or something,” he says a little too sharply, and I wince. “Sorry,” he mumbles and I squirm a little bit.

“I need to make sure Gus is okay,” I say, needing to know my familiar is safe.

“Your small beast is still passed out on your bed, none the wiser to what’s going on right now. The ring, Ember, now,” he says.

I slide the insanely opulent ring on my finger and take a deep breath as I hold my wand against the jewelry, shielding the ring from anyone’s view except mine and Warin’s.

“You need to hide it. Other vampires can’t be aware of it,” Warin says, and I want to roll my eyes. One moment he’s telling me I’m perfect and the next he’s being a demanding dick.

“It is. Only you and I can see it,” I tell him.

Something crosses his face far too fast and fleeting for me to decipher the emotion.

“We have bigger problems than Conner right now.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m so sorry,” he says, and I blink at him. Warin apologizing, twice in one night? “The vampire council. They’re on their way here right now.”

My eyes widen, and I can feel adrenaline coursing through my veins.

“Are they here for me?” I ask, pointing at myself.

“I don’t know why they’re coming here, but I will protect you. I just need you to play along.”

“Play along?”

He rubs his chin, his bare hands gliding against his throat. Without the gloves on, I can’t help but to actually notice how long his fingers are, as well as the red veins hiding beneath the surface.

“The vampire council is full of old vampires who have nothing better to do than dictate the lives of others. While they do hold a lot of authority, I’m in charge of all of Eastern Louisiana. They can only really do anything if a true law has been broken.”

My swallow is near cartoonish with how loud it is.

“What laws?”

“Killing a vampire, an egregious amount of human murders, along with some other stupid rules. Basically, they like to swing their dicks around, but I know better how to deal with them.”

“Will they come after me because they think I killed Baptiste? That was the fucking Slayer and we all know it.” I’m raising my voice now and Warin takes a deep frustrated breath.

“No, but there will be concerns about why I have a witch living in my home. I’ve already hid the contraband.”

“Contraband?” I parrot, my voice getting squeaky.

“Yes, what do you think all these grimoires I keep giving you about protecting yourself against vampires are? You’ll get them back when they leave, don’t worry.”

I rub my head, just even more confused by this vampire. He mentioned that vampires wouldn’t be happy knowing he has this material, let alone giving it to me, but if it’s that serious. Why in the world would he take that risk?

“I don’t understand. What do you need me to do?”

“I need you to play the part of my obedient, magical, little pet,” he says in a too seductive tone.

“Your what?” I sputter.

His hand comes to my mouth, his body pressing close to mine as his lips press against my ear. Goosebumps cover my flesh as he holds me like this. My body having another involuntary response to his skin touching mine.

“They are almost here. They will hear every word you say, everything you do. This is what has to be done to keep you safe. Make them believe you aren’t a threat. As soon as they leave, everything will go back to normal.”

I glare at him, and he doesn’t let go of my mouth.

“If it’s ever too much, just say you’re tired and I’ll figure out a way to get you out of the situation. These vampires will test you, try to get under your skin. I need you to trust that I’ll protect you above all else. Can you do that for me?”

Can I trust him? It’s such a loaded question. When it comes to my protection, though? Somehow, there isn’t a doubt in my mind.

Despite what any sane witch would do, I nod, and he gives me a wide grin, his fangs sharp and bright.

“Go put on one of your pink dresses, and make sure your familiar stays asleep,” he says. “This is the last time we will speak plainly till they leave. It’s all just a game,” he says.

“A game, right.”

I take a deep breath, bypassing him in the doorway as I go to my room and do as he said.

What’s another day of me getting tied up in dangerous vampire bullshit?

I change into a maroon summer dress with a tight bodice that flares at my waist along with simple ballet flats. Then I put a slumber charm on Gus, so he shouldn’t wake up as a light tap sounds at my door.

I can do this. I can act like I’m Warin’s little play thing until these vampires leave.

Don’t smack him, don’t be rude to him, just nod and look at him like I don’t have a brain cell in my head. Those are the things I chant to myself as Warin comes to my door.

He’s back in his usual attire, a suit that’s firmly in place, though no gloves. I’m irritated with myself when I can’t stop thinking about his veiny hands or how good his cool palm felt against my lips.

Bad Ember. Very bad.

“You look delicious tonight, darling,” he says and my lips part.

A quick retort is on my tongue, but I lick my lips instead.

“I always aim to please.”

Warin grins at my reply, placing a hand on my waist as he leads me down the stairs and we wait in the foyer.

There are a million questions on my tongue. Who makes up the council? What kind of punishments can they dish out? Are they more powerful than Warin, older than him? Do all the vampires hold an election? Now that would be something.

I keep a long list in my head to ask him later as a sharp thwack of a door knocker hits his front door, sending shivers rolling down my spine.

What if Warin can’t protect me from these people?

“Don’t be nervous, pet,” he says, kissing my hair, before leaving me standing alone by the banister.

I try to slow down my breathing from his quick affection. He said it was a game, but yet he also said he wants me to trust him. It has me questioning how real all of this is.

His smile is a farce as he greets the vampires at the door.

“What a wonderful surprise. Please come in,” he says as five vampires stroll into the foyer.

The five of them are all different in age and looks, minus their attire, which is strangely extremely business casual, like they all just left their day jobs in corporate America.

The three men are wearing long sleeve button up shirts and black dress pants, while the two women are wearing modest black dresses with tights and flats.

“What’s the meaning of this impromptu visit?” Warin asks.

The vampire with a pinched expression, her dark hair in a chignon, with minimal makeup on her face arches an eyebrow at his attitude. Her posture is unreal with how straight she stands as she looks down her nose at me.

“War, aren’t you going to invite us in for a drink?” she says, looking me up and down.

Ew, they’re on a nickname basis is my first thought, until I realize that she’s looking at me like I’m the appetizer for the evening.

Oh fuck no, there’s no way I can do this.

“Of course. Samantha, go fetch the AB negative from the warmer, would you?”

“I’ll be right back,” Samantha says in the most docile voice I’ve heard her use.

“I suppose it would be too much to ask for straight from the tap on such late notice?” the rude-ass-bitch I already hate asks.

Who does she think she is, showing up at Warin’s house and asking if they can pass me around like a midnight snack?

“Ah, I don’t share this one, Joyce,” Warin says, his hand firmly on my hip, his thumb rubbing comforting circles on my flesh.

“It is a bit odd having a witch at your disposal. Are you sure you aren’t open to sharing?” the tallest man of the council asks.

“Envy looks absolutely disgusting on you, Magnus. Now, shall we head to my parlor to discuss what exactly it is you’re here for?” Warin says.

The massive vampire known as Magnus looks simply irritated at Warin’s words, but doesn’t reply.

Warin holds out a hand, the vampire that works for him leading the way. I can’t remember the guy’s name, but Warin makes sure that we’re the last to follow, that none of the council members are behind us.

I haven’t been in this room, it’s moodier than the rest of his house, little light and tons of dark wooden accents. The hearth is blazing with a fire and all of the council members sit on the chairs furthest away from the flame.

Warin takes a seat at the largest leather chair, grabbing my hips and placing me on his lap.