Chapter 155: Scepticism

Gabriel's eyes narrowed subtly, and Esme sighed at Einar's response. He was always so mysterious and almost speaking in riddles. So frustrating, she parted her lips to question further, but Gabriel distracted her by intertwining their fingers and squeezing. 

"Einar, this is why I doubt my trust in you, especially when it involves my mate. Do you think I am going to allow this?" Gabriel asked quietly, though the red in his eyes sparkled, revealing his growing annoyance and impatience.

Einar smiled and sipped his drink in response, taking his time as he looked above the rim of the glass and flicked his gaze between Esme and Gabriel. He lowered the glass slightly and locked eyes with Gabriel. "A deal has already been struck, my dear friend. You have no choice in the matter, and even if there was no deal in place.." He set the glass on the coaster, his finger sliding up and down the stem, his eyes distant while he stared at it before glancing back at Gabriel. "You do not control, Nyx."

Einar's eyes glowed lightly, his orange and green eye burned, and his blue eye shone; he was glowering at Gabriel, Esme instinctively growled, but she was still staring at his eyes entranced by them. Einar flicked his gaze to hers. "Does Gabriel speak for you, my dear?"

"You are making assumptions," She replied. "Who am I helping? I said I'd do this for you-"

"Wrong. You agreed to this for the deal we struck," Einar snapped, his gaze cold startling Esme at his chilling demeanour. Ah, so this was what Gabriel meant. "I told you before, and you accepted my answers. You are now questioning me since His Majesty spoke to you. You always think for yourself, man or not.. I advise you to stick to it."

Esme's lips parted from the harshness of his words. Had she insulted him in some way? 

Still, she wasn't going to let him have the last word. If Einar was so mighty and 'knew' her as well as he seems to keep claiming, then he'd know she wouldn't just sit there and take his cold remarks. "That doesn't mean I am not sceptical," She replied through clenched teeth. 

Einar sighed and stood up, buttoning his suit jacket as he held Esme's gaze. "Trust me. I can only tell you so much," He replied in exasperation. Esme stared back at him, and like before, she nodded in acceptance, hoping that one day he might explain this familiarity and trust she only seems to hold for him. Even with her mate, doubtful and sceptical of his friend, she still felt comfortable and fine with the deal. 

Einar wanted her skills for whatever this was, so maybe it was a mission similar to what she'd been given at the Hellhounds. He also said it was to help a friend and will help her. But until she was there, there was no point in asking so many questions that Einar would not be willing to answer.

Einar walked to her side and leaned on the table, getting close to her, so they were at eye level. Gabriel's hand tightened around Esme's to the point she thought her bones were starting to shake from the pressure. 

"Release her hand unless you intend on breaking it," Einar whispered as he continued to stare into Esme's eyes. "I am only casting another spell that will help."

Gabriel's lips pulled back, revealing his fangs, but he loosened his grip on Esme's hand, caressing it with his thumb instead. Esme frowned slightly as she lowered her gaze to look at Einar's nose instead of his beguiling eyes. The hybrid placed two fingers against her temple. "Look at me," He whispered; she flicked her gaze up and blinked vigorously as she felt the side of her temple warm from his touch, and a light glow appeared again. 

How many spells was this now? If the symbols didn't disappear, she'd look like there were strange tattoos on her face and hand. 

Einar lowered his hand, and the warmth and glow went. "What spell did you cast?" Gabriel asked, but the hybrid smiled and turned away.

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"I'll see you soon, Gabriel. I hope you finally make use of that gem.. the palace was a cheap loss for you," Einar called over his shoulder as he strolled away. 

Gabriel slammed his fist on the table, causing Esme's eyes to widen at the cracking sound. She looked down at the crack growing on the table and raised an eyebrow at her mate. "I didn't think Einar annoyed you that much." She placed her free hand above theirs, wanting to caress his face or kiss him, but restrained herself. "He did well to greet us here and not where you can attack him. Although would you really attack him?"

Gabriel huffed, "I will if something happens to you. I don't like it."

Esme pursed her lips and glanced at their audience. Luckily, nobody could see their hand-holding, but it was still risky. Until their enemies were dealt with, they'd keep their relationship a secret. She knew there would always be enemies for the pair of them, but at the moment, his brother, her first mate, and possibly her parents were all threats. They needed to protect each other by keeping it as secret as possible. Plus, her human friends, Leo, Hana and Rory, wouldn't understand how within a week, she and Gabriel were undoubtedly in love with one another.

They'd either think they were mad or believe she was after Gabriel's money or some crazy drama.

Gabriel chuckled and squeezed her hands before releasing them, quietly murmuring. "You can have all the money, gems and castles I have, my love." 

Esme smirked and looked away before watching his boss's façade slip into place. "You should get Niko to replace the table," He said loud enough for the humans to hear. "I must complain to that company for paying such a high sum for shitty furniture."

Esme raised a brow as she stood up. He was the reason it broke, him and his vampiric strength. But she didn't comment on it and nodded, "Yes, sir."

Gabriel turned away, straightening out his sleeves while she grabbed the cocktail glass and candle from the table. He stopped and swivelled his head to look at her. "Oh, and try not to slack, miss Esme," His voice was serious, but his cheeky wink told her he was being playful. His emotionless features slipped into place once more and stormed away from her, heading back to the VIP bar, leaving her there staring after him, concealing her own flirty attitude.

Fortunately, when she later spoke to Marcus quietly at the bar, he said that none of the humans thought there was anything between her and Gabriel. Instead, they thought Einar and Esme were old friends, and she was introducing him to Gabriel for business purposes. It was a good thing the hybrid dressed well. Though Marcus could read between the lines of Esme and Gabriel's words, even if they did look professional to the others, he knew they were mates and a part of their flirty ways now.

Esme was glad and wanted to keep it that way. Unfortunately, that night, Gabriel did not return, texting her about some business holding him up, which by now she presumed might be something to do with punishing someone. Usually, she had been to a few of his meetings now and provided her own input after helping Gabriel see from a different perspective or giving help in searching for vampires with her tracker heightened senses.

The following day, Esme and Marcus set off again for one of their runs. This time he wanted to go hunting, believing himself getting fat and lazy like house pets. She understood him and didn't mind joining the hunt with him; even though they couldn't mind-link one another, they still knew what the other was thinking and helped rally their prey together. After some time, Esme didn't realise Marcus had let his wolf take control, who was a little more on the feral side than most. She was used to dealing with him, though she was a little tired after hunting and running around for four hours. 

Esme sat down for a moment and stared at the forest to the left of her. They were at least thirty minutes from where they met Brody and the other type 1s, but since then, they hadn't run into any trouble and even bumped into Dwayne and Dean once, though the greeting was short as they were chasing after type 1's. While she sat there, her tail wagging occasionally in delight from the nature surrounding her, she realised the area was too quiet. Turning her head to the side, she searched the vast field for Marcus' wolf, the last she saw of him, he was chasing a rabbit. With a sigh, she got to her paws; he must still be chasing after the poor animal.

But as she took one step in his direction, two gunshots echoed through the woods, alerting the wildlife to a loud threat, sending the birds to fly to the skies for escape. Esme whipped her head back in the direction of the woods and jolted when another two gunshots rang in the air.. She heard a loud growl and knew it was a beast of some kind or possibly a werewolf.

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