Page 64 of Sienna Rossi: Beyond Shattered Trust

I pick up one of the books that are sitting on the table beside me; these are the transcribed versions of the tomes. The cover is plain black with a subtle granite effect, featuring a bold white font that reads The Book of Immortals and is transcribed by Liam Westwood.

“What’s this?” she asks, taking it.

“These are the copies that are distributed among our allies,” I say.

“So, these are the versions with some parts omitted?” she asks curiously, her curls falling over her shoulder as she reaches for the book.

I raise a brow. “Not that it’s any of your business, but the majority of the books don’t have anything omitted, like this one. So, you’re not missing out,” I say with a hint of arrogance, holding up my own, which is the original. I had asked for the originals to be sent to me as I wanted to read through them all once more while I deal with the drakaths screaming down my fucking neck.

I feel ill. Although I know it’s not real, it’s taking a toll, and it’s as if I’m not fully here. They weren’t wrong. I’m not sure how much more of this I’ll be able to take.

But I don’t want that to be the solution – her marking me.

“Just asking. You really need to chill; I hear there are certain things that are excellent to cool one down,” she remarks with a small, dare I say it, smirk on her face.

“Hm, I’m sure there are, but how about you pay attention to the book in your hand and get researching,” I reply, refusing to play into her words.

There’s something about her that’s different… Is it a new change that came about recently? No… She had it before her dad died, a spark she lost when he died. It’s kinda sexy.

“Yes, Alpha,” she murmurs, and I hate how that fucking does something to me.

I frown, looking away and staring at the page, despising how she takes my focus. She’s currently playing with a strand of her hair, her eyes fixed on the page. Her glamour is on, but even if it’s supposed to dull her beauty, it fucking does nothing. She’s still the most fucking gorgeous woman on the planet.

“Do you want to pay attention to the book in your hands?” she suggests with a mock innocent pout, proof that she caught me staring at her.

My eyes flash, brows furrowing as I glare at her. “I was just wondering why the fuck you’re here.” A soft laugh leaves her, and I’m ready to fucking snarl, but instead I clench my jaw and turn my attention back to my book.

The books that were transcribed by the others were ones that I had simply skimmed over. And especially those I didn’t think were relevant; maybe I should go through all the immortal species just in case – who knows what else may fucking show up.

“Hey, you two,” Grandma says as she pops her head into the lounge. “I’ll be out for a bit; there are some things I need to tend to. I’ve left the lasagne in the fridge. I’ll get one of the staff to pop it into the oven for lunch.”

“No need, I can do that,” Sienna offers.

Grandma looks between us. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, absolutely,” Sienna replies with a smile.

Grandma smiles slightly. “Well, I was thinking of getting Emma to make some chips on the side, if you wanted those.”

“I can manage that, too; you don’t need to worry about us.”

I frown. Stop making yourself comfortable; this isn’t your house, I say through the mind-link.

She ignores me as Grandma tells her where some stuff is. “Help yourself to anything; consider it your own house.”

Really, Grandma?

Sienna smiles. “Of course, thank you, Grandma Red,” she answers sweetly.

And stop calling her Grandma, I think. I frown as Grandma takes her leave. She’s had to take up certain duties that Mom used to do… The stabbing pain at the memory makes my annoyance wash away.

Once the door shuts after Grandma, the silence in the house is excruciatingly loud. I can hear the clock ticking and the sound of the birds outside.

I turn the page; even that sounds loud. Sienna sighs as she kicks off her shoes and tucks her legs under her, resting her elbow on the armrest of the sofa. The silence is almost unbearable when she begins humming softly.

That’s a tad better, until the drakaths’ snarls and shrieks return; I try to focus on her voice rather than them. I’m going to fucking lose my mind. I massage my temples, trying to focus.

“So, the drakaths were a people created by the god, Set,” Sienna’s voice breaks through my ringing ears.