Page 63 of Eternal Obsession

Alex laughed, and I hugged him playfully.

Being with him again had changed my life. I savored every minute and sometimes just stared at my younger brother in gratitude for him. Although Alex had turned a little eccentric, it was actually quite charming.

We soon arrived at the castle. “Alex, someone’s here.” I defensively placed my hand against his chest.

We both sensed danger and quickly headed in.

Cautiously, we entered the parlor. In front of the fireplace, gazing up at the painting of our father, stood a redheaded man. Rugged in appearance, of medium build, aged twenty-five in human years or so, he dressed in leather trousers and a black silk shirt.

He turned to face us. “I rather like what you’ve done with the place. I would have gone for a lot more black,” he said.

I removed my jacket and placed it on the back of a chair. “Who are you?”

“Marcus. So we meet at last. I have heard so many things about you. Particularly you, Alex. I can see the appeal now.”

It was easy to detect Marcus’s vampiric traits. His movements gave him away.

“What do you want?” I rested my hand on Alex’s shoulder.

“We’ve been keeping a close eye on you both. You’ve not been doing badly. Pity about the Jag. I’m rather partial to that car myself.”

“Get out,” I said.

“I am here on behalf of Orpheus. I have a message for you, Jadeon,” he said.

“You know where Daumia is?” Alex stepped toward him.

Marcus smiled. “Daumia is fed up with this game of hide and seek. He wants it over with. He proposes that you leave him alone.”

I neared him. “Or?”

“Or he will kill you,” Marcus threatened.

“Where’s Catherine?” I asked.

“Jadeon, Jadeon, you really are so predictable. You know, there are some women who like to be chased but Kate isn’t one of them.”

I thrust him up against the fireplace.

Marcus snarled. “Anything happens to me, and Catherine . . .” he warned.

I let go of him. “I want evidence that she⁠—”

“Sorry, no can do,” Marcus said.

I stepped back. “I’m more than prepared to spend another two hundred years⁠—”

“Perhaps Alex can go with you this time?” he said.

Alex looked pained.

“Get out before I kill you,” I snapped bitterly.

“Have you any idea of what and who you are dealing with?” Marcus said.

I glared at him.

“Jadeon, have you ever played chess?”