Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Gianna
Louise led me into her small but quaint apartment. A gas log fireplace crackled invitingly in front of a burgundy leather couch and a matching loveseat, and a dark oak dining room table stood next to a kitchen with gleaming white granite countertops.
She settled me gently on the loveseat and sat across from me in a recliner. I couldn't stop shaking. I don't know why the confrontation between Petar and Dimitri had upset me so much.
"I'm sorry Dimitri was such an ass in front of you," Louise said, her brow furrowed with concern. "He's not usually like that at all, except when it comes to his father. If he even thinks his father is going to hurt his brother, look out, because that's when the monster unleashes. "
I looked between them. "What's the story with Petar and Valentin?"
Louise sighed sadly. "Let's just say Dimitri was Petar's favorite son, and Valentin paid the price."
Augustus, who had followed us inside, headed over to a built-in bar in the corner of the room. "Petar Dragon has everyone on edge lately," he remarked. He selected a bottle of amber liquid and held it up to me, his eyes softening as he took in my shaken state. "After everything you've been through, you look like you could use a stiff drink. It might help calm your nerves?"
"Thank you." I nodded weakly, grateful for the kindness. Maybe a drink would help ease the knots in my stomach and slow my racing thoughts. I definitely needed something to dull the tenseness I was currently feeling.
BAM BAM BAM
The pounding on the door was so fierce it felt like the room itself was shaking. I jumped, my heart leaping into my throat as a jolt of adrenaline surged through my body. For a moment, it felt like my bones were about to burst out of my skin and make a run for it through the window. My breath caught in my chest, and I found myself frozen in place, eyes wide and muscles tense, braced for an attack.
Augustus frowned as he headed across the room then threw open the door. "Who the hell is it?"
Dimitri sauntered into the room, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, check it out. A cozy little gathering of conspirators. What's the occasion?"
The hairs on the back of my neck prickled just looking at him. He looked like a predator who had just cornered his prey.
Louise stood up, her eyes flashing with anger. "Get out, Dimitri. You're not welcome here unless you can behave yourself."
Dimitri tutted, wagging his finger at her. "Oh, Louise, you cut me to the quick. But all right, I'll play nice…for now."
Augustus stepped forward, placing himself between Dimitri and me. "You'd better, or I'll throw you out myself. Gianna is our guest, and you'll treat her with respect."
Dimitri's eyes widened in mock surprise. "Throw me out? Really, Augustus? And here I thought we were all on the same team and fighting for the same cause. Guess family dinners are going to be hella awkward now."
I couldn't take his attitude anymore. I stood up, my hands trembling at my sides. "What cause, Dimitri? What are you talking about?"
He turned his gaze on me, his blue eyes glittering with malice. "Don't play dumb, princess. You know exactly what's going on with my father and the high priestess. Tell me, what magical object is your brother after and why? You don't want a powerful magical object in my father's greedy hands, trust me. Your dear brother will find himself turned into a toad."
My chest tightened at the thought of Petar hurting my brother. We might have our differences at times, but he was the only family I had left. I shook my head, confusion and frustration welling up inside me. "I honestly have no idea what you're talking about, Dimitri. Magical object? I'm only here for Louise's birthday party."
Augustus threw Louise a nervous glance before turning back to Dimitri. "How do you know this?" he asked Dimitri.
Dimitri scoffed, his lips twisting into a sneer. "A little bird told me. You expect me to believe that you guys are just innocent bystanders in all of this? Puh-lease."
Louise grabbed Dimitri's arm, her nails digging into his leather jacket. "She's telling the truth, Dimitri. Leave her alone."
Dimitri easily shrugged her off, his eyes never leaving mine. "Fine. Keep your secrets. But with or without your help, I will find out what's going on. And when I do, you'll all regret leaving me out of the loop."
He turned and stalked out of the apartment, his baffling parting words hanging heavy in the air.
I sank back down onto the loveseat, my head spinning. Augustus sat beside me, his brow furrowed with concern.
"He's just worried about his brother, Gianna," he said softly. "Don't let him get to you. But if Petar is truly up to something, especially if it involves Valentin, Dimitri will sniff it out…and then all hell will break loose."
I nodded mechanically, but a small part of me was still wondering if perhaps Angelo did send Petar up here to get some magical object. He often kept me out of family business, particularly if he thought it would put me in danger.
Augustus got a pensive look. "Gianna, did Angelo ask Petar to make a deal with the high priestess to retrieve some magical object? "
I sighed and tiredly leaned my head back on the couch. "If he did, he never told me. But he rarely shares things like that with me."
Louise crossed her arms. "If Petar's working with the high priestess, she's crafty and can turn on you in a second."
"We don't know that the two of them are plotting together, Louise," Augustus chided.
Louise shrugged, but I could see it on her face. She didn't trust her.
I clutched my purse tight. "Do you mind if I call my brother and speak to him privately? I need to know if what Dimitri said is true."
Louise and Augustus exchanged glances. Augustus stretched out his arm. "Of course. The patio?"
"And we'll make dinner while you talk to your brother," Louise said.
"Yes, thank you."
Augustus opened the sliding door, and I sat down on a thick cushioned patio chair outside.
I pulled my phone out of my purse, my hands still trembling slightly. Angelo answered on the first ring, his voice tight with concern.
"Gianna, is something wrong? Where's Petar?"
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "Why is Petar talking with the high priestess?"
There was a momentary pause on the other end of the line. "He left you alone?" Angelo asked, his voice sharp.
I rolled my eyes, frustration bubbling up inside me. "Not really, I'm at Louise's. Petar is talking with the high priestess, and according to Dimitri?—"
"Dimitri Dragan ?" Angelo interrupted, his voice rising in alarm.
"Yes, so?—"
"Gianna, you are not to associate with him," Angelo ordered, his words clipped and stern.
A flare of defiance rose up inside me. "Why not?" I demanded.
"Because I don't trust him," Angelo replied, his tone indicating that the discussion was closed. "He was aligned with Grayson Allen and Petar, then turned traitor against them."
I scoffed, shaking my head. "Grayson Allen was a sadist, Angelo. He was delusional and thought he could kill King Nico and become the next vampire king."
"Dimitri betrayed his family," Angelo insisted, his voice hardening.
I huffed, running a hand through my hair. "I'm not calling about Dimitri. I want to know what other assignment you gave Petar besides guarding me…like maybe asking him to retrieve some magical object?"
Angelo was silent for a long moment. "Gianna, there are things at play here you don't understand," he said finally, his voice carefully controlled.
"Then explain them to me," I pleaded, my grip tightening on the phone. "I'm tired of being kept in the dark, Angelo. I need to know what's going on. Tell me, please. Is it true? "
Another pause, longer this time. When Angelo spoke again, his voice was heavy with resignation. "All right, Gianna. Yes. I asked Petar to get a magical object from the high priestess. It might be a way to reignite the energy in the Aeternum Stone."
My breath caught in my throat at the mention of the Aeternum Stone. The magical artifact was the only thing keeping Dracula away from us.
"Why didn't you want me to know?" I asked, my voice a whisper.
"Because I didn't want you to get hurt," Angelo said, his voice softening slightly. "The high priestess can be dangerous. She's cunning, and I'm not sure she'll be amenable to our cause. Be careful, Gianna. I don't want you getting caught in any crossfire."
"I will," I promised, my heart clenching at the concern in his tone. "But, Angelo, you have to promise me something too. No more secrets, okay? We're in this together."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. "All right," Angelo agreed, his voice heavy with resignation. "No more secrets. But Gianna, please…watch your back. There's more at stake here than just your safety."
After the call ended, I leaned back on the chair, my mind reeling as I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. Angelo was right. There was more going on. My family's very lives were at stake.
Whatever lay ahead, I knew one thing for certain: I would do whatever it took to protect my family and keep the Aeternum Stone safe. Even if it meant facing the high priestess head on and playing her dangerous games.