The Fugitive - Chapter 162

“Nyx, just how are you going to ‘question’ him in such a public space?” Marcus asked, walking up to her. She glanced at his reflection in the window and smiled.

“I can think of someone who can help-”

“My dear.. I didn’t think you’d need my help so soon,” Einar’s velvety voice floated through her mind making her blink and abruptly turn around, searching the room. The hybrid chuckled, the laughter smooth in her mind. The back of her hairs stood on end at this, and she looked around again before touching the side of her temple. It was almost like a mind-link, but they didn’t work unless they were close to each other. She looked down on the streets, and her mouth gaped open at seeing the man in question looking up at her, saluting her casually with two fingers, a smirk crawling up his devilishly handsome face.

“Who?” Marcus asked from behind her, unaware of the voice in her head and the hybrid standing in the street watching her.

“Little creepy..” Isana remarked, but there was humour tickling her voice. Her wolf had no issues with the hybrid; she was comfortable in his presence.

Esme tilted her head to the side, ignoring Marcus’ comment as she continued to stare at Einar, but when she blinked, his figure suddenly disappeared. Turning her head from side to side, she looked across the streets for the dark-haired hybrid, which for once wasn’t wearing a suit.

“Einar, just because you have the powers to doesn’t mean you can break into someone’s apartment,” Gabriel growled. “What do you want?”

Esme turned around and released her breath at seeing Einar standing in her living room, holding one of the wine bottles and inspecting it in amusement. He stood there in more casual attire and appeared more like a warlock she expected from her fantasy books; he wore a black polo top, slacks and a long black robe with a hood draping over him. “You.. are really freaky, you know,” Esme murmured, shifting uncomfortably because he was exactly who she wanted to see.

Gabriel jumped up from the couch and stood in the hybrid’s line of sight to Esme, but Einar merely smiled and glanced in her direction.

“I didn’t think you were fearful of powerful men? Or does Gabriel not compare to me?” Einar winked, then clapped his hand on Gabriel’s shoulder. “Come on, lighten up!”

Gabriel’s eyes were glowing, and his face hardened; he parted his lips to speak as he grabbed the hybrid’s hand, but Einar snapped his fingers, and once again, Esme saw the world slow down around her. “You..” Gabriel’s words slowed and morphed; his brows were arched together in annoyance; he knew immediately what his friend would do. Esme actually found it comical, but her attention moved away from the vampire and hybrid, and she whipped her head back to the city streets.

She watched in awe at the weather that barely started to rain; the first wave of the downpour was yet to hit the pavements. But she could see the droplets almost crystallised in the air. “Scary… and amazing..” She whispered to herself before shaking her head. It seemed more impressive to her now that she could see that it wasn’t just the people surrounding her but a whole damn city, the whole world was in this paused state, even the weather was slowed down.

Einar really was something.

Einar chuckled and stopped by her side, looking up at the sky, his expression feigned boredom, but she could tell from the gleam in his eyes that he was enjoying himself. There was a certain sparkle to those heterochromia eyes. “So.. my daring, young she-wolf.. What do you need me for?” Einar questioned, turning his head to her.

Sure, she wanted to see him, but his appearance still startled her. Was he watching her, or did he foresee this?

“How did you know-”

“Why don’t we skip all that? One of the spells I cast on you is a tracker and can let me speak with you no matter where you are.” He held his hands up when she glared at him; the long sleeves of his black robe fell down to his elbows slightly. “It is only for the mission in

a couple of days. I don’t want you feeling like you’re completely on your own. It is probably nice hearing my voice in your head as well.” He winked, lowering his hands and glancing at Gabriel, who had somehow changed positions even in this slowed-down world.

Esme rolled her eyes and sighed, deciding to choose her battles with the annoying hybrid. She knew they could be there for some time and Einar’s powers weren’t limitless, and her shift was to start soon. She needed to wrap this up. “If you are capable..” She began and smirked after seeing Einar narrow his eyes subtly at her. “I want…”

After explaining all the details, she watched as Einar looked up to the ceiling, his orange and green eye burning brightly before he looked down and smiled. “Alright.. But it will cost you..” He trailed off and glanced at Gabriel, who was moving a little quicker than the others in this ‘slowed down world’, his brows were still arched, and he looked to be striding towards them. She wondered if he could hear what they were speaking of.

It was still a little freaky, but Esme knew it was because Einar didn’t want to deal with the others, and it seemed he was pretty busy. He kept checking his pocket watch, which made her wonder just how old he was to still carry such an antique.

“I know.. but I need this-”

“For your revenge,” Einar interrupted in amusement. “I have no quarrels against it, but my deals won’t always be fair. This isn’t a necessity, but you plan to make it dramatic.” He shrugged. “I do not care. In fact, I am looking forward to it.”

Esme raised a brow at his comment; she couldn’t really work him. “What do you want?” She asked, crossing her arms against her chest and leaning her back against the window as she stared at the warlock-shapeshifter.

Einar smiled, flipping his pocket watch out again and glancing at it. “Your time..” His gaze locked with hers, a flicker of amusement crossing his eyes, and she narrowed her own suspiciously, making him chuckle. “Now, don’t get any ideas.. I don’t mean time like removing a year of your lifespan-”

“Wait, you can do that?!” Esme gasped, looking him up and down like he really was a God or something. She thought of it but didn’t think it was possible, but with Einar, it seemed there wasn’t anything he couldn’t do.

Einar chuckled, not answering though his eyes answered her question for him. “I merely want a friendly date with you,” He said, pocketing the watch.

“Einar, I’m with-”

“Yes, yes.. I know. That is why I said ‘friendly’.” He turned away, but Esme still saw his brows drawing together and his eyes hardening, but his face became impassive just as quickly when he looked back at her. “We need to talk, Nyx. Or I can always ask for another favour-”

“A friendly date it is.” She interrupted swiftly, not wanting to be more in his debt or agreeing to do another favour she knew nothing about. I will choose the location-”

Einar tutted and turned his head from side to side slowly. “We go by my rules, Nyx. THAT is the deal,” He replied sternly, his eyes locked on hers. She would never agree if he was anybody else, but that comfortable familiarity was what told her it was safe to go by his ‘rules’. He wouldn’t do anything to her, and unlike her gut instinct that she ignored with Leo, she decided to follow it this time.

“Deal. But no funny business,” Esme replied just as sternly, causing the hybrid to turn and smile wickedly.

“No funny business. I’ll see you in five days then, well after your little mission, that is more important first.. But I know you.. you’ll be fine.” Einar smiled, looking at her with a knowing smile that made her blink back at him. Some of the things he says suggest that they knew each other, but he never said anything more. “Now. Hold on.”

Esme watched as he closed his fist; blue light glowed in his palm before it dulled again, then he spread his fingers out, revealing a dainty necklace with a black gemstone attached to it. It made her smile; it was an onyx. “Put this on when you need it.” Einar placed it in her hand before making an overly exaggerated bow, then he snapped his fingers, and he suddenly disappeared, leaving a slight white smoke behind him.

Gabriel was next to her in an instant, his hands on her shoulders as his piercing blue eyes peered into hers. “What did you do?” He asked worriedly. She stared at him and raised her hand to his cheek with a soft smile on her pink lips.

“Don’t worry. It didn’t cost me much,” Esme replied gently and bit her tongue as he held her hand to his face and kissed the inside of her wrist, tickling her nerves to awaken her lust for him.

“Make this the last time, Es. I’m serious. What did it cost you?” Gabriel spoke against her skin that made goosebumps flourish across her body and her thighs tighten from the desire he incited in her from such a simple touch.

But this wasn’t the time to cave in to her feverish want of her mate. Esme knew he wouldn’t be happy with what she was about to tell him. “I agreed to meet up with him..” She trailed off, pursing her lips as she saw his eyes narrow at her, knowing well that there was more to what she was about to say. “On a friendly date.”

Gabriel’s face instantly darkened, and the sound of the window next to her started to vibrate along with the walls until a small cracking sound grew, and from the corner of her eyes, she saw it getting bigger and bigger.

Oh no.

“That son of a-”

Esme pulled Gabriel’s jacket towards her, and she went on her tiptoes, crashing her lips into his. The moment their lips touched, the cracks in the window halted. But with their lips slanting to each other and deepening the kiss with their tongues intertwining in a feverish dance of dominance, they were in their own bubble. Everything was quiet around them as they clung to each other like they couldn’t breathe without the other.

Esme’s hands loosened on his jacket as she let Gabriel nibble on her bottom lip until she regrettably pulled away. “I’m yours,” She whispered breathlessly. “Forever and always.”

“Forever and always, my love,” Gabriel whispered back, leaning his forehead against hers as they stared at one another.

“I think I’m gonna cry..  it’s so damn beautiful.”

“Shut up, Luther..” Marcus punched Luther in the arm, but their antics couldn’t distract the couple from each other.