Chapter 8

Evening Smoulder

Baldwin worked through the rest of the day and well into the night. He refused to get up to see if she was still outside. He'd let himself be distracted far too much recently. New York hadn't been far enough. But, in scattered moments, her wild eyes flashed through his mind and he couldn't focus on anything but her. He wondered if this was what it was like to be enthralled. Was he under a spell? No. He was sure Diana would have seen it if he was, and honestly, he didn't think Athena would ever do such a thing, given she herself had been bound when she was captured.

To make matters worse, being so near to her was starting to have other affects, especially after finding her intimate toy. On the flight over, his mind had drifted to imagining her naked. He'd seen her naked only the once, and it had been just after he'd rescued her. He hadn't been thinking anything inappropriate at the time, and until now, it hadn't even crossed his mind to. The image had appeared so suddenly, he hadn't had time to contemplate it as his body responded eagerly. He'd slipped into the bathroom to get himself under control, adjusting himself more times than he could remember. He wasn't going to succumb to relieving himself on the plane, but it had left him in a worse mood.

The last thing he needed now, was to get wood in his father's old office, whilst thinking about a witch he'd saved. He was starting to think he should have taken his Assistant up on her very obvious offer. At least it would have proved as something of a physical release.

Up in her borrowed room, Athena had no idea of the predicament Baldwin found himself in. She was fast asleep, but not as peacefully as she had been in the first week or so. Now that her body was mostly healed, the bad dreams had started up with a vengeance. She had been expecting them, but this night would be the worst one yet.

She'd shifted around so much, the sheets were tangled around her legs, her head occasionally turning from side to side as images flashed through her unconscious mind. She mumbled incoherently, her hands flicking, fingers glowing faintly as her anxiety rose.

Baldwin looked up from his laptop at the faint mumbling, frowning. It wasn't loud enough for him to fully discern where it was coming from, so he went back to work.

Athena mumbled again, louder this time, tossing over to one side, her hand gripping the pillow. A particularly nasty image of her sister flashed across her mind, the torture and subsequent death that followed was enough to have her bolt awake, screaming her sister's name.

Baldwin was out of his chair and up to her room before she'd finished screaming. He was by the bed in a second, but kept his distance as she struggled to control the flames that had erupted over her hands. She was panting as she clenched her hands into tight fists, her eyes squeezed shut as she regained control. The fire died out and she dropped her head into her hands, shifting to kick the crumpled sheets away.

Baldwin moved closer now that it was safe, sitting beside her. "Perhaps we can find something to make you sleep. A deeper sleep would mean no dreams."

Athena looked at him and shook her head. "No. It would only be delaying things. I was bound to have bad dreams. It's not exactly something you forget."

He nodded, feeling a bit of a loss at what to do. "Can I do anything? Maybe some tea?"

"No, just talk to me. Help me think of something else." She dragged her hands through her hair. "What is you do?"

He hadn't expected the question, but he wasn't opposed to talk about his work. "I own and run an Investment Banking company in New York. It's been around or more than a century. It makes the Fortune 500 list regularly."

Athena smiled. She could hear the pride in his voice as he spoke. "So, you're a bit like Richard Gere in Pretty Woman?"

Baldwin frowned. He didn't fully understand the comparison, though he was aware of the film.

"You know, he would buy companies in trouble, and sell off the pieces for profit? The hired hooker notwithstanding," she explained, smirking.

Baldwin let out a laugh. "Well, we do more than that. Investment being the key word. But, yes. We do buy companies that are in trouble of becoming bankrupt."

"What did you do before then?"

"I've been involved in the finances of this family for centuries. But, I was a warrior. A soldier." He inclined his head. "I still am. It's what I was trained for even as a human."

"You were a soldier as a human?"

"I was a Roman Legionary. A Commander." It was unconscious, but he sat up straighter, his chest puffing a little.

"Sword or spear?" she teased.

"Both. But, I'm better with a sword. Close combat."

"How come you chose this life? How did it come about? If you don't mind me asking..."

Baldwin took a breath. He'd never regretted his choice, but so few had ever asked him about it.

"Phillippe had seen me fight. Seen me lead an army. Most turnings are borne out of necessity. Very few choose this life like I did, but permission must always be gained, even in desperate times. I was fortunate that Phillippe saw something of himself in me. He took me aside one day and made the offer, explaining what I would gain from it, and how I would be able to command as I chose and who I chose, for eternity. Most mortals wouldn't pass up the chance to live forever and do the thing they love."

Athena listened to him, both surprised and glad that he hadn't been on the verge of death when he was turned. "Do you miss anything? From your human life?"

"There's honestly very little to miss. Life was hard. Sickness was rife, and life expectancy was less than half what it is today for mortals."

"Did you ever turn anyone?" she asked.

"I have a daughter in Japan. She lives an independent life there. She's technically a de Clermont from my blood, but she prefers not to have to deal with our affairs."

"You know, I never understood the animosity between the species. The Covenant might have been drawn up under the illusion of safety, but all it has done is keep us all separate and vulnerable. It bred hatred and violence, particularly between vampires and witches. We have enough to deal with from the humans. We really shouldn't be fighting each other."

Baldwin considered this. Only a few years ago, he'd vehemently disagree. But, Diana had changed everything, and given the difficulty that the species were having in growing their population, perhaps inclusion would benefit them all. Even Phillippe had known that. He'd accepted Diana without hesitation, and had ensured she would be firmly ensconced within the family, even without him here to confirm it.

"You may be right. So much blood has been spilled on both sides, and not just from each other, but from our own. Knowing that it is possible for witches and vampires to have natural children, and for daemons to be born to witches, inclusion could be our future."

"The Congregation won't allow it without a fight. Covenant or not, they don't seem to like change."

"No, they don't. I used to be one of them," he admitted.

"I won't hold it against you," she smirked.

Baldwin grinned, rather enjoying the playfulness. "It would be too late to do so. I gave my key to Diana. There's always a de Clermont on the Congregation."

Athena nodded and fought back a yawn.

"I should let you get some more sleep. Scream if you need anything," he said, grinning.

Athena grabbed his arm before he could stand up. "I never did thank you... For getting me out..." She leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

Baldwin was frozen for several moments, the warmth of her lips lingering on his cool skin. He swallowed and nodded, standing up fully and smoothing his hands over his shirt needlessly.

"It was no trouble," he said, then turned and left before he could fully contemplate what had happened.

Athena watched him leave, wondering if she'd overstepped a boundary. He didn't seem angry by it, but his demeanour had changed. She tried not to dwell on it as she shuffled down back under the sheets.