Chapter 63

Sienna’s POV

Everything hurt. More than just a little pain — this was excruciating.

Leaving my wound overnight like I had wasn’t a good idea. It was pretty obviously infected, the edges swollen and impossible to touch without a jab of deep pain.

I took an anti-inflammatory and antibiotic, rubbing a few different creams over the outside of the wound before wrapping it in gauze, the pain making my jaw clench.

Idiot, I muttered to myself. If my wolf hadn’t been dormant, a stab wound like that would have almost healed itself overnight.

But no, instead, my wolf was still silent.

With the wound bandaged and treated, I could walk without such an obvious limp, but it still wasn’t easy at all.

I’d been in the dining room for all of five minutes when Asher burst in the front door, waving an envelope at me.

Looking at the two of us now, you’d never even imagine he’d been on the brink of death and I’d been stabbed deep into my thigh only a matter of hours ago.

“I come bearing a possible contract,” Asher grinned, clearly pleased with himself.

“And what kind of contract is that?” I raised an eyebrow as he dropped the envelope in front of me. On the front of it was some kind of stamp from a security company.

Not just any security company — a top line one.

“Asher…” I trailed off, not even wanting to think about the cost that would come with a name like that company.

“Just look at it,” he urged, pacing next to me.

I opened the letter, realizing I was holding my breath as I took it in.

Dear Miss Hawke,

It would be our pleasure here at the Archimedes security company to serve you. We understand the pressure Nightwind has been under over the last months, and we want to extend our sympathies — as well as our protection.

If you are willing, we’d like to offer our services free of charge on the condition that you provide us your renown potions below market price. Please visit our headquarters at your earliest convenience to discuss further.

I read the letter over and over, hardly able to believe it. When I looked up to Asher, he was grinning, his eyes beaming pride.

“How did you get this?” I asked, having trouble believing it was real. Archimedes was the top security company in the nation, and they were willing to partner with me?

You’re not weak, I muttered, trying to lift my spirits up. Maybe they see potential.

“I have to go.” I stood up from the table quickly, dropping the letter onto it.

“Are you going down there?” Asher called to me as I hurriedly retreated to my room to change.

“Soon,” was all I said back. I wanted to do this alone, to prove my worth to them, no matter what Asher had to do with this deal.

I stared in the mirror for a long moment, willing myself to return to my natural, healthy shade of skin. I still had an eerie green hue to me, and it was off-putting.

The door to my closet creaked as I drew it open, pulling out another black dress that would be a good way to represent myself to Archimedes.

They won’t see your wound, will they? Panic brewed in me, and I pulled out a pair of tights.

What if blood seeps through?

Okay, at this point, it was better if I just wore pants.

I pulled out a pair of high waisted ones, trying to look as elegant and composed as I could.

When I came back out of my room, Asher was gone, like usual. He had a habit of doing that.

Whatever, I mumbled in my head. I’d wanted to go alone anyway.

I don’t make it ten steps before Mia comes prancing into sight from the main square, which was almost entirely rebuilt after the fires.

“Great.” I couldn’t keep the word in, because Mia meant trouble. Every single time.

“Sienna,” she greeted brightly, annoyance already prickling the back of my neck.

“Mia,” I responded dryly, preparing myself for whatever nonsense she was about to spew out next.

“Where are you headed so…purposefully?” She cocked a brow, nosy as ever.

“Archimedes security,” I smiled politely.

“I’m pretty sure Nightwind can’t afford that,” she laughed. “Where are you really going?”

“Archimedes security,” I said again, my eyes narrowing. “Though it’s not really your business anyway.”

“It’s — ”

“Don’t say it’s your job. I’m tired of that.” I could hardly contain my impatience with her anymore.

“Why would Archimedes want to work with Nightwind?” It was more of a statement than a question, spoken way more snidely than it needed to be.

“Guess I’ll be finding out soon. Need anything else?” I was so ready to be away from her. I didn’t need to get myself worked up before meeting the CEO of Archimedes.

When Mia didn’t answer after a few seconds, I took it upon myself to leave. The sooner the better.

“See you around!” I sang, brushing past her. I could feel her eyes on me the entire walk through the square and out of Nightwind.

The walk to the headquarters was a decent one, because it was all the way at the edges of the capital city. I didn’t mind the walk — it was a beautiful day, and my mind was cranking at full speed.

There were still so many questions in my head. Where was Simon? Julian?

Was everyone okay after the attack last night?

Would there be more attacks soon?

I could go on and on, question after unanswered question. Only time would tell now.

The Archimedes building loomed ahead of me, made out of a stunning obsidian black stone, stretching stories high above me, designed to be beautifully modern.

It screamed class and money, and I couldn’t help but feel a little out of place.

But I forced myself to walk in.

“Hi, I’m Sienna Hawke,” I smiled to the receptionist, the front room somehow still welcoming even with its chilled modern design.

“The boss has been expecting you,” she nodded, typing something into her computer before handing me a visitor laniard. “He’ll be down in a minute.”

The boss was coming to greet me personally? What was this?

My heart pounded in my throat, making it difficult to breathe for a minute, a slight ache starting up in my temples.

I took a seat in the little waiting area, watching the bubbles in the water machine flow upward. A calming orchestral sounded through the speakers in the room, so much better than any kind of dinky hold music.

When I heard the elevator doors open a few minutes later, my muscles tensed, and I quickly stood as the figure stepped out.

He was well built, surely perfectly chiseled beneath that fancy suit of his, but the most interesting part about him was the mask he wore.

It covered his whole face, made of the same glittering obsidian that the building was made out of, accents of diamonds around the eyes and jaw.

I was instantly captivated by his presence, drawn to every single thing about him. The way he strode over to me, holding his gloved hand out.

The purr of his voice as he said, “Hello Miss Hawke. I’m Archimedes.”