Dark Possession - Aja James Page 0,12
Jade, as well as Ava and Ryu, who visited the Shield regularly to collaborate with Rain, the Pure Ones’ Healer, on genetic research, they knew almost as much as he did about his own dominion. In some ways, they knew much more. Because Jade had ruled over this hive for hundreds of years, while he’d only taken the throne a few months ago.
But he had other kinds of knowledge that no one else had. He just didn’t know how to use it.
Leveraging the New England hive’s resources, networks and the Chosen’s skills was a first step, but it was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Or worse, a grain of sand in the desert.
He’d thought about digging into the Cove’s archives to see if answers or clues could be found in the histories, myths and legends of the Dark and Pure Ones. But when would he have the time? He couldn’t even ask Grace or Devlin to search the records with an AI program because you had to know what you’re searching for and provide parameters.
He didn’t know what he was searching for, and even if he did, he wasn’t going to share it.
He trusted no one.
Ramses regarded the Seer and Scribe of the Pure Ones with a gleam of calculation in his eyes.
“I do indeed lack a Keeper. Are you volunteering for the role?”
“Certainly,” she answered without hesitation. “For three months, anyway. I am very accomplished at organizing, deciphering and keeping records. I imagine your library is already very methodically kept, but if there is any particular area you want me to look into…I’d be more than happy to do it. I won’t share anything I learn with anyone else unless you give me permission. That will be part of our Contract. I am also a handy secretary. I help Seth daily in his work.”
All of this she said without the slightest hint of boasting, merely confidence in her own abilities. Ramses rather liked that, too, about her.
“You will have access to only the sections of the library that I deem appropriate,” he stated.
“That seems awfully lopsided in terms of a Contract,” she argued. “I give my time and service, and my blood whenever you want it, and all I get in return is access to what you allow me access to?”
“Or you could simply disappear.”
“Or your penis could rot off, never to be regenerated.”
“Or you could voluntarily become my Blood Slave and prevent war between our Kinds.”
Her eyebrows lifted clear to her hairline.
“I already told you I’m not a martyr.”
“Then take what I offer and be satisfied.”
“So you accept the Blood Contract?”
“Are you done negotiating?”
She was silent again for quite a while.
Ramses waited much less patiently than before. He wanted this night to be done.
“Will I be free to move about in the Cove?”
“Yes. You will not be able to enter areas that have restricted access in any case.”
“May I interact with whoever I choose?”
“Yes.”
He closed the space between them again and gripped her jaw lightly.
She seemed to be prepared this time, her body naturally accepting his touch. Though her skin still lit up with sparks and crackles, as if there was a mini lightning storm brewing beneath the surface.
“But let’s be clear,” he growled low, “you are mine for the duration of the Contract. You will behave in public and in private accordingly.”
“Only my blood,” she retorted, not the least bit cowed by him.
“And your time.”
“But only to work in your library.”
“And whenever I drink from you.”
She shivered and licked her lips unconsciously, as if already anticipating his fangs sinking into her veins.
“I reserve the right to renegotiate this Contract,” she said somewhat breathlessly.
“Only if you offer me something compelling will you get different terms.”
Her eyes drifted to his mouth and locked in.
“I’ll think of something,” she murmured.
“Do we have a Contract then?” he pressed.
She swayed into him, her back arching, exposing her smooth, white throat.
“Yes. We have a deal, Dark King.”
“The fiercest of Immortals were those Gifted with the primal instincts of animal spirits. Like animals, they were loyal to their own and mistrusted others not of their Kind, The most powerful of Immortals were those Gifted with the magic of Elements. But there were very few, their magic diffused to keep the Balance. The strongest of Immortals were the Pure Ones, for theirs was the strength of heart, mind and soul. Last, there were the Dark Ones…whose thirst for dominance could never be quenched… ”
—From the lost oral histories of the Zodiac Scrolls
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