Echoes in Eternity (The Pella Series Book 1) (43 page)

“I don’t want your services here and you aren’t the one I intend to do business with. The organization of the
Psyche
is going to want to offer their services to the others of my kind in the future. I’m quite sure that your underhanded dealings will be unwelcome for the long term business relationships especially for a leader like me amongst my kind. You don’t want to play this shit with me! This leveraging you’re trying to accomplish will cut off all business from any Nephilim. I’ll make sure of it! You will get nothing! We are both immortals, Hailey. Eternity is a long time without business!” I state enunciating as anger’s rising in me. Her eyes widen with some conclusion.

“So, the rumors are true. You’re ascending!”

“I need no ascension to be the leader. You of all people should know that. Times have changed.”

She ignores my reply and purses her lips in contemplation. She takes three leisurely steps with an embellished sway of her hips. “The deal includes me
, Mr. Pella. I assure you that this is a strictly professional business relationship. Everyone is aware of the
C
hosen’s
existence. Even unsuspecting humans are dispatched to locate and deliver her. But then again, not all of the humans are of the honorable persuasion,” she purrs stepping on a chord. “They have the capability to capture and detain her; none of her defenses will aid her in keeping her safe from them, because they have found a way around her abilities.”

“And, what way would that be?” I ask skeptically as if I’m uninterested in what she has to say, though I know she speaks the truth.

“Tsk… tsk… tsk… Oh, Mr. Pella!” she tuts. “I can’t give everything away for free. This
is
business after all and we’re not done negotiating. But, one thing for sure, this night of all nights, you will indisputably need our help,
my
help in particular! Your talents alone will conclusively fall short.”

I turn and nod at both James and Melissa to leave the room. Concerned, they look at each other and leave.

“And, you know this how?” She doesn’t send her men away knowing full well that once they’re through the door, they will be connected with her, and have the knowledge of our conversation. This is why they’re effective; they can work as one entity, and separate at the same time.  But, I am aware that she can compartmentalize and keep some knowledge only to herself.

“I agree to the price set for your Searchers. They can get in and delegate.”

“Oh, but, not so fast. I wish to be a part of the group here. We work better because most of your visitors will be males. They respond to me much better for obvious reasons. My men look exceptionally handsome which is a threat to other males though once they’re on a task, nothing deters them. They’re effective, efficient and ruthless in apprehending an offending soul.”

“Let’s cut the crap, Hailey! Your men are hired, but not you. You will not inveigle your way into my life. Not even for what this week poses.” My cool demeanor and reserve don’t deter her.

“Not even to know what Elissa’s former fiancée is up to?” she asks sharply, knowing her words will slice through me. I take a brisk and determined step towards her and feel exhilaration move through her. I now recognize the place in the background. It is a room in Courcillion’s Right Bank mansion. This can all be an intricate rouse; a way to get me to concede Hailey in joining her group of
Psyche
.

“Not even for her former fiancée,” I respond impassively. She studies my face all for ten seconds.

“I promise not to try to seduce you, though you already know I have consummate skills, Alexandros,” she murmurs. “This is purely business. The sight of you is enough to awaken the passions only you have power to sate, and we have a history together. I wouldn’t mind if it repeated itself,” she says with a soft enticing voice, walking forward towards me in the room, with feminine steps confident in her abilities and only the sound of her red heels can be heard on the Italian marble.

“I don’t trust you Hailey. You are a costly liability. The services you may provide
tonight aren’t going to be worth what you want in payment.”

“My initial request as a payment was a week of your time and in return of a week of my time serving you here. That includes all six
Psyche
. Paul, Simon, Peter, Andrew, James and Matthew,” she points at them nonchalantly. My eyebrow arches in surprise.

“Let me guess: You’re the Judas of your group.”

“Ouch!” she says, looking wounded, her delicate hand flying to her heart, her eyes glisten as if she has unshed tears. It’s all a ruse.

“No, Alex. I would never betray you that way. But, we know more than anyone that the powers are shifting. The inevitable battle between the
Fallen
and the
Watchers
is at our doorsteps. Our kind is uneasy. We don’t want to align ourselves with any one particular group, however, if I were a betting woman, I’d put my money on you to come on top. You always do,” she ends her words in an almost moaning seductive whisper.

“My response is still ‘no’ to the time exchange deal with you. You can take your
apostles
,” I say mocking, “and fuck off! My time is valuable, and you’re wasting it.” The
Psyche
bristles around, as my rage washes over them in a huge torrent. If this is all she’s got, she can take her men and leave. I make myself believe in that idea. If I do, then they do.

“You
do
need our services. You need us, and this is the best deal you can get. Even exchange. A week for a week, Mr. Pella!” she presses on.

“When you just admitted that I would come up on top just a moment ago, do you really think that I don’t have a backup plan, or
that I don’t have the information you possess? Or have you already forgotten who you’re dealing with? I’m not averse to playing dirty, neither do I mind wielding a weapon of any sort on anyone who might cross me. I would fuck anyone up who dares to rub me the wrong way.”

“I would have seen it, felt it, read it through your soul…” she responds with less of a conviction.

“You can’t read me. None of you can! I am the exception to the rule and this is why you all are drawn to me. You get the silence of the soul you crave instead of the cacophony of thoughts and blemishes. I’m just a black hole to you. So Don’t! Fucking! Waste! My! Time! Either my terms, or no deal!” I say making a motion to slam the gate to their shocked faces. I’ve had all the shit I can take today!

“Wait!” one of the
Psyches
protests. “Miss Ancilla?” Peter, I now recognize turns to Hailey, his voice a windy whisper. He seems to take lead of the
Psyche
. His pupils dilated to cover the blue of his eyes entirely; a silent conversation goes on between them. Hailey’s lips are tightened, her form turns rigid. I could see the clash of thoughts, and disagreements flowing between the wits of the two
Psyche
. Hailey’s lips form into a definite but silent “no!” as if she shouted it to the top of her lungs, and she takes an offensive step towards Peter, but the rest of the
Searchers
instinctively align themselves with Peter, easily outnumbering, and dividing allegiances within the group of
Psyche
.

“It seems, I am outnumbered,” Hailey says with distaste. “I am asked to take away the request of spending a week with you. Instead, we,” she says looking at the other
Psyche
“we must require a memory in addition to monetary payment.”

“A memory?” I ask.

“A memory of consequence. A memory of Marcus.”

“Why Marcus specifically?” I ask.
The
Psyches
never do anything without a benefit to themselves. I have to find out what’s in it for them.

“We must,” Peter speaks instead of Hailey, “understand the precipice of this unusual gathering tonight. Even though it is a business auction, we have felt a surge of Nephilim gathering as well as the
Fallen
. They will be well disguised. We know the rumors, but we must see the memory why Marcus hasn’t fallen yet still punished. But, we will also see the soul signatures of the
Fallen
who may come tonight. That is going to give us the answer for us to clearly understand our duty as well as meet part of our payment.”

“I have conditions. If all my conditions are not applied, I won’t need any of your services.” They nod. “First condition: The memory will not part me,” I state my first rule firmly. When
the
Psyche
demands a memory, they take it away from you and it is as if you never lived it. There’s no sharing; they just take it away. You are still part of the memory, but the individual will remember nothing of its occurrence. A memory of Marcus is a valuable one. It could tip the scale in the future. For me to lose it could be detrimental to Elissa. The singular memory they pinpoint is indeed a very valuable one. Their eyes dart to each other. They clearly want the possession of the memory. I take a step towards them, and they part immediately I walk near them. Both verbal and mental silence spreads immediately. I have made enough concessions. I gaze into each of them with my Alpha male stare. They each take a step back.

“Do you need help in agreeing
with what I don’t want to give you?” I hiss in a dangerously low voice. “I’m impatient, and will not negotiate if any of my rules are deviated from. Let me state the rest of them. Take it or leave. At this point, I don’t care which option you choose. Here are
MY
demands: I am the boss, the master, the ruler, I am your god and the Nephilim who will pay you for your services, so don’t fucking deviate from my rules at any time! You need me, but I can do without you! I’m the valuable party, and you aren’t! Hedone does not join your group. I only want the six of you.

The memory stays with me. You only get a vision of it: A copy if you will. Not the original! When you cross this threshold, you report to me, and to me alone. What you do here, the information you gain may not be used anywhere else outside of here, sold, given freely, shared or stored. The payment you collect will tie you to your duties, and you shall give your binding oath, and pledge your souls while you’re in my service. Deviating from my rules
is swiftly punishable. The Penalties are severe. A mistake made by one of you is assumed it’s made by all of you. You bear the punishment together!”

“All of us?” asks Peter incredulous.

“All… of… you! Didn’t Hailey mention I’m unyielding when it comes to rendering punishments?” They collectively look at her. It’s clear that she hasn’t.

“We do not deviate from the rules given to us at all. Nevertheless, we’d like to know what the punishment terms are, and what you consider
a breach in breaking the rules.”

“I have just given you the rules. You are to scan every individual that enters into this building, and those who are observing or have intent to enter into the building
; suspecting or unsuspecting souls with intent to harm, damage, or cause malicious results regarding my company, myself, my staff or my ward. Consider this as your non-disclosure agreement. If any of you have doubts about my punishment, let me only remind you that it is swift, harsh, and lasting. I want your absolute loyalty, and the second you don’t comply, you will be indentured to me to do as I wish with you. It’s Open ended…” I state.

Their gazes betray their warring disbelief in what I just said.

“The rules are harsh…”

“Yet, they ensure your loyalty while you’re in my
service and your silence when you leave this place. If you follow them, there’s no penalty, and you are going to be paid amply for it.”

“Agreed, except that the rules should only apply individually, and not collectively,” Peter speaks for them again. “We will feel the pain of another. Don’t amplify it for us
imperator
,” he says addressing me with my old title.

“You have my word. Serve me well, I shall reward you. Cross me, and I will have no qualms in punishing any one of you.”

“Even me?” asks Hailey.

“Especially you,” I respond determined.

“You would punish a woman?” she asks incredulous.

“You are an immortal. Not a mere weak human. So, don’t fucking try to elicit sympathy from me when I know your ulterior motives,” I say without a second glance to her. You will remain in your realm…”

“We still need her strength. Seven is the righteous seeker combination number for us,” Peter and Matthew says in unison. “She can however remain here. If you order her not to leave this one room, she won’t be able to. But she needs to be in your location.”

“Fine! She can’t take a step out of the room. You will get the memory first, and the final payment shall be rendered once the week is complete. When you cross the gate, you’re bound to me, pledged to me, and I become your master.”

“Sir!” they all shout collectively, reminding me of my former Praetorian. They each cross the threshold gaining their aura as they walk through. They seem dressed in black suits, with crisp white shirts. They appear to have an ear piece but I know that they have no need of those to communicate. Is it just for show?