The Immortal Compromise (The Mortal One Series Book 3) by Shannon Bell Page B

hundred years. It shocks me that I have not heard these stories.”
    I stared forward, unsure of what my part was in all of this. I was tired and craved my bed more than anything right now. Wenzel terrified me. My initial instinct about him was right. Olivier would know what bloodline he comes from. I had no desire to be here any longer and was over the whole kidnapping incident. I didn’t want any of us to say or do something that would set Wenzel off again. I didn’t want to see those fangs ever again, especially anywhere near me.
    “Why are you waiting?” Wenzel asked, turning to me.
    “Excuse me?” I asked, looking over to him.
    “For immortality. Why wait?”
    “Oh. I, umm, I guess I just want to make sure I have experienced all I want to of my mortality,” I said.
    “You should not wait long. It is not safe for humans to be around us.”
    I glanced at Dempsey, who stood in the corner. He met my stare and looked as terrified as I felt.
    “Okay,” I said, not sure if I should take what he said to me as some kind of threat.
    “Why didn’t you want the sovereignty?” Wenzel asked, turning to Olivier.
    Olivier leaned forward. “I have no desire to be in a leadership position. Costin and Niccolò are much better at it than I am.”
    “So you are the muscle?” Wenzel asked.
    Olivier stiffened. “If that is the best name for it, okay.”
    “You don’t lie,” Wenzel said.
    Olivier looked bored. “I have no reason to.”
    “The two of you are not like most vampires. Most vampires lie.” He stood up and brought the chair back to where it was along the wall. “You may leave.”
    “Really?” I asked, standing up before I had a chance to think about my actions.
    Nico stood up as well and rested a hand on my shoulder. “Do you have any more questions for us?”
    Wenzel shook his head. “No, we are done here.”
    “I am going to ask one more time. I will also leave you with my contact information should you feel the need to ask more. Kidnapping my pet and my wife is not an acceptable means of requesting my presence,” Nico said.
    Olivier stood up and stood at Nico’s right side. His arms were crossed and he looked fierce.
    “I understand and I will not kidnap your pet again. Call your man back, however. I do not like the feeling of being threatened in my own home.” He was staring at Olivier as he spoke.
    Nico took a step forward and pressed his hand against Olivier’s shoulder. “It’s okay,” he said softly. Olivier uncrossed his arms, but still maintained a stiff posture.
    “It was nice to meet all of you,” Wenzel said and left the room without saying anything more.
    Nico stared at me and I shrugged. Nice to meet all of you?   That was one way to close out the conversation. It was a shame I couldn’t say the same of him. It was not nice to meet him. I could have lived a very happy life without ever meeting Wenzel’s acquaintance. The three of us stood in the room for a few moments, wondering what our next move should be.
    Dempsey walked out from the corner of the room. “I will show you out.” He said, walking towards the front door with the three of us following behind him.
    As we walked out the door, Dempsey and I locked eyes. He looked terrified and jealous at the same time. I understood perfectly. He was the pet of a monster, while I was the pet of a level-headed vampire that didn’t chew at my neck with two rows of fangs.
    I waved to him and followed the men to the SUV that was parked in the long driveway. The large wooden door of the castle closed behind us.
    “Nico,” I said.
    “Not yet,” Nico said. “Get in the car.”
    I did as he said. Quickly. I wanted to get out of here just as fast as they did, and maybe a little faster.
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
     

     
    Chapter 13
     
    I WAS SO thankful to be out of that fucking castle. There would never be a reason why I would opt to go to Wurzburg ever again. There may be wineries within that region, but I would have to