Astrid's Wish (16 page)

“What are you suggesting?” Klaus asked the warrior.

“Think about it. Benedict kept all his records on Astrid’s whereabouts in the council’s computer system.”

“Are you calling my father a traitor?” Ben started to stand up, his face pinched in anger.

“No, you hothead,” Quinn defended. “What I’m saying is anyone could have hacked into your father’s computer. And if I know one thing about Benedict, he documents everything. If a person knew what they were looking for, it wouldn’t be hard to find. Then you have to also consider the whole existence of Astrid. Part fairy, part witch, someone went to great lengths to create him. Who better than a council member? They have access to all kinds of information ranging from species and genetic makeup. The scientists at headquarters have made great strides in finding out how each species functions and develops their gifts. Who’s to say someone isn’t using that information to forge together species to make a super race of paranormals.”

“Do you think that’s possible? You truly believe someone would betray the council?” Klaus asked. Quinn never had any love lost for the council, but Klaus worked for them and had for many, many years. He couldn’t fathom anyone going against them.

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“It does make sense. My father wouldn’t tell anyone about Astrid because he had hopes of getting information from him about Asher.

He wouldn’t kill the golden goose, so to speak. And Quinn has a point about a council member having access to information that not all paranormals are privy to.”

“Fuck me.” He looked to Ben then to Quinn. “This could be a lot bigger than any of us could have ever imagined. If someone from the council has gone rogue, that is bad. To top it off, there are several members on the council. I wouldn’t know where to begin questioning people.”

“Ben, call your dad,” Quinn demanded.

He and Quinn scooted closer to Ben’s chair. They peered over his shoulder at the laptop monitor so they were all allowed to talk with Benedict.

“Son, it’s about time you got back to me.” Benedict never looked up, just kept writing away at the papers on his desk. “Got any info for me?”

“Yeah, actually I do. We had some unexpected visitors today, and not just Astrid but Miles and Trevor were put in danger.”

“What?” Benedict shouted. “What happened? Is he okay?”

“Yes, Astrid is fine,” Ben spat at the screen.

“Not him, you idiot. Miles, is Miles okay?”

Ben let out a harsh chuckle. “Don’t act like you care if my mate was hurt or not. Most of the time you can’t stand the sight of me, so why would I believe you care about Miles’s safety?

Klaus watched as Benedict shifted his jaw from side to side. It was evident the man was quite irritated with his only child. “Son, there are things I cannot discuss with you, but contrary to what you think, I care more about you than you will ever know, and that includes Miles.” Benedict took a deep breath then looked in Klaus’s direction. “So tell me everything that happened today.”

Klaus coughed to clear his throat before he spoke. “Not only is Astrid my mate, he’s part fairy.” He dropped the bomb fast and quick.

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But Benedict didn’t look all too shocked by the news. “And the men sent here were tasked with taking Astrid to god only knows where.”

Benedict ran a hand down his face, rubbing the dark skin under his eyes. The man looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Stress creased his youthful, immortal face. “I always feared this day would come, but I had hopes of preventing it.”

“Father?” Ben moved closer to the computer screen. “What aren’t you telling us?”

“Son, there are things you don’t know, and it runs deeper than the council. I have my suspicions on who might be involved, but I never knew what form the threat would come in.” Benedict chuckled to himself. “Now I know.”

Klaus grabbed the laptop and turned it to face only him. “What’s going on, Benedict? This involves my mate. I have a right to know,”

he demanded.

“I can’t tell you. I wish I could, but it’s not allowed. My only suggestion is to double up patrols and keep a close eye on Astrid.

Keep the man safe.”

“I can’t believe that’s all you have to say.” He shook his head in disgust. “It could very well be Lucian looking to get Astrid back, and all you can say is double up patrols.”

“Klaus, please trust me,” Benedict begged.

“Why should I believe you? You could have orchestrated this whole thing. Maybe we need protection from you.”

“Klaus, I’ve known you for years. You know I’m not someone you have to fear. I’m ruthless because I need to be to keep people safe.” Benedict swiped a hand under his eye. The gesture suggested that the man had become emotional. “Two of the most important people in my life are under that roof. I would never hurt my boy or his mate. That is why I sent you there. You are one of the strongest witches I know, and I needed to keep them safe. I swear I didn’t know that Astrid was part fairy or your mate. I would never be so callous as to do something like that.”

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Klaus couldn’t explain it, but he believed Benedict. They had never been the best of friends, but Benedict wasn’t a bad guy. A hard ass, yes, but never intentionally cruel.

“You expect us to go on your word alone?” Quinn asked.

“Yes,” he answered for Benedict. “See what you can find out on your side then get back to us.”

Benedict said his farewells and promised to get back to them as soon as he had more information.

“You trust him? He seems to be hiding something,” Quinn said.

“I do. Benedict is a mean son of a bitch, but I believe him when he says he’s doing this for the greater good. The man’s a machine, working day and night trying to keep the world safe from the Warriors of the Dark,” Klaus admitted. It was true. Benedict had done a lot of good for the paranormal community.

“I’ve never seen my father react like that.” Ben looked up from his lap. “I’m just worried the old man has taken on too much. Why won’t he tell us what’s going on? What does he know that he can’t tell us?”

It bothered Klaus that Benedict wouldn’t go into more detail on what he knew, but the man had to have good reasons for keeping things from them. The anger Benedict displayed at the assault against Miles and the sheer fact that he showed affection toward his son in front of them all spoke volumes. Benedict had a good reason for keeping his secrets. Klaus just wished he knew what those secrets were.

The meeting among the warriors went on for a little longer. Ben doled out more patrol assignments and safety measures that were to take effect immediately. No chances were to be taken with Miles’s or Astrid’s safety. Until they could prove Lucian was at fault for the earlier attack, they had to be cautious. Anyone at this point could be a potential threat.

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Astrid tossed and turned in bed until he gave up and went to search for his mate. He walked out of his room and took the stairs down to the first floor, following the hallway that led to the main office the warriors congregated in all the time. Once at the door, he stood with his back against the opposite wall and waited for the men to emerge from the room.

Every now and again he would hear a raised voice, but the sound was too faint for him to make out who the voice belonged to. He knew they were discussing what had happened earlier that day, and him. He didn’t fault them for talking about him behind his back. They had every right to figure out the best course of action to take in keeping everyone in the house safe. If they asked him to leave, he would. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if any of his friends got hurt because of him.

A hot tear ran down his cheek. He hated feeling sorry for himself, but it hurt to know to save them all he would have to leave them. If the person looking for him couldn’t find him then everyone would be safe. It was the only way.

Coming to an agreement with his inner voice, Astrid straightened up against the wall. He swiped the tears off his face. Miles had made the ultimate sacrifice to save them all once before, and now it was his turn to return the favor. He just prayed that one day Klaus would understand and forgive him for leaving like this.

He walked toward the door and placed his hand lightly on the hard wood, careful not to make a sound. Closing his eyes tight to hold back the sting of tears, he said a silent good-bye to Klaus. Letting his hand
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fall away, he smiled bitterly at the door. It was for the best. He started back to his room to pack a small bag. The sooner he left, the better.

“Hey, little guy, what’s up?”

He jumped and spun around to see Jensen standing in the doorway. So caught up in his own inner turmoil, he never heard the door open. Well, there went his escape.

“Hey, Jenny.” He gave the warrior a watery smile.

“You okay?”

“Never better.” He wasn’t a good liar, but he couldn’t confess the truth.

“Astrid? What are you doing out here?” Klaus asked as he came out of the room.

Astrid couldn’t resist sinking into Klaus’s embrace, soaking up all his mate’s warmth. After he left, all he would have would be memories. Memories of the one man who made him feel like he truly was worth being loved. God, he would miss him.

The dam broke on his tears, and they fell like rain. He fisted Klaus’s shirt in his hands and held on. The last thing he wanted to do was leave, but it was the only way. It wasn’t fair, but he would make that sacrifice to keep those he loved safe.

“Angel, what’s going on?” Klaus asked as he led Astrid down the hallway to an empty room. Astrid didn’t look up. If Klaus saw his eyes, he would know what he had planned, and he couldn’t allow Klaus to stop him.

Klaus tried to dislodge Astrid’s grip from his shirt, but he just redoubled his efforts and clenched his hands in the material. The sound of the seams giving way didn’t even stop him from further tightening his grip.

“Astrid, you’re scaring me. Please talk to me.”

Klaus walked him back toward the sofa on the other side of the room. When the backs of his knees hit the sofa’s edge, Klaus pushed him onto the seat. He let go of Klaus’s shirt to cover his face with his hands. He didn’t want his mate to see him like this. The last memory
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Klaus had of him should be a happy one, not one of him blubbering like a baby.

Astrid took a deep breath and slowly let it out through his nose.

He met his mate’s questioning stare and did his best to swallow past the lump in his throat. If he didn’t speak soon, he would just start crying all over again, causing Klaus to worry even more.

“I love you, Klaus,” he said as he brought his hands up to frame the sides of Klaus’s face. The man called him an angel, but it was Klaus who was his angel. In such a short time, the man had given him the world and saved him from a lonely existence.

“I love you, too, angel.” Klaus ran his fingertip down the slope of Astrid’s nose. “Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”

“Nothing.” Astrid gifted Klaus with the best smile he could muster up.

“Angel, you do know it’s my job to detect lies, right?” His brow lifted, and his mouth twisted into a smile. “And right now you have all my internal alarms going off. Please, tell me what has you so upset.”

“I’m leaving you, Klaus,” he mumbled under his breath. He felt Klaus flinch at his words. “It’s for the best. If I’m not here, the people who want me will stop coming after my family”—he looked up—

“and you.”

Klaus’s face hardened. The grin on his face faded into a scowl, causing the lines to crease around his mouth.

“Do you really think that will help anyone?” Klaus snapped. He tried to scoot away from the rage barreling off Klaus. When he tried to move, Klaus grabbed his arms and held him in place.

“No matter where you go, they will find you, and if I’m not there to protect you, god only knows what they will do to you.” Klaus shook with anger.

Astrid remained quiet. What Klaus said was true, but it didn’t discount the fact that with him gone, everyone else in the house would
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be safe. He would rather be subjected to another hundred years with Lucian than to keep putting his loved ones in danger.

“You do realize if you run off that I would come looking for you, and I wouldn’t be the only one.” His eyes rounded at the claim. Klaus grinned up at him. “Never thought about that, did you?”

He shook his head slowly from side to side. The thought of Klaus coming after him never entered his mind. In the attempt of trying to protect everyone, he inevitably would be putting them all in more danger because they would be focusing their attention on finding him, and their guard would be down, making them susceptible to an attack.

“I understand why you think that would help, but it wouldn’t.”

Klaus’s voice softened. “Your need to put others before your own well-being is one of the reasons I love you so much.” Klaus entwined their fingers. “But if you ever try to run off without me, I will tie you to our bed and paddle your ass,” Klaus said in a stern tone.

His mouth dropped open at what Klaus said. When a small smile broke across his mate’s face, he realized Klaus was joking with him.

He began to giggle. Being tied down and at Klaus’s mercy didn’t sound like a bad thing at all.

In the end, Astrid realized the right thing for him to do would be to stay and fight. He wasn’t that frightened, defenseless man anymore, and he needed to start acting like the man he had become. If his mate was willing to fight for him, he needed to step up and believe in himself.

* * * *

Listening to his mate laugh warmed his heart. Astrid carried too much worry and responsibility on his frail shoulders, and it wasn’t necessary. Love didn’t come with a price, and he sure as hell didn’t need to sacrifice himself in the name of loving him. They were partners, and any obstacle thrown in their path, they would overcome together, not apart.