The Shadow Paradox: The Shadow Enforcer Series Book Three by N.M. Thorn

Author:N.M. Thorn [Thorn, N.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-07-03T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

~ Cole Adams ~

Moving like on autopilot, Cole barely remembered his walk to the room where he had been meeting with Amaris every night for a social conversation, the way the Head of the Arizona House loved to put it. Raising his hand with effort, he knocked on the door and pushed it open, hoping that Amaris wasn’t there yet.

He hoped in vain. Dressed in his usual black suit, with a black leather mask on his face, Amaris sat on the piano bench, his strange purple eyes shining through the slits of his mask.

“Cole, come in, my friend,” he said, rising, a hint of melancholy in his voice. He pointed at the piano bench, inviting him to sit down. “Would you play for me tonight?”

Suppressing his desire to run and hide, Cole offered him a bright smile and approached the piano, his fingers brushing over its polished surface. “What would you like me to play, my lord?” he asked softly.

“We spent quite a few evenings together, and I must say I enjoy your company immensely. There is no need for formalities,” replied Amaris as Cole took a seat. “My full name is Frederick Luan Amaris, but you can call me Erick.”

“Okay, Erick,” replied Cole, cringing inwardly. “What would you like me to play for you this lovely evening?”

“The choice is yours, my dear friend.” Amaris waved his hand dismissively and headed toward the bar.

Taking his jacket off, Cole threw it on the couch and sat down on the piano bench. He positioned his hands over the keyboard and stilled with his eyes closed, but he wasn’t trying to choose what to play. He was trying to focus on the mission, shutting down all emotions to leave his mind cold and calculating. Without opening his eyes, he lowered his hands, his fingers—fast and light—touching the keys with perfect precision, as if he could see them.

After he finished playing, he lowered his hands to his lap and dropped his head, deep in his thoughts. A movement of air infused with the light fragrance of Amaris’ cologne alerted Cole to his presence, and he opened his eyes but didn’t turn around.

“Bravissimo, maestro,” Amaris whispered behind him, his voice sounding strangely raspy and thick. “What a wonderful choice—Sonata ao Luar… It’s perfect.”

Portuguese… A thought flashed through Cole’s mind. Amaris speaks Portuguese.

He didn’t say anything. Instead, he forced a nonchalant smile and turned around, swinging his long legs over the bench. Amaris stood in front of him with two crystal glasses in his hands. He offered Cole the glass with red liquid inside but didn’t sit down, gazing at him with unconcealed intensity in his purple eyes. Cole brought the glass to his lips, detecting the harsh odor of alcohol, and allowed his eyes to ignite a bright scarlet.

“Erick, you’re playing with fire,” he said softly, taking a sip of his drink. “A drunk vampire can be hazardous to your health.”

“I’ll take my chances,” Amaris murmured, downing his drink in one gulp. Then he took a step forward and halted, standing between Cole’s legs, barely a few inches from him.

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