Page 134 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

Andvari

Andvari tested the weight of the sword in his hand, feeling the heft of the metal through his arm. He tightened his grip and completed one of his most difficult maneuvers, spinning his body while slicing the blade through the air. He focused on his breathing, letting his muscles use the memory of the thousands of times he’d practiced this very move.

Normally, this type of workout served as a form of meditation for him. He could wield his blade and quiet his mind. Instead, his mind was inside the house, upstairs in a master bedroom where a young man lay quiet and still on the oversized bed.

He’d gone up several times to check on Sawyer and Henry. Henry hadn’t left Sawyer’s side since they brought him home from campus. And the fact that whoever had hurt Sawyer had threatened Henry? It sent Andvari’s blood to boiling. He sliced his weapon through the air again, the blade whistling with the force of his swing.

If anyone thought they were going to harm a hair on either young man’s head again, they’d have a pissed off vampire to get through first. As much as Henry baffled and confused him, Andvari was not letting him get hurt. Part of it was because of his duty. The other part… well, he didn’t need to think about that.

And as to Sawyer, the young human had helped Henry through his vision and that was enough reason for Andvari to keep him safe. He returned his blade to its sheath and circled the house one last time. His enhanced senses hadn’t picked up anything unusual, but he had this tingling sensation at the back of his neck that he didn’t like at all. Perhaps Eduard could take to the air and use his eagle eyes to see if there was some sort of threat close by.

Back inside, the sounds of bustling dishes from the kitchen faded into a pleasant background hum. Andvari couldn’t deny that he approved of Eduard’s desire to add staff to the house. He’d grown up surrounded by them as well, and although he liked taking care of things himself for the most part, when he was as on guard as he presently felt, it helped knowing that someone else was there to take care of their basic needs.

None of them had eaten since Sawyer came back, which meant that Henry hadn’t had anything to eat all day. Andvari went to the kitchen and found Cecil already one step ahead of him. He had a large tray half-filled with food and he was packing up another with plates, utensils, glasses, and a silver pitcher.

“I can take one up for you,” Andvari said.

Cecil looked up from his task. “That’s not necessary, sir.”

“I know it’s not, but I don’t mind helping. Henry needs to eat.”

“Yes, sir. He merely nibbled on breakfast and hasn’t had so much as a sip of water since then.”

Cecil was clearly put out by Henry’s lack of nourishment, which brought a smirking grin to Andvari’s face. He remembered being fussed over by his staff and knew Henry wouldn’t be able to refuse Cecil the way he’d argued with Eduard and Andvari over what he ate.

“How is the hunt for other staff coming along?” Andvari asked.

“Slow, sir. I brought a few with me to finish setting up the house. Master Eduard told me nothing had really been set up or unpacked. I think I’ll be bringing some other staff from Master Eduard’s estate. There aren’t any services locally that I can pull from and the amount of training hiring someone new would take…it’s not practical under the circumstances.”

Andvari nodded. “No strangers inside the wards. I have staff as well, much smaller, but at your service if you require them. It’s safer to only bring in those familiar with our world who have been vetted by one of us. And we’ll need to make sure they keep their traps shut over anything that happens here.” He glanced upstairs, wondering what the rest of his clan would think of a human being watched over by them.

Actually, he already knew. They would have left Sawyer to die there in the grass instead of allowing Henry to leave the wards to assist.

“Understood, sir. I will make sure to let any new staffers know that they will face your displeasure should they speak of any goings on here.”

Andvari nodded his approval. “And let them know that once I’m done with them, they’ll be facing the dragon.”

Cecil shivered before placing a set of glasses on the tray. “That threat will hold many lips shut.”

As it should, Andvari thought. The dragons had a certain reputation for a reason. Not that anyone wanted to cross any of their kind without good reason. All of the clans were fierce in their own ways.

Andvari lifted the now-full tray and carried it up to the master bedroom with Cecil following behind him. He took the tray into the round seating area beneath the turret and sat it down on a side table. Henry had laughed when he saw the tower room in his vision, but Eduard had outdone himself making it a comfortable space. He’d known the real reason for its existence, of course, as had Eduard.

Those of them with the ability to fly could land on the upper ledge of the turret should the need arise. They would also be able to take off from there in an emergency. What Henry saw as a fantasy castle addition to the house actually had a very practical purpose.

And as to practical…

Andvari turned to the other two guardians. Draco and Henry hadn’t budged at his entrance to the room. They were standing at the foot of the bed, with Henry pressed back to front to Draco. Both of them were staring at Sawyer’s still form.

“You need to eat,” Andvari said. “Both of you.”

Draco turned to face him but Henry didn’t move.

“He hasn’t eaten today,” Andvari added. “And you won’t do Sawyer any good by not keeping up your strength. I’ll sit with him. Cecil brought up some food.”

Draco nodded and tugged Henry with him. Henry protested until Cecil placed a filled plate into his hands, then he stopped griping and started eating.

Andvari lifted one of the dark leather chairs sitting on the other side of the room and carried it over to the bed. Those martyrs were standing there as if they didn’t deserve a chair until Sawyer was on his feet again. The idiots. Andvari didn’t know Sawyer well at all, but he could say for certain that he’d be very angry if they weren’t taking care of themselves.

Sawyer was pale against the dark bedding, paler than he normally looked. He had a few freckles that stood out further against his skin and his honey brown lashes were dark marks against the blue slashes under his eyes. He looked worn out, much different from the vibrant, smiling man who’d left for university hours before.

Andvari slowed his breathing and listened to the sound of Sawyer’s blood pumping through his veins. If he didn’t know better, he’d think Sawyer was sleeping. His heart was slow but steady, his breathing deep and even. And he smelled… well, there was still an underlying hint of smoke and pain, but mostly he smelled amazing.

Pearl shifted her position and sent a pitiful look Andvari’s way. He reached out to stroke her head, then left his arm stretched out across Sawyer’s body so he could pet her. Most animals shied away from him, but Pearl didn’t seem to mind his touch. It was as if once Sawyer said it was okay to like him, she did. It was as simple as that.

He wondered what she did to people Sawyer didn’t like.