Chapter 15

Breaking Hands and Rejecting Crabs

Amelia was very conscious of the rough and calloused hand that held hers. She had grown up in a very conservative family and holding hands with a stranger was looked down upon. When greeting another, a simple bow would suffice, but she was angry with her family at the moment. They had sent a letter to garner support from someone powerful without asking her first. It was a great surprise to her when she found out the one that took her hand was the person they asked support from, plus the smell he gave off, gave her the shivers and made butterflies in her stomach.

It was because of his smell that she opened her eyes. It was faint at first, but when Klaus came closer and sat down a draft had carried his scent to her very sensitive nose and it made her shudder. She opened her eyes and made contact with his, her heart was already racing for reasons she knew all too well. When their eyes met there was a moment, a mere split second where what she saw was not human.

Not that she could judge, because none of the descendants were truly human. She looked into his eyes which were so strange- even compared to her own.

Klaus finally let go of her hand and then gestured towards the stage. “I don’t really believe in destiny or fate, but it is fortuitous that I found you so soon after coming here.”

She tilted her head in question. The party had been on for a while and she wanted to escape the constant suitors that were after her to form an alliance, even now she could see some of them standing nearby and waiting for a chance to talk to her. It was the reason she went on stage; she just wanted to get away for a minute or two before diving back into the frey.

Instead of answering, he asked her a question.

“Would you like something to drink? You must be parched after singing.”

She did not reply to the question and thought. ‘Is this a strategy or are the reports true and he is just new to this?’

Klaus watched the girl who had been strangely silent after his question. “If you don’t want to-“

She interrupted. “No I am rather thirsty, thank you.”

Not far from them was a table with different kinds of drinks on it. They walked over to it and she saw Klaus frown.

“What’s wrong?” She finally asked after he just stood there.

Klaus scratched the back of his head. “These are all alcoholic.” He saw her face and she might as well have said “So?”

Klaus lowered his voice and leaned in conspiratorially. She nearly pushed him away because it brought another wave of his scent to her nose and she wasn’t sure if what it did was an ability or just natural, but it wasn’t good for what she was supposed to be doing since she found it so intoxicating. She saw Klaus was oblivious or pretending to be so she stopped herself.

Contrary to how Klaus was acting, he felt out of his element. Never had he approached anyone so openly before, but he needed to. His survival could depend on it. The dragon in him scoffed at this.

“To be honest with you I have very little experience when it comes to alcohol. I don’t know any of these drinks so it’s best that you choose.”

She started to giggle then and the fact that Klaus looked away in embarrassment only made her mirth grow. “You really are new to this?” She finally said and gestured around them.

Klaus sighed and smiled at her. “You have no idea.”

She shook her head and started to point out the different types of alcohol. The table was actually there for the waiters to pick up whatever their patrons asked for so a lot of them came and went as the two talked. The situation once again drew a lot of gazes.

One gaze was especially complicated. It was Elise and since the moment Klaus entered she had been keeping an eye on him. ‘He has changed so much physically.’ She had a sari on to match her date. The sari was not traditional so some changes were made, the most obvious being its low cut around her bust. Elise’s hair was done up in a complicated affair. Since it was so long they had to braid it before coiling the coppery hair around her head like a natural tiara. It showed off her neck and high cheekbones. Make-up served to accentuate them even more. The only hair she had lose was her bangs which framed her face

She herself had changed a lot. Her arms and body in general showed more muscle. She had a little scar above her right eye and her skin was a lot more tanned than it used to be. Elise had returned only four days ago from another hellish survival exercise. Only to find out that she was betrothed. Her aunt had kept true to her word on two accounts. She had support form a family that had a reputation to be strong combatants and Elise had been put through her paces until she broke down into a sobbing mess over and over again.

She was sent to the poles, deserts, jungles and every other manner of extreme environment. There was always someone watching her, of course, but they were told not to interfere unless she was on the brink of death. She received instruction on surviving the climates and environment and was then left to fend for herself.

Someone gave her elbow a squeeze and voice spoke near her ear. “Is that him?”

The question had the tell-tale accent of Elise’s fiancé, Rohit. She turned to him with a smile that did not reach her eyes. Her aunt had made sure to make Elise understand that their union would not be one of love or trust. Elise was to deceive her fiancé, use him and discard him when she was strong enough to do so to survive on her own. So far the man had done nothing to her. She did, however see the lecherous gazes he through around when he thought no one was looking. They were lecherous yes, but she felt there was something off about it. Almost desperate even.

‘If not for the necklace he wears, he would already be putty in my hands.’

“Yes that is him.” She said while Rohit’s gaze quickly found her cleavage in the low cut sari. She took his hand with both of hers, the action made her arms press up against her breasts to accentuate them. “Do you want me to introduce you to him?”

Rohit’s gaze was arrested for a second, but so were the gazes of a few others around them. The Dalmora women were known for their beauty after all. They were also known for their manipulations and mind games too. So a lot of those that looked only wanted to look and never to touch, even with a ten foot pole.

Rohit nodded to her question and they made their way over to the other two.

Klaus was in the process of trying his first whiskey. Amelia laughed heartily at the face he pulled before swallowing the amber liquid. He then held the glass away from him like a poisonous snake. “How can people drink this stuff?”

Amelia, pointed and said with a snort. “I will have you know that what you just swallowed is worth more than what people make that get paid minimum wage per month. Whiskey is an acquired taste for discerning gentleman and a lot goes into making it.”

Klaus gave the glass a dubious look and swallowed the rest of it before putting the glass down to her surprise. He then took a deep breath. “That was terrible.”

She laughed again. “Why did you drink it if you don’t like it?”

Klaus looked at her as if she was crazy. “You just told me how expensive it is, how could I waste it?”

His reply was telling. Others in his position would not care that it was expensive, but coming from a poor background Klaus could not let himself do so. ‘I can’t judge him the same way I do others.’ She smiled at the knowledge and this time was surprised with herself when she realised something. ‘I am having fun. I wonder what other faces he will make?’ She got a mischievous smile and pointed to the next one, but they were interrupted.

“Klaus, I am so happy to see you here.”

Amelia and Klaus both turned around with blank expressions, hiding their dissappointment. She was about to have Klaus try a drink derived from mashed and fermented potatoes using remote mountain spring water. She was looking forward to see the face he pulled. He was irritated because he recognized the voice and remembered the way things went the last time he heard it.

Elise came to a stop a good distance away after seeing the two’s expressions. “I am not here to do anything funny; I just came to apologise and to introduce my fiancé.” At the mention of the word fiancé Rohit stepped forward and stuck out his hand for a handshake.

Klaus saw in Rohit’s eyes what he had seen many times before; the man was looking down on him. Klaus felt mollified when he noticed that the man was shorter. His frame, however, did not hide the fact that he was muscular.

Klaus stuck out his hand, reminding himself like he had many times since his awakening. ‘Do not squeeze too hard.’

Rohit, it seemed had no such qualms. He had heard the story about Klaus and wanted to show his dominance. It rankled his pride that the Jambavana were only sought out after the incident with Klaus.

Awakened had many types of abilities ranging from the mind to physical attributes like speed and strength. The Jambavana were known for their strength after awakening, they were after all descendants of divine bears. So when he took Klaus’ hand in his own he squeezed while looking forward to a good show.

He was disappointed to say the least. He saw Klaus’ eyes narrow when he started to squeeze and then he felt pain.

If pride had to be mentioned, one could not forget Klaus’ own. He was part or whole dragon; Klaus still wasn’t sure, but identity crises aside. His instincts were screaming at him to crush Rohit.

The two women were not oblivious to what was going on. Elise wanted to stop Rohit, but Amelia simply shook her head before making her way towards Elise and whispering. “I don’t know much about the opposite sex, but I do know not to interfere when they get like this.” Amelia then stuck out her hand to Elise’s surprise as most people treated the Dalmora like the plague, for good reason.

As soon as their hands touched, Amelia felt the intrusion. She let it pass and then grabbed hold of it eliciting a gasp of pain from Elise. “It is rude to intrude into another’s thoughts.”

Elise broke contact and retreated, letting out a sigh when the pain stopped. She then turned to Amelia with no hard feelings, but respect. “If anything, blame the way I was brought up. We live with our minds open to our family members and are encouraged to… take liberties whenever we can as a form of training. What you just did happens to me more than a few times a day.”

Amelia nodded and then muttered. “That makes a lot of sense, if what I have heard is anything to go by.”

Elise did not hear any judgement in the girl’s thoughts, nor did she care. She was trying to make her thoughts seem similar to that of Amelia, which was the reason for her first direct assault. Having “tasted” Amelia’s thoughts it would be easier to match it so she could slip in subtly.

It was starting to work, but Rohit let out a groan and his knees were slightly bent. Amelia looked at Elise while commenting. “Now is when we interfere.”

Klaus looked at the sweating Rohit with a crooked smile. For some reason his mind had wandered during the whole hand shaking experience. It kept going to when he experienced his mother hunting the bear. His mouth was watering with a hunger he did not know he could have.

Rohit saw the change in Klaus. It was subtle, but his instincts started to scream at him. For the first time he felt his confidence wain and instead he felt fear. It also wasn’t a normal fear. It was the fear an animal felt when it knew it was being hunted.

Amelia walked over to Klaus who seemed to be in some sort of trance. Rohit was nearly on his knees now and she could smell the stink of fear in the air while Klaus was letting out something different, almost predatory. It made her breath shudder in excitement and to her concern, lust.

Elise and Amelia both acted at the same time. Amelia hooked her arm with Klaus’ and started to drag him away. “This is boring lets go drinking.”

Klaus’ trance was broken and he let go of Rohit’s hand, much to the man’s relief. Elise was there a second later to help him up with a supporting hand and a chastising voice.

Klaus heard Rohit complain to her. “The bastard broke two of my fingers.”

Elise paused and gazed over at Klaus and then continued to chastise him. “I came over to apologize and you had to provoke him. Did we, as in your uncle and I not tell you-”

The rest of the conversation faded from his hearing as Amelia pulled him away.

“Well, that was interesting?” She said questioningly when they came to a stop.

Klaus was still trying to centre himself form whatever had taken him over. A part of him wanted to go back and finish what Rohit started. Klaus felt really hungry.

‘Do I want to eat him?’ The thought scared him.

“Hey, come back to me.” Amelia’s voice was soothing to Klaus’ confused mind and he pushed the thoughts back.

She noticed the ambiguity of her own words and let out a light cough before ignoring it.

Klaus patted the hand that was holding his arm. “Thanks for that. I have a bit of history with Elise.”

“Do tell.” Amelia was honestly curious to know.

Klaus bit his lip wondering how much he should tell her. ‘Nothing regarding the incident could hurt me in any way so might as well, but where should I start?’

“I dated her sister in school, back when I thought I was-“ Klaus paused and searched for the correct word to use.

Amelia helped him out. “When you thought you were normal?”

Klaus smiled. “Yes that. We had just broken up, I had this plan to go work as an intern at a well-known and respected lawyer firm.” Klaus proceeded to tell her the whole story up until they took off in the helicopter and by the time he was done Amelia had a complicated and judgemental expression on her face.

“You were saved and then taken care of by demons?”

“Of everything you could have taken from that. I probably should not be, but I am a little disappointed.” Klaus looked for his waiter, but as if she could sense what he wanted- she seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

“Sarah, do you know when they will be serving food, I am starting to feel very hungry.”

“Food will be served as soon as the main event is done.” She looked at her watch. “It should start in the next thirty minutes if you have not guessed by how many people are now present.”

Sarah did explain everything to Klaus earlier, but he was so enamoured with Amelia’s voice that he did not care. It made her a bit disgruntled. This was a big event for the staff. They knew the people were wealthy and making an impression could net them great tips. Sarah did not envy Amelia. She found Klaus to be very attractive. He was tall and she thought handsome, but his eyes honestly scared her. He wasn’t the only one with such an oddity at the party, but he certainly was one of the most unique.

Klaus looked up from her and he did indeed notice that a lot more people had moved into the garden from the atrium. They were in the process of being guided to their tables and seats.

“Can I show you to your seat?”

Klaus was about to nod, but looked at Amelia. “I still have some things to discuss with my acquaintance. If she is willing can we be seated together?” He both directly and indirectly asked the two women.

It was not lost on Amelia that Klaus was acting a bit more coldly towards her.

Amelia gave Sarah a nod and she started to explain. “The tables are set up in a way that it can be done. Each person that was invited has a table to themselves, but upon request others can sit with them. Extra tables will be removed just before the main event, which brings me to my next question. Seven other people have asked to be seated with you Mr Roth. Do you want me to arrange it?”

Klaus wanted to decline, but chastised himself when he remembered he wasn’t just here for the Scientia. “Can you list the names for me please?”

Sarah nodded and fished out a tablet. “Let’s see here. Miss Lockheart, Mr Prodigium, Mr and Miss Honzo, Mr Sparta, Miss Cromwell and finally… Mr Crabs.”

Klaus coughed and tried but failed to not laugh at Mr Crabs. ‘I am very happy to have such a unique surname at the moment.’

Amelia lightly slapped his arm; however she could not hide her own mirth. “Don’t be mean, Mr Roth.” She accentuated his surname. “Mr Crabs has a perfectly normal surname compared to yours in its entirety.”

Klaus calmed himself down. “I am sorry, you are right I certainly wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of Crabs. Should we-“

Klaus was interrupted when Amelia devolved into a full on chuckle.

Sarah shuffled a bit awkwardly. Even if she wanted to she could not laugh or make comment. She could not afford to offend any of these people.

“Are you about done?” Klaus managed to say in a false accusatory tone while chuckling.

Amelia cleared her throat and then nodded.

“I was about to ask. Should we accept-“

Amelia grabbed Klaus’ hand. “Don’t you dare say his name.”

Klaus nodded. “Should we accept he-who-must-not-be-named to our table?”

Amelia became more serious. “Why are you asking me?”

“Well, I have already decided that I want to make you a part of my team and your family is known for their knowledge. It would be stupid of me not to take that into account.”

Amelia felt pride at his words, but she wasn’t sure if she wanted to join his group after hearing about the company he kept.

She pulled him away from Sarah so they could have some privacy. “I will be honest with you Klaus. Having demons around you is not a good thing. My family has never gone too deep into the topic for obvious reasons, but they did mention more than once that demons were bad news and that the families that dealt with them always ended up double crossing others or getting double crossed by the demons inadvertently dragging their allies into it.”

Klaus wanted to tell her what he knew regarding them, but as soon as he tried to speak the words just faded from his mind. Amelia saw him open and close his mouth like a fish. A thoughtful expression crossed her face and she asked. “The Secret Worlds?”

Knowing what she meant he nodded. “It’s weird. I want to say it, but I just cant.”

She bit her lip. ‘Should I take the risk? If what he wanted to say was not true he wouldn't be able to say it. The Secret Worlds stops information from being spread regarding it, but not lies. Unless the lies were part of a plan to expose the truth. That was how it got explained to her.

Klaus had no idea what she was thinking, but he prepared himself to be rejected. Of the two that Pain suggested- he wanted her on his side the most because he realized early on that knowledge was definitely the way forward and that was something her family dealt in. He also had that one word stuck in his head. “Guild.”

Amelia grabbed his arm. “What did you just say?”

“I said, guild. One of my… special acquaintances said that word at great cost to himself when he was pitching the merits of your family.”

She leaned in closer, her gaze intense. “Did it say anything else?”

Klaus shook his head. “Only that I would understand when the time came. Why, does it mean something to you?”

“Something similar happened to me.” Klaus saw her turn away, cross her arms and hug herself. She seemed vulnerable for a moment, but it quickly faded when she balled her fists. Amelia then turned back around towards Klaus again. “I would like to join your group, but the first whiff of trouble or your… friends and I am gone.”

Klaus beamed a self-satisfied smile at her. “I would not have it any other way.”

“If I am in your group I don’t want the Hanzos there. My family has been at odds with them for a long time. The Lockhearts are also an old family and it would be a good idea to hear her out. I won’t hide that Beatrice Lockheart and I are friends, just keep it in mind when you make a decision. Mr Sparta is a must. They are known to be honourable and fierce fighters and are trained in all manner of martial and military arts from a young age. They basically grow up like soldiers.”

Amelia bit her lip while she considered the last three.

Klaus interrupted her musing. “I came here for two families tonight. One was the Scientia, you. The other was for Mr Prodigium.”

Amelia frowned. “You do know that their family is a bit… you know, crazy.”

Klaus nodded. “I have a method to help with that though, so there is no need to worry.”

Amelia nodded, but still did not look happy. “If you promise to help sponsor Beatrice I will have no objection to you inviting the Prodigium.”

It was Klaus’ turn to frown. “If she is part of an old family then why does she need a sponsor?”

Amelia sighed. “It’s because she did not get any stigmata when she awakened.”

Klaus bit his lip. ‘Well, Pain thought I would be fine with just the three of us so another one with no powers should not be any trouble. Plus if Amelia is planning something then having an ally with no awakened stigmata will work in my favour.’

“Deal. What do you know about the other two?”

Amelia told Sarah about their decisions so far. They were cutting it close and she did not want Beatrice to apply to another table. She turned back to Klaus and then considered for a moment. “The Cromwells like the Prodigium are a strange lot, but not for the same reasons. It is rumoured that each generation has some sort of divination or danger sense ability and it makes them act weird sometimes.”

She rubbed at her forehead. “As for Mr Cra- the other one.” She quickly changed the sentence when Klaus started to smile and then smacked him playfully. “As for the other one, I don’t know. Which means it is a very young family or they just moved to this planet like the Jambavana. The first is more likely.”

“Cant it just be a pseudonym, someone trying to hide their name?” Thought and asked Klaus aloud.

Amelia shook her head in a negative. “Not likely since it is looked down on and if discovered will garner the displeasure of all the families. It’s like an unspoken rule.”

Klaus nodded. “I say we keep Cromwell and leave Crabs. I don’t like the unknown factor behind his name.”

Amelia smirked and then shook her head in disbelief. “You know that they can all still reject right? We are talking like they are already part of the team.”

Klaus smiled with confidence and asked. “Who carries the authority in your family?”

Amelia finished up telling Sarah their arrangements and the two followed her to Klaus’ table, which happened to be right in the centre of the garden.

He pulled out a chair for her and she sat down before giving thanks with a nod and answering. “My great great uncle does. Our branch on this world is small, but pretty old.”

Klaus nodded as he sat down. “Do you know who has all the authority in my family or should I say all of our assets on this world?”

Amelia thought for a bit. “Your father, I would presume.”

“So you don’t think he is dead like the others do?”

She snorted. “Klaus, I know it for a fact.”

Klaus felt like asking her how she knew, but brushed it aside for now. “I am in control.”

Amelia looked on confused. “In control of what?”

“Everything and anything that has to do with Red Tree Industries, is mine to do with as I please.”

Amelia smiled. “That can’t be true. They are the largest and richest conglomerate in this world and a few others if what my father said is correct.”

Klaus shrugged. “Just imagine how surprised I was to find out I am the richest man on this world. I mean, a year ago I was an orphan.”

Amelia grabbed his hand. “You are serious?”

Klaus smiled. “Bet you are glad you stuck around. I will make sure the group I choose has everything we need, not to prove something or to show off.

Klaus gripped her hand a little tighter, but made sure not to hurt his new ally. “I want everything perfect because I have seen a little bit of what is waiting for us; I have seen what possible enemies I could have in the Secret Worlds and here. Nearly died three times in a span of eight months.”

Amelia saw a change take place in Klaus as he spoke. His scent also changed and she could not get enough of it. She could smell excitement, anger and something new. Something she had never smelt before, but her ability interpreted it for her and she got a bit lost in it. ‘Its power, mana, aura- so many different things at once. Even among them all, there is no fear.’

She came to when Klaus let go of her hand. “Sorry, I got a bit carried away there.”

“Don’t worry about it love, I was rather enjoying the show.” A voice interrupted.

Amelia thanked the timely arrival of her friend, Beatrice, when she interrupted because she was not sure she would be able to speak properly and reply.

Klaus felt embarrassed and a little offended that someone had eavesdropped, but his surprise at being called "love" waylayed any bad reaction. If anyone from London Earth heard the woman’s accent, they would think she was a countrywoman of theirs. He turned around to have a look and found that it was not someone, but multiple people.