Free Defying Eternity (An Obscure Magic Book 5) by Viola Grace Page B

senses, and she could see the seething red of Olvadi, the cool pearl colour of Leah and the rioting hot pink of Octavia.
    Lima and Coren were a shade of pale green, one swirling with grey and one with blue.
    She glanced down at herself, and she was bright emerald green, swirling with a soft violet. Huh. Neat.
    The connection between her and Matthias hadn’t been too bad after all. It had come a little early. She was going to have to look into that.
    She remained on her feet for hours. Checking the two negotiators when they slipped up and got personal was a little strange, but it wasn’t the first time she had seen a negotiation. It was, however, the first time that she had seen a negotiation for a living being.
    The territories and buildings that were being offered were impressive, but Olvadi pressed for more. Octavia was being offered for far more than market value.
    She was hungry, tired, and she had had enough. Leo slammed her hand down on the table. “Enough.”
    It amused her that even Olvadi jumped.
    Leo turned. “Olvadi, you are a king, the ruler of a city that has laws guarding the rights of nightsiders and daysiders?”
    “Correct.”
    “And yet, you reserve the right to torture one of your own people for no crime or offense committed. How is it that you are above your own laws?”
    “I am the king.”
    She cocked her head. “So, by that logic, I could take your head off and rule over your people simply because I can?”
    “It would mean war.” He jutted his chin out, but she could see indecision flickering in his eyes.
    Leo tsked. “Not really. A city under my rule would be a fair and just place with the offenders punished.”
    “You could not.”
    Leo pointed at Olvadi, and he lifted from his chair to be pinned on the ceiling. She felt him scrabbling at her mind, and she smiled as he ran up against the wall of her calm.
    “You will agree to the sale price of the two nightclubs, the ninety acres of land outside the city and the tailor shops.”
    He thrashed, but she held him to the ceiling. “Agreed.”
    “None of those here will speak of the means by which the negotiations concluded.” She lowered him back into his seat.
    He cocked his head. “What do you mean I was torturing her?”
    “She prefers women. Your attentions were unwanted and unwelcome. That is a type of torture that you should be aware of.”
    He blinked. “What do you mean?”
    “I have read your dossier. Matthias provided me with all the information I would need to understand your motivations. You have had a rough existence, but it is up to you to wish more for your followers and offspring.”
    He looked confused. “Fine. Take her.”
    Octavia looked shocked and stepped forward, but Leo held up her hand. “Not quite yet. Leah, draw it up.”
    The signing of the sale was the first part.
    “Olvadi, as you have signed, you must now free her.”
    He muttered, “I free you.”
    Octavia smiled faintly. “Thank you.”
    Leo stopped Leah and Octavia from leaving. “Not quite yet. Olvadi, give Octavia your blood.”
    He jolted. “How do you know that?”
    She sighed. “I am Matthias’s apprentice. Just do it and complete freeing her.”
    Octavia looked uncertain, but when Olvadi bit his finger and extended his hand to her, she bowed over his hand and licked the dark-crimson drop.
    An electrified expression took Octavia over, and she fainted.
    Olvadi scowled. “I trust you will come for a visit before you leave tomorrow.”
    “Of course. Now that business is concluded, the social aspect of my visit can commence.” She smiled and inclined her head.
    “Excellent. I am throwing a party in your honour, and I hope your wardrobe is up to it.” He smiled tightly.
    She nodded to Leah and turned to Lima. “Please carry Octavia. She is going to need some care before she settles into the peculiar situation she is now in.”
    The dwarf lifted the unconscious vampire in her arms and carried her out through the halls. Leah followed,