Predator | 28

Charles and Eric where waiting in the car for Nikolaj and April. Charles advised them to take a quick shower - separated, of course - an change into fresh clothes, so that they could avoid a possible argument moment at Viktor's mansion.

Eric losing himself in anger was enough drama for one day and April didn't have the nerve for one of Viktor's tantrums. She'd never seen him angry and she hoped she never will. Besides, she didn't want people being nosey about her sex life, especially not Viktor.

After a quick shower, April searched for some clothes before putting them on. She waited for Nikolaj to finish in the bathroom and searched for some clothes for Nikolaj in the meantime. She took a simple pair of dark jeans and a long-sleeve shirt from Eric. April was sure he wouldn't mind.

When she handed him Eric's clothes, Nikolaj took them in silence without looking at her. Once Nikolaj finished, they walked down to the car. Eric narrowed his eyes when he saw Nikolaj in his clothes. He then averted his eyes to April, arching an eyebrow.

She just rolled her eyes as she opened the door and jumped inside the car. At least he didn't start another stupid argument.

The drive to Viktor's mansion was silent. Eric was driving the car, with Charles sitting next to him in the passenger seat. April and Nikolaj were sitting in the backseat of Eric's car. There wasn't anything left to say. April was a bit nervous. Viktor was an odd man, after all.

When Eric pulled over at Viktor's mansion, the butler opened the door and waited for them to exit the car. April recognized the butler from her last visit to Viktor's place.

The butler greeted them in a formal and very polite manner when they strolled over to the doorstep. He informed them that Viktor wasn't at home, but would arrive in a short time. In the meantime, they got comfortable in the large living room.

The maids of the house served them with tea and biscuits. April bit off small pieces of the biscuit and sauntered to the couch, taking a seat next to Nikolaj.

He looked somehow tense. April knew that he didn't like being back at Viktor's mansion. She nudged him with her shoulder and gave him a smile when he titled his head to look at her. Instead of returning her smile, he averted his eyes and ignored her.

"I see that Viktor still has the same taste as he did a couple of hundred years ago," Charles mused. His eyes took in the whole sight of Viktor's living room. "He didn't even change the smallest thing in this room."

His eyes finally landed on the fireplace. The same one with Viktor's oil portrait and the branding iron hanging on the wall above the fireplace. But it wasn't the oil portrait that caught Charles attention, or the disgusting branding iron Viktor used to brand Nikolaj and some other Lycans.

What caught his attention were the crossed swords. April had noticed them the last time, but didn't pay much attention to it. Charles, however, seemed quite amazed by the sight of the two silver swords.

His fingers skimmed over the cold scabbard. "He hasn't changed anything in this room, except of these lovely swords. They are new," Charles observed. "My brother had the same pair of swords, back then when he was alive."

"Charles," Eric spoke up, allowing a heavy breath fall from his lips. He was leaning against the wall, crossing his arms and watching him with a confused expression. "It's just a simple pair of rusty swords. I'm sure you can find similar ones on ebay."

"You're truly clueless. Once upon a time they belonged to Louis XIII, the former King of France," Charles explained with a distant expression crossing his face. No doubt his mind was in a distant time, back in the 17th century.

Charles took the swords off the wall and examined them with observant eyes. He took the sword out of it's scabbard. The edge had gone dull after hundred of years. There was nothing dangerous about those two swords, not anymore.

"Your brother stole from the King?" Eric asked and arched an eyebrow, surprised with Charles answer.

"Of course not. My brother William had an affair with his wife, Anne. A beautiful woman, truly, but also pitiful as she was stuck with a man she despised. Anne hated his constant stuttering and his shy nature. Also, he seemed to be more into males than females," Charles chuckled, deeply amused.

"If there was one thing that woman hated the most, then it was not getting enough attention. She was a bit spoiled. William payed her a lot of attention. A waste of time, if you ask me. She was a shallow character. Beautiful, but also very boring. Anne fell in love with William. The swords were a sign for her love."

"That's odd. You always told me your brother was a noble man and not a homewrecker."

Charles placed the sword back on it's place and turned around to meet Eric's eyes. He shook his head with a light scowl on his lips.

"He wasn't a homewrecker. Anne wasn't in love with Louis and Louis was probably busy entertaining one of his guards in his bedchambers. The marriage had the only purpose to produce an heir and win more allies. There was no love involved and I believe that Louis was rather relieved that there was a man who entertained his wife and kept her from annoying him. The dislike was mutual in this marriage."

It was around fifteen minutes later when Viktor arrived. His footsteps echoed through the halls and were audible in the living room. His steps were slow, taking his time to reach the room.

Nikolaj rapidly left April's side on the couch and walked to the other side of the room, standing stock-stiff in the dark corner.

She looked at him in confusion and hurt. Since they had left Eric's apartment, he brushed her off like she was nothing more but a stranger. She was used by his silent nature, found it even calming, but she didn't like how he was completely ignoring her right now.

Did I do something wrong?

The door fell open and Viktor stepped in, his eyes already on Charles. With a grin and both arms wide open, Viktor invited Charles for a hug. Charles returned the gesture and greeted his friend.

"To what do I owe the honor of your visit?" Viktor asked as he released himself from the hug. He took a step back and watched him with a charming and yet somehow unnerving smile on his face.

Then he titled his head to April and Eric. "April, Eric," he nodded to both of them. "Always a great pleasure to have you at my home."

April said nothing, Eric just nodded back. To Nikolaj, he payed no attention. Instead, he looked back at Charles.

"Can't an old man miss one of his dearest friends?" Charles asked amused and chuckled.

"After all these years you decide to pay me a visit?" He tsked and shook his head, though a small smirk played on his lips. "I thought you had forgotten me."

"No time in the world will be enough to make me forget about your existence, Viktor."

"I am pleased to hear that," Viktor responded and led him to the seating area, gesturing Charles to take a seat. "How have you been? I haven't heard a single word from you since the last time we had seen each other in. How long has it been? Ninety years?"

"Ninety-seven years, if I'm not wrong," Charles answered. "I was keeping a low profile over the last couple of years."

"Ah, right. You had a small disagreement with James, which caused you great problems. I remember."

"How have you been? I heard that things are out of control around Rosewood."

"Have you?" Viktor arched an eyebrow and crossed his legs, watching Charles with narrowed eyes. April noticed the sudden change of the mood. "What exactly did you hear, if I may ask?"

"Someone is turning humans into Lycans, if you haven't noticed it already," Charles answered, not afraid to speak up. "My first thought was that it is you behind all of this. My second thought, however, sobered me up and made me realize that there is no way in hell that it is you."

"I'm wounded that you even thought of me like that, even if it was just the briefest of moments," Viktor mocked hurt. "I am aware of that. The news are going crazy about the humans that went missing over the last couple of weeks. Whoever this foolish person is, these actions are causing us great trouble. It is just a matter of time until they have their attention on Rosewood- on us. I don't need the stupid human police to sniff in my territory."

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I re-posted my other werewolf story, The Forgotten Wolves. I would appreciate it if you check it out and tell me what you think! :)

I had finished this chapter weeks ago, but was hesitant to post it. I hope you all liked this chapter!