Dangerous Games: CH 13 Preview

The next morning Ethan went to go see his mother like usual, his body was aching from both the terrible motel bed he had slept on and the strain from pushing his ability to its limit. To avoid being tracked by Sera, Ethan and Joe had spent the night at a busy motel on the west side of town. They had gone there after leaving Diane with the file so that she could study it and hopefully figure out a cure not just for his mother, but for everyone. Walking into his mothers’ room, Ethan finds Diane already there chatting away with his mother. She looked calm, relaxed, and well rested; nothing like him.

“Helen, I’m telling you, you will love it.” Diane proclaims brightly.

“I’ll just have to take your word for it.” Ethan’s mother replies before looking over at Ethan. “Oh my god Ethan, you look horrible, are you okay?”

I’m fine.” Ethan answers as he rolls his neck. “I just had a rough night.”

“Did something happen?” She asks.

“Nothing you need to worry about.” Ethan answers.

Helen worriedly eyes her son but accepts his words, she then tries to get up but can’t seem to find the strength.

“Mom!” Ethan shouts as he rushes to her side.

“It’s nothing, I’m fine.” Helen states ignoring her son’s panicked expression. “Diane, can you help me to the bathroom please?”

“Of course.”

Ethan clenches his fists as he watches Diane help his mother to the bathroom, angry at her worsening condition and his inability to help her. After helping his mother, Diane exits the bathroom to give her some privacy.

“Diane, please tell me you’ve made progress.” Ethan whispers.

“I was only able to skim over the file before falling asleep last night, but I do have a rough idea of what this illness might be and a possible cure.” Diane whispers back.

“Then what the hell are you waiting for, cure her!” Ethan angrily whispers.

“Ethan calm down, nothing good will come from rushing this, I have to make sure or else I could end up making things worse.” Diane calmly whispers back.

Ethan takes a deep breath; he knew Diane was right.

“Or are you still doubting me after what Joe said?” Diane whispers.

Last night when Ethan was handing Diane the file, Joe stopped him and brought up the possibility that Diane could be playing them and that she might be working for the apostate. Diane in turn said she understood Joe’s concern and suspicion but stated that should he ever imply such an insulting thing again; she would castrate him. Ethan knew she had been serious too because just like when Sera got upset, Diane’s irises glowed for a few seconds before going back to normal.

“No, I’m sorry. It’s just seeing my mom like that hit me pretty hard.” Ethan answers.

Diane gives Ethan a sympathetic look and puts her hand on his shoulder, “I understand, and I promise you, I’ll do everything I can to cure your mom as quick as possible.”

Without warning the door to the room is flung open revealing Sera on the other side, she was still in the same clothes Ethan saw her in last night. It was the same outfit he saw her in when they were at the warehouse, minus the gloves and utility belt. Sera eyes them both before her eyes lock on to the hand Ethan’s shoulder. This clearly upset her, as evident by the blackening of her eyes and the glowing of her irises. Diane slowly lowers her hand from Ethan’s shoulder, with Ethan moving to stand between Sera and Diane. But this seemed to only upset Sera even more, making her scowl and the tension surrounding them almost palpable. The sudden sound of the toilet flushing causes the three of them to look toward the bathroom, breaking the tension. Sera’s eyes go back to normal and soon after the bathroom door opens with Ethan’s mother coming out.

Upon seeing Sera, Ethan’s mother smiles, “Dr. Umbra, I didn’t know you would be stopping by today.”

Before Sera could say anything, Ethan jumps in, “I called her, I wanted to talk to her about your treatment.”

“Treatment? But we haven’t even decided any of that yet.” Ethan’s mother states in confusion.

Diane walks over to Ethan’s mother, “Come now Helen, can’t you see what this is really about?”

Diane then gives Ethan’s mother a meaningful look.

“Oh? OH!” Ethan’s mother exclaims as she realizes what Diane is implying.

“Now I believe the room next door is currently empty so while you guys talk in there I’ll stay here and keep Helen company.” Diane hurriedly suggests.

“Perfect we’ll be right back.” Ethan nods.

Sera eyes Ethan carefully; deciding to play along she calmly leads him to the empty room next door just like Diane suggested. But as soon as Ethan closes the door behind him Sera grabs him and tosses them both on top of the empty bed, pinning him down with her body and holding his hands beside his head.

“Where the file?” Sera demands.

Ethan didn’t answer, not because he didn’t want to, but because he was distracted by the suggestive position Sera had put them in. She was straddling him, and her face was hovering only a few inches away from his own.

“Where is it?” Sera demands again.

“What file?” Ethan coyly asks.

“You’re playing a dangerous game beloved, we both know it was you, and I know it was Diane that helped you.” Sera growls through her teeth, showing her fangs.

“I will not have you risking my mother’s life.” Ethan replies coldly.

Sera is taken aback by Ethan’s words, which surprises him.

“I would have never let anything happen to your mother.” Sera declares with sincerity.

Looking into Sera’s eyes, Ethan could see that her sincerity was genuine. A surge of emotion fills Ethan’s chest, but he pushes it down, he couldn’t risk his feeling for Sera sway him.

“Ethan, give me the file, there’s more to that file than just research on your mother’s illness.”

“No.”

Sera’s eyes begin to glow ever so slightly, she leans in close, “I don’t think you realize the position you’re in.”

Ethan’s mouth went dry, Sera’s double meaning was not lost on him, sending a deliciously sensual chill down his spine in response.

“You’re forgetting, I still have the necklace you want.” Ethan reminds Sera, not shying away her lustful gaze.

Sera’s gaze hardens.

“And don’t bother threatening my friends, we both know you won’t kill them.”

“Oh, what makes you so sure?” Sera questions, getting right in Ethan’s face.

“Because you care about me too much.”

Unable to hold back, Ethan lifts his head and quickly captures Sera’s mouth with his own. The surprise on Sera’s face lasted only a second, as she began kissing him back with a fervor that shook them both. Ethan lost all thought as Sera began to take charge of the kiss, he could feel her tongue prodding at his lips asking to be let in, and he obliges. Ethan watches as white in Sera’s eyes go black, surrounding her violet irises. But there was no anger in them, only need, a need he knew matched his own.

Ethan then struggles to free his hands from Sera’s grip, he needed to touch her to feel her body, but her grip only tightened as she raised his hands over his head. Reveling in her power over him; Sera kisses and nips at Ethan’s neck as he continues to struggle. Sera proceeds to run her tongue along Ethan’s jaw causing him to let out a low moan. Finally having pity on him; Sera releases Ethan’s hands allowing him to finally touch her. Ethan wastes no time; his hands begin exploring Sera’s body as he recaptures her mouth with his own. With some leverage he’s finally able to lift himself up to a seated position all while never breaking their kiss.

The door to the room then opens startling both Ethan and Sera, reminding them of where they were and their conflicting agendas. Diane walks in; her eyes go wide at the sight of Sera still straddling Ethan.

Diane turns her head away, her cheeks now red, “Sorry, I told Helen I was going to get some food from the cafeteria and thought I should check in and make sure you were okay. I’m sorry, I’ll leave.”

Regaining his composure Ethan calls out to Diane, “Wait!”

Ethan slowly extricates himself from under Sera and moves to stand by the door with Diane, with Sera frowning as he does.

“The point is I have something you want.” Ethan states.

Sera’s eyes dart to Ethan’s groin, causing Diane to look away with red cheeks once again.

“The necklace! I’m referring to the necklace.” Ethan quickly clarifies. “Look either work with us or stay out of the way, either way you don’t hold all the cards anymore.”

“Really, and what’s to stop me from just taking you right here right now back to my place, locking you up, and make you do what I want?” Sera asks as she slowly stands up.

Once again, a shiver runs down Ethan’s spine at her dark and sensual tone.

“I am.” Diane states boldly.

“You? You and I both know you can’t beat me.” Sera coldly smiles.

“True, not in a straight fight, but there’s a reason I suggested this room.” Diane smiles back.

Sera looks around as circular symbols start appearing on the walls around the room, Sera reaches out and tries touching one of the symbols. A small spark shoots out and zaps Sera’s finger just before she can touch it.

“Hmph, clever.” Sera admits.

“Think about it.” Ethan tells Sera.

As Ethan and Diane move to leave the room Ethan stops.

“One thing before I go, why were you avoiding Diane the night of Eckhart’s party?”

Sera looks over at Diane with a chagrin expression, “You didn’t tell him?”

Ethan looks between Sera and Diane, “Tell me what?”

“You made it abundantly clear last time that I was not to refer to you in that way.” Diane tells Sera, ignoring Ethan’s question.

Ethan looks over at Sera who now has a cold expression etched on her face.

“Well beloved, the truth is Diane here is technically my mother.”