"Moonstones?" Gwyneth asked, taking a larger swig of her tea.
Sirius offered her a scone, but she ignored him and chose a crustless toast instead.
He smiled. She stared at him, waiting for him to continue.
"Although Lord Evans was an outcast among humans as well as vampires, he is an underling of one of the most powerful vampire lords in the underworld who is trying to deceive humans." He stopped and took a big bite out of his scone.
"Hmm!" Surprise lit up his wide eyes.
Gwyneth laughed so hard at his response to the scone, even though the intensity of the revelation he was giving her was already overwhelming her.
"Are you new to eating scones?"
Sirius chuckled. "Pardon me." He cleared his throat, taking another sip of his tea.
Gwyneth arched her brow. He was actually quite... unpredictable.
"So Lord Evans tricked my greedy father into giving my sister over to the vampires using the stones, and uncle Gerald knew about this, which is why he was trying to persuade father to stop?" She asked despite being confident that she had figured everything out.
Sirius smiled. "Exactly!"
Gwyneth frowned. "Why did Uncle mention you to me that afternoon?"
Sirius simply shrugged his shoulders. "Even if we did not meet that evening, we would meet on a different day. My entrance into your life is inevitable. There has been and always will be death in your life."
"I am not fond of this." Gwyneth scowled. "This life is meant to be better!"
Sirius smiled. "Life is terrible for everyone, even for Life himself, darling."
Gwyneth's eyes widened. "Life?"
Sirius drank all of his tea at once and began eating the scones. He seemed to prefer it over the toast, even though he had not actually tried it yet.
She took a deep breath in and out. "What is my brother's role in all of this? I understand he has his own issues, but why doesn't he want to find Gerald?"
"Because he does not want Gerald found. He loves that you are unprotected. That is all I can tell you." Sirius replied dully.
Gwyneth did not ask any further questions. She and Sirius ate and drank quietly, and when they finished, she stood up, ready to leave.
"Are you trying to leave without paying?" Gwyneth glared at him.
"Paying?" Sirius questioned, staring at her as if he had never heard that word before.
Gwyneth facepalmed herself. How did she get herself into this situation? How did he even know this place?
As the waiter approached, she reached into the hem of her dress, pulled out two gold coins, and handed them to him.
Sirius seized her arm at once and dragged her out of the tea shop. Without any delay, he turned them invisible to the passersby, and they disappeared into her chamber at the Duke's estate.
Gwyneth backed away from him, glaring at him. "Who is this Assassin?"
"What makes you want to know? Do you want to kill him?" Sirius asked, cocking his head.
Gwyneth sneered at him. "I am going to be held accountable for the Duke's passing no matter what."
"And no one, my darling, will dare lay their hands on you." Sirius approached her, gripping her chin.
She averted her gaze, but he made her turn to face him, grinning at the defiant expression in her eyes. "What are you going to do?"
"Why bother asking if you already know?" Sirius chuckled, leaning in closer to her. He gently pressed his nose to hers, resisting the impulse to plant his lips on her inviting pink lips.
"Stop it! Stay away from me!" Gwyneth hissed, grabbing his hand with both hands.
Sirius' eyes burned from the rage in hers. That hatred. The emotions in her eyes and her harsh grip on his arm did nothing but send blood rushing to his member.
If only she knew how much he was addicted to her.
"Do you not want my help in finding your uncle?" He asked.
"You know everything, but you are not telling me. You are completely useless. I will find him myself." She glared.
"You still want to find him even after knowing everything." Sirius's eyes pierced hers with intense jealousy and curiosity. "Why is that? Is it because you believe he is the only one who adores you?"
Gwyneth's frown deepened. "Are you planning to rob me of him as well? If you want to kill me, go ahead, but do not touch my uncle."
Sirius tightened his jaw. "Oh, how I hate your lovely loyalty to your devoted uncle..." He let go of her chin, scooping her into his arms.
"What are you doing?! Let me down!" Gwyneth let out a scream, holding onto his neck with both hands.
Sirius's expression twisted into a frown. He walked up to the bed and gently placed her on it, startling her. Just as she was about to flee, he grabbed her ankles and yanked her towards him.
For a brief moment, Gwyneth felt her soul leave her body. But when he let go of her ankles and leant in to hover with his hand on either side of her hips, her soul returned. And she grabbed his neck with both hands, her eyes dilated with murderous intent.
"Stay away from me or I will make you regret your existence!"
Her words only elicited a dark smile on his gorgeous face.
"Words so scorching..." He bit the tip of his tongue.
"Enough already!" Gwyneth tightened her hold around his neck, hating the small size of her hands. For crying out loud, this man was huge! She could not even push him away!
Sirius's eyes sparkled. He leant in close to her and wrapped his arms around her, oblivious to the slight pressure she was wearing on his neck.
Suddenly unable to stay up any longer, he collapsed onto Gwyneth, sending her back to the bed.
"Hmmm." He buried his face into the crook of her neck. "Do it."
Gwyneth stiffened, shocked by their current position. Her neck was caressed by his warm breath, but what really startled her were those two words.
"What should I do?" She asked, out of breath.
Sirius tightened his grip around her body, grinning against her neck. "Make me regret my existence."