Note to readers: So here is the latest chapter. Only a few more to go. Enjoy :D
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CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The plane touched down in the early hours of the morning but unlike Oak River where the town would still be asleep, the hustle and bustle of city life called.
Joshua had never been to the city and realised instantly that he didn't like it. There were far too many sounds and scents which clogged his heightened abilities. Danny had taken the initiative to rent a car before their arrival and Joshua grudgingly thanked him for it.
"So where are we headed?" Joshua asked as Passion updated Claw on the phone in the back seat.
"The Artashir is the CEO of Artashir Industries." Danny called from the driver's seat.
"The biggest software producer in the world?" Passion asked turning the mobile off. Danny nodded turning into rush hour traffic.
"So we're headed for there."
"Yep only way we can get to see him, there is no way he'll let us near the pride. About ten years ago quite a lot of them were massacred in a sneak attack by the Hunters." Danny explained blowing the horn loudly when a car pulled up too close.
Passion winced at the thought of a Hunter attack. The group of self righteous humans had no decency when it came to battle and always snuck around hitting clans when they were the most vulnerable.
"I heard about that, it was a sad day." Passion said, remembering how many of the lions had arrived in Oak River seeking refuge after they had been run out of their homes. She hadn't dared mingle with them but she did remember their presence in Oak River.
"They stayed with us while trying to regroup, perhaps you could use that knowledge to sway them." She said.
They pulled up to a tall crystal building in the business district. Danny told them that he would circle the building as the prices for parking were a bitch. Joshua found solace in Passion's grip as they entered the foyer.
It was so clean and bright that it burned Joshua's eyes but the building was owned by a lion and everyone knew that the felines had OCD, while wolves preferred to horde. That was just the way it was amongst shifters.
"How may I help you?" A tall blonde asked standing behind a wide booth.
A small black contraption was attached to her ear and she wore her hair in a platinum bun.
"We're looking for the Artashir." Joshua said. Passion elbowed him in the ribs.
"What he means is the Artashir CEO, Leon Dubois."
Passion corrected. Joshua blushed, how foolish of
him to mention Dubois as the Artashir in front of this human.
"Right, well have you got an appointment?" She asked flicking through a large colour coded organizer.
"No." Passion said. The blonde looked up in surprise then gave a sympathetic smile.
"I'm sorry but with no appointment I'm afraid you can't see him." She said.
"What if we book on now?" Joshua asked.
"That can be done, usual waiting time is three months." Her shoulders shrugged apoplectically.
Passion grasped Joshua's arm. They didn't have three months, they barely had three days.
"Please this is really important." Passion pleaded.
The blonde pressed the earpiece as if hearing something on the other side. Her eyes widened briefly with surprise before she made a noise of agreement.
"You can go up now." She said pointing towards the elevator "Top floor."
"What do you think, reckon he knows we're here?" Joshua asked. Passion paused as the lift doors opened.
Joshua truly valued her opinion. Throughout this journey he had made sure to include her in all his plans and decisions. She hadn't believed she would question that but she realised that she had doubted just how much she meant to him. I love him, she said to herself, I really really love him.
"He must." She replied entering the elevator.
Soft music played as they made their way to the
executive floor. The doors opened to a panoramic view, all three walls were set with large windows and to their left stood two large bronze doors.
Leon Dubois was sitting on his desk when they entered, a glass of brandy in his hands. He was tall with dark, caramel skin. Long sleek white hair was tied back in a black leather thong and he wore a charcoal suit with a black shirt.
He was lean rather than muscular but from his grip on the glass Passion could tell that he was powerful. Striking azure eyes watched their progress, guarding his thoughts. She didn't know how to read him and the smell of cat sent her hackles up.
"Welcome." He said in a heavy afro-French accent.
Joshua released Passion's hand and knelt before
him pressing his forehead against Leon's hand.
"Stand, stand son of Zachariah. All this formality is making me uncomfortable." He said, a smile bursting on his face.
Passion bit back a gasp, he was stunning and as joy and light took over his features she realised why he had schooled his features. It was clear that such emotion would undermine his place as Artashir.
"Sit, sit." He gestured to the two chairs before him while he continued to sit on the desk pulling his feet into the lotus position.
"Can I offer you a drink?" He asked.
"We're fine." Joshua said lacing his fingers with Passion's. Leon smirked at the gesture as if it both amused and disgusted him.
"Artashir my pack needs your help." Joshua said.
"Of course otherwise why would you be here." Leon smiled.
"Of course." Passion mumbled not enjoying Leon's cryptic ways. "You know why we are here, so just cut the crap." Joshua tightened his grip on Passion's hand as a warning.
