Chapter Text
I sensed something. Something repellent but it also attracted me. I stopped mid-sentence while talking to Hennemann and immediately forgot what our probably only mildly interesting conversation had been about.
This feeling, this sensation. I had to know the origin. I was led down the hallway towards the entrance desk. The feeling was accompanied by a smell. I never smelled it before but it was incredible, strong and new. It wasn't full moon. My nose wasn't as sensitive but this odour, this scent was powerful on its own. It or rather they smelled like mowed grass, like freshly baked bread and something... animalistic, something rare. Something I could not put my finger on. It was the best thing I had ever smelled.
The sensation on my skin became stronger, it felt like a thousand ants tingled over my body. What was that?
Then there were voices, and I knew. Even before I saw him.
I heard his voice, the voice of someone very important, arguing with Xavier:
“I tell you, I am a Ritter of Rittersberg.”
“And I tell you I need proof.”
I glanced around the corner to see who he was.
Everything in me seemed to rear up as I looked at him. What I felt on and under my skin together was intense. The sensations and his scent nearly drove me insane.
Neither he nor Xavier saw me as I tried to study every nuance of him. His beautiful, luscious hair, his strong stature, his grin as he whipped out a file. The new mystery. My new mystery.
A Ritter.
I needed to know him in every way possible. But… patience.
He handed Xavier the file.
“Here you go.” His face, the arrogant look on his face as he did so. He, my mystery, did not know what he was up for, but he was a man who just did things without thinking. A man with pride, boisterousness, and a sort of awkwardness. All of it felt just... obvious. Things Von Zell would never showcase. But this man would never become boring. I knew it.
“I see,” Xavier said. “Well, I must congratulate you. I had no idea.” He closed the file again. “Your family owns Schloss Ritter in Rittersberg?”
“Why yes, yes we do.”
I could not wait any longer, I had to show myself, experience his odour in full proximity and look into his eyes. Him and Xavier hadn’t seen me, yet.
I enjoyed the argument unfolding in front of me as Xavier explained that lineage was only the beginning and that one has to be invited by a member. Well, this member would be me.
“Might I interrupt? I couldn’t help but overhear.”
His eyes darted over to me.
He looked at me, scanned me up and down as if I was the prey. How absurd. But maybe in his eyes, I was.
There had to be a specific reason he wanted to join the club. But I would learn about that reason soon enough.
“Xavier, are you bullying our guest?” His eyes were of a beautiful brown.
I played surprised as he told me that he was a Ritter and Xavier gave me the file.
The names. The names of Schattenjägers who annoyed me over decades but could never catch me. All of them dead. But. Not. Me. And the last of their line would be mine and mine alone.
“I see”, I said and looked up. “Well, you must tell me all about how you ended up in Amerika, Herr Ritter and about your hunting there.” I couldn’t stop myself from putting a certain emphasis on the word 'hunting'. Our understanding of that word differed a lot, but he could not know that.
“You are a hunter, are you not?” This would only be the beginning of my teasing. I resisted to put my nose into his hair. I wanted to smell him fully but luckily self control was my strength.
I’d already read his name in the file but him saying his name sounded so beautifully.
“Gabriel Knight”, I repeated. “Like the angel.” My angel.
For a short moment I was worried that he would be put off by compliments or suspecting of me but as I saw his self-confident grin, I knew that it would take a lot more to make him suspicious.
It would be so much fun to be toying with him.
“Join us. My name is Von Glower.” We shook hands.
“Baron Friedrich Von Glower.”
I hoped that the club members would welcome him in a friendly manner but in the end I did not care. My reputation would keep him save.
The only problem was Von Zell’s jealousy, which I was certain he would showcase.
And of course I was correct.
As I introduced Gabriel to my select group, I recognized the glaring look which Von Zell gave him, the disdain in his smell.
It annoyed me. It also annoyed me that he was still part of my club but throwing him out would be too much of a scandal.
As I named my friends standing around the club room the tingling sensation had gotten the intensity of a burn. I was used to pain, physically and emotionally. Hence, I could not ignore the feeling, but I could tolerate it.
Had Gabriel a spell on him? Was he wearing something enchanted? Something like that. But for now, I couldn’t do anything about it.
Maybe, it was for the best. I had known him for less than five minutes and I was already obsessed with him. Knowing that there probably would be pain if I touched him would help me to keep my thoughts clear around him.
Even without his protective charm I would need to wait until I made him one of my kind. Otherwise, he would not survive my passion.
Whatever it was, that repelled me, I needed to get rid of it.
For now, there was something or rather someone else whom I wanted to get rid of as his stares became even more intense. But that someone already did that himself.
He made a scene, of course he made a scene and then left. I wished he would never return and actually stay away. It would give me such pleasure to know that I never had to see or smell him again.
Klingmann and Preis followed his example soon after though way more well-mannered. It didn’t matter much, as long as I was in Gabriel’s presence, the less the merrier.
But then as he decided to leave, too, I made it clear that he would always be welcome here:
“Maybe I could come by tomorrow.”
“Please do. We normally meet here in the evenings, but you may come here anytime you wish.”
I realized that only seeing him here from time to time would not be enough. Quickly, I reached into my pocket and gave him my business card.
“Take my card. It has my home address. If you care to chat.” Or maybe more? “Come by.”
“Thank you, good night.”
And he left. My skin stopped burning. I immediately missed the feeling.
Did he like the thought of meeting me at my home? I was not able to read him, yet. But soon, I would know everything there was to know.
I barely listened to the conversation of Von Aigner and Hennemann were having in front of me. I could not stop thinking about Gabriel while also trying to ignore the buldge in my pants.