Till Death [Part 2]
... cont'd from Till Death [Part 1].
You will definitely need more loyal followers. Alone, I’m not enough to protect you all the time, my love.
Loki's words from the previous month had echoed, over and over, across Gellert's mind. It had been exactly the catalyst he'd needed - because Loki was right.
If Gellert was going to achieve his ambitions, he needed to surround himself with other like-minded individuals: witches and wizards who, like Loki, would put themselves in the line of fire if it meant saving him. Their leader. Their guide. Their saviour.
Gellert tried to ignore the uneasy prickling of his skin as he admired the evening view from the private rooftop restuarant, his gaze taking in the sparkling, lit outline of the Eiffel Tower nearby. It wouldn't always be easy, but collecting loyal expendables was only the first step of many cold-blooded decisions he would have to make.
Avoiding the gaze of the one sat across from him, his fingers reached for the rolled up parchment on the table between them, before tucked it discreetly into his black robes.
"Merci," he said, returning his thoughts to the matter at hand. "I'll pass these names onto my lieutentant." It had been a while since he'd spoken French, but he was surprised how quickly it had come back to him over the last day. "Now if you don't mind, Vinda... I'll be needing that seat. My lieutenant will actually be here any minute, and I'm sure you have somewhere else to be." He smiled. "After all... it is Valentine's Day."
The witch sitting across from him lowered her head in a short nod. Her rosy lips pulled into a smile, but he could see in her eyes that she would prefer to stay and talk business with him for another hour. From the research that Loki had done on her before their meeting, they knew her to be a young pureblood socialite with an unerring hatred of muggles. Upon their meeting, Gellert had quickly sensed the deep well of malevolence that simmered beneath the guise of sophistication.
She was a monster wearing a pretty skin, just like him.
"Of course. I'll be in touch," she promised, her voice like honey. "It's been a pleasure to meet you, Monsieur." She got to her feet, and casually brushed a crease from her silky robes. The ruby red of her heels, lips, and leather gloves all matched impeccably. Despite being so young, she was already a master of keeping up appearances.
Before turning to leave, she held his gaze. "A friendly word of advice, Gellert. Do not allow your attachments to deepen any further than they have already. Not to anyone, or anything, except for your goal. Distractions from your cause, at this stage, could become dangerous." Her eyes glittered knowingly. "Have a wonderful evening."
As the clicking of her heels disappeared through the Renaissance-style French doors, Gellert thoughtfully lowered his gaze to the candle in the centre of the table.
Clever girl, he thought. Perhaps it was the expensive cologne Gellert was wearing, or the artful way he had styled his blonde curls - just how Loki liked it - that had slipped him up. He had hoped that holding his business meeting here would disguise his true intentions from anyone who might recognise him... but Vinda Rosier was clearly no fool. She knew why he was really here tonight.
"Excuse me, Monsieur - a gentleman has just arrived, and is asking to see you."
Gellert felt a rush of excitement flood through his veins. He'd been looking forward to seeing Loki all day.
"Bring him through," he replied, forcing a mask of indifference. When the Maître d' had gone to fetch Loki, Gellert reached into the inner pocket of his robes and took out his wand.
"Orchideous," he whispered, moving his wand in a neat circle beneath the table. A pink light briefly bloomed from the tip, then faded to reveal a small collection of beautiful red roses. He casually added them to the small vase of pink and red flowers already on the table, hoping no one but Loki would notice them.
@yoursaviourhasarrived
