Reynaud's Redemption, стр. 19
Baptiste narrowed his eyes as Andrew moved his hands around in an animated fashion.
“The sensation was so strong it made us stumble backward—then it was over,” Andrew concluded. “We pulled Louis from the floor, and Laurent went to check to see if Tomas was really dead.”
Baptiste stopped rocking the chair and regarded Andrew with a raised brow. “Louis fell?”
“Well, yeah. Louis only weighs about one hundred pounds soaking wet. Just about anything can knock him over.”
Baptiste narrowed his eyes again.
Andrew cowered under the look. “But it could have been the force coming off Tomas that did it,” he added in haste.
“Are you saying you experienced some kind of power exchange when the magic escaped Tomas’ body? That’s what pushed you backward?”
“I don’t know what it was, but we felt something for sure. My body was all warm and tingly afterward. Like an electric charge had gone through me.”
“I see. And what of François? Is his health fading as fast as Tomas’ did?”
“I believe so, sir. I sent Laurent, Moreau and Martin to watch him before I came over here.”
“And what of Louis? Where is he now?”
“Louis is in the waiting room, sir. He came with me. He wanted to talk to you about something.”
Baptiste was silent for long moments. He rocked back in his seat, nodding. Then he snapped the chair upright and smiled.
“Excellent. So, to be clear, only you, Moreau, Laurent, Louis and Martin were in the room and you all were pushed back? Yes?”
Andrew thought for a minute then nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Very well, then. That’s all I needed, Andrew. You are dismissed.”
Andrew’s eyes grew with surprise. He gripped the arms of the chair and leaned forward but hesitated before standing. “Are you sure that’s all, sir?” he questioned.
“Yes, you may go,” Baptiste said with a dismissive wave.
Andrew wavered for a moment longer then left his seat.
“Oh, wait,” Baptiste called out with his finger up, as though he’d just remembered something. “There is just one more thing, Andrew.”
Andrew released the knob and turned around. “Yes, sir?”
Baptiste’s stride was steady as he closed the distance between them. Without hesitation, he walked directly to his subordinate and gripped Andrew’s neck. Andrew’s gasp stuck in his throat as his back hit the door. His stunned expression locked onto Baptiste’s face as he muttered incoherently in protest. Baptiste kept his arm erect as he lifted the shorter man to his line of sight, tightening his grasp. Andrew’s feet dangled as he beat Baptiste’s muscled forearm in an effort to relieve the pressure—but to no avail. Baptiste’s strength was superior. Andrew’s eyes began bulging and his resistance waned as his windpipe collapsed.
Bending his elbow—and careful not to loosen his hold—Baptiste stepped closer to Andrew’s face. “I’ve been waiting a long time for these elders to die off. No matter how insignificant you think that power you share with the others is, it belongs to me,” Baptiste told him through gritted teeth.
Baptiste clenched his fingers, cutting off Andrew’s air supply completely. His gaze locked onto the protruding blue orbs before him. The transfer of magic was swift. Baptiste welcomed the sensation reminiscent of hot wax touching the skin then quickly cooling, but the electric current that raced through his body was unexpected. It raced along his nerve endings, hardening his cock, making his nipples erect. A shiver ran up his spine, leaving goosebumps in its wake. Baptiste couldn’t suppress the moan that escaped his mouth as a result. He gasped and dropped Andrew’s lifeless body to the floor, as the abrupt feeling jerked his body backward.
“Shit!” he said on a breath.
On weak knees, Baptiste stumbled back to his desk, falling heavily into his chair and letting his head drop to the wood with a thud. His heart pounded frantically. His breathing increased and sweat peppered his brow. Just as he feared he would pass out, a sudden rush of exhilaration soared through him and pushed him upright, taking his breath away. His magic crackled inside, his skin tingling, the hairs on his arms standing up. His erection throbbed. He was invigorated and stronger than he ever had been.
“Wow,” he managed, pulling air back into his lungs in long drags. After a few more deep breaths, his heart rhythm slowed to normal and he burst into hysterical laughter. “If that’s what comes from just the spillover of an elder’s power mixed with a low-level magic user like Andrew, I can only imagine what the feeling of a full transfer of power will be like.”
When his amusement ceased, his gaze fell on Andrew’s dead body across the room. He stared at him for a moment then picked up the phone.
“Maxwell, come remove this body from my office and tell Reggie to pull the car around.”
“Yes, Mr St John. Anything else, sir?”
He paused. “Yes, send Louis to the conference room,” Baptiste added with a slow smile. “He has something I want.”
Baptiste hung up and left his office. He perched on the corner of the long, mahogany table on the room’s right-hand side and waited. After a while, Louis burst through the doors. He paced back and forth before his boss, rambling. Sweat dampened his skin, and he clutched at his chest, tugging on his shirt. Before Baptiste could speak, Louis stopped and turned frantic eyes to him.
“Mr St John, you have to help me. I— I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Louis pushed wet hairs back from his forehead before he took up pacing again.