Chapter 13

The room inside certainly took my breath away as it made the lounge decor seem like child's play. The colours were arranged in gorgeous shades of blue and silver: the rich colours of aristocracy. I found myself staring at the walls as there were plenty of Renaissance time paintings with painstaking details that would have made Picasso make a run for his money. No wonder women were willing to go with this scum bag: not only did he have money, but he had an exquisite taste in antiques.

Speaking of, Martin Hill was leading me towards a sitting area, his grip on my hand increasingly tight as if he didn't want me to "escape." Pfft, no wonder he does it; if it wasn't for his money, no woman would even look at him.

There were little to no people inside the room. The few that were occupied the bar on the far side of the room. Grudgingly, I allowed myself to be led into a seating area where there were several leather couches, and oh god I can't believe this: love seats.

Please don't let him take us there.

Of course, the universe once again did something that went against me: Hill picked a simple black love seat that faced towards the sole fire place. I could feel the vein on my forehead throb in annoyance due to my horrible karma.

Martin Hill jumped onto the left side and eagerly patted the seat next to him, smiling crookedly at me.

A wave of disgust threatened to overwhelm me before I forcibly took deep breaths and sat down on the seat as far from Hill as possible without being rude. Luckily he didn't seem to notice as he waved a butler over, and took two sleek glasses of champagne.

Oh god, I thought. This is going to be tough to get through. He better not try to woo me.

After giving the butler a rather generous tip, Hill turned around and focused his attention on me, his crooked smile still glued on his face. He passed me my champagne and I all too eagerly gulped it down. If I were to get information out of this man by seducing him, I'd need some alcohol. Maybe I'll get woozy enough to not remember what I have to do.

Feeling bold, and wanting a death wish may I add, Hill placed a heavily ringed hand on my knee, slowly massaging the bone.

"What brings a gorgeous woman like you here?" He asked, still smiling. I swear his teeth just shined.

I placed my now empty champagne glass on the table beside my seat, wishing now more than ever that I had brought my gun. That way, all I'd have to do was point and Hill would start babbling out any information I wanted. Unfortunately, I had to come unarmed. Then comes along that mystery Seeker agent telling me to seduce Hill. Well that is totally easy if the bulge in Hill's pants were any indication.

I mentally pictured myself beating the crap out of that Seeker agent while cutting off Hill's source of man pride and selling it to the black market. That would really make my day.

Apparently my physical reaction did not betray my dark thoughts for Hill shuffled closer, still smiling.

"You like music?" He asked.

I turned my head towards him and forced myself to plaster a fake smile.

"Yes I do. I love Austrian music specifically." I replied, trying to appear friendly, and to my utter disgust, sexually interested in Hill by crossing my legs to expose more skin.

Just my luck, Hill seemed to have got the message and daringly rubbed his hand across my thigh. I had to suppress a shudder as I forced myself to not swap his hand away. This was what needed to happen!

"I love music too," the pig err Hill, replied. "But mostly, I come here for the view."

I cocked an eyebrow in mock interest.

"Oh? You have an appreciation for art as well?"

Hill glanced at me, and then chuckled while looking away.

"Yeah, you could say that."

The way he chuckled gave me the creeps as I put two and two together to what he meant. Where's the damn butler when you need him?

Martin Hill turned his attention back towards me. He started leaned forward again, but I detoured by looking away.

"Oh look, that's such a lovely painting!" I said, attempting to provide a distraction.

Hill was visibly disappointed, but nevertheless leaned back onto his seat and glanced at the painting of interest.

"Yes indeed it is," he replied dryly. "It's 'The Annunciation' by Leonardo da Vinci. It was painted during 1472 to 1475. The amazing detail about this specific painting is that when it is observed under x-ray vision, Gabriel the angel disappears." He finished, a sense of pride accounted in his explanation.

I nodded, both as an excuse to keep him talking, but also in true interest. Da Vinci certainly was the most talented artist of his time.

"What's your reason behind the angel disappearing?" I asked curiously.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Hill look at me in surprise before turning back to the painting.

"I would have thought that it was a complete accident Gabriel disappears from view in x-ray vision. Studying the painting more though, I think that da Vinci did it on purpose."

It was my turn to glance at Hill at a loss.

"What makes you say that?"

Hill smiled slightly, seemingly amused at my question.

"There's always a force at work that is greater than man. We're all just puppets for the grand masters that decide how to rule the world." With that said, Hill turned his head towards me, a faraway look in his eyes.

What he described was sickeningly similar to our current state. If there was any doubt in my mind that this man was not affiliated with the Phantoms, this was hard evidence.

I was awakened from my contemplation by the movement of Hill gesturing the butler to come by. Once he did, Hill whispered something in his ear. Nodding in understanding, the butler walked towards the few occupants at the bar and after a brief talk, they all made their way towards the door. A few moments later, the sound of the door closing was the only thing that interrupted the now still silence.

Immediately I felt a cold object press at my throat. I realized that it was a knife, and Hill was the one holding it against me. I mentally cursed myself at my lack of alertness. This is SO not going according to plan.

I attempted to move, but the knife pressed harder against my throat.

"Don't even think of moving bitch." Hill hissed, his voice taking on a more fierce tone.

Oh great, I am alone in this isolated room with a knowledgeable psychopath holding a knife to my throat. Perfect; just perfect.

I calmed down, allowing my senses to heighten for any chance to escape. I had to overpower Hill so that the roles would change.

"So who brought you here, huh?" Hill asked. "Was it the government? Mike and his gang?"

Hill paused for a brief moment before pressing his mouth to my ear.

"Was it the Seekers?"

I didn't say anything, but that seemed to have been enough for Hill.

"Hah!" He exclaimed. "So the bastards did send you here! Fucking assholes."

"How did you know I wasn't here for your charm?" I remarked sarcastically. I know I really shouldn't be testing his patience given the situation, but I couldn't help it.

"Shut up!" He hissed again, pressing the knife tight enough that I think it drew blood. "You were very obvious if that's what you want to know. Your bosses should have trained you Seeker agents better in reconnaissance."

I gritted my teeth at the slight sting I felt from the cut. Oh man how I wish I could kick his ass.

"So what brings a Seeker agent to little old me?" Hill asked.

I started struggling, desperate to get an advantage over him.

"You're trying to get away huh? Well guess you shouldn't have played dress up if you didn't put your grown up panties on. How about I'll cut off a few fingers? That should get you talking."

"If you know what's best for you, you'd back away." A voice replied.

"What?" Hill stated, looking around for the source.

I just rolled my eyes. Does he really have to play knight in shining armour?

"Let the lady go, and you may walk away unharmed." The voice said again.

"Oh yeah? You think that a petty threat is gonna scare me? I'd be more worried about this pretty lady getting hurt." To emphasize his point, Hill pulled my hair, earning a loud groan from me, and pressed the knife harder on my jugulars.

My heavy heartbeat pressed against the blade, portraying my nervousness.

"I'll warn you one last time: let the lady go."

Hill snorted.

"How about I say go to hell?"

The last details were a blur for me. One minute Hill had a knife to me, the next I was pushed against the ground, the heavy weight on my back now gone. My mask also came off, exposing my flushed face to the cooler air. From where I laid on the floor, I could hear the sound of struggling as kicks and punches were exchanged. Finally, after a nasty sounding punch, the sound of someone to their knees and dropping to the floor. I heard footsteps come towards me, and I tensed until I looked up and saw who it was. Sky.

"Need help there, or are you just enjoying the view?" He joked.

I scowled at him before pushing myself up. As soon as I got on my two feet, I began to lose my balance. Luckily Sky reacted quickly and pressed me against him. Oh, not good! Not good!

"Are you alright agent Moore?" Sky asked, concern evident in his voice.

I mumbled in his shirt, but pulled away when I figured he couldn't understand me.

"I'm fine," I replied tiredly. "I just want to go home."

Sky nodded and I found myself pressing against his chest…his muscled chest. Had it been any other day, I would have blushed at the discovery, but at the moment I was simply too tired to care.

Courteously of him, Sky picked me up bridal style and did his mumbo jumbo Guardian thing. Before I knew it, we were back at my place. Sky set me down gently, and turned me around to face him.

"Are you sure that you are alright?" He repeated, his eyes giving away his concern.

I nodded, too tired to talk.

Sighing, Sky glanced at me again before rubbing my arm reassuringly. With that, he turned away and jumped over my balcony onto the street below.

By the time I arrived back at my apartment, it was past midnight. I carelessly slammed my balcony door and made my way to my bedroom. As soon as I was inside, I flopped down on my bed, completely exhausted that I didn't bother to take off my dress…nor did I notice the fresh red rose laying on my night stand.