Chapter 23 - IQ 147
Chapter 23 - IQ 147
ALEXEI Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.
—What? — My lungs suddenly seem to have forgotten to do their job properly —. Xander... What are
you talking about?
—I'm sorry, Magnus — he mumbles nervously —. With everything that's happened, I've forgotten — I
notice his hands are shaking slightly and the eyes are wandering across the room, avoiding mine.
He's scared and now I'm anxious to know what he has to show me. I stroke his cheek gently, sliding my
fingers across his skin, down the contoured chin, lifting his face up, getting him to look at me again. His
pupils are dilated and constantly chews on his lower lip, leaving it red and shiny with saliva. I swallow a
sigh and try to concentrate on the subject.
—Tell me, kitty. Talk to me, I'm here for you — I try to keep my voice low and serene, I don't want him
to feel pressured to do anything he doesn't want to do.
—I have... I mean... — his hands are clinging tightly to my shirt —. If my equipment wasn't
disconnected during my... Absence — his gaze goes down in sorrow, before reconnecting it to mine —.
I may have evidence from inside Dimitri's mansion — I press my grip around him unconsciously, my
body is stiff and immobile as I watch Xander trapped in my arms.
—What are you talking about? — my tone a little more hostile than I intended, but I couldn't help it. If
what Xander says is true, we'd have a huge advantage over Dimitri.
—My piercing... My eyebrow piercing — he points with a small finger at the silver ring piercing in the
left eyebrow —. It's a camera.
—What?! — I immediately regret my reaction when Xander is startled —. I'm sorry, kitty. Forgive me —
I rush to soothe him, running a hand through his hair repeatedly and leaving soft kisses on his face —.
But, Xander...
—I know. Believe me, I know — Looking away again at the revelation of my unspoken words.
The possibility that everything and I mean everything, has been recorded through that tiny camera on
his eyebrow is incredibly high, and the possibility that he is willing to expose that traumatic and
humiliating part of his recent past makes me incredibly proud.
There is no doubt about how brave and strong he is to be capable of facing it, especially so soon.
—I have to check my equipment first to be sure — he says after a moment of silence —. Didn't you
unplug it while I was gone?
—No. Everything was left as it was, except for when we had to do it before we came here — he nods
and slowly separates from me.
—Will you come with me? — A bit shy and insecure —. I don't want to do it alone.
—Of course, kitty. You don't even have to ask — I watch his Adam's apple move up and down before
turning, dress up quickly and head for the exit. I rush to follow him and now we're heading for the office
I set up for him.
Anxiety flows through my entire body, although I try to suppress it as much as I can since I don't want
him to feel it through our bond. By the time we get there, the room is in absolute darkness, so I hurry to
turn on the light as Xander initiates the computer. We both sit at the desk and stare at the startup logo
until he finally enters the main menu screen.
—Videos are deleted at the end of each month due to a setting I established — his hand rests on the
mouse and moves it, clicking on a series of encrypted and password-protected folders. I make sure to
save all his movements in my memory, just in case they are needed in the future —.if you ever need
access, the password is "MagnusCooky38".
—MagnusCooky38? — I ask with a laugh —. Really?
—Yes, you idiot — he stops to playfully punch my arm, but the smile on his face reveals to me that he
is not truly angry —. Don't mock, it's clever, no one would think of it — he turns and puts his attention
back to the screen.
—No, you're probably right — but I'm still laughing, relieved to have released some of the tension in the
air.
—Here they are — announces after a few seconds, pointing to a large number of videos with serial
numbers as titles. There are about fifteen, maybe more —. The recordings are automatically cut at
midnight and resumed at one o'clock in the morning.
—Doesn't matter how far away you are from your computer? — I ask surprised.
—No, the recording, once ready, is encrypted and uploaded to an untraceable email account and then
redirected to my computer — turning to see me —. As long as there is a source of Internet access, it
doesn't matter where in the world I am, the information will be properly stored.
—Well, it's a relief that Dimitri was stupid enough not to have his Wi-Fi protected — being ironic,
causing him to giggle.
—I don't think he's that stupid or careless. But the range of my little piercing here... — points back to
the pretty ring —. It's about two square miles. So someone within that limit did have their Wi-Fi without
a password.
—Two fucking square miles?! — My eyes open wide and I lean forward, closer to him —. Damn it,
Xander! Where did you get such a thing? — My eyes narrow, I look in shock at his pierced eyebrow —.
That thing is tiny for the amount of power and utility it has.
—I designed it myself — he reveals, excited, though he still laughs at my reaction —. One hundred and
forty-seven IQ, remember? — proud, while flicking his eyelashes.
—You should be working on bloody NASA, kitty — unable (or unwilling) to resist, I end up extinguishing
the short distance between our faces and I kiss him.
Fervently and intensely our lips move, savoring each other, and taking advantage of the solitude to
express our profound and powerful love. I do this because the carnal need, whenever I am with him, is
immense, almost overwhelming. But also because I know that what is about to happen next will be
quite a challenge and, although I do not doubt for a millisecond of his courage, I want him to be aware
that I will be here for him.
Xander groans softly between the kiss and that's when I force myself, with great effort and regret, to
split, ignoring the persistent and painful beat of my dick. Before I can't avoid taking things to the next
level, abusing his confidence. He gasps and leans his forehead against mine, while I try to get air into
my lungs again.
—I want to, Magnus — his voice just in a pitiful whisper, and I can see the emotional conflict developing
inside him —. But I don't know if I'm ready yet. I... — I place a finger on his lips, stopping him.
—You don't have to explain anything to me, let alone excuse yourself, Xander. Not now, not ever —
calmly but firmly, trying to express my sincerity —. I'll wait as long as you need it. The last thing I want
is for you to feel obligated to reciprocate. Okay? — He nods slightly —. Good, because I mean it. Only
when you're ready. Completely ready.
—I love you, Magnus. I truly do — he sobs sadly —. I don't know if I'm ready to see what's on those
videos and I don't want you to either. But I understand that it's necessary and, if it's going to help stop
Dimitri from continuing to cause harm to everyone around him, I'll take my chances.
He holds my face and whispers over my lips —. I just don't want you to hate me for it — My heart is
squeezed inside my chest and I feel like an incredible weight is resting on my back.
—What are you talking about? — confusion and anger battling inside me —. Why would I hate you? —
I separate from him so I can watch him in the eye —. He forced you, obliged you to do something you
didn't want to do, Xander. He took something from you that you weren't even willing to offer him and
nearly destroyed you. I could never hate you for that. Are you crazy? Why would you think something
like that?
—I... I don't know — tears slide down the cheeks and his body shakes. I approach and embrace him,
he sinks the face into my neck and inhales, managing to calm down almost immediately —.I thought
that... You wouldn't want me again when you found out that someone else could... Could have...
—Well, you thought wrong — I assure and interrupted him.
—It's just that I feel so dirty, Magnus — panting and my heart seems to be cracking some more —. So
broken, impotent. That I am no longer worthy of you. Please, help me — his arms encircle my neck and
press firmly —. I need you... So much.
—You have me, kitty — my throat is burning as I try to hold back the crying —. Everything about me,
you have it. Stop tormenting yourself like this. You're my partner, my life, the meaning of my existence.
If I have to repeat every minute how much I love you and how happy you make me, I will do it without
any doubts.
He kisses my neck and I shudder at the sensation of his sweet lips on my skin. We lasted a long time
there, hugging and saying nothing more to one another. Xander has stayed so still in my arms that I
thought he had fallen asleep, so I'm surprised when he finally wriggles out of my reach.
—Thank you — whispers, wiping the moisture from his cheeks with the shirt sleeves —. You make me
happy too, Magnus. Without you, I'd never overcome all this — he smiles at me and points at the
screen —. Shall we see them now?
—Yes, but we'll avoid the one that contains that... Event. Okay? — He nods and crosses the legs under
his body —. We'll focus on collecting as much information from the place as possible, every little detail
— I pause before adding —. Are you sure you want to do this? — he stares at me and in his eyes I can
see the determination and confidence burning brightly.
—Yes, let's do it.