Page 47 of The Vampire's Lament
He always called me that. Back then, I loved to hear him say it, in the foolish days of loving him. Now it rankled, contributing to my hatred.
Watch for a weakness, then strike.
If Hal was dead, then he’d have to find another mage to possess. And I’d spill all the mage blood in the world if it meant stopping him.
Would you?
I bared my fangs at him, my fury scalding hot. “I’ll tear you apart.”
He nodded. “I understand, darling. I really do. You’re hurt, you’re angry with me. I would be too, if I cared enough.” Hescratched at the bushy beard. “But I won’t apologize for being smart enough to seduce you and end your brother.”
Those words were enough to send me at him, anger a drum in my chest.
He threw me back with a quickly spoken spell again.
“Shut your mouth!” I hollered, my disgust a mold on my soul.
Menace swam over Hal’s features. “Your survival is an irritating complication. An error on my part for not digging deeper into the lore of vampire monarch succession.”
Lucius naming me successor saved my race from extinction.
“What do you want?” I demanded, holding onto myself by a thread.
“That’s your question?” He shook his head. “Dominance, obviously.” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, I just wanted to say hello. I shall now take my leave.” His grin was wicked. “I’ve just been talking with Paris on that island of yours. What a charming elf he is.”
His name increased the flame beneath my rage.
He knew.
He knew.
He knew.
“You’re a lucky vampire,” he added. “Maybe one day I’ll get to savor elvish lips.” He brought a finger up to Hal’s. “Hold on, I already have.” Aidan threw his head back, howling with laughter. Golden light wove around his body, fringed with shadow. “Until next time, darling!”
He vanished.
The storm crashed outside, mirroring the turmoil of my inner thoughts. Aidan and Paris, two men who’d upturned my life, both fuel for my desires and my wrath in equal measure.
Vaughn said something, but his voice was a muffled sound through my rage.
What had they been talking about on the island? Me? Plotting their next moves together? After all, Paris spent his life devoted to the deity. Truth of Aidan’s lies aside, the elf’s loyalty wouldn’t be so easy to break free from. His love for his god would morph into something new, transforming Paris into a different kind of acolyte.
Yes. They were conspiring against me. Two thorns to be removed, to be cleansed from existence.
I heard my name again while my body tensed, while fresh desire for violence flared.
Paris knew this attack would happen and didn’t tell me. He needed to be punished.
You’re being irrational,my mind warned.
Maybe I was, but when rage took the wheel, wrapped in heartbreak, it wasn’t easy to find the brakes.
“I’m coming for you,” I growled.
Vaughn spoke again, but I charged across the ballroom, launching myself out a broken window.
I’m coming, Paris Raine…
