Page 175 of Eternal Craving

“Perhaps Jacob feels your sense of immortality?”

“I’m leaving.” I headed for the door.

“There are some who believe that there is only one way to rid the city of the Black Death.”

I paused in the doorway. “Why are you telling me this?”

“I’m telling you why I’m here,” he said. “Generations ago,theystarted a fire. It swept through London and gutted the city.”

“The disease got out of hand?” My voice was barely a whisper, as I realized where this was going. “They tried to suppress it with fire?”

He nodded. “This plague is even worse than before. Imagine how they’ll handle it now.”

“That was Roman’s secret?” I turned to face him.

Elijah gave me an unpleasant smile. “During the time Roman spent amongst the Stone Masters, he gathered information that hinted that they planned a repeat of 1212.”

“Are you saying that Archer plans to burn down the cityagain? Did Delacroix tell you this?”

“Yes.”

“And you believe him?”

Elijah dismissed my remark with a wave of his hand. “Archer found out that Roman spied on him.”

“Roman was betrayed.”

“He was, and when Delacroix discovered who’d double-crossed his brother, he seduced him, luring the boy vampire with the promise that he would one day rule at his side.”

“Benjamin?”

He nodded. “Roman’s assistant. The Stone Masters captured Benjamin and only let him go because he swore to deliver his master to them. An ancient’s blood is worth more. Benjamin had no idea about Roman’s secret.” Elijah stared at me with that empty expression of his. “Delacroix brought Roman back to life.”

“Well, if you call having your head attached to someone else’s body being brought back,” I said.

“Delacroix was desperate to discover the Stone Masters’ plan.”

“So he’s not mad after all.” I let out a laugh. “Perhaps I should rephrase that.”

I had an awful flashback of being strapped into Delacroix’s torture chair.Jitters slithered down my spine.

“Your inability to stay in the shadows has caused rumors to circulate.” Elijah frowned. “If people needed proof of our kind, you’ve given it to them.”

“You’re exaggerating,” I said with a shrug. “Why didn’t Roman just leave the city?”

“The Stone Masters are growing exponentially.”

I realized that if another fire swept through the capital, Jacob would be caught in the middle of it.

“I’m here to get Jacob out of London,” Elijah said, having infringed upon my thoughts.

I secured my mind from any further breach. “You have no right to go anywhere near him. You’re insane.”

“You always were arrogant,” he said, sighing. “When you drank from Delacroix, you became privy to information that can stop Archer.”

“Why don’t you ask Delacroix?”

“He’s not talking.”