Page 148 of Eternal Obsession

“What is this?” Alex asked.

“What does it look like?” I asked.

“What are you doing to her?”

I pointed to the door. “This is kind of a private moment, so if you don’t mind . . .”

“Daumia!”

“What?”

“You said Jadeon had turned her!”

“Ah, I did, didn’t I? Well . . . sometimes I can be wrong.”

“You’re scaring her,” he said.

“No, you are,” I snapped.

“Orpheus?”

“Since when have you called me that?”

Alex glared at me.

“You betrayed me, Alexander. Consider this as part of your . . . punishment.” I knelt down to comfort Ingrid. She lay shaking, dazed upon the floor. “Now look what you’ve done. You know better than to startle her during the blood-sharing.”

“Leave her alone.”

“This has nothing to do with you.”

“She’s my friend,” he said.

“She wants to put you in jail again. Some friend.”

“She said that?”

“What do you think, Alex?”

“I think you’re lying again.”

“Like the lie you told me . . . about the ring?” I drew close to him. “You gave Jadeon the Sumerian ring, the one that Catherine gave to you. Don’t look surprised.”

“It was just a ring,” he yelled.

“No, Alex, not just a ring. Its markings are meant to lead the wearer to an ancient. As we speak, your brother is looking for Fabian Snowstrom. Well, there is no Fabian Snowstrom. He does not exist.”

“What are you talking about?”

“This is hardly the time.”

“Who is Jadeon meeting with?” Alex glanced down at Ingrid. “Why should I believe you?”

“Because of who I am.”

“Please.”

“I know that you and Catherine have conspired against me behind my back. All this time, you thought you had the upper hand.” I grasped Alex’s arm. “You are betraying me.”