Page 152 of Eternal Surrender

“Was gone.” Alistair took a shallow breath.

“So all that time they were guarding nothing?” Ingrid asked, her tone confused.

“Nothing but a lie,” said Alistair. “Have you any idea of the lives that could have been wasted standing watch?”

“What became of the monks?” Ingrid asked.

“They knew they’d be blamed for Dominion’s disappearance. They fled Cornwall.”

He was telling us too much, and I was plagued with the distinct impression we weren’t the only ones in the park.

“We were betrayed,” Alistair continued. “By the very men who’d commissioned us to guard over Dominion.” His eyelids widened. “The Stone Masters stole our beloved Dominatio. Though we had no idea of when. Then, they turned him against us. The Stone Masters threatened that Dominion would slay every last member of Sovereign. The very servants who’d offered their lives to protect him. The threat went further. Once we were all decimated, the job done, Dominion would be crowned the next Stone Master.” Alistair spat the words. “An abomination.”

“That’s why you’re hunting him?” I asked. “To get to him before he gets to you?”

Alistair’s lips formed a sinister smile. “When we find him, he’ll regret his betrayal. Dominion will beg for forgiveness. None shall be given.”

“Why are Sovereign poisoning vampires?” I asked.

“And with what?” Ingrid asked.

He tapped his temple. “The answers.”

Alistair flew backward with my fangs lodged in his neck and my lips pressed against his throat, blood bursting into my mouth. . . The taste peculiar.

I’d attacked him too rashly; fulfilling his will.

I shoved him back. The metallic tang reached my throat and raged on into my nostrils causing me to wretch. Having not swallowed, I’d barely saved myself from the poison.

Alistair looked surprised. “How old are you?” he muttered, nervously.

Hinting that the older the vampire, the more likely they’d be to taste the blood was tainted. But not the younger ones, the more vulnerable.

I wiped my mouth with my sleeve, staining the cuff scarlet. “You’re trying to control vampires before they control you?” I asked, having stolen the answer.

He stared at me as though hoping the poison would take effect. Though soon realizing that wasn’t going to happen, he slid his right hand into his jacket and removed a small pistol.

Terror shot up my spine when he pointed it at Ingrid.

“Inspector, you’re coming with me,” he said. “I’m here to save you from yourself!”

“Put the gun down.” She raised her hands in defense.

“Are you refusing?” he asked, his demeanor insistent.

“I won’t go with you,” she said.

“William.” He glanced my way. “Let her go.”

“That’s not my decision,” I said.

“Please, Alistair,” Ingrid tried to get through to him, “let’s discuss this.”

“My orders were clear,” he said, “no negotiation.” His finger squeezed the trigger.

A shot rang out.

I swept Ingrid up and dove to our left, shielding her, twisting my torso, but the bullets found me, piercing between my shoulder blades, burning holes on their way through. Ingrid had slipped from my grasp, rolling several feet away. I crashed to the ground and lay motionless, paralyzed.