Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 79726 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79726 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
He stands from his chair, the woman in his lap sliding to the floor. I don’t think she’s dead, just dazed from either blood loss or something else the vampire has done to her.
Vlad’s eyes blaze with something more than curiosity, and I look at the woman for longer than I ought. What exactly are the full powers of this creature in front of me? What sorts of magic might I gain from an exchange with him? Enough to be rid of my parasitic brother completely?
“You would betray your family?” Vlad asks, eyes still burning with intensity.
I shrug. “Betrayal is such a harsh word. Perhaps I just disagree with my brothers on the best way to work together. They’ve already decided to ally with you; I just think that means sharing all our information. I think together, our clans could become very, very powerful.”
I see his nostrils flare at that. Ah. I have hit the nail on the head. Desire for power is this man’s weakness.
He lifts his hand and snaps his fingers crisply. “Leave me, all of you.”
“But Father!” One of his sons, who also has a woman seated on his lap, immediately objects. “You can’t really—”
Vlad whips around and glares at the man. “Do you dare defy your father’s order?”
For a moment, they scowl at one another, and it’s difficult not to chuckle at the familiar power struggle between father and sons. Oh, I know it so well. In the end, like the obedient boys they are, they stand, abandoning their feedings and filing toward the door. Several shoot me killing glances, and I try to note their faces. Difficult when they all look so much alike. Romulus is the one who’s better with detail, but when I care about something, I can still do all right. I think I’ll remember which of these are the trouble-makers and who merely follow orders by rote.
Finally, Vlad and I are alone.
“Make it good. You’ve got three minutes before they come barging back in.”
I merely arch an eyebrow. “It’s in your best interest to keep them at bay,” I say. Then I drop my glamour and allow my wings to unfurl behind me to the rafters, my tail to whip free, and the angel spark I rarely allow free reign to glow from within my chest.
“Behold,” I say, “an angel of the Lord.”
Vlad lifts a hand and stumbles back as if my light will sear him to a crisp. I chuckle and drop the light show.
Vlad growls, and the next thing I know, he’s coming at me faster than I can track with my eyes. Instantaneously, he’s got my wings and back crushed against the stone wall, his arm at my throat, fangs bared. “Why shouldn’t I rip your throat out right here?”
I can only laugh. “Why? Because I revealed we’re powerful creatures?”
“You are from Heaven, and I’m from Hell,” he spat. “We’re natural enemies.”
I roll my eyes. “We’re not from heaven, and I don’t know where you’re from. I was just kidding with the whole angel of the Lord shtick. Yeah, we’re angels, but that’s just what they call us on this plane. We’re from a different realm and snuck our way onto this one. Probably like your ancestors somehow did. We’re just a non-native species, that’s all.”
His eyes widen when I speak of his ancestors, and his arm loosens ever so slightly from my throat. “So it’s true,” he whispers. “Spirits from other realms can break through.”
I shrug. “I’m not a spirit, but sure, pal. We figured out how to get here, and the humans sometimes worshipped us as gods.”
Vlad’s eyes light up at that. Ah, the thirst for power. He drops his arm completely. “Tell me more. Tell me everything.”
I hold up my hands. “Ah ah ah. Tit for tat. I’ll share when you do. I have a little problem I need your help with.”
His eyes narrow again.
“I’ve got this little parasite I need help with subduing.” I turn around and point to the back of my head.
Vlad makes a surprised, disturbed noise, and when I look back at him, he’s taken several steps back. Not wanting to get Layden in trouble, I say, “I heard that vampire blood could help me with this problem.” He told me it was an ingredient in some of his potions, but that he was only ever able to get blood from the youngest vampires. How powerful would blood from someone as old and ancient as Vlad be?
Vlad looks immediately pissed. “Our blood is sacrosanct! None of us would spill it for—”
I hold up my hands. “Then I guess our negotiations are over. It’s the blood—five vials worth, to be exact—or no more information.” I start to walk toward the door.
I can all but hear him going apoplectic behind me. “Wait,” he finally snaps right as I’m about to reach for the doorknob.