“How does it work?”
“It’s a combination of virus and sorcery. It destroys oxygen on contact, feeds on it like fire, but faster. Everything human will die. One vial will wipe out this entire country. He brought demons here from all over the world to solicit their help in releasing it.”
“They’re here in the castle?”
“No, Albany.”
The conference. “Is he working with vampires?”
“Vampires?” The old man looked startled. “Aren’t they extinct?”
Everyone seemed to think so, except the vampires. If Druan had formed an alliance with the undead, he would have to keep it quiet. The Dark One wouldn’t tolerate it. But it made no sense for the vampires to help Druan eliminate their food source.
“Druan wouldn’t work with vampires if they did exist. He can barely tolerate his own kind.”
Then what were they doing here? “Where is Druan?”
“I think he’s with the woman. He had something urgent to do.”
“The woman? Bree?”
“He didn’t say for sure—”
Faelan lifted the man by his shirt, dangling his feet off the floor. “What has he done with her? Tell me now, or I’ll kill you myself.”
The old man trembled. “I don’t know. I swear on my mother’s grave. He just said he had something important to do. He doesn’t trust me. He doesn’t trust anyone.”
Faelan dropped the man, swallowing back the pain. “Can you think of any place he’d take her? Somewhere hidden.”
“The secret passages.”
“We’ve checked there.”
“I’d tell you if I knew. I tried to warn her when she called, but he almost caught me.”
Faelan would have to get rid of the virus first, then find Druan, shackle him and force him to tell where Bree was. “Is this all of the virus?”
“It is. I packed it myself. Be careful. Once these vials are opened, nothing can stop it.”
“The virus won’t be released.”
“How can you stop it? It’d take a miracle—”
“I know someone in the miracle business. Close your eyes.” Faelan pulled his talisman from his shirt. “Better yet. Don’t blink.” He couldn’t let this monster live to create another virus.
The sorcerer didn’t hear him. He was staring past Faelan, his features twisted with terror. Druan stood in the open doorway, wearing his human shell, his gaze darting from Faelan to the box. The sorcerer ran toward the open window. Faelan grabbed for him, but it was too late. The old man plunged over the side with a scream, leaving Faelan with a torn piece of shirt in his hand.
“Good riddance. Saves me the mess.” Druan closed the door. After glancing at the ruined lock, he lowered an iron bar that must have been there since the castle was built.
It took all of Faelan’s willpower not to destroy Druan on the spot, but he had to find Bree first. “Where is she?”
“My human?” Druan laughed, but the sound was cold, hard.
“She’s not yours,” Faelan growled.
“Ah, but she is, warrior. I’ve watched over her for a long time. While you slept, I watched her grow. And after I rid this planet of its blight, I’ll need a few mixed breeds for slaves. Bree will make an excellent mother, don’t you think?”
Faelan wanted to shred Druan into pieces with his bare hands, feel his bones crunch and tissue tear. “Tell me where she is.”
“Where only I can find her. You believed she was a demon, didn’t you? When all she’d done was try to save you, which I’m punishing her for, even as we speak. Then I’ll practice this forgiveness your God is so fond of and make her mine.”
Every part of him seethed with panic and rage. Before he could judge the wisdom of it, Faelan sent his dirk sailing through the air. It struck Druan mid-chest, and the demon screeched. He ripped it out and flung it to the floor, hate oozing from eyes already starting to shift. His bones lengthened and skin bulged grotesquely, as he transformed into his natural form, towering over Faelan.
Faelan was no stranger to demons, but the sight and smell was still repulsive. “Tell me where she is, or I’ll destroy you now and find her myself,” Faelan snarled, his hand twitching over his talisman, the other tight on his sword.
“You’ll never find her in your lifetime. Not even two. I’ve saved the best trick for last.”
“Did you hurt her?”
Druan threw back his gray head and laughed again, a slimy hissing sound. “Did I mate with her? Not yet. But I will. In and out of my human shell.”
“You won’t get the chance,” Faelan said.
