“Let’s hope it’s still there or was picked up by someone on our side,” Zyacus said, giving me a small smile. Let’s hope.
“If there’s nothing else, may we go see Aric?” the woman asked.
“Can we say goodbye first?” Zyacus shifted toward the stairs. “At least let me reassure him you’re here to help. He’s restrained.”
“We’ll wait here,” Kyan answered.
Before we went up, I looked at Kyan. “Thank you. For protecting me against Senica with the spell.”
He smiled, his onyx eye pinned to mine. “Of course. I worried he’d try to take you and well if I couldn’t be there to stop him, then at least I could protect your mind. Senica’s ability was mind influence. It worked better if the person was inebriated. He probably drugged Aric.”
“I appreciate your help,” I said. “I wish we could have helped Aric.”
“I had no idea he wanted to use him,” Kyan said, solemnly. “As someone whose been exactly where Aric is, I’ll help him the best I can.”
Bindy already waited outside the room standing guard when we got there. Probably making sure he didn’t get out as much as ensuring no one went in. “Some good vampires are here to take him away,” I said. “We want to say goodbye.”
Bindy nodded and opened the door. Aric sat on the bed staring at the floor. He looked up but didn’t budge. “The restraints keep him from being able to move from the shoulders down,” Bindy said.
His nostrils flared when we stepped into the room, a big reminder of what he’d become. I could see in Zyacus’s face that it pained him to even look at Aric. “Go away,” Aric said without any anger.
“Kyan is here with some of his friends. They want to help.”
“I want to die, Zyacus.” Tears welled up. “I don’t want to have to drink blood to survive. I’ve been prepared to die since I realized what this mark on my wrist could be. Please, if you love me—if you care about me at all, cut my head off and tell my mother and father I’m sorry.”
My throat burned and my eyes stung, and damn, this was tearing me up. To hear his plea, to know he’d rather be dead than be what he’d become hurt me more than I thought it would. He was our sweet, fun, caring friend and it took everything in me not to let out the sob aching to escape.
“I can’t,” Zyacus choked out and I had to turn away or a waterfall of tears would burst. “I do love you, cousin and that’s why I can’t. One day you’ll be fine; you’ll be happy to be here even if it’s not how you imagined your life would be. Learn to control it.” Zyacus put a hand on Aric’s shoulder. “You are a warrior, a prince, and a damn good man, and this is not your end.”
Tears ran down my cheeks. Ugh these two, it was worse than if Legacy were here.
Zyacus took my hand and we paused at the door. “I’ll see you as soon as you’re ready.”
“Goodbye, Aric,” I said softly. Nothing I could say would top what Zyacus already had.
“Tell Legacy—” Aric paused. “Tell her to forget about me and move on.”
Zyacus only nodded and when we got to the bottom of the stairs the vampires went up.
Chapter 37
Before we did anything else Zyacus and I went outside to look for the scepter. Something like that was dangerous in the wrong hands, clearly. As the back doors opened and I turned to walk down the steps, a man crouched beside Vyce, holding the golden rod in hand.
His warm brown leathers were different than anything we wore. The golden hair waving down his back was half tied up to reveal pointed ears. I’d never seen the tips of ears like that before and I simply stared at them curiously.
Whipping his head around, he stood and there was something about his presence that made me want to step back. He radiated power.
A spinning, glowing orange ring that reminded me of little crackling fireworks, formed beside him, large enough for him to walk through. When he stepped toward it I held out my hand. “Wait.”
Zyacus, who hadn’t moved since we came out the doors, darted down the steps. “We need that!” he shouted. The man didn’t look at Zyacus but he did stare at me and his face was strangely perfect, almost like he wasn’t real. When Zyacus got closer the man stepped through the ring, disappearing, then it was gone. “Damn it!”
“Have you ever seen someone like that before?” I asked as Zyacus walked toward me.
He shook his head. “With pointy ears? No. I’ve also never seen someone open a portal like that. It’s different than your mother’s.”
I ran my fingers through my disheveled hair. “I have a feeling we’ll see him again.”
∞∞∞
We waited at the academy until a portal opened. Everyone present, tensed. Normally my mother was the only one to open portals. The men holding the two academy students wore expressions of stone. Another man wearing an all-black suit came in behind them. Milky white skin, auburn hair slicked back and crimson eyes. “Good evening,” his voice echoed off the walls.
I wasn’t sure if this was the remaining dark coven leader or a good vampire. My father drew his sword and stepped out from everyone. “Release them.”
“But of course,” the man purred. “I didn’t come to fight.” The male vampires set the unconscious boy and girl on the stone floor. I recognized the boy from one of my classes. Both of them were Delhoon.
My mother joined at my father’s side, sparks crackling from her fingers. “Did you coordinate the attack?”
Lifting his chin, the man said, “Forgive me, I am Demetrius. Greater vampire, leader of the light coven. No, the attack was not my doing. However the return of your children is. I ask that you not retaliate.”
“Why wouldn’t we?” Father asked.
“First
