Drake clenched his hands at his side. Dolt? No one called him a dolt.
"It would not have been necessary had you not lied to me."
The words seemed to ring in the air for a nerve-wracking moment before the fog shifted in a foreboding manner.
"Lied? You have become overly bold, Drake. Take care I am not forced to teach you a rather unpleasant lesson in humility."
In spite of himself, Drake felt himself pressing closer to the moldy wall.
"Did you attempt to destroy Sebastian?"
"You must be confused. I do not answer to you."
"I believe I have earned the right to some explanation. You requested that I leave the Veil to retrieve the Medallion. You also specifically warned me that it would be my duty to ensure that Sebastian did not pose a problem. Have you altered your plans?"
The low laugh sent a chill down Drake's spine. "Do you mean, have I chosen to retrieve the Medallion without your incompetent assistance?"
Drake silently added the insult to the list of others, reassuring himself that his sweet revenge would come the moment he held the Medallion.
As long as he gained command of the artifact. At the moment that was all that was important.
"Yes."
"It is a temptation, I must admit," the vampire drawled. "I chose what I thought to be three ruthless hunters and was rewarded with cowardly fools."
"I am no coward," Drake snapped.
"Ah, then you have retrieved the amulet?"
"Not as yet, but I will have it in my hands within a few days."
The vampire gave a disgusted grunt. "The same promise made by both Amadeus and Tristan before they were destroyed."
Drake shrugged off the words. He did not desire to be compared with such fools.
"I will not fail."
"That remains to be seen."
He hardened his features in grim determination, "You have not answered my question. Do you seek to retrieve the Medallion for yourself?"
The fog shifted, but even as Drake stiffened in fear, it deliberately settled in the center of the room.
"If that was my desire, then the Medallion would be mine."
Drake cautiously released the breath he had unconsciously sucked in. "Then why did you attack Sebastian?"
"You try your luck, Drake. My actions are not your concern."
"I have put myself at considerable risk for you."
"With the promise of great power as a reward," the fog hissed in return.
Drake tilted his chin, although he was careful to keep himself firmly against the wall.
"Only if you do not decide to withhold the rewards."
That horrid, rasping laugh once again echoed through the cottage, sending the few remaining rats scurrying into the night.