night as I went to sleep, I prayed for him to pick me.” Turning to face Liz, Maze’s expression was unreadable. “And he did. While I slept, he slaughtered my family, but decided to let me live as his servant. I’ve been passed from one vampire to the next, ever since.”
Maze came back to the bedside and sat down next to Liz. Even in the darkness, Liz could see the memory wasn’t one Maze was used to sharing. The vampire’s face was streaked with tears and dirt. Without even thinking, Liz reached up and brushed the lump of hair that had fallen into Maze’s eyes. The vampire tensed, her eyes darkening.
“I’m sorry,” Liz said, surprised she meant it. “That must have sucked.”
“Maybe at the time,” Maze shrugged. “But I can’t remember now, so it doesn’t matter.”
Liz looked down at the box on her bed, dreading its content. She didn’t think Maze had forgotten how it felt to remember. She couldn’t have been much older than a teen when she went to bed dreaming about getting married, only to awaken to an eternity of hell. Like Riley’s story – there was a terrible injustice to it all.
“Why do you have to serve? Why can’t you do what you want? Go where you want to go?” It seemed simple enough. Maze wasn’t exactly a Lon Cheney double. She could probably rule her own nest of night crawlers.
“I’ve always belonged to a male. I wouldn’t know how to live differently.”
Liz knew what Maze meant. When she lived with the Captain, he made her feel like she was incapable of thinking for herself. Under his thumb, she was always second guessing her decisions. It wasn’t until she was moved in with Bev that Liz realized independence took time but one could get the hang of it.
“Times have changed. You don’t need me to tell you that. But, I think you might want to consider getting out of here and trying it alone. Garrick’s a total ass-hat. You can do much better.”
Liz wasn’t sure, but she thought she heard the vampire chuckle.
“Maybe,” Maze replied, her tone a bit lighter. “But what about you? Garrick will bleed you dry and right before your heart gives out, he’ll make you drink from him, becoming one of us.”
“I don’t know,” Liz sighed, once again feeling hopeless with dread. “If there was a way I could pass the buck, I would.”
“There might be,” Maze replied, staring at the box.
23
BRADEN
Riley paced the floor. “I’m telling you, I can’t just march her out the front door.”
“I know,” Braden replied. His head still felt like someone left a boot print in it. “But, it beats jumping with her out the God damn window.”
“I’m draugar Braden. I can land on my feet,” Riley retorted.
“She isn’t. You can’t take the risk.”
Braden ran his hands through his hair, trying to think. There had to be a way to get her out of there, if he knew the layout of the place better, he could at least come up with a plan that didn’t involve any danger for her sake.
“Torin took on a werewolf by himself. He was strong enough to kill him,” Braden said, hoping to find a solution.
“That little shit?” Riley asked. “I remember what a turd he was. How did he do that?”
“He’s not shit. He’s my best friend. Werewolves can’t handle silver. He tore open the bastard’s throat and shoved a silver necklace inside. They regenerate like we do. The silver burned its head off.”
Riley looked surprised. “Well done.”
“Yeah, well, he did it to save Lexie, his fate-partner.”
“He’s already got one? Where’s the time gone?”
Braden didn’t answer. Instead he thought about the silver and the way the lycans died. “What about draugar? How do you die?”
“The same way we were told as kids. Fire, sunlight, staking, beheading…” Riley stopped pacing with a violent suddenness. Whipping his head around, he stared at the door.
Strix was back, his chalky voice argued with the guards on the other side of the wall. Braden clenched his fingers into a tight fist. From the urgency of the small vampire’s tone, he knew something was up.
“It’s almost morning,” Riley said, listening intently. “Garrick wants everyone upstairs.”
A wave of cold went over Braden. If they didn’t act fast, Liz would be Garrick’s new bride.
The door clicked open and Strix slid his way in. Although Braden refused to allow his expression to shift, he feared the news about to be shared.
Licking his lips, Strix looked from Riley to Braden, before