the stab wound in my side had healed immensely. It was an ugly pink scar now. Maybe being a vampire would have been better after all.
“It’s more than that though, isn’t it?” I touched Arys’s arm, making him turn back to me. His eyes were red with blood tears he refused to let fall. “You had a chance to change the future. To change what the witch showed you. But, you didn’t. Because you want it.”
He stared at the floor as if seeing something I couldn’t see. His shoulders shook with pent up emotion. I needed him to tell me I was right. His resistance only made it worse.
“You have to admit to yourself and to me that you want it,” I demanded, growing angry. “You crave my death for yourself, and that’s why you’re putting us both through such hell.”
Truth shone like a beacon in his eyes when he looked up. He tried to hide it, but I had already seen. After a strained moment he said, “I do. God I hate myself, but I want to be the one.”
I expected to feel anger or maybe even sorrow. I just felt relieved. Kale had told me once that Arys would long for my death, to drain the life from me himself. He said it was the only way Arys would ever fulfill his need to consume me, to claim me in every way. I still didn’t entirely understand; I wasn’t sure I wanted to.
“You can’t turn Gabriel,” I said. “He’s so young, and he has enough to deal with as it is. What’s Shya thinking?”
“He needs Gabriel to work the spell he’s been seeking. Making the kid a vampire makes him harder to kill.” Arys sighed. “My concern is for you. I had no choice but to tell Shya what he wanted to hear.”
“It’s your bloodline,” I whispered, feeling the urge to look over my shoulder. “Shya could have any vampire do it but to insist on you? The vampires in your bloodline are deadly. He’s going to turn Gabriel into a black magic killing machine.”
“And, use him to work the spell that will use your death to open the door.” Arys’s voice echoed through the room. The heat of his sudden anger scorched my insides. Just as fast as it rose, it dissipated. “Let’s not discuss this right now. Your friends are waiting for you, and this isn’t a safe place.”
He slipped his t-shirt over his head and marched toward the door, pausing to hold a hand out to me. I hurried to catch up, wincing in pain. My bruised, battered body was stiff and sore.
Arys was more conflicted than I’d known, and he did a damn good job of hiding it. Worry gripped my heart in icy hands.
As we exited Lilah’s sacrificial room from hell, Falon entered. He closed the double doors behind him. I imagined he would clean the place up, as if nothing had ever happened here. I owed him a kick in the nuts. Or two. Though he’d freed my sister, he had taken extra liberties by smacking me around. I wouldn’t forget that.
Broken glass and debris from fallen paintings and photos littered the hall. We emerged in the foyer to find Jez, Juliet and Willow along with two brown wolves I recognized as Coby and Kylarai. My eyes filled with happy tears. They had come for me.
My sister was first to grab me in a hug. I savored her scent and the way she felt in my arms. FPA or not, I was not letting anything come between us again. A sob choked me, and I tightened my grip, wishing I never had to let go.
“Are you ok?” I smoothed a hand through her hair, searching her for serious injury. “Did anyone hurt you?”
“No, I’m fine. Thanks to Falon.” She handed me the Dragon Claw. “Very impressive weapon.”
“It’s only as good as the one who wields it.” I smiled through the tears.
We all had our share of injuries, even poor Willow with his silver wound. Nothing we wouldn’t all survive though.
Kylarai and Coby had taken down the vampires guarding the exterior as well as those who tried to escape. It was no easy task, but one they had accomplished well together. Tongue lolling in joy despite an angry cut over one eye, Coby gave my hand an affectionate nuzzle.
“Everything ok?” Jez asked, a knowing look in her emerald eyes.
“Not as far as Shya is concerned, but overall, yeah, it’s ok.” I sighed, feeling