A Shade of Vampire 84 A Memory of Time - Bella Forrest Page 0,67

chance.

“I’ll help you find the Whips,” Petra said. A single tear rolled down her cheek, her lower lip trembling. “I’ll help you, just so this can all end.”

“If you help us, we’ll win. The Unending will be free, and you’ll likely lose your immortality,” Time replied. “Are you sure you want that?”

“As long as I get my family back, I don’t care. In hindsight, I should’ve found more comfort in knowing that there is something beyond death,” Petra declared. “Reapers, Death, ghouls, ghosts… they’re all proof of an afterlife. We tend to fear dying because we don’t know what exists beyond it. Or if there’s even anything there. Truth be told, it’s time I prepare myself for this passage. If the Unending lets me die of old age, I’ll be fine. I just want to see my boys grow up.”

Derek looked my way. “Esme, please cuff her.”

I didn’t hesitate, taking out a pair of wrist bands with Word magic inscriptions. I approached Petra carefully as she put her hands out once more, watching me like a hawk. My heart was beating faster than ever. I hadn’t been this close to her since she’d tried to kill me back at the Visentis mansion.

“Don’t flinch,” Petra whispered as I put one cuff on her left wrist. I heard the metal click, with only a half-second left to see her right hand coming up, claws long and sharp and eager to slice through my carotid.

“Esme!” Sofia shrieked.

I caught Petra’s loose hand and swerved around, twisting her arm in a painful maneuver in the process. She cried out as I jerked her hand upward, nearly dislocating her elbow. I reached for my pulverizer weapon and pressed its nozzle into the back of her head. “Try that again, Petra. I dare you.”

She giggled between agonized gasps. “Had to give it a shot, Esme. I hate you too much for taking my sons away to let you off the hook that easily.”

“Well, I’m the one with the power to kill you now. Don’t be stupid. You said you wanted to see your sons, and that means surviving. How do you plan to do that if you’re trying dumb stuff just to get to me, huh?”

“Okay, I yield!” Petra retorted, no longer able to take the pain.

I briefly released her and slapped the second cuff on, deciding she’d be a safer bet with her hands bound behind her back. A chain formed between her wrists. It appeared to be made of solidified light, glowing. I nearly burned myself touching it, so I moved around to face Petra again and gave her a warning look.

“Is that supposed to intimidate me?” she asked.

“No, it’s supposed to remind you that you’re on my turf now,” I replied dryly and pushed her over to Derek. He took a firm hold of her upper arm, while I lifted the scythe off the ground and handed it to Time. “Here. Best to keep it away from her. I should check for other weapons.”

“Go ahead, you won’t find any,” Petra said.

Time came closer after putting her scythe away and measured the high priestess from head to toe. “I think she’s clean.”

“You think?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “I will strip this monster bare, if I have to!”

“She’s clean. I don’t sense other weapons,” Time insisted. I took it as a mild reassurance. It was the best we could get in these dark times.

The protective shield shimmered as we approached it, reacting to our presence. Lumi’s hands came through as she pried it open. It looked like she’d simply pulled back a pair of curtains, allowing access for outsiders like Petra. Derek went in first with the high priestess still in his grip, followed by Sofia, Time, and me.

As soon as she set foot in Roano, Petra stopped, gazing around in fascination. “Wow, I haven’t been here in at least a couple of centuries. The ocean and the winds are doing a real number on this place. In about a thousand years or so, I doubt there will be anything left.”

“Your people caused this,” I reminded her.

“The Black Fever caused this,” she replied, raising an eyebrow as if I truly was the dumbest, most loathsome creature she’d ever had to deal with. It irked me, but there were many things I’d do for love. Putting up with her scheming ass was just one of them.

“The Darklings are responsible for the Black Fever through their pursuit of keeping the Unending bound to Visio,” Time said. “You