her. She stripped, then sank down into the antique claw-foot tub, instantly lost in the sensation. As she relaxed her muscles, her tight emotions slowly unwound.
When the bubbles no longer popped and the water was more warm than hot, the bathroom door opened. She knew exactly who it’d be, so she kept her eyes closed. The sound of leather hitting the floor echoed in the bathroom, and when Kyden slid down in front her, the water rushed over the sides of the tub.
He grabbed her foot to rub along the arch. “Better now?”
“To the right a bit…ah, yes, right there.” She sighed, with her head against the rim of the tub. “Yeah, I’m okay.” At least she wasn’t crying anymore.
She’d spent a half-hour in Haven’s arms, which calmed her down enough to think straight. After everything she’d learned tonight about Lazarus’s intentions, she also realized she hardly knew anything about him. Before she could even understand how to deal with the future, she needed to know the past.
Opening her eyes, she lifted her head, staring into Kyden’s gentle eyes. “Can you tell me about what happened with Lazarus?”
He inclined his head, continuing to rub along the arch of her foot. “There are those who reject the Council’s beliefs. Just as in the Earthworld battles arise between those mortal beliefs. From what Talon has told me, Lazarus thinks the Council makes mistakes in their rulings, and he seeks to rule the worlds.”
“Both worlds?” Nexi asked, and at Kyden’s nod, she added, “You can’t be serious.”
“Sadly, I am.” He lowered her one foot, then took up the other and continued to massage her. “Lazarus believes vampires should have the right to kill mortals. That vampires are the superior species. He wishes to claim humans as slaves.”
Had anything ever sounded so insane? “I’m taking it that didn’t go over so well?”
Kyden’s thumbs pressed into a wonderful spot on her foot as he raised his brows in agreement. “Lazarus had tried to defeat Zade, as Master, years back, to take over his role so he could enforce these rules. When he failed, Lazarus retaliated, and gathered a group of wolves who pledged themselves to him.”
“Just like he did with the wolves now?”
“That’s right.”
She shook her head in confusion. “I don’t get it. What’s in it for the wolves? Why pledge themselves to this one vampire?”
“I’ll get to that, but let me explain the rest first.” She stayed silent, and he continued, “So, after he failed to defeat Zade, Lazarus attacked the Council and came very close to destroying everything we believe in.” Kyden gave her a pointed look. “Lazarus will stop at nothing until he destroys the Council to enforce his way of life.”
Nexi blinked. “He had enough strength at that time to almost defeat them?” Fear tightened her throat and coldness sank into her bones, regardless of the warm water around her.
Lazarus had that much power?
To attempt to take over the Council, how was that even possible?
Kyden hesitated, seemed to choose his words carefully. “Your mother gave him the elevated power.” At her obvious horrified confusion, he added, “Up until that time, it wasn’t common knowledge that if a vampire drained a witch to death her blood would give him enhanced abilities.”
She sighed. “I can’t believe vampires would do that to innocent witches.”
He nodded with eyes full of sympathy. “A month before her murder, the ability was discovered on an unrelated case, but spread like wildfire through the supernatural community. Many witches died and the Council had their hands full ridding the world of vampires who sought this type of power.”
“I’m guessing it stopped, though?”
“You’re right—it did.” He gave her arch a deep rub. “Witches got smart and kept together to fend off any attackers, and the Council made an example of any vampire who attempted this.” Darkness spread over his features. “I’ll spare you what the punishment looked like, but eventually the appeal faded.”
She pondered, and a curious thought rose. “So, after Lazarus failed in killing the Council, he focused on gaining this type of power?”
“He must’ve realized he’d never succeed without it. The Council is strong. No matter how many he had with him, their powers would destroy him.” Kyden sighed, long and deep, as his fingers swept over her foot. “Once he stole the enhanced power from your mother, he immediately attacked the Otherworld.”
Nexi nibbled her lip, thinking all this over. “All right. That all makes sense. But what doesn’t is why are wolves with him, not vampires? Don’t they