Alston glanced around at their surroundings. “Let’s not do this out in the open. Anyone could be listening.”
The few streetlights near the bar were dim, and much of the street and sidewalk lay in shadow. Though it pained him to admit Alston was right, this was a discussion that needed to happen in private. Cain looked down at the car and swallowed, then ran his tongue across his fangs. He was thirsty. Not like that was new. He wasalwaysthirsty. His mouth felt dry like a desert that had gone much too long without rain. His eyes lifted to look at Alston, and he fought the urge to lunge over the vehicle and sink his teeth into an artery. He allowed himself to briefly think about the powerful blood that would quench his need. Feeding on fae wasn’t something that was done, mostly because the fae had an advantage over the vampires because of their magic. Though a vampire as old as Cain had the speed to get away from one. It could be a challenge considering the fae could also flash. Then there was the fact that at one time there weren’t fae galivanting around the human realm. They’d kept to themselves in their own realm. Regardless of those reasons, Cain’s thirst at the moment was so strong that the idea of being in an enclosed space with Alston caused him to question his own control. Taking a deep breath, he reminded himself that as soon as he was done with the high fae, he could go feed on one of his newly acquired pets. “Fine.” Cain huffed. “Get in.”
Cain started the car and pulled away, considering where to go. He didn’t want Alston near any of his covens. For his plan to work, it was imperative Alston remain ignorant as to just how many humans had been turned. And there were certain things happening at his coven that the fae couldn’t be allowed to see. His lips turned up slightly at the thought of his new endeavor. Cain had been a busy vampire in the past couple of months since the Order’s compound had been destroyed. Turns out, Peri had actually done him a favor.
“How is it that Peri managed to survive the cold fire?” Cain pressed his foot down on the accelerator and headed onto the freeway, going in the opposite direction of his current coven. Alston needed to be removed before he discovered Cain’s plans. The longer he let the fae live, the more likely he would work out what Cain was up to.
Alston sighed. “I honestly don’t have a clue.” His voice was rough with what Cain interpreted to be frustration. “Perizada always seems to be able to accomplish the impossible.”
“Is that admiration I hear in your voice?” Cain taunted.
“Please.” Alston spat the word. “If I had any admiration for the female, it would only be because she has an uncanny ability to keep from dying.” He shifted in his seat and rested his elbow against the door. “But I’m too annoyed to be impressed.”
After several minutes of driving in silence, Alston pointed to an exit ramp. “Pull off here and find a deserted spot to park. We need to make a trip to Ludcarab’s castle.”
Cain bit his tongue to keep from telling Alston to shove his orders up his uppity fae ass. Instead, he did as the fae instructed. Cain drove a few hundred yards down a dirt road and parked the car behind a tree. Cain practically leapt from the car, needing to get away from the sound of the high fae’s beating heart. Damn, he needed to feed. Alston held out his arm to Cain. A second later, they flashed and reappeared in a field. Cain saw nothing but trees and grass. He turned in a slow circle, searching for Ludcarab’s castle. The vampire’s eyes widened when his gaze landed on a giant, blackened patch of rubble covered in ash. “Thatwas Ludcarab’s castle? Are you sure you took us to the right place?”
Alston scoffed. “I don’t make ridiculous mistakes. This is most definitely where his castle once stood.”
Cain let out a low whistle as he walked toward the ruins. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Alston moving alongside him. There was very little left standing of the old structure. A few pieces of blackened, broken stone walls looked ready to topple at any minute. The rest was nothing but small bits of debris and ash.
“This wasn’t a natural fire.” Alston grabbed Cain’s arm and pulled him to a stop.
“Let me guess.” Cain folded his arms across his chest. “There’s a magical signature, and it belongs to our impossible-to-kill enemy fae?”
“It’s the same magic that covers the hand,” Alston confirmed. “And it wasn’t left by accident. They wanted us to know. They expect us to be shaking in our boots.”
Cain’s cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw the number of one of his most trusted lieutenants. He punched a button and said, “Ralph, what do you know?”
“We have found more body parts,” the vampire answered.
Cain’s fist clenched. “How many more?”
Ralph cleared his throat. “Well, basically all of him … except his head.”
“And the pieces?” Cain asked.
“On their way to the main coven.”
Cain thought about what to do with the remains of the elf king. He could send them back to the Romanian wolves with a message of his own. He quickly dismissed that idea. It was too soon to reveal his hand. “Burn them,” he finally said.
“You got it, boss.”
Cain hung up and turned his attention back to Alston.
“Ralph?” Alston asked with a snort. “What kind of vampire name is that?”
“Apparently it was the name his parents gave him at birth.” Cain slipped his phone back into his pocket. “He decided not to take a new vampire name. I think he finds humor in the irony of a bad ass vamp being called Ralph.”
Alston tilted his head. “Wait, vampires get new names?”
Cain chuckled. “No. I’m messing with you.”
“Your sense of humor leaves much to be desired.” Alston stuck his nose in the air, looking down at Cain as if the vampire was beneath him.
“I don’t think you’re the foremost authority on jokes. Not to mention, I really don’t give a shit what you think.” Cain smiled, revealing all of his teeth. He ran a tongue across one of his fangs.
The high fae rolled his eyes and waved him off. “The girl is gone, and Ludcarab is dead. We need to come up with a new plan.”
