She’d remained calm and collected throughout this entire matter.Her arms crossed loosely over her chest.He could easily remember her as Scout, going far behind enemy lines, creeping into enemy encampments, right up to their leaders to take them out.A snake without a head was not much of an opponent.
Caemorn nodded.“Or perhaps if we removed the feet altogether, I wonder if the healing would still continue when they were not attached to the body.”
“I’m holding him still.He can’t even kick, so I’m certain you could cut them off easily,” Dani suggested, knowing that Grayson was squeezing him in order to feel the structures inside.
“Oh, good show, Dani!Yes, it will be messy as it is simply removing the foot,” Balthazar told her.“If he were moving around as well–”
“You bastards!You fucking bastards!”the Mirryr Vampire shrieked.His eyes sought out Balthazar’s.“Why don’t you just look into my mind?Why all these games?Or are you all just fucking sadists?”
I can feel the structures in his mind, Balthazar,Grayson said, as he alternately squeezed and released him.
“I have him quite firmly,” Dani said, though she had done nothing.
The Mirryr Vampire looked confused.He clearly expected something to happen.Maybe Dani’s use of the gift was supposed to trigger that trap.But then, as if shrugging that off, he glared at Balthazar again.Grayson could feel the edges of the structure in his mind quite clearly.But something was different.It had changed somehow.Almost like when a mouse trap was set.
Balthazar, you just reached for your gift, yes?Grayson asked.
Yes, you felt that?Balthazar asked.
The structure in his mind did.The trap is set up to spring,Grayson told him.How would you normally invade his mind?
You wish me to explain–
Actually, no, no explanation necessary,Grayson quickly amended.It doesn’t matter.At least, it doesn’t matter if I understand.Another Eyros would understand it, right?So you need to do something different–way different–which no one would expect.
Okay.Okay.Okay,Balthazar said.I think I know....
For a moment, there was a frown of concentration on his face then it cleared and he was smiling.
I’m going in!Balthazar told him.
Be ready to pull out–
He felt the structure go hot.The Mirryr Vampire smiled.Grayson held strongly onto the structure, keeping the trap from springing shut.
Balthazar, pull out!Grayson warned
But Balthazar didn’t.He was frowning fully now.His silver eyes were gleaming.A cold wind from seemingly nowhere sprang up and blew through the room.Caemorn’s head snapped to Balthazar.Christian’s did as well a moment later.
The Kaly Bloodline gift!Julian breathed.He’s using it…
“I can feel…” Balthazar frowned.“I can feel it… I don’t know…”
Balthazar, you’re Kaly as well as Eyros,Grayson sent.Julian can feel you using it.So can the others.
What?No!That’s not… I’m not!
You are!Balthazar, I’m holding this open,Grayson growled.I can’t do it forever!
Ryder’s eyes were on him now.Sweat was coursing down Grayson’s brow.Concern was causing Ryder’s fangs to show.
Caemorn was beside Balthazar.He put a hand on Balthazar’s shoulder.“Show me.”
Balthazar though was shaking his head and trying to physically and mentally remove himself. “I can’t do this!I’m not–notyou!I–”
“You’re my fledgling.Youcando this,” Caemorn said firmly.
Balthazar’s head shot towards him.It was something he knew.Something they all knew.Buthearingit from Caemorn somehow made it through all of Balthazar’s defenses.
