“You aremyChilde.You are so very powerful in my gift,” Caemorn told Balthazar.“You can do this.”
“I… But…”
“I am with you, Balthazar.We can do this together,” Caemorn said, and Grayson knew how hard these words were to utter in front of others.To expose himself in front of others.
Oh, Caemorn, you’re still blaming yourself for everything,Julian thought sadly.But at least you know that you’re not alone anymore.
“Why do you think Bone Bear comes into your bed?”Caemorn continued when Balthazar just stared at him.
“Because you have a very strange sense of humor!”Balthazar bleated.
“I do, but that’s not why.Balthazar, it comes to you, wants to be with you, becauseyouare its Master.Its creator,” Caemorn told him.
“You’re joking!”Balthazar’s eyes were filled with tears.
“You know I don’t joke,” Caemorn answered.“Often.Or very successfully.”
“Fuck,” Balthazar said and looked back at the Mirryr Vampire then back up to Grayson, but he said to Dani, “Dani, can you keep him still for me a moment longer?”
I can, Balthazar.But you’ve got to make it quick,Grayson said.
Grayson felt one corner of the structure being grasped somehow.It was Balthazar, but he wasn’t sure how he was doing it.There was a firmtugand the structure completely unraveled.But the moment the structure was gone, the Mirryr Vampire let out a gasp of air.A single gasp.
“Oh, goodness, looks like I’ve killed him,” Balthazar murmured.“That wasn’t to plan.”
“On the contrary, this is perfect,” Caemorn said.He had a soul gem in his left hand.It was clear and big as a pigeon’s egg.He swept his right hand over the corpse and the gem suddenly filled with a pulsing, blue-white light.He smiled.It was not a nice smile.“I have his soul.And there is nothing standing between me and knowing what he knows now.”
The structure is gone,Grayson realized, letting go of the lifeless body.The soul is helpless against Kaly.
The Siryn Vampire’s terror and confusion was clear from her face as Caemorn–the Immortal Kaly–swept oover to her and leaned over her.
“You will be kept alive.For now.I want my fledgling to practice this new ability, my dear,” Caemorn said softly.“So don’t you worry your little head about it.”
She fell into unconsciousness.And Grayson was pretty sure it was simply from sheer terror at what she saw in the Lord of Death’s face.
Together
“I’m going to carry you home,” Ryder purred in Grayson’s left ear as the front doors to the Kaly Palace closed behind them.
“Which home?Your palace or the dorms?”Grayson couldn’t help the cheeky smile that appeared on his face.He hadn’t yet seen their bedroom in the palace.It would be all furs and fire.
“I wish it was the palace, butrules.”Ryder rolled his silver eyes.
Grayson let out a bark of laughter.“After tonight’s party at the Mirryrs where every single rule was broken, you’re still going to follow them?”
“We must try.”
“I can practically feel Balthazar cheering from here and he’s not in my head.”
“Yes, I’m sure.But he has perhaps earned it.”
Grayson nodded.“Yes, yes, he has.”
While Fiona had teleported back to her palace–she’d offered them a lift, but they’d declined–Christian, Julian and Balthazar had remained behind in the Kaly Palace to stay with Caemorn for the night.They’d left Balthazar prattling happily again at how brilliant he was withbothgifts.Bone Bear had even appeared and sat beside his chair.Balthazar had been patting him happily while the big beast let out content sounds.
Even as they left, the palace had already been changed to adjust for Balthazar’s presence.Jewel colors flowed over everything.The rooms became cozier.If anyone had believed that Kaly was incapable of feelings–which Grayson had never thought–they would only have to see how warmth filled the Kaly Palace to see how wrong they were.Everywhere Balthazar went, the palace reflected whathewanted.Kaly’s own desire was forBalthazarto be comfortable, safe and happy.
Kaly is the most romantic of us all.He even gives Daemon a run for the money.To think he should be so devoted to Eyros.A Childe of his very own.
