“So that’s why you aren’t as concerned about what happens this time around,” Ryder realized.“You trust her to have molded things to work out.”
Caemorn nodded.“Some will die.Some will suffer.But in the end, I am not a pawn.You are not a pawn.Balthazar, Fiona, Grayson, Christian and Julian are not pawns.So we shall be fine and part of Daemon’s glorious future.”
Ryder wanted that to be so.But they had already suffered and died to just gethereso…
“True, but I died.You died.Grayson–”
“Death is nothing, Ryder.Surely you understand this now?”
“I don’t want to begin again.I don’t wish to lose Grayson once more.Not even for a moment,” Ryder told him.“I’m still so–so fragile.He is too.We can’t be apart from one another.”
“You will not.”Caemorn pulled out a handful of large soul gems.“If something were to happen to you, I would save your soul and bring you back.It is no small matter.”
“And if something happens to you?”Ryder pointed out.
“I have… backups,” Caemorn said vaguely then muttered, “One of whom thinks that he is singular.”
“Do you really think that Roan Tithe is still out there?”Ryder asked.
Another nod.“And likely working with Legion.”
A harsh breath whistled between Ryder’s teeth.“Of course, he would be.”
“And even if Legion thinks that they are smart enough to outwit him–”
“They aren’t.”Ryder grimaced.“Don’t get me wrong.Legion is cunning and their instincts are second to none, but you–I mean Roan–”
“No, you meanme,” Caemorn corrected.
The Kaly Vampire did not appear offended in any way.Caemorn had always accepted every bad thing about himself, but now, it mattered.Maybe because of Balthazar or Christian or Julian or Daemon or all of them.But Caemorn never denied who and what he was.He just tried to be different.He wouldn’t avoid knowing himself as Ryder was doing.
“You’re so much more than him,” Ryder finished lamely.
Caemorn did not even acknowledge the compliment.Maybe because it went without saying.It wasn’t a compliment but a fact.A simple, terrible fact.
And then Ryderfeltit.
The danger.
The skin between his shoulder blades twitched.Adrenaline flooded his bloodstream.He breathed in deeply, searching for a scent that spoke of danger.But there was nothing.Yet his heart was beating like a drum.
Tarn and Farn looked at him and then at each other before staring out at the woods.But they saw nothing, sensed nothing.Yet Ryder’s fangs were out.
“Ryder?”Caemorn asked, then his head lifted as they both heard Balthazar’s voice.
We have a problem!Balthazar’s voice was filled with alarm, but also controlled.A weapon was placed inside the Helm basement.Grayson brought it back to life.It is hunting him.
Ryder wasn’t thinking as he turned towards the high, tall wall of Nightvallen.He would leap to the top and over.He would then shift into birds before flying right to where his beloved was.
But there was a spear tip in his way.
Borage!Ryder’s head jerked up.Caemorn!
“Remove that before I turn it into scrap metal!”Ryder growled.
“Think, Ryder!A weaponplacedin the Helm basement?Grayson triggering it?What does that sound like to you?”Caemorn asked, his voice still calm, but intent.
That cut through Ryder’s fear for his lover.“Trap?”
