Caemorn’s only answer was a mental clasp again.Balthzar wondered if the Kaly Vampire even knew he was doing it.And he wondered at himself at how hungry and pleased he was for the affection from Caemorn.
I see him as my Master.Good gods, I really do,Balthazar realized.
It was not necessarily a new realization, but it was somehow a deeper one than before.But he put it aside for now and turned to his own beloved fledgling.He clasped Christian’s shoulders.
“I need you to remain with Grayson and Fiona,” he said to Christian.“I need you to keep them safe.Call your protective spirits like Caemorn taught you.”
Christian nodded even as his eyes scanned Balthazar’s face.Just like he could, his fledgling could know all of his thoughts if he wanted to, but Christian never looked unless or until Balthazar told him too.But there was something in his fledgling’s eyes tonight that told him Christian knew that there had been revelation.
“Master is loved,” Elgar whispered and his silver eyes shimmered with happy tears this time.
He could have meant that Christian loved him–which he did–or that Elgar himself loved Balthazar–which he did as well–but he meant Caemorn.Caemornlovedhim and helovedCaemorn.
Good grief.Yes, of course, it’s been this way for some time
“And I love my fledglings,” Balthazar said with a watery smile too.“Love them totally.”
He removed his fingers from underneath Elgar’s chin.But Elgar did not look away.
I love you,Balthazar sent to both Christian’s quick-silver mind and Elgar’s deep and velvety shadowed one.
Yes, Master,both of them sent back with waves of adoration.
Now that perked him right up.
“So if you’re going to fight evil, what are we doing?”Grayson asked.
“We’ll go to the dorms.Grayson, you need food and rest,” Christian said.
“Good.I’ll keep you apprised,” Balthazar promised.
Like with Caemorn, he allowed his Childe to see everything going on through him.Christian nodded.Grayson was scowling.He’d balled one hand up on his right thigh and was thumping it against his jean-clad leg.
“Too weak,” Grayson muttered.
Christian dropped down on his haunches in front of Grayson and said, “Not at all.You brought a tidal wave down and I know you’ve done much more this night in addition to that.”
“But–”
“I know.But you’ve chosen to stay human for a good reason. Ryder and the students will be okay.Let us do our part, General,” Christian said.
Grayson’s eyes widened at the title Daemon had given him long ago on a new fledgling’s lips.“Oh, I–”
“You forget that you have your troops to command,” Fiona added gently.“So the battle is not just between you and them.”
Grayson’s shoulders slumped and he nodded.“I’d just be a burden anyway.”His head lifted quickly though as he pleaded, “Please don’t let Roan and Legion win.Bring us victory, Eyros.”
Balthazar nodded.“I will, Ashyr.”
“We must go, Master,” Elgar urged.
“Yes, it is past time,” Balthazar agreed.
Despite Sabine retreating from him earlier, she was the one to transport him to Daemon’s tomb.Elgar and Aurela appeared beside them.Despite a whirlwind of Zradum-killing there were still plenty of the creatures emerging from the tomb in a seemingly unending stream.Sabine and Aurela teleported away again, but immediately returned with shovels.Balthazar lifted an eyebrow at Sabine.
She colored and said.“I figured these would make it easier to splat them.”
She gestured with the shovel towards an invisible Zradum on the ground that she pretended to squish.
