Ryder snapped, “Grayson is not some control freak, Caemorn.He’s–”
“I am not criticizing,” Caemorn said.“His control has kept us safe for a very long time.Hence why I eliminated him first.And now, why I advise him.”Caemorn turned his gaze upon Grayson again.“I would not bother saying anything if I did not think you worthy of support.”
“Your idea of support is grating, Caemorn.”Ryder frowned at him.
“No, it isn’t.It’s refreshing.I like it,” Grayson said with a wan smile.“I want you to keep speaking the truth as you see it, Caemorn.”
“Even if it is grating and unwelcome?”Caemorn asked.
“Especiallyif it is,” Grayson told him.
Caemon inclined his head and turned away.Ryder looked down upon Grayson.
“We need to hear the things he has to say.I’m glad.Seriously.And I want you to speak up too.”Grayson caressed his cheek.“I do listen to you.I do.”
“Then I think we deal with your mother sooner rather than later,” Ryder said.
Grayson closed his eyes, but after a long breath, nodded.“Okay.”
They followed after Caemorn.He had not gone far, but was standing inside a larger room than the ones that they had gone through so far.It was filled with plain, white sarcophagi with no statues adorning the tops.But on top of them were the Sect members.
The Mirryr Vampire still wore Ryder’s face and form, which had his teeth on edge.Looking at him, Ryder couldn’t see the resemblance really.It was a meat sack that didn’t move like he moved.Didn’t interact with the world with his deliberateness or soul.It was not him.
No wonder Grayson knew it wasn’t me.Or maybe it just seems obvious to me because I know it isn’t me now.Would I say the same of someone else?
The Siryn Vampire was a slip of a girl.She looked no more than fourteen.Ryder frowned when he saw her.In the past, turning children into Vampires had been accepted.Truly who had been considered achildhad changed vastly in even the few hundred years he’d lived.Fourteen meant marriage and even children back then.But his eyes now saw her differently.She was an adult inside.She had been an adult when turned.But society now viewed her as a child and she was limited in many, many ways big and small.
She would have reason to not like this world and the order in it, Ryder thought.Someone who could be turned by the Sect of Dawn to their side of things.
Her mouth was filled with a rag and tied shut.She wouldn’t be able to sing her way out of this.Her eyes looked huge in her heart-shaped face.Short dark hair framed an almost elfen appearance.
She might look innocent but she commanded people to watch Grayson’s death.So I have no pity for her,Ryder thought.
Both were strapped to the sarcophagi by metal chains that glowed with the same strange glow as some of the soul gems.Ryder wondered if souls were bonded to that metal and what effect that had on them.
“Ryder,” Demos said as he came over shadowed by Siban.
Ryder grasped Demos’ proffered hand and gripped it firmly while he squeezed Siban’s shoulder with the other.“Glad you’re both here.”
“Only had a glimpse of the party from the outside.Looked like fun,” Demos chuckled.
“You would have enjoyed it.Especially the end,” Ryder told him.
“I bet.Hey, Grayson,” Demos said with a nod of his head.
Grayson smiled at him, but he looked nervous, small, young.Demos frowned, but then he suddenly changed his behavior.Becoming gentler as if he were dealing with a small kitten rather than Ashyr reborn.
“You don’t have to worry, Grayson.They can’t hurt you.We’ve got them,” Demos said.“Weryn won’t let them do anything.”
“I–I know,” Grayson said and swallowed, drawing nearer to Ryder’s body as if sheltering against it.
He’s playing a role.Innocent, helpless human.
That’s exactly what he’s doing.He’s decided to surprise them,Balthazar said in his head.He was standing between the prisoners, glancing at one then the other.Christian stood with him.You need to give him an excuse to stay in the room.I have a suggestion if you want to hear it.
What?
You’re big, bad Weryn.You want him to know he’s safe.Even in a roomful of enemies with you by his side, Balthazar said.
