Gwala nodded in affirmation.
“Well, that proves it. That means he was able to communicate telepathically from Costa Rica all the way to me in San Diego! I don’t even have the power of telepathy at all. I’m afraid there’s a mistake somewhere.”
He rose out of his chair so he was able to lean across the table, and placed his hand over mine. “My dear little warlock, there is no mistake. As I have told you, I was already aware that you do not yet know your power.”
“I don’t have that much power!”
He patted my hand like he would a small child. “You do. When you used your power to locate the Square, the strength of your power was captured and acknowledged. There is a constant search the world over for a witch with such extreme power. You are the strongest we have found in centuries, much stronger than Omar. It matters not if you know your own strength. You will be taught. Omar will teach you.” He hesitated momentarily, irritation showing across his face. “True, I am uncertain if he will be accommodating since his jealousy is so rampant, and there is little else to motivate him lately. But that changes not the fact of your power. Omar will retain his position until you have learned just what lives inside you.”
I searched his dark eyes in desperation. I had no idea what I hoped to find, but regardless, I found nothing for hope to cling to. “Why do you even need a witch? What could we do for you that you can’t do yourself? You’re the Royal Family. You are the most powerful race there is—” I nearly said “except demons” but managed to stop myself in time.
He sighed and returned to his seated position. “Your innocence is delicious. Just because we are the most powerful species does not mean we are all-powerful. If you recall, I could not communicate with you across the miles. Only Omar had that ability. I do not have to possess it within my own body to wield ultimate power. I simply must control it. That is true power.”
I couldn’t keep my astonishment out of my voice. “So you want me to be your long-distance phone provider?”
Gwala’s lips tightened. “I will not accept insolence, witch. Guest or not. You are not that innocent.”
“Your Excellency—”
Gwala’s gaze flashed toward Schwint.
“Forgive me. Finn truly is unaware of such things. He didn’t even know much about my culture and common known facts of fairies. He means no disrespect.” Schwint’s voice was strong and steady, but I could hear the desperation behind his words.
The vampire king glared at Schwint, then returned to me, studying me until I grew hot under his gaze. After long enough that I thought he was going to lash out with his hand and slit my throat, he finally spoke. “The power to communicate across countries and continents is the least of the roles you will fulfill. You will maintain the Cathedral’s protection, if not improve it over what Omar could achieve. You will provide any and every need that vampiric power does not supply. You will sustain and hopefully accelerate the Vampire Cathedral’s greatest assets, which you will see in time.” He stood once more, hands firm upon the tabletop. “Your roles and responsibilities will be endless, as will your rewards and accolades.”
I met his stare and refused to look away but did my best to keep a challenge out of my words. “For how long?”
“Have I not made it clear you will have an extended life?”
My heart clinched in pain at the confirmation of a life sentence. More than, it seemed. “And my sister?”
“She will be well taken care of. Given luxury equal to yours.”
Schwint must have known what I was going to say because he squeezed my leg so tightly it hurt. I ignored him.
“When can she go home?”
“She will stay as long as you are under our protection. We will offer her the same gift of life that we will bestow upon you.”
“No! You can’t! I won’t—”
Schwint’s voice was nearly a shout. “I’ll take her place!” Gwala’s fierce gaze flashed to him, and Schwint lowered his volume but managed to keep his voice steady. “I will take her place. If it please you, I will stay. If you need a capti… if you need someone near that Finn loves.”
“Yes, you will be here. I confess, we have never allowed a mate to reside here before, but I believe we have learned from our errors with Omar.”
Hope sounded in Schwint’s voice. I couldn’t believe he was really offering such a sacrifice. “You’ll allow me to take Cynthia’s place?”
Gwala laughed, all softness gone from both his voice and his expression. “No. Love of a mate may fade and die over the years and be as useful as a bloodless corpse. No. The enchanting witch will stay, as will her brother. She is the only captive, which is the term I believe you started to use, as much as I find it offensive. Both you and the warlock are free to come and go from the Cathedral as you desire, unless we require specific service from you.” He turned to me. “Which will be often. You and your fairy mate are not prisoners. You are an employee as such, and he”—he flicked a finger toward Schwint—“is your guest as long as you desire. However, should either of you choose to no longer remain under our protection or leave this peninsula, I will be forced to have an experiment of my own. You see, while I am very devoted to my new queen, I must admit I would be most ecstatic if your sister might prove the one demon descendant that could successfully transition from witch to vampire.”
Eight
BRETT WRIGHT
Water radiatedfrom my outstretched hands, the strength of the current causing twin cyclones to spread out nearly fifty feet in front of me. The farther they pushed through the water, the wider their diameter of impact. As they reached the massive body of the decaying sperm whale, pressure shoved back on the palms of my hands. With doubled effort, the swirling torrents gushed forth, emptying from somewhere within me. The whale cadaver rocked as if caught in a minor breeze. Another outpouring of power through my fingers and the whale lifted and shot backward amid a flurry of decomposing flesh particles.
Laughing, I shook my head at Wrell.“You’ve got to be kidding.”I motioned toward a small squid darting by.“I’d be lucky to make that little guy notice me, let alone move that rotting monstrosity even an inch!”
His chiseled face grew even more serious as he projected another image of the whale washing away in a stream of demon-made currents.
