I frowned as Thomas’s gaze turned inward. Life drained from him and his breathing slowed and then stopped. An eternity seemed to pass as we drove.
“The first time I laid eyes on Connor was the proudest moment in my life,” Thomas said out of nowhere. “I understood so many things I never had before. He was a blessing. Until him, all I’d known was having things ripped from me one by one.”
There was pure devotion in Thomas’s voice as he spoke of his son.
“You don’t know what it’s like—watching your reason for being fade.” There was a lost sound in Thomas’s voice. As if he still didn’t understand how he’d ended up where he was. “You’re not supposed to bury your children, Aileen. Even humans understand this.
“I pretended to understand when he told me he didn’t want to be like me.” Thomas’ laugh was rough. “Though I admit, I was never certain what was so wrong with me that the very idea of becoming a vampire was anathema. I accepted my child’s decision, though.”
His gaze found mine, the pain in his eyes stealing my breath. “Years went by. I watched him get older. Each sunrise and sunset putting him a little closer to death.” He looked away with a shrug. “In the end, I snapped. He’s never forgiven me for that.”
I licked my dry lips, not knowing what to say to that.
“Centuries later and I’m still paying,” he whispered.
I wasn’t sure I was meant to hear that last part.
Thomas’s regret vanished like smoke. His gaze steady as he regarded me. “So, yes, I prefer you choose the option that is less likely to lead to your death.” He inclined his head. “But I know you won’t. You’re nothing if not predictable when the safety of your loved ones is involved.”
And here I thought we were having a moment. Then he had to go and ruin it.
“Call Connor back before you and Liam take off,” Thomas ordered, changing the subject. “He won’t listen to me, but I know he will you.”
“Wouldn’t it be good for us if he tracked Ahrun down?”
It seemed like an opportunity to remove the ancient from the chess board. If Dominick and his sire couldn’t find Ahrun, they might think twice about pursuing this course.
Thomas shook his head. “That would be unwise. Connor and Ahrun’s relationship is a tad fraught.”
That was ironic coming from him.
Thomas made a face. “Connor believes my father is responsible for his enslavement by Niamh.”
“Is he?”
“It’s impossible to tell,” Thomas admitted with a calm that made me want to shake him. “Ahrun’s disappearance coming almost immediately after Connor’s does seem to support that theory.”
“And you’re not angry about that?” I asked.
Thomas’s eyes landed on me. My mouth dried up.
Oh.
“Leave my relationship with my sire to me. For now, all you need to know is that it’s unwise for those two to meet.”
The SUV rolled to a stop, saving me from having to think of a suitable response.
To my surprise, we were nowhere near the Gargoyle or my house. Eric had taken us to the northwest side of the city. Somewhere close to the Scioto River and Bridgepark.
Liam climbed out, heading for an identical looking vehicle not far away.
“What happens if Dominick finds Ahrun first?” I asked.
“Is that concern for your sire I sense?”
“Never mind.” I slammed the door shut.
Worry was a waste of time when it came to him.
