“Lucien has a spell. Repeat these words.”
I resist the urge to question what he’s talking about and wait for whatever I’m supposed to say.
“Blood to blood, I call the debt,”Terrin’s tiny voice begins. I repeat the words, spreading my hands wide.“Ancient bound, your sun is set. By my will and fire’s breath, I claim your heart and summon death.”
Terrin’s voice goes silent in my head just as I finish the last word.“Terrin?”
“What are you saying?” Callum asks. His voice has changed from anger to confusion. Holes begin to form in the wings that took up most of the space of the attic, allowing light to flow through them. The glow behind him and through the wings makes him almost look angelic.
For a brief minute, the ancient vampire looks confused. Like his wings, the skin covering his arms and hands begins to disintegrate, reminding me of a melting candle. He pulls his hands in front of his face. “What is this? What is happening?”
“You’re dying,” Harrison says, slowly standing. The perfect gentleman he usually portrays is covered in dried blood and looks more human than I’ve ever seen him.
Callum laughs. “That’s impossible. I’m immortal.”
Through a moment of bravery, or stupidity, I step in front of the monster. “Even immortal monsters can die.”
“You’re foolish. You’re all foolish.” Callum retracts what’s left of his wings. One of the wings breaks in the attempt, while the other cracks loudly as it disappears into his back. “You can’t kill me.”
“Wedidn’t,” Phillipe answers. “Magic did.”
The remaining skin on Callum cracks even more.Bright light breaks through the skin, sending blinding light throughout the attic.
“Even monsters can’t fight magic,” I spew.
Something takes control of the ancient vampire, lifting him from the ground. His arms are stretched wide as blinding light flows through and from his body. What’s left of his skin melts, leaving the remains of what was once a man. The scream that leaves his mouth is ear-piercing, no doubt heard in every corner of New Orleans. I cover my ears, trying to block the sound.
Callum’s body lifts prostrate to the ceiling. The screaming stops as every bone in his body breaks simultaneously, folding him into something that strangely reminds me of a wadded-up piece of paper. With a heavy thud, what remains of the ancient vampire falls to the floor, landing in a pool of blood and body parts.
No one speaks.
TWENTY-FIVE
i’m officially resigning
“What in thebloody hell just happened?” Erick asks, breaking the silence.
“Violet killed Callum,” Phillipe answers. His voice is monotone, as if it’s an everyday occurrence.
“I…I didn’t kill him. Did I?” I ask.
“The words you spoke killed him,” Harrison says, looking at me. “Where did you learn that?”
“I didn’t learn it. Terrin told me what to say.” All three vampires look at me, trying to piece the confusing parts of the puzzle together. “In my head. He told me in my head.” I close my eyes. “Never mind. I can’t explain it.”
“Violet,” a weak voice says from across the room. “It’s Cyrus,” Simon says. He’s in human form and lying across his friend. I’m at their side a heartbeat later.
“Cyrus?” I ask, putting my hand on his bare back.
“Help me turn him,” Simon says, using whatremains of his strength to flip my buyer from his stomach to his back.
“Why isn’t he healing?” I ask. The moment his body turns, the reason is obvious.
“Shit,” Erick whispers.
“He’s still alive,” Harrison announces. “If he were dead, he would already be dust.”
I stare at the large piece of wood protruding from his chest. Wrapping my hands around it, I’m about to pull it free when Phillipe’s hands cover mine. “That’s not a good idea, Violet. The wood is likely touching the edge of his heart. Everything in this building has been blessed and or cursed, which makes it more powerful than normal wood. One millimeter of movement could cause it to tear into the organ and kill him instantly.”
