She only nodded, clearly not believing him.
Cethin grabbed a shirt and slipped on shoes before he Traveled. Not to the kitchens, but to the Greybane Estate, directly into Tybalt’s study. The male was seated behind his desk, bent over a map, but he looked up at Cethin’s appearance.
Sitting back in his chair, Tybalt’s keen gaze swept over him before he said, “The area is secure. The Cadre is monitoring all the known sites for the foreseeable future.”
Cethin nodded. “And thenagasky?”
“Was returned to its place of slumber. The Elder Clan members were also collected by their brethren. They were not happy, Cethin,” Tybalt answered.
“That makes two of us,” Cethin retorted, stepping between the chairs before the desk to peer at the map. Jarek, Fallon, and Draven were monitoring the western half of the kingdom, while Ariadne, Bram, and Tybalt were taking the eastern half. “Have there been any other stirrings?”
“Not from the creatures of old, but the Elder Clans requested a meeting,” Tybalt replied. “This isn’t good, Cethin. Things with them have been tense since your mother.”
“My mother is the cause of many things,” Cethin muttered. “But we can discuss this later. I came here because I need blood, Tybalt.”
The male straightened. “And I’m going to tell you that’s not a wise idea.”
“We have rations stored for emergencies. This is one,” Cethin replied. “I’m drained. It makes me…restless and irritable. Next week is the Union Celebration, and with the way things have been going lately, I’d prefer my reserves be full for that occasion.”
Tybalt rubbed his temple, the hesitation clear.
“Unless you have other news I need to be made aware of, it’s the only option,” Cethin added. “Have you heard from her?”
Tybalt shook his head. “You know the cost of this?”
“It’s been years since I’ve consumed rations,” Cethin countered.
“It doesn’t matter. Time doesn’t erase the damage already done.”
“It’s not a request, Tybalt,” he said. “The Elder Clan is restless. These phantoms are unpredictable. The creatures of old are stirring?—”
“Ever since Kailia showed up,” Tybalt cut in. “Surely you realize that? You’ve put the correlation together?”
“Kailia is not what we’re discussing right now,” Cethin snapped. “You and I both know what happens if my reserves are completely drained. We can’t afford for me to go into the kind of slumber that will be required to fill my power even a fraction.”
“And the amount of Fae blood it will require to fill your powers is large enough to push you over a different edge, Cethin. I cannot permit it,” Tybalt said, shaking his head in refusal.
“Then what do you propose? I do not have a Source. I do not have a Guardian. My only options are blood or time. One of those I have. One I do not,” Cethin retorted.
“This is why a Fae as a partner would have been a wiser choice,” Tybalt sighed, rubbing at his temple again.
“Do not give me your opinion on that matter again,” he replied, his tone low and dark.
“She’s part of something bigger, and you refuse to see it,” Tybalt growled.
“She’ll be the salvation of this kingdom.”
“That may be true,” Tybalt agreed, pushing to his feet. “But she’ll beyourdownfall in the process.”
He moved to the wall behind his desk, pressing his palm flush against it. Magic rippled, black flames skittering across the surface before the wall dissolved, revealing a large icebox. Cethin came to his side, pressing his palm beside Tybalt’s, the last of his magic appearing, faint and weak, alongside another burst of dragon fire.
The door to the icebox opened, revealing several dozen bottles of Fae blood. Reaching in, he grabbed two, downing the first one entirely. He hadn’t been lying. It had been decadessince he’d tasted Fae blood, but the rush of power through his veins was nearly as divine as being between a female’s legs. There was a high and a peace and the feeling of never wanting to leave this state of mind.
The sharp snick of the icebox closing drew him back to reality, and he glared at the Commander. He could have let him enjoy the moment a little longer. At least he still had another bottle.
“Be careful, Cethin,” Tybalt warned. “I say this not as the Commander of your forces, but as a male who watched you grow into who you are today. Be careful.”
“Two bottles won’t bring the curse upon me,” he retorted, stepping back and preparing to leave.
