My hand fluttered at my throat. “Whatdid you offer?”
“You would’ve done the same thing.” Vexxion’s head cocked, and he paused as if listening to a voice echoing in a world beyond this one. “I’m not the only one who has bargained with this Liege.”
Everyone started asking questions, the uproar turning into shrill barks in my mind. Until I held up my hand, and they went silent.
It would do no good to remind Vexxion that I hadn’t offered him the chance to look at my mind, though perhaps I should’ve.
“You’re too willing to sacrifice yourself for everyone else.” I stroked his arm, craving the understanding I willingly gave him.
“So are you.” His arm went around me, and he kissed the top of my head before he stepped away from me, facing the Liege again.
“We’ll figure this out,” Zayde said in a reasonable tone. “Let the Liege go, Vexxion. He got past our wards, but rather than kill us, he strolled, more or less, into the room.” He took Layla’s hand and tugged her into his side, putting a protective arm around her back.
Irritation and dismay dueled on Vexxion’s face before he lowered the Liege to its bony feet with a clatter. His threads remained coiled around the Liege’s throat in a noose.
Aunt Vera strode over to stand in front of the Liege. She actually dared to reach inside his hood and hold his face, tilting it this way and that before releasing him. “We can trust him. Somewhat.” She backed away and collapsed into a chair, though her attention remained fixed on the menace looming within the room. “What did Vexxion offer?”
“Blood,” the Liege hissed.
“You can’t have his blood,” I snapped. The Liege in the cave had craved my blood. He’d sucked it from the dirt even as I was drawing my sword up to impale him.
“Anything,” Vexxion said softly. “I would’ve given anything to free you.” A look of resignation crossed his face, and he released his threads. With a sigh, he strode close to the Liege.
I rushed forward to worm my way between them. “Why do you need blood?”
I felt the Liege grin. “You know why, pretty one.”
For one moment, I swore mist rose between us. Inside the manor? It wasn’t possible.
“You use it to create more dregs,” I said.
He shook his head. “Red rivers create a song with each pulsation.”
“Don’t speak in riddles. How do you use the blood?” I cried out. I would not allow this creature to take from Vexxion. I’d find a way to break the promise he’d made.
The Liege advanced on me. “Fulfill your part of our bargain, pretty one, and you may find out.”
“What didyougive for my collar?” Vexxion asked me.
“There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t have given him.”
Vexxion took my hand and lifted it to his mouth, kissing each of my fingers. “I understand.” The stark acceptance on his face gutted me. He would’ve sacrificed his life to protect me and my friends, and from the sadness in his eyes, he believed the final payment was now due.
“No,” I said.
The Liege stepped closer to me, each step ghostly rustles of crushed leaves. “Will you complete your bargain, pretty one?”
“Wait here.” I looked at my friends watching this nightmare unfold. “Don’t make any deals while I’m gone.”
Zayde snorted, but his eyes spun wildly. “No chance of that.”
He’d be surprised what he’d willingly offer to protect someone he loved.
Layla snagged my arm as I passed. She studied my face before nodding. “You’re not alone in this.”
“Never.” Airia moved to stand beside Layla.
“You,” the Liege told her in the voice of a ghoul rising from a crypt. “I will not touch.”
