“He truly did,” Balthazar added. “Quite at peace with it.”
“He likely thought he earned that for his actions during the War,” Caemorn murmured.
“Some things from that era have to be repaid,” Demos admitted. “But I think he found himself again in making the choice he did. People over a place. People over an idea.”
“I will find a way to neutralize the Necrolyte. I just need… time,” Caemorn said.
Time normally was something that Vampires had in abundance, but he knew that every second the Necrolyte was active that it was spreading its corruption throughout Forsworn.
It will make a grand army against the humans if we need it. When we need it,Caemorn thought.
But he feared the damage it would do before then. The undead would attack every living thing to make more of themselves. How long before there was nothing left alive? He had to fix this somehow.
“Come now, Caemorn! This is a success!” Balthazar attempted to rally. “We have succeeded. We killed a Roan slice–well, Elgar did–and captured Legion and Shaela. We didn’t even lose any students and most of the reporters have been wrangled. We have much to celebrate.”
“I prefer to celebrate when everything is settled,” Caemorn said.
“Speaking of getting things settled. Are we going to question them?” Fiona tilted her head towards both of the prisoners.
Balthazar sagged a bit. “I think we should. Most definitely we should. We delayed too long with Jill and they got to her.”
“They cannot get in here,” Caemorn said.
“Are you sure of that?” Fiona asked. “They got into Nightvallen and your palace, Caemorn.”
“I am certain.” Caemorn reached towards one of the walls. “This whole place is saturated with Daemon’s soul. They cannot come in here unless he wills it.”
“Well, that’s a relief!” Balthazar brightened but then sagged again, “But we should still start the interrogation, shouldn’t we?”
“You need to feed,” Caemorn said simply.
“I ate–”
“Balthazar, you get frazzled when you don’t feed enough,” Caemorn cut him off. “And you have been pulled in many different directions as of late plus feeding Christian.”
Fiona flashed him a knowing look. Balthazar was not theonlyMaster who wanted to keep his fledgling safe and happy.
“He’s got you there, Master,” Christian laughed as he put a companionable arm around Balthazar’s shoulders.
He had just returned from the upper levels of the palace where he had been speaking with Julian.
“How is our prince?” Balthazar asked.
“Very happy to have everyone back in one piece,” Christian said. “He’s tending to Daemon right now, but he had to see me in person.”
Balthazar lifted an eyebrow. “His mental connection to you is so strong! So he must have known you were all right–”
“It’s not the same.” Christian smiled affectionately at Balthazar. “Sometimes you’ve got to see and touch someone to be sure they’re fine.”
Balthazar squeezed Christian. “I guess I understand the point in that.” Narrowing his eyes, Balthazar added, “You need blood too, Christian.”
“I do. But I don’t eat until you do,” Christian said. “That’s my one rule.”
“And what of you, Caemorn? Aren’t you hungry?” Balthazar asked.
“I am full.” Caemorn showed them the soul gems in his pockets.
“So you can sustain yourself on their energy just like you would use blood?” Fiona’s eyebrows rose.
