I look away, staring out the sunny window. “So you… and me…”
“Oh, we are. It’s a special bond, Ryet.”
I turn to look at him again. “That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m not jealous of your stupid fucking scions. I’m asking if I’m tied to you forever or if I’m allowed to just… fuck off.”
Paul throws his head back and laughs.
“What’s so funny?”
“You’re so serious.”
“Of course I’m serious. I didn’t ask for any of this. And I’ve spent the last sixty-five fucking years being your bitch. I want freedom. I want Syrsee. I want to take her places, and fuck her senseless, and drink her blood, and feed her mine, and whatever. I want to enjoy myself now. I’m done with you and your plan.”
“Not quite yet, Ryet. Don’t get ahead of yourself.” I open my mouth to protest, but he puts up a hand. “If you want to take Syrsee and explore the world, be my guest. Go.” He goes serious again now. “But we must complete what we started. We must.”
“Which is what?”
“The baby, Ryet. Her blood is good, but with another infusion of Darkness we can make… a kind of… Type O.”
I squint my eyes. “You’re talking about blood typing.”
“That’s the secret. The scion’s immune system must be able to handle the Black blood. And with this baby?—”
“Hold on.” I put up a hand. “You’re telling me that you want Syrsee and I to make a baby and give it to you to use as food to turn more scions into vampires.”
“Correct.”
“This is not happening.”
“Of course it is.”
“No.” I’m shaking my head. “This is a very firm no, Paul. No. I will not breed a child for you to feed your new dynasty of vampires.”
“OK.” This OK comes out way too confident. “How do you propose to stop it?”
“Stop what? The baby? Well, protocol dictates that you would need my cooperation in getting her pregnant?”
“Of course.”
“Well, I’m not going to agree to this. It’s as simple as that.”
“I’m offering you a good deal here, Ryet. You and Syrsee can raise it—up to a point. And then I will take over.”
“No. You’re insane if you think Syrsee and I will be having a baby and then handing it over to you.”
“Did you miss the part where I said the two of you could raise it? The part where I take it away from you is over a decade away. You’ll have another by then. Probably four or five.”
“She’s not a fucking broodmare.”
“She is, Ryet. She absolutely is a broodmare.Mybroodmare. And you are my stud. It’s a match made in heaven, don’t you think?” It’s a rhetorical question. “You love her, she loves you. Making babies has always been fun. You remember that, right?”
All the muscles in my neck go tight when he alludes to my human children.
“Well, making Black witch babies ismorethan fun, Ryet.” He’s practically chuckling these words out. “It’s… well, you’re going to find out soon enough. Just as soon as you talk Syrsee into freeing me from this prison.”
“Wait.” I smile. “You’re stuck here, aren’t you? So none of this happens unless Syrsee and I agree to it. Otherwise, you stay right where you are.”
“Let me guess. Now you’re thinking…Maybe we should leave him here?Well, let me caution you, Ryet. You do not want me to beherewhen she goes into heat.”
