“While I tend to take heat for my decisions, know that I don’t make them lightly. I get that no one understands what prompted me to encapsulate the original vampire in a human vessel, but I assure you, it’s been for his safety.”
“Did you have to choose myamsouelot’sbrother?”
“Technically, he’s not related.” Michael held up a hand. “But yes, it was calculated. I used that human vessel for a reason.” He waved his arms to encompass their surroundings. “Everything I do is for a reason, Obsidian. I needed Khari to be returned to the vampires, but I also needed him separated for as long as was necessary. It might not be obvious now, but he’s critical to the race’s survival. I was protecting them.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s my responsibility to protect the humans, too.”
“Then why was the original vampire sentenced to elimination in the first place?”
Ah. He should’ve expected that question. And, technically, he had, only he’d thought it would come from Kaj.
“Let’s just say Khari’s not your average vampire. When he was created, my father was looking to create a being that would supersede your abilities. As you’ve probably noticed, he used my mold for their creation, but since he’s got drastically more abilities than I, he made some modifications. At the time of Khari’s creation, the world wasn’t ready for that yet. However, I knew one day it would be. So, I tucked him away for a bit.”
“A bit?” Obsidian snorted. “How long’s it been? Nine thousand years?”
“Give or take.” He exhaled heavily. “The vampires have proven beneficial over the years, and I knew one day they would require the full abilities of the original. More importantly, he’ll be vital in getting through this shit storm my brother has initiated.”
“The shadow beasts?”
“There will come a time when our limits are tested,” he told Obsidian, hating that he had to admit that. He’d always hoped to be one step ahead of Lucifer, and in doing so, he’d underestimated his brother.
“When?”
“I honestly wish I knew. But until that time, my objective is to fortify the species created to protect the humans. That’s all I’m capable of doing.”
Obsidian exhaled heavily. “I’ll talk to Kaj. Figure out the best way to proceed.”
“I suggest you don’t wait much longer. Khari will survive, of that I have no doubt. I cannot say the same for Oliver Calazans.”
With that parting shot, Michael vanished himself back to Heaven.
For now, it was out of his control, and there was nothing he could do but sit back and watch.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Kaj stepped out of the shower, snaggedthe towel from the bar, and ran it over himself before tossing it into the hamper.
He stared around the bathroom, really taking it all in for the first time since he’d moved into this room. It reminded him a lot of the nothing-special room he’d maintained at the Seattle camp, back when he’d been leading the Zenith for his father. Simpler times, he figured. Back before he’d been forced into the role as Alpha.
Shitty job he was doing of it, too. Even he could acknowledge that as he met his own reflective gaze in the mirror above the sink. The only efforts they’d made had been when Mirakel and Blaz had gone to speak to the noble families, assessing their oldest male offspring to see if they were worthy of training to become the elite. They’d gone one step further, bringing the males and females into the training center for assessment.
Then there was the ongoing investigation into Darko, the male they believed a traitor. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as simple as eliminating him because he was an asshole. They actually needed proof before they could take him down. But take him down they would.
Aside from that, he’d spent more time attempting to stabilize his life than to provide any sort of rule to the vampires.
He couldn’t help but think about Oliver, about what was transpiring. The ancient vampire was attempting to surface, clearly sick of being repressed inside a human for centuries. According to Apollo, the vampire wouldn’t remain much longer. He was getting stronger, in large part due to his feelings for Bijou, his need to claim her. And from what the healers had explained, it wouldn’t be long before the human vessel was incinerated from the ever-growing powers of the vampire. They needed to separate the two and they needed to do it soon.
The question was, what would happen when Khari emerged? When he was no longer bound to the human vessel? Would he move into the role he’d been created for? Taking over the species, casting Kaj aside?
A month ago, Kaj would’ve said more power to him. Now … well, he was no longer willing to step down unless he knew the race was going to rally. If Kaj was expected to resurrect the male, he damn sure didn’t intend to let him destroy the efforts of Kaj’s father. No, maybe Kaj hadn’t stepped into the role the way he should have, but he was certainly moving in that direction.
Perhaps Khari would be a better leader.
It didn’t matter, he decided. He was not stepping down. He would not hand over the reins to another, forgo the rare opportunity presented to him so he could stand at the right hand of the male who would one day mate Kaj’s daughter.
Sad thing was, although he knew where he belonged, Kaj was still up in the air about so many things. It was as though he was a mix of bubbles in water, moving about, never settling. He needed to settle so he could get to work, focus on what was important. Plus he had his daughter’s well-being to consider.
