Kaj frowned. “Not sure I understand. We’ve fought alongside them. What more do you want? An official declaration? Fine, we’ll help out when we can.”
Michael shook his head. “I want you to fortify the ranks of the Zenith with the future warriors who’ll be undergoing training in the near future. Not only will this benefit the warriors and provide additional protection for their offspring, it will also provide the strength necessary to ensure the survival of your race.”
Was the male speaking in tongues? Kaj had absolutely no idea what that meant.
Clearly Michael noticed his confusion because he continued. “Seven hundred years ago, your father and I had a conversation. We came to an understanding, one that I”—Michael held up a hand—“webelieved, because your father was in complete agreement, was most beneficial to the survival of the vampire race.”
The male had his full attention.
“It was at that time we declared your father Alpha of your species, the most powerful vampire in existence.”
“I’ve heard the stories,” Kaj told him. Though he’d never heard mention of Michael.
“Though your birth would come nearly two hundred years later, it was predestined. As was the birth of your daughter, Bijou.”
Kaj could hear the rapid thump of his own heart, so loud in his ears, but he wasn’t sure what caused it.
“Her destiny was defined long ago,” Michael said.
A snarl escaped him as he stared at the male. Kaj had no fucking clue where this was going, but the mere mention of his daughter brought out his inner beast’s protective instincts.
Michael’s color-shifting eyes locked on his face. “Kaj Courtenay, you are not only the Alpha of your species, you are the father of the female who shall mate the original vampire.”
“Wait. Huh?” Kaj stared at the archangel. “My daughter is to mate theoriginalvampire. Not to sound all Adam-and-Eve oddity or anything, but exactly how does one mate one she’s related to?”
“There are no direct descendants of the original vampire,” Michael stated, as though that made all the sense in the world.
“No?” Kaj motioned to himself. “Exactly how did I come to be without the original vampire breeding?”
Those strangely colored eyes remained on his face. “The original vampire did not mate, nor did he breed.”
Okay, so clearly they were getting nowhere fast. “You lost me.” He waved a hand. “But it’s all moot anyway. The original vampire isdead.”
“Quite the opposite. He is very much alive, merely … preoccupied at the moment.”
“Meaning…?”
“I’ve kept him hidden for his own protection.”
“You?”
“Yes.”
“For seven hundred years?” Kaj got the feeling that didn’t mean he was being locked in a cage somewhere. For one, Khari was far too powerful. He would’ve easily broken free. “Where is he?”
Michael took a deep breath. “Khari is currently in a human vessel.”
Unable to help himself, he laughed. “A human vessel? The original vampire is sporting a human meat suit? Tell me, what poor sap is giving the male a ride?”
“You know him as Oliver Calazans.”
Kaj’s smile fell instantly. He stared at the archangel, slack-jawed and dumbfounded. “What did you say?”
“Do you really need me to repeat?”
Kaj shook his head. “Fuck. Me. Running.”
“Still not sure how that’s a thing, but…” Michael waved it off with a hand. “It’s time we resurrected the original vampire, Kaj. And I need you to do it.”
