“It’s disconnecting. His soul … his energy …” Lucie gasped out as tears trickled down her cheek. “Something has happened to him.”
“Something has happened to both Myra and Abe.” Derrick eased Lucie back on the couch and into Justice’s arms. “This is urgent. I need to speak with my father immediately.” He looked at Lucie and could feel the pain subsiding. “Baby, I’ll be right back.” She nodded, and he blurred out of the room and down the hall.
His father and mother were still where he left them.
“Myra and Abaas aren’t responding. Something has happened.” Derrick looked at his parents’ faces but it looked as if they were already aware.
“We could feel the disconnect from Myra,” Willa said softly.
“They found the target then.” Derrick glanced up at his father. “Are they dead?”
“If it is who I suspect it is, then yes, they are probably dead. To not respond to our calls …” Alaric looked down and frowned. “Only someone very powerful could have defeated them. Someone skilled through the ages. Someone like Count Drake Basil.”
Derrick shook his head. “But the blood oath he gave you …”
Alaric looked up at Derrick in shock. “Blood oath? Count Basil gave me no such oath.”
“Shit …”
“Derrick.” Alaric sighed and shook his head. “We should never make rash decisions, and we need to think how our actions can affect our kingdom. However, having said that, I am sentencing the culprit to death. Whoever started these malicious rumors needs to be eradicated. And in light of the news of Myra and Abe, I am confident that this is the right decision.”
Derrick looked at his father and gave him a slight nod. He couldn’t enjoy this news in light of knowing Abaas and Myra had been killed.
“I’m going after him,” Derrick said icily.
“Jester and Irene are already out scouting for his whereabouts. I’d rather you not, but I know that is pointless to say. Take Jasper and get rid of our enemy.” Alaric knew his son was capable. Count Basil was strong, but he couldn’t be stronger than the royal family. Having Jasper with him was extra insurance, because he might not be working alone. Jester and Irene were incredible warriors as well. This wasn’t an army matter. This was a situation that needed to be dealt with fast. Only the stealth and skill of the royal line could masterfully take down an aged vampire such as Count Basil.
Derrick nodded his head. “It will be handled.” He abruptly turned and marched back to his room. His chest hurt, and heknew Lucie was going to be upset as well. Myra and Abe were family to them. The news was numbing, but now it was settling inside of him. They were gone …
He opened the door to his chambers and amber met emeralds.
Lucie shook her head slowly. “No …” she breathed out. But his energy inside her was gone now. She couldn’t feel him at all. She felt Derrick pull her up and into his arms.
“I’m so sorry, Lucie.” Derrick’s eyes watered and he looked at Justice and Jasper. “Myra and Abe …” He shook his head. “I’ve been given permission to hunt and kill the culprit. Their deaths will be avenged.”
Lucie shook her head and the tears spilled from her eyes. Her connection to Abe was severed, and it hurt. Her nose and eyes were burning as her lungs constricted. Abe and Myra weren’t just servants. They were friends. And Abe was HERS! He was her servant, and she felt responsible. He was finally showing himself to her, the person he should have been all along.
Abe protected her, laughed with her, and got angry for her. He even cried for her. She shook her head slowly. This was too much. She couldn’t take this loss. Her anger began to bubble to the surface as she dug her fingers into Derrick’s shirt. She couldn’t focus on the hurt. She wouldn’t focus on the empty feeling inside of her. She was going to concentrate on revenge.
“Lucie …” Derrick whispered.
“I know, Derrick. But you aren’t winning this one. Besides, I need to be close to you, and who knows how long you could be gone on this hunt.” Lucie stepped back and met his gaze. “Justice and I are coming with you and Jasper.”
“Hell yeah we are,” Justice growled angrily. “We’ll hunt this bastard down. My sword would like to have a word with him.”
“I don’t like taking my pregnant mate with me, but given that you need my energy, and with Abe …” He stopped and lookeddown. He had really come to depend on Abe too. “I can’t see this as an argument I can win anyway. Jasper, protect Lucie at all times. Above me.”
Jasper nodded his head. “No one will touch Lucie. Not with me around, let alone Justice.”
“I sent Myra out to find the culprit …” Lucie whispered.
“And I sent Abe out to stop the rumors in the palace. Myra must have sent out a distress signal to him and he went to her.” Derrick squeezed Lucie tightly. “This isn’t anyone’s fault, baby. Don’t blame yourself. We blame whoever did it, and we kill them.”
Lucie stepped away from Derrick and went into the bathroom. A few moments later, she stepped out, dressed head to toe in black fitted clothing with the pants tucked into combat boots laced tight. She tucked her daggers in and then pulled her hair back.
“Let’s go hunting,” Lucie growled lowly.
CHAPTER 72
