Page 30 of Henrikk’s Secret

The air shifted around them, and Henrikk felt the copy’s presence a second too late.

The copy slammed into them both, and Henrikk and Asher fell together, half clutching at each other as they toppled through the trapdoor’s large opening.

Henrikk hardly had the chance to take a breath before he plunged into the water.

Underwater, it was a frantic chaos of arms and legs trying to swim back up. But he and Asher could not resurface.

A loud boom resounded as the trapdoor slammed shut. Asher kicked furiously and planted his hands on the large rectangle of timber, trying to push it open.

A second later, the timber slats and wrought iron disintegrated with the ripples of the water, leaving only a smooth ceiling of rock above them.

Asher didn’t seem to understand because he kept pushing, but to no avail. The trapdoor had vanished.

Henrikk seized his arm and dragged him out from under the reef ledge. It was hard work at first, but eventually, Asher stopped resisting and followed him. They were about ten metres underwater, and the undulating surface above beckoned, the bright midday sun warming them as they ascended.

They broke the surface, gasping for air.

Asher threw his head around, his blond fringe soaked as it lay across his eyes. Henrikk admired the way his large hand raked it aside but didn’t say so.

He had a feeling that the time for complimenting Asher had passed. There would be no more kisses, no more longing looks, no more declarations of love.

Not for a while.

Maybe not ever.

Because he’d tricked Asher, and there was every chance that the general, forgiving as he was, would be unable to forgive him for this lasting betrayal.

“Where are we?” Asher gasped, treading water as he stared at the open seas.

Henrikk pointed to the island—the only island—over his shoulder.

It was a small, hilly mass of land, thick with palm trees and encircled by a white, sandy beach. It was possible to walk around the island in less than three hours. Henrikk wondered if a deserted island of such small magnitude would be a blessing or a curse for two isolated vampires.

“What the fuck…?!” Asher growled, his features etched with panic as he circled on the spot, staring at the endless open sea. “Henrikk…just fucking tell me where we are already!”

Henrikk shrunk inside himself, feeling like the wretched coward that he was. No words came to him, none whatsoever. And yet, he owed Asher an explanation. And at least a hundred apologies.

But where to begin?

Anything he said would just invite the general’s wrath upon him.

And he was terrified because Asher had been nothing but patient and tolerant with him for all these years. Well, never again. Their relationship had been placed under too much stress. Henrikk knew it would only take a tiny scratch to break their bond forever.

“I’m sorry,” he began, then thought better of it. Sorry implied hope of forgiveness, and seeing Asher’s distressed features and wild, panicked eyes made him abandon such foolish hopes. Instead, he averted his eyes and nodded at the island. “This is our new home.”

Chapter 5

THE FINAL GOODBYE

Henrikk

Henrikk stared down at the trapdoor. The loud slam of it shutting still resounded in his mind. He’d used the last dregs of his magic to close the portal. Although his magic was depleted, the dragon’s grip did not loosen from his mind.

With time, a sliver of the magic would regenerate, but it would be a pitiful thing, not nearly enough to open a portal. To light a candle, maybe. That was how Dargotika had kept him in line, only ever giving him magic when he was willing to pay the cost. Now, that avenue was gone, along with the only person he’d ever cared for.

His heart ached.

He stood in the silent room and stared at the trapdoor, wanting Asher back.