Page 190 of Eternal Surrender

We could have been anywhere, but St. Michael’s Mount seemed as good a place as any. Allowing my musing to save me from this moment, I went with my imagination, finding myself standing with Ingrid upon the Mount’s roof.

Holding each other’s hands, we shared these final moments. As I listened to her voice lulling me, telling me not be afraid, I surrendered. . .

But only to her.

And then I realized, Ingrid was here.

My eyes searched for her, fearful she may be in harm’s way. There came a scuffle, monks fighting monks. . .

No, it was vampires fighting monks, and even more nightwalkers descended around me, taking up the fight with Sovereign.

Crowther was shoved forward over the central stone, his face looming close to mine, his jaw gaping, his eyes wide in horror; poking out of his chest was the tip of a silver arrow.

He slumped onto his knees, moaning his pain.

Marcus was standing right behind him, having just impaled Crowther with an arrow. Marcus flashed me a crazed, defiant smile. The fight ensued, and even more vampires appeared from the shadows, joining the fray.

Still bound to the central stone, I struggled to get free. “Marcus, untie me,” I called out.

Though if he did hear me, he was too busy fighting.

Mercury, our enemy’s only defense, would do nothing to protect Sovereign here. A vampire’s warring would leave bodies flung against the stones, others fallen where they’d stood, their necks broken by the swift and unseen attack of the undead.

My kind had not only battled Sovereign’s lack of intolerance, but also derailed their plan threatening mortals and vampires alike.

When eventually the stillness returned, vampires peeled off their disguises leaving monk robes scattered. The only victims here were the fallen members of Sovereign.

Ingrid ran to my side and tore at my chains, trying to remove them.

“Here, I’ll do it,” Marcus said to her and reached for them.

Feeling their loosening, I breathed deeply, throwing a glance at Crowther’s corpse.

“It’s time,” came Fabian’s familiar voice as he grasped my shoulders and eased me back down onto the stone.

Panic welled within me, and I resisted, trying to rise.

Lucas pressed his hands against my chest. “William, I have the scroll we need.”

Ingrid reached for my hand. “Is this what you want, William?” she asked, tears welling. “Is this what you really want?”

What I want?

Marcus leaned over me and held my shoulder. “Belshazzar’s.”

I frowned his way.

“Orpheus,” Marcus said insistently, “meet me there.”

As his words settled into my bones, I knew my time upon this earth was close to ending.

Lucas nudged Marcus out of the way.

“Belshazzar’s, remember that.” Marcus stepped back, hesitating, holding my gaze. “William. . .” He shook his head, conflicted.

“I’ll see you there,” I told him, sharing the words he needed to hear.

Seemingly reassured, Marcus was gone.