Page 79 of Eternal Surrender

“What?” I asked.

“You didn’t answer me.”

“Once I have what I need from Sebastian, I’ll return to London.”

“Well get back in there,” Marcus pointed to the castle, “and take care of it. I’ll wait here.”

“I get one chance,” I reasoned. “I’m not rushing him.”

Marcus looked at me sharply. “Drink the knowledge out of him.”

“I’m not that vampire anymore.”

He glared at me, hating my reticence.

“Look,” I said. “Imagine what it’s like having memories of being in two places at the same time.” The idea of it sounded impossible.

Marcus fixed his stare on me.

“Have you ever woken up from a dream,” I asked, “and believed that’s where you should be, still in the dream and not the place where you just woke up? That’s what I’m going through.”

Marcus’s expression softened. “I’m sorry. I miss you, that’s all.”

Jacob appeared just over the ridge, making his way toward us. His long black cassock buffered by the breeze and there was something in his expression, fragility perhaps as he considered us with trepidation.

Marcus squinted. “Jacob?” He snapped his head back to me. “I feel like I’m being mind fucked.”

Jacob quickly joined us.

Seeing my son—Orpheus’s son - after centuries of missing him, brought everything at once. He was back, but not as he had been. And I was not the same either.

“When was the last time I saw you?” Marcus’s voice strained with disbelief.

“Four hundred years,” Jacob said, flatly. “Wasn’t it?”

Jacob hurt too. I could feel it in the space between us, in the mess that lay there, but he showed nothing. Only calm. The kind a priest has. The kind of calm a man earns.

“First Sunaria, and now you!” Marcus studied Jacob. “Everyone’s crawled out of the woodwork.” He frowned his way. “What’s with the outfit?”

“Had the pleasure of meeting Paradom,” I said, not wasting any time.

“William, I did warn you,” said Jacob.

“Seriously?” Marcus said. “What are you, a vicar?”

Jacob looked annoyed. “Yes.”

“Since when?” Marcus asked.

“Since I was ordained,” Jacob said.

I motioned for us to get back on track. “Jacob, you failed to tell me you know Paradom. And what’s with the cat food?”

“Didn’t you notice Paradom’s confused?” Jacob asked, then realizing this tact wouldn’t work, he said, “I didn’t actually think you’d find him.”

I peered at Jacob’s hands to see if he was wearing a signet ring. His fingers were bare.

“Paradom told me you’re a Stone Lord,” I said. “He really believes you’re still one of them. He mentioned something about a ring you were wearing?”