Page 169 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

Julian aimed toward him, breaking into a sprint that spelled violence. He stopped two steps before Willem.

“You,” he seethed. “I’ve waited for this day.”

Willem pulled off his mask and tossed it to the ground. He wagged a single finger. “What are you waiting for?”

Julian lunged and connected with a hard wall of air. His head snapped back as his body arched off the ground. Willem flicked his wrist once, and I screamed.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

JULIAN

Magic flung me against the stone, knocking the air from my lungs. I rolled over, coughing, to discover what felt like a few broken ribs, a broken ankle, and nothing more—no permanent damage done to anything but my pride. I lifted my head, pushing my bruised body up with my palms as Willem strode into the throne room, smirking down at me. “Don’t get up.”

“Fuck you,” I snarled. I would rip him apart with my bare hands, tear his head—and that smug face—from his neck.

His eyes narrowed. “As I’m the only creature in this room with undrained magic, I would be more respectful,” he said, “especially since you’re bedding my daughter.”

“I’m not your daughter,” Thea said in a lofty voice. Sweat glinted on her brow, her breathing still uneven from defeating the demon. But she didn’t back down from Willem. “And I have enough magic left to kill you.”

Good girl.

Her gaze flicked to me. I’m making this up as I go along.

I could have lived without knowing that. It had been hard enough to watch her drain herself to defeat the death-God. She needed to rest, not face her bastard father.

“Were you part of this? Part of Selah’s plan?” Sabine asked.

His eyebrows lifted. “Selah? The Council? Their power is nothing. Why do you think they cursed magic?”

My mother paused to digest this. We all did. “The Council?”

“Does it sting to realize they manipulated you? All of these years playing their games and you didn’t even know?”

She glared at him. “Do you just like to hear yourself talk? Is that why you’re here? “

“Truth hurts,” he taunted. “I came for what’s mine.”

Blood roared, pounding in my veins as he looked at Thea. She stiffened but didn’t back down, didn’t drop her regal chin. Willem chuckled and turned away from her toward... Camila.

Jacqueline moved to shield her, and I seized the opportunity to crawl to Thea’s feet. She dropped beside me, her eyes searching my injuries, her hands soothing over the already-healing bruises, the bones in my leg beginning to mend.

I’m fine.

But concern lined her face as she helped me to my feet.

Willem ignored us. Lifting his hand, he beckoned my sister. “Wife.”

“I’m not your wife,” Camila said through gritted teeth. But it wasn’t hatred simmering in her words. Her body trembled, and I realized with horror that it was restraint. Jacqueline grabbed her arm as if she realized it, too.

“I don’t remember agreeing to a divorce.” He tutted. “You can fight it all you want, but ask your brother what happens when you ignore your tether.”

“What?” Thea gasped.

Even my mother’s face blanched, her sword wobbling in her grip.

Willem threw her a look. “I’d put that down if you want your daughter to walk out of here alive.”

“I’m not tethered,” Camila said as beads of sweat poured over her forehead. Jacqueline wrapped her arms around her, physically restraining her against that tethering urge. She tried to turn into it, struggling to raise her hand to touch Jacqueline’s face. “I died...”

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