Page 171 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

Camila’s wide eyes locked with mine, and she mouthed a single word.

Don’t.

My gaze slid to my mother’s. Willem caught the movement.

“Perhaps a little more motivation,” he seethed. “Thea, come here.”

Ice filtered into my blood. I stepped in front of my mate. He would have to go through me.

Willem narrowed his gaze at me. “I’m her sire. She answers to me.”

Thea placed a hand on my shoulder, but I refused to move. I would stop her. He’d used their shared blood to abduct her before. I wouldn’t let him within an inch of her.

“Come to me,” he demanded. But she didn’t try to move around me.

“I answer to no man,” she said in a cool, clear voice.

Surprise lit his eyes. He hadn’t expected her refusal. “I’m sure your mate appreciates that.”

“I do, actually. I’ve never gotten off on controlling the weak.” I shrugged. “Unlike some.”

Golden magic filled my chest, Thea’s magic warming with approval, even as she remained placid at my side.

His face twisted with rage. “Where are my children?” He pressed the blade harder into Camila’s throat, drawing blood. “One of you knows.”

When no one answered, his lips lowered to Camila’s ear. “Even now, they won’t choose you. Help you. You’ve always been unwanted. You can never count on anyone.”

I barely felt Thea shift next to me.

Get ready.

I didn’t dare look at her, didn’t dare give away our secret language. Ready for what?

But she didn’t answer me.

Thea?

Darting a step forward, Thea blurted out, “I can take you to them. Just don’t hurt her.”

What are you doing? I kept my face trained on Willem. I didn’t trust myself to move, to betray her lie, but was I supposed to sit here while my mate lured him away?

Willem pursed his lips. “My sources say she hasn’t been very nice to you. Are you sure you don’t want me to kill her before we go. You can thank me later.”

“And you can go to hell!”

It happened so quickly that I didn’t even see the movement. A torrent of wind tore through the room, battering against us, its center aimed at Willem. I fought against it, trying to reach Thea—to shield her. But the power... was coming from her.

Lightning lashed as Zina moved toward the center of the room.

The source... we were near the source, and even with their magic depleted, they could always draw from it. Maybe even draw from one another’s powers.

Willem stumbled and my mother closed on him with two steps, sweeping her blade across his shoulder. He yowled, dropping his own blade, and Camila shot into Jacqueline’s arms. He clutched his bloody wound as the wind died to a soft whistle. “You’ll pay for that.”

“You’re outmatched.” Thea panted, her eyes wild, satisfaction pulling her lips back to bare her fangs.

“And you’re drained,” he crooned. “I hope it was worth it, because I won’t rest until—” His words cut off. Willem grabbed for his throat, his lips turning blue as water gurgled from him.

“I’m not,” Mariana said, stepping forward, one hand outstretched as she called forth her own power. She walked calmly to him and picked up his fallen sword. Magic glimmered around her, its brilliance near blinding, and she lifted it and took his head. Willem’s body swayed before toppling before her, his head rolling to his side. “I hope you don’t mind.”

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