Page 33 of The Vampire King's Gift

“Well, I do assume that beyond Sophia, Wyvern and Caemorn, that a few of the Vampires would like to accompany us,” Daemon said. “Arcius?”

“Yes, I am coming. Perhaps I can reach some of the Confessors, and we can avoid some bloodshed,” Arcius said, coming back from whatever dark place his mind had taken him.

“There will only be as much blood shed as there must be, and no more. Far less than either of you envision,” Daemon assured them, but how could his assurances ring anything but hollow?

“I would like to go to Solace as well,” Lisette’s voice rose up.

“Why? You don’t care about those in Solace,” Fiona said flatly.

“I wish to see our king in action. My witnessing will have value,” she answered simply.

“Still wondering if you’re on the right side?” Sophia shook her head. She had come over from speaking to Caemorn.

“Not in the least! I am truly on your side. I am just still… well, I need to see some things with my own eyes.” Lisette smiled thinly.

“There will be much to see and report upon,” Daemon said with gentle equanimity.

You are not peeved by her disbelief?Balthazar asked.

Daemon clasped his shoulder.It will be all the better when she does believe.

I am certain she will be a convert,Balthazar responded dryly.

It is time for you to tell people who you are now, Eyros,Daemon said.

Balthazar had already heard the soft footfalls coming from every direction in the manor. His stomach did a flip. Christian held tightly onto his right hand. He felt his fledgling telling him that there was nothing to fear. Balthazar linked his hands with Christian’s.

He said to Caemorn and the werewolves, “Remain here. You will be allowed to move about this room, but no farther.”

“We will remain here with him, Balthazar or…Eyros,” Lisette said with a tilt of her head. “And you needn’t worry that any feelings I might have for a fellow Kaly will affect me in the least. You are myfriend. Caemorn is… well, you need not worry.”

Balthazar knew she was telling the truth. She was going to question him. But she wasn’t going to do anything that would harm him or his. He would learn everything she got out of Caemorn in any event. Taking a deep breath, he merely inclined his head and turned towards the door out into the hallway. He gestured for Daemon to precede him at the last moment. Not that Daemon stood on ceremony but perhaps he ought to in front of the others. Daemon smiled at him and headed out into the hallway first with Julian in two.

Arcius actually smiled broadly at him, the first genuine smile in some time. “You have come around, haven’t you?”

“If we are going to go to our Second Deaths for our king, might as well let him go first out of the door,” Balthazar said.

“And it allows you to avoid telling everyone you’re Eyros for a few minutes,” Fiona muttered.

“Oh, and you’ll be telling them that you’re Wyvern, Fiona.” Balthazar smiled acidly at her.

She blinked. Clutching onto Christian’s hand, he strode out of the room and to the main hall. He heard in his ears as well as his head, the excited murmurings from his House. They had no idea what he was going to say or do. Since Daemon had joined them, the possibilities were endless. Christian rubbed his thumb along the back of Balthazar’s hand comfortingly.

“I should be telling you that everything is going to be okay,” Balthazar said to Christian.

Christian merely shook his head. “We’re here for each other. Two way street.” He held up the diamond that contained David’s soul. “We need each other, and others, too. Even those we wish we didn’t. But I do believe that things will work out for the best.”

At that moment, they entered the hall. It was filled to nearly overflowing. The fireplace was roaring and Balthazar made his way there. He reluctantly let go of Christian’s hand and stepped up onto the thick stone base that jutted out from where the fire burned. The wood popped and cracked behind him remarkably loudly. All eyes were on him. They were like silver dollars glowing in the light. He clasped his hands together. He got welcoming looks and smiles. His House had no idea what he was going to say.

“Everyone, thank you for joining me here tonight.” He gripped his hands so tightly together that his knuckles were white. “As you know, we’ve had a lot of things happen recently.”

There was a scattering of laughter.

He continued, “I know that some of you… perhapsmanyof you have been believers in the Order. This was not something I shared with you. I… I did not want to believe,” Balthazar paused and cleared his throat that was suddenly tight with emotion. “After what Roan did to us, I didn’t want to believe in either immortal monsters or gods.”

He smiled wanly at Daemon who nodded and gave him courage to go on. The room was shocked that he would mention Roan, but it feltrightthat he should do so. Roan was like a boil they needed to lance. And he was finally going to do it.

“That is why I amterrifiedto tell you something I’ve learned about myself,” Balthazar said and grinned, but all he got back were worried looks. “Daemon is not the only Immortal in our world.”

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