Page 3 of The Vampire King's Gift

“Elena,” Julian said. “Elena, you should go inside with Ridley. You’re not well.”

“Not well! Not well?” Elena let out a shrill laugh. “You–”

One of her hands flew towards him, but where there had been empty air before between them was suddenly filled. Daemon caught her wrist. Fiona took both of Elena’s arms in hers and held her in place. Both of them had teleported together.

“Elena,” Daemon’s voice was low and seemingly calm, but Julian knew he wasn’t. That deadly calm had settled on his Master and he already knew Daemon well enough to understand this was when he was most frightening.

Julian reached for Daemon’s mind, but the Vampire King’s thoughts were closed to him other than a wave of love and affection for him. But also afirmness.

“I wish you to go inside, Julian,” Daemon said. It wasn’t quite an order, but Julian felt the command in it. “Take Elizabeth and go inside.”

Julian swallowed and fought it. He stepped around so that Daemon could see him. “I’m fine, Daemon. She didn’t hurt me. She didn’t even touch me once. She’s just upset and hungry and tired.”

His Master’s red, glowing gaze did not, however, leave Elena. Julian reached for Daemon’s mind. A caress at a closed door. He felt another wave of love, but the door stayedshut.

He’s really angry. Beyond angry.

Ridley lowered herself to her knees on the grass. Her hands were clasped in front of her chest. “Please, King Daemon, I beg you not to take your vengeance against her! She’s not herself! She hasn’t eaten since Heath’s Second Death!”

“Vengeance?” Elizabeth’s voice rose up in shock. “What are you saying? That he’s going to–to harm her? But she’s clearly out of her head! What right does he have to harm her?”

To Julian’s shock, it was Fiona who answered, “The right of the King. But, even if Damon was not our ruler, Elena attacked Julian in full view of everyone. Daemon has the right to challenge her to a fight. Of course, her Second Death would be certain in such a match.”

“That can’t be right! Killing someone? That’s barbaric! She’s clearly not in her right mind!” Elizabeth cried.

Julian was inclined to agree with her. “I was never in any real danger from her, Daemon. You know that. She’s not thinking clearly.”

Elena hung in Fiona’s arms without moving. Her eyes were strangely empty. She was like one of those Raggedy Anne dolls whose sand was running out of her.

“Some cannot survive the destruction of their fledglings. Perhaps Elena is one of these,” Daemon finally spoke again and it almost calmed Julian. It was in silence that Daemon seemed the most unreachable. “So it might be a blessing to give her the Second Death she seeks.”

“No!” That word was shouted from many mouths.

“She’s just deep in mourning. In time, she’ll get better. Maybe you’ll even be able to bring Heath back to her still,” Julian pleaded. “Killing her shouldn’t even be part of this discussion!”

Fiona again answered for Daemon, “You do not understand, Julian. If Daemon does not act against Elena, others may think that they are equally allowed to show you violence and disrespect him.”

“Only someone insane would do that,” Julian said tightly. “They all know what the result would be. Them with the Second Deaths and him not even sweating! And I’m pretty capable of taking care of myself. So if anyone wants to mess with me, they’ll figure out pretty damn quick that they shouldn’t.” Then Julian shook himself. “So no one is going to learn anything from this!”

“What’s going on here?” It was Balthazar’s voice that rose up from the house.

He and Christian were standing on the back step. They were only partially dressed. The buttons on Balthazar’s fine tailored shirts were only not completely done up. Christian had no shoes or socks on. They had evidently just been getting dressed when they heard the commotion. Balthazar slowly walked down the steps to them.

“Elena?” Balthazar asked, his eyes looked bleak. “What have you done?”

Christian rushed past him to Julian.

“Are you okay? What’s going on? We heard that Elena was threatening you,” Christian said in a rush.

“I don’t know what set her off, but–”

“Heath’s body… he destroyed it,” Elena whispered.

“What? Why?” Julian asked.

“It was already coming apart. Kaly has possession of Heath’s soul. That is causing anything I do on his behalf to unravel,” Daemon explained. “I did not want a corpse to float there.”

Julian’s heart sank. “Oh, no, that’s awful.”

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