Page 19 of The Vampire King's Gift

Christian saw that this potential alliance with the Kaly was going in the wrong direction. He glanced over at Sophia. She was looking at him with those wide, say doll-like eyes. He had to save things.

“Stop, both of you. Stop,” he found himself saying. “It’s my decision if I help her or not, Balthazar.”

“You are just a fledgling! You don’t know what you are saying!” Balthazar was in full Master-protective mode now.

“Of course, I know. And you do, too. You want to protect me. You would do anything to protect me,” Christian said.

Balthazar’s mouth opened and shut. “Christian…”

“I know. Sit. Sit down.”

Christian grasped Balthazar’s hand and drew him back down on the couch. Balthazar was shaking with suppressed rage… and fear. Christian stroked his arms.

“It’s okay. It’s okay. Everything is okay,” Christian soothed.

“She has no right to ask anything of you! I won’t allow you to be hurt again! Do you understand, Christian?” Balthazar held his hands and the diamond felt like it was cutting into Christian’s palm. He opened their hands so that they could both see the diamond. “He won’t be allowed to hurt you any longer. I don’t want you going down that path.”

But this isn’t a choice. This is my path, Balthazar. I’m a Speaker to the Dead, right?

Their gazes met and their minds locked. Christian rested their foreheads together. Balthazar’s breathing evened out and he cupped Christian’s face before kissing him gently.

I don’t like her! I don’t trust her! This is a bad plan you have!Balthazar said.

I don’t know what my plan exactly is. I want to hear what she has to say. But I think she’s the right choice,Christian said.

How do you know that? We need to talk to Daemon and–

I don’t know how, but I feel it’s right. We’ll ask Daemon, too, but this seems… meant.

You’re getting to be like Sophia,Balthazar stated, raising an eyebrow.

Christian grinned.Yeah, well, Sophia’s been giving me the eye all night. She knows Lisette is here to stay. For a while anyways.

I won’t have this, Christian!

But both of them turned towards Sophia who was smiling at them.

“You’re so sweet together,” Sophia said. “Aren’t they, Lisette?”

“Oh, they are… something. I’d forgotten. New fledgling. New Master. Sensitive. I apologize,” Lisette said with a tight expression.

Christian met her gaze. “You push. You don’t know any other way to be.”

Lisette went still for a moment, as if realizing she had somehow shown him far more of herself than she’d planned. Sophia made a soft humming under her breath. He thought it might be amusement. He wasn’t sure.

Arcius had settled back against the mantlepiece, but he was still watchful. Balthazar though he was calmer, was still rigid. His eyes were locked on Christian’s. Christian stroked his arms again. Balthazar shook his head but then sighed. He knew that Christian would do what he would do.

“Do you want to learn how to use your gift or not?” Lisette asked.

“Can you really teach me?” Christian challenged.

But Balthazar was shaking his head. “You’ve got David in the damn diamond, Christian. Let this be the end of it. You don’t have to worry about the dead anymore. He is the only one that’s bothering you and now he’s taken care of. You need to do nothing else.”

“You know that it doesn’t work that way, Balthazar,” Sophia said softly. “Our powers are as much a curse as a blessing. They never go away. They never leave us. They are us.”

“For you, perhaps, but I can keep Christian safe from this!” Balthazar’s hold tightened on him.

Arcius’ forehead furrowed. “We do not keep Vampiressafeby not having them learn to control their gifts, Balthazar.”

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