Page 53 of The Vampire King's Gift

I have a task. I will return. Let Arcius explain all that has occurred,he sent to them.Arcius,he sent to his friend, Deal with them. Don’t let them do anything stupid.

I will assure that they are kept in line. Gently,the Confessor answered with a large smile that not even his bushy beard could hide.

Go to Arcius. All is well,Balthazar sent once more to all the eager Eyros minds, and he could sense that there were even more beyond these that wanted to be with him.

There were awed, almost tear-filled thoughts, in response. Those who had once called him “exile” with disdain were the most moved. They worried he would hate them, and that they wouldn’t be favored. How could they be when they had mocked him? But he had always known that those who did not see that he had done a good thing by giving Tithe Roan his Second Death were fools. Now they would see the error of their ways.

“They’re practically worshiping you,” Christian said with an amused grin.

“There’s nopracticallyabout it. I will make it real,” he said, a shadow of his old humor showing. “They’d get down on their knees before me if they thought it would get them in my good graces.”

How can I laugh and joke when I know that you are simply waiting to break the truth to me that you want to become human and leave my life, Christian? But while he thought this, he didn’t send it.

“Are we going inside? Or do you wish to bask?” Caemorn asked dryly.

“Considering no one even likes you, Caemorn, I’m sure you can’t comprehend being loved,” Balthazar retorted.

“They just want your favor, you know? They just want to make sure that they aren’t on the outside, looking in like you were,” Caemorn snapped.

“I was never on the outside. King Daemon made that clear to me. I have been, and always will be, the Immortal Eyros, the king’s confidante, and best friend,” Balthazar said.

Caemorn looked at him through those almost white-blonde lashes. Balthazar expected a lame comeback—or, if he were honest with himself, a witty, cutting one as were Caemorn’s wont—but the Kaly Vampire merely inclined his head again, and led them into the Spire.

That response was… interesting, Christian murmured. What do you suppose he is up to?

Trying to gain favor with Daemon, of course. Probably has some idea that he could be chosen as the head of all Kaly, Balthazar answered.

His heart quivered every time that Christian spoke. He kept thinking that this might be one of the last times they would speak like this, confidentially, about Vampire politics. If things were different, he would have been so proud of Christian for pointing that out.

He won’t get that though, will he?Christian’s eyes were wide.

I am not certain,Balthazar admitted.He has helped us. He came to King Daemon. He didn’t have to be brought. He was misled by Kaly. It would look poorly upon Daemon to punish him.

But he killed Julian’s parents!Christian’s silver eyes blazed.

That is why I am not certain. If Caemorn had done everything else but that, I think he would be given exactly what he wants. But he killed them and hurt Julian. And that… that is something that cannot be forgiven.

Balthazar pressed his lips together, and thought to himself, but did not share with Christian,And if Julian leaves Daemon, I am pretty sure Daemon will rip Caemorn apart cell by cell.

Caemorn took them down the long central hallway of the Spire to a surprisingly small, almost inconspicuous door at the far end. He cut his thumb and pressed it against a nearly imperceptible groove. There was a soft click and the door opened on its own, showing them a narrow, curving stone staircase. The smell of wet stone and old meat wafted up to Balthazar. His nose wrinkled. Christian crowded against him. Sophia gave out a cry, and pushed past Caemorn to hurry down the dark staircase.

“MISTRESS! IT IS SOPHIA! I’M HERE!” the little girl Vampire cried.

And to Balthazar’s shock—as he didn’t want to imagineanyonedown here, especially a fellow Immortal—he heard a call back, “Sophia! My darling, I knew it would be you! Let Caemorn down first, dearest. He will release the locks and traps.”

They found Sophia standing midway down the winding staircase, tapping her foot impatiently. Her sweetness dropped away as she saw Caemorn, and she wrenched him down the stairs. He nearly lost his footing. He looked back at her in shock.

“RELEASE HER!” Sophia hissed. “NOW! NOW! NOW!”

She no longer looked pretty and petite. She no longer seemed sweet and innocent. What they all saw was a very ancient Vampire who wasenraged. Caemorn took a few steps away from her. Luckily, he moved down the stairs, or otherwise, Balthazar was pretty sure she would have ripped Caemorn’s throat out.

“Move quickly,” Christian urged Caemorn.

The Kaly Vampire did just that. He hustled down the stairs. There were light crystals intermittently stuck into the wall to give light, but it was a dim, grim dungeon. When they reached the bottom, the reeking scent of old meat was everywhere. And then he saw the line of bars, and the figure that came shambling towards them.

“She has no eyes,” Christian croaked.

“Do not be afraid, dear Christian. I know I am hideous right now, but I am not a monster,” the figure assured him.

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