Page 25 of The Vampire King's War

Christian knew that he had barely begun to use his Eyros mind control ability. As an Immortal, Kaly likely had faced far better than him and won. If he was as powerful and skilled as Balthazar, maybe he would have a shot. But without a lot of luck--and a hugely distracted Kaly--he couldn’t see how he had any chance at all.

But he is distracted. Look at him. Maybe I can just get a hook into him while he’s not paying attention--

But then Kaly’s silver eyes focused on him. Kaly blinked. He had not expected Christian to be so close obviously. Christian took a step back as Kaly said, “You know why I’m doing this. I didn’t take you for a fool, Christian. Please don’t play one.”

“Daemon will come. He will stop you. Hurting me is a foolish thing. It will only cause you more grief,” Christian pointed out as he kept himself just out of arm’s reach but nearer than he had originally been. If Kaly grew distracted again, he would be ready.

“Not as much grief as it will cause Daemon.” There was a mirthless smile on Kaly’s almost angelic face. But strain was there as well. Christian could see no cause for that strain in this place. Something on the outside must be going wrong for Kaly. That was good. Maybe it was Balthazar or one of the others. “You are his fledgling’s best friend. You are the fledgling of his best friend.”

“It causes you pain to think of Balthazar as closer to him than you, despite the fact that you’re going up against him,” Christian pointed out.

Is he simply hurt that Daemon prefers Balthazar to him?Christian wondered. Despite me saying that we’re nothing alike he reminds me a little of myself before Julian and I became friends.

“What are you thinking?” An uncertain smile played across Kaly’s face.

“I was just thinking that perhaps you are right that we share some similarities,” Christian admitted.

“Really? What?”

“Before Julian, I had a hard time connecting with people.” Christian paused and licked his lips. He could still remember when Julian had stopped bullies at school that were about to attack him for simply “looking at them funny”.

“I can connect with people. I choose not to,” Kaly answered. His voice was clipped.

“I would have thought that you would have thicker skin than you do. But, perhaps, being an Immortal, no one truly speaks their minds to you,” Christian said coolly.

Kaly’s cheek twitched.

“Before Julian, I thought I was above wanting people to like me. If they did not appreciate who I was--how I was--then that was their problem, and it meant that they were not worth my time,”

“That sounds wise to me.”

“And it is true. To a certain extent. But I think we both know that it is not that easy or clear cut. Because people react to what they are presented with. If it’s different, they are--I believe--hardwired to distrust it or even dislike it. Because difference means danger. Until they can be assured that such difference is safe, as acceptable, they… retreat.”

“Then they will learn nothing new at all,” Kaly responded softly.

“Some of them will not. They will remain afraid and will reject all differences, but there are some people--like Julian and, I believe, like Daemon--who are not that way at all,” Christian continued, watching Kaly’s face to see if there would be another moment of distraction, but there was not. Kaly was very alert. “Not that they are naive, or blind to danger, but they believe there is more out there that’s wonderful than will hurt them.”

“Your Julian saved you from being alone?” Kaly smirked.

“Julian helped me to be open to new experiences and people. He liked me and I realized it was possible for people to like me and me to like them. I still am particular about who I let in, but Julian helped me get to this point. He made me feel--makes me feel--safe,” Christian said. “And that’s how I imagine Daemon made you feel.”

Kaly’s smirk did not twitch, but it was too stiff to be real.

“But then he went away,” Christian said, “and you didn’t feel safe. You felt betrayed, especially when the War began and Daemon wasn’t there to set things right.”

“You think this is about something as petty as being liked?” Kaly’s voice rose. Not shrill but high and sharp like fingernails dragging across a chalkboard. “Being liked is for those who have nothing else to offer the universe. It is the pettiest of desires to be liked. Only the mundane are liked and count their worth by such things. Better to be hated.”

Christian smiled faintly. “But isn’t that what we tell ourselves because it protects us from believing that there’s something wrong with us?”

Beads of sweat appeared on Kaly’s brow as if he were in the midst of battle despite standing still. Christian held his breath. Something was definitely happening outside of here.

Balthazar?Christian called and realized he had been stupid not to before. But it was a habit from being human. A habit from not being able to talk mind to mind. Balthazar?!

There was a sound of crackling in his mind for a moment, but then silence. He stretched out his senses. Could he reach Kaly’s mind? Just sense it? Just a little? He felt a touch of pressure.

Kaly’s voice was a little breathless, but it was still cutting, “Those who seek to have others like them are sycophants. I am not a sycophant.”

“From the Immortals I’ve met, neither are they,” Christian pointed out. “Balthazar might have a clever tongue and a rakish attitude that attracts people to a certain extent, but he’s been on the outside all his life. Seeyr is quite pleasant, but she tells people what they don’t want to hear all the time. She doesn’t couch it in euphemisms either, but tells the truth in a straightforward way. I believe that Daemon appreciates those things about both of them. He doesn’t like them in spite of it.”

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