Page 18 of The Vampire King's War

Kaly’s eyes tracked him. They lost him as he went around their back and he felt Kaly’s fear swell. The Immortal had few fears, but not being in control was one of the largest of them. Being in his control was especially huge.

“What should I do to you first?” Balthazar murmured. “Ah, let’s start with this.”

Dozens of spears of glass, razor sharp, and thick as two fingers, thrust through Kaly’s body. Blood, rich and thick, streamed down the glass and pattered on the ground. Those eyes went huge with pain.

“You can’t leave, Kaly. You can’t get away. I have you here and I can keep you here forever,” Balthazar whispered in the other Immortal’s ear. “Think on that. Forever. In my power. Forever. In my control. Forever. A victim, not a victor. I can and will make you pay for everything you’ve done!”

His voice had risen up to a scream at the end. He was shaking with rage. He felt Kaly wanting to speak so he let them.

“Don’t you want to know if it was me or Roan that made you?” Kaly smiled as blood gushed out of their mouth and down their chin in a torrent.

Balthazar’s fingernails dug into his palms, drawing blood, but his voice was cool as he said, truthfully, “It doesn’t matter.”

“Oh, surely--”

“It would have once,” Balthazar cut him off. “But not anymore.”

“Truly--”

“Because I have Daemon again,” Balthazar said and the silence that fell was so wonderful to hear. “You pathetic little worm. You’ve wanted his love and friendship, but you’re incapable of having it. You’re so pathetic.” He grinned mercilessly. “Daemon is back and he’s back with me. Not you. I sit by his side. I will help him rule over everything. I will get his smiles and make him laugh. He trusts me with his beloved fledgling.”

With every word, Kaly grew more still and grayness coated their skin. Balthazar wrenched the spears out and restored them to full health in their mind. Kaly might be able to slip away if they thought they died. He speared them again, starting the process all over again.

“And here’s another thing for you to know. Caemorn? You know, the other fledgling that you’ve abused for who knows how long, he’s got Daemon more than you do,” Balthazar said with a sour laugh. “I really do think after he learns about all of this… well, I think that even Caemorn will find some forgiveness. Because having you as a Master is as bad as it gets.”

Again, he wrenched the spears from Kaly, restored them, and slammed them home again.

“Feels as terrible as the first time, doesn’t it?” Balthazar was shaking fully now with such poisonous rage he felt he almost couldn’t contain it. “Don’t worry, it’ll change. It’ll feel worse.”

Again and again and again, he speared Kaly.

“Eyros,” a familiar voice rose up all around them.

Balthazar saw that the blackness had become the Ever Dark sky. Kaly’s pained expression had become one of panic.

“Eyros, my beloved friend,” Daemon said, his voice warm and gentle. The trembling in Balthazar eased. “Come back. Bring Kaly with you. I must end this.”

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