Page 44 of The Vampire King's War

Caemorn bowed. “Then I will. Call me if I am needed.” He paused for a moment and met Christian’s gaze before saying, “We will continue our studies later.”

“Yes,” Christian said. “I would like that.”

He also guessed that it was something he would have to do. With Kaly Vampires being their main enemies right now, anyone that could interact with the dead was going to be in high demand. And with that, Caemorn sped off back the way they had come to the Spire.

“What about Fiona and me?” Christian challenged.

“You are not going anywhere,” Balthazar snapped. “Or rather, Fiona will take you back to Ravenscroft Manor where you will be safe and--”

“Balthazar, if I cannot stay here with you then I will go help Julian,” Christian interrupted. “I am not a child to be sent to my room.”

“You’re not going to fight zombies,” Balthazar stated emphatically.

Christian ignored him and looked at Daemon. “And will you come with Fiona and me, Daemon?”

“Yes, I will come. I will watch though,” Daemon stated simply.

“You fear that interceding will make Julian doubt himself?” Christian guessed.

Another nod. “He must be allowed to grow without my presence forever over him. It is not good for a spirit such as his to let another fight his battles for him. And once I act… things will change.”

“Daemon, you won’t let anything bad happen to Christian, will you?” Balthazar’s lips quivered and Christian knew he wanted to argue about Christian going at all.

Christian grabbed Balthazar’s arm and squeezed it. “You can’t ask him that! It’s clear that there are already things about this moment that will affect the future hugely.”

Christian could feel the momentous nature about the decisions that Daemon would make next.

He is contemplating when and how humans will know about us and how he will reveal himself as king of all,Christian realized.

“I don’t care so long as you are safe.” Balthazar gripped him back just as tightly. The intensity in his Master’s eyes had Christian blinking.

Christian shook his head, still thinking of humanity discovering that Vampires exist and how that would upend everything from governments to religions to the very concept of death and life. He said to Balthazar, “But I’m not the most important thing that Daemon has to consider.”

“You are to me.” Balthazar stared into his eyes and Christian looked away.

There were too many emotions here. His chest felt tight with them. A few seemed lodged in his throat. So much had happened that night. It would be good to simply fight a clear cut enemy and not deal in the shadows. Zombies he could do.

Balthazar was speaking to Daemon then, “You know what he means to me, Daemon. I would ask that you treat Christian--”

“As I would treat my own fledgling?” Daemon filled in for him.

“I do not know about that!” Balthazar said with a rather wild laugh. “You are having your fledgling fight zombies!”

“Yes, I am.” Daemon’s gaze went distant. “I wish I could say that keeping him away from such a battle would be an overall good thing, but no… no, it would not be.”

“But Christian is my heart and--”

“As Julian is mine.” Daemon’s eyes burned redly.

Balthazar lowered his head. “Yes, of course, I know that. But you can see the future. I can only read minds and God knows from what I’ve seen over the years, I fear there is nowhere safe.”

“Then he must learn to defend himself and he can only do that by learning and facing those situations,” Fiona murmured.

“Says the woman who can get away from any fight!” Balthazar tipped his head back and looked at the stars and double moons of the Ever Dark.

“It’s either fighting zombies or watching you take Kaly apart,” Christian said simply.

“There are no just A and B choices, Christian.” Balthazar continued to look up at the stars.

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