Page 137 of A Debt of Darkness

“That a series of unfortunate events resulted in someone taking the book containing the prophecy out of our possession.” His fingers drum against each other and his eyes narrow as they refuse to look away. “The fact of the matter is we’re not sure who took the bloody book or why, but it wasn’t where we’d left it, despite all the enchantments and protections we put in place.”

Henry’s fist connects with the desk and everyone in the room takes a breath. In unison. In anticipation of the inevitable outburst that the tightening in my chest tries to prepare me for.

It doesn’t come.

The thorny silence that follows is pricklier than any I’ve known, as three vampires eye the man sitting opposite me like he’s their next meal. I’m perfectly safe, but adrenaline surges through my veins, making my hands shake and my throat dry, and I can’t find the breath to get the words I want out.

“We’ve searched for it, but the Brotherhood hasn’t found it. I sent my most trusted priests too. It seems whoever took the book did an excellent job of concealing it.”

Henry snarls and I swallow, closing my eyes to calm myself as much as anyone else.

“WHAT. THE. FUCK?”

“There’s no need to shout,” Emmanuel says, his tone unruffled by the violence Henry’s threatening. “I appreciate it’s less than ideal, but it is what it is and it cannot be changed.”

I sink into my chair as Henry gets to his feet and my stomach ties itself in a knot, convinced all hell’s about to break loose. His movements are slow and deliberate and they’re more terrifying than Ryan’s rapid pacing or Matt’s threatening demeanor. Henry’s livid in a way that’s cold and calculatedand under control, and he’s simply terrifying when he’s like this. His eyes burn with ice-cold fury, his body sings a song of savagery, and his mind controls it all, cooly calculating exactly how he’s going to make someone suffer.

And that someone is Emmanuel.

He turns faster than I can process, becoming a blur of colors as he moves to strike. He’s fucking fast, and the hazy lines of blues and blacks darken as furniture crashes to the floor and a muffled scream reverberates around the room. I blink and reality finally focuses, bringing a horrific picture into view.

Henry has hauled Emmanuel into the air, throttling the man as he suspends him by his throat. His feet dangle off the ground, kicking as they fight to find a footing they’ll never reach, while his fingers grapple against Henry’s hand. Henry’s enraged, snarling and snapping, as his eyes burn with enough intensity to obliterate any sun while his teeth and claws threaten unspeakable violence.

“Henry…”

“You were about to explain to me why I should bother sparing your miserable life, you lying cunt.”

Emmanuel swallows, just about. “I never lied.”

Henry’s grip tightens and his claws dig into Emmanuel’s skin, restricting his air supply and drawing a little blood. Matt and Ryan hiss, alerted by the scent of fear and whatever metallic smell they’re predatory instincts are detecting.

“Don’t make me resort to using the Brotherhood’s powers, Henry.”

“Don’t make me resort to using the full extent of mine.”

Henry raises his arm, lifting Emmanuel into the air with absolutely no effort at all. He’s making a point and it’s a terrifying one. He’s stronger than I imagined, faster than Ifeared, and the thing that makes him more lethal is his sheer damn control. He’s precise, he’s efficient, he’s the epitome of threat and my soul screams in despair, aware of every one of my vulnerabilities.

I’m certain I’m safe, but every cell in my body tells me I need to run as fast as possible to anywhere but here. I’m a mouse surrounded by predators preparing to kill each other, and I won’t survive being caught in the middle of whatever conflict’s about to erupt.

“The Book of Revelations…”

A threat of unbridled violence rolls off Henry’s chest as he slowly and deliberately lowers Emmanuel to the ground. His grip loosens and the priest snatches a breath of air, gulping despite his attempts to remain composed and in control. He’s got none and the person in command has the head of the Brotherhood exactly where he wants him.

“The remainder of the prophecy is about what happens after she changes the fate of the vampires.” Emmanuel swallows and his sallow skin pales further. “As far as we can tell, it doesn’t specify how she makes it happen.”

“As far as you can tell,” Ryan says, stalking closer to Emmanuel with a menace of his own, “because you cunts misplaced a fucking book from one of your fucking libraries and now anyone can find out what’s in it.”

“The book is locked, and it’s pretty darn small.”

Matt slams his fist into the wall and I jump, surprised by his explosion and the deafening sound of plaster disintegrating.

“Tiny, in fact,” Emmanuel says, apparently oblivious to the danger he’s walking himself back into. “So small it looks like a trinket. Gold with a small sapphire in the middle. Someone could easily mistake it for an ornament. Or a pendant on a necklace.”

I stiffen and turn pale, aware of my heavy breathing as my heart thrashes against my chest, skipping beats as it lurches forward. My fingers grip the arms of my chair and everyone’s heads turn to face me, giving me their full attention. It’s exactly what I don’t want, and my anxiety soars as I’m conscious that more than one vicious hunter has me in their sights and they’re closing in on me, readying for a kill.

“Small. Gold. Blue sapphire?”

Emmanuel nods.

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