Page 110 of Gift from the Nexus

“What can I do for you?” he asks boredly.

“Just checking in. Word has spread that you’re still keeping the company of the female I left here for you some weeks ago,” the Summum-Master comments casually, but I hear the undertone in his voice.

He’s fishing for something, and Keeper recognizes it as well. His body tenses slightly, but he forces his shoulders to stay relaxed.

“She keeps me well fed. I appreciate your offer,” he says, clipped.

“Yes, well, some of the creatures say her scent has changed, as though a claiming has been placed. Tell me, Keeper, the truth. Have you claimed the female?”

“Of course I haven’t. Even so, what would it matter to you?” Keeper asks, letting his anger slip through.

“She’d need to be recruited properly. Brought into our ranks as all the other females are,” the Summum-Master says with a small chuckle.

My stomach drops. I have a very good mind of what that entails.

“That won’t be necessary. The girl is useless at best, so there’d be no benefit to that other than a constant source of food, and I have that in plenty if I desire it. She’s outlived her welcome. I’ve been growing tired of the endless company,” Keeper says coldly although I can see it for what it is.

He’s panicking and trying to hide the fact he cares about her. Any other scenario I’d probably scoff and talk shit about him not standing up for his woman, but I can admit the last thing I’d want is for the person I loved to be anywhere near the Summum-Master. There’s no telling what he’d do to her.

“Pity, but it’s no surprise. Women are useful for one thing, and even then, they can’t seem to perform properly.” He sighs disappointedly, and I really wish I could fucking punch him and he feel it. “Well, I’m glad that’s cleared up. I knew you’d never make such a decision without my permission or keep such vital information about your love life from me, but you know how these men can talk when they grow bored. Anyway, I must be going. Business in the nonmagical realm. I’ll return in a few days.”

With that, the Summum-Master, followed by a gang of other Mastery members, continues into the darkened forest, leaving Keeper standing there, unraveling by the second.

Either he can tell when the Summum-Master has passed through the portal, or he just doesn’t care because he snaps. Zipping through the forest, he approaches a group of not only vampires but Mastery members dressed in their robes as well. They all give him a laid-back, carefree nod when he steps in front of them, oblivious to his seething, and that costs them their lives.

He demolishes them. Obliterates them as if it’s nothing more than a stroll in the park. The entire time, he bellows his rage, and I can see the heartbreak happening right before my eyes.

Once he’s finished, he rushes back home. Back to her.

“Oh, Elementra. What happened?” she squeals, jumping up from her seat and rushing to him, scanning the blood drenching him. He pulls her in close, pressing his face into her neck, taking a deep breath.

“It’s time for you to go,” he murmurs softly.

“What?” she asks, surprised, pushing away and tilting her head up to him.

“The others have told the Summum-Master about you, about us. He’s showing keen interest now. You must go.”

Her head shakes back and forth furiously, and she latches on to the burlap sack still hiding her identity with white knuckles.

“Why…why can’t I stay with you?” she asks, choked.

“Because he will use you against me. He will make you suffer, just to control me. I can’t allow that to happen. I can’t watch that happen because I won’t be able to protect you from what he will do. My life is in his hands, and he will continue to hold whatever he can over me. That now includes you.”

“Keeper. I don’t want to leave you.” She cries.

“I wish you didn’t have to, beloved, but you must. You must live for yourself. For us. Please, do not fight me on this. It’ll only make it harder.”

He holds her close while she cries, trying his best to hold her heart together while it pours out all over the floor. He doesn’t rush her or try to tell her it’ll be okay. Nor does he keep attempting to convince her why this must happen. They both know that it does, and they’re both accepting and breaking over it.

Gently picking her up, her arms wrap around his neck, while her legs circle tightly around his waist, and they’re off. Miles and miles stretch between his home and where he takes her. It’s as if he attempted to get her as far away from the portal as possible.

“Do one thing for me before you go, beloved,” he whispers when he sets her down.

“Anything.”

“Take off the mask.”

Her breath shudders at the request, but she obliges. With shaky hands, she slowly pulls it off, handing it to him as she runs her fingers through her long black hair.

---