Page 21 of Dead

“Do you mind telling me what you know?”

“Of course,” Adriel said before returning to his seat and taking Eilam’s hand in his. “We were arguing—Eilam and I. As we do so often. As he was storming out, a portal opened inside my study. Directly between us. An assassin—all in black—emerged and attacked. My magic bounced off the assassin… Eilam threw himself between me and the attacker. Eilam killed the man in black.” The king paused, tears shimmering in his eyes again. “Just as the assassin slit his throat.”

Adriel paused again, trying to hold back the emotion he felt. When he could speak again, he lifted his stare. “My magic doesn’t work on Eilam for some reason. That’s saved him from a few slings and arrows over these past months as we’ve argued, but it also prevented me from helping him when it mattered most. The door was bound by magic… no one could get inside to help. I had my hands at his neck, trying to stop the bleeding. I had to let go and break the spell on the door or… he definitely would’ve died.” Adriel gasped. “But I wonder if those precious few seconds made things worse for him. If he awakens and isn’t himself…”

“It sounds as if you did all you could,” Noah murmured. “Had you not opened that door, he might not be here struggling at all.”

The thought gripped him so hard he could barely breathe. Had Eilam lost his life… Adriel looked down at Eilam’s hand, sure he’d felt a faint squeeze. “I think he gripped my hand.”

Noah sat up straighter. “Eilam… we’re here, my love. We’re here, and we’re waiting for you to wake up. Just open your eyes… even if it’s for a moment. Let us know you hear us and that you’re okay.”

Eilam’s lids fluttered some. He opened his eyes and stared at Noah for a moment before they fell closed again seconds later. Adriel lifted Eilam’s hand to his lips again and pressed a kissed to the man’s knuckles.

Those bright eyes opened again and pinned him with a glance before they closed once more.

Adriel let out a strangled cry, thankful for a sign Eilam was coming back to them.

Not us.

He’s coming back to Noah.

Noah moved closer and brushed a few strands of hair from Eilam’s face. “You sleep and get stronger, brother bear. We’re here when you’re ready.”

There is no we. Them. They’ll be reunited. And I’ll be alone… just as I have been.

At least I’ll be alone, knowing Eilam is safe.

For now.

The door opened, and Theis appeared. “Your Majesty?”

“Come,” Adriel said, urging his guardsman inside.

Theis entered fully, and Valen followed. The latter shut the door.

“What can you tell me?” Adriel asked.

“Not as much as you want, I’m afraid,” Theis said. “The attacker turned to ash soon after Eilam was taken from the room. We had no chance to see his face.”

“Damn it,” Adriel cursed.

Valen fished something from a small bag. He lifted his forefinger and thumb, holding a small item. “Something that didn’t dissolve were his teeth. Fangs, actually. The other is being tested to see if we can find who he was.”

The king rose from his seat and crossed the space. He spied the tooth before taking it from Valen’s hand. “Vampire? But he had dark magic. Magic so strong, I struggled to defend against it.”

Adriel was considered the most powerful warlock in Midnight. If it got out that another had bested him, it would be hard to live down.

“The Midnight Accords put an end to witches being changed into vampires many centuries ago, but this lot has little use for laws. Do you think they were able to change a witch or warlock over to the cause?” Theis asked.

“At birth, witches are bound by magic that prevents them from being changed by a vampire. I find it next to impossible,” Valen answered.

“What about Hart?” Noah said from behind them.

Adriel looked over one shoulder.

“Hart was born in the human world. A natural witch who had no idea the power he had. The witch world knew nothing of him. If a vampire had found someone like Hart… could he be changed?” Noah asked.

Adriel turned to Noah. “Just how much does Eilam share with you?”

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