Page 243 of Flirting with Darkness

“Why him? Why not the Vampire King?”

“Because he is as powerful as the King and has just as much, if not more, political influence. The King is weak in body and mind, he always has been. His authority is dying among our kind, and our enemies know it. His son is a young boy and not in any position to sit on the Blood Throne and run our kingdom. Whoever sits upon that throne rules our kind, all of our kind, Original and Made. If they can kill the Count, ending the King’s reign will be easy. The Count is the King’s strongest ally and advisor. He has connections across the world. Without Balthazar, the King’s defences would falter, and whoever is leading the Mades will be in a prime position to take the throne.”

Elliot’s eyes widened. “Wow,” he murmured.

We continued to walk the perimeter wall, but after a few minutes of silence, I’d had enough.

“Hey.”

I put a hand on his shoulder and pulled him to a stop before peering into his eyes. “What’s going through that busy mind of yours? You’ve done nothing but pepper me with questions the whole day, yet now I’ve told you what the war is about—nothing.”

He shrugged, but couldn’t turn away when I firmly grabbed his chin between my fingers and thumb.

“Not good enough, Elliot.” I smirked. “You don’t get to be moody around me.”

He rolled his eyes, but a sexy little smile curled the corners of his mouth. “No, that’s your job.”

I grinned. “True. Now tell me what’s on your mind.”

He tilted his head, his lips pressed firmly together. A sigh escaped him, but there was a determined glint in his eyes. “I can lead you to the general area of Victor’s stronghold. His man blindfolded me to drive me to the airport, but I know roughly how long it took, and I know we were near Prague because that’s where my flight left from.”

“He could have just driven you around to confuse you.”

“He could, but even if he did, I can help you search for the coven.”

I searched his face. “You really mean that, don’t you?”

“I do.”

“What about your own revenge on Victor?”

He shrugged. “I think we both know I’d mess it up.”

I tightened my grip. “No, I don't think you would. You are stronger than you think, Elliot. You just need to realise it.”

I let him go and walked back to the car, waiting for him to catch up when I made it back slightly before him. He looked lost in thought as I turned the key, and he remained silent all the way to the estate’s gatehouse.

His silence continued as I checked in with the guards.

“Keep me informed of any issues,” I said to Vito, relieved to be almost done. No matter how it tested my self-control, I craved the daytime when I could lay close to Elliot. “The Count informed me of another virus outbreak in South London. He's stayed to do some damage control, but I want every part of this estate warded and locked down.”

The guard nodded, then looked intently at Elliot before shifting his gaze back to me.

“Why’re you dragging round a half-breed, boss? It’s not like you to waste your time training someone as low as him to fight and use weapons when he’ll be dead soon.” His gaze raked over Elliot, a roguish glint in his eyes. “On second thought, shall I watch him for you? I’ll bet his human blood tastes really fucking good.”

I snarled and glanced at Elliot, who quickly looked at the ground, shrinking in on himself. Vito was being an arse, trying to wind me up, but in the process he was frightening Elliot. Frustration had me grinding my teeth. Elliotwastechnically my prisoner, and no matter how much I wanted to keep my promise to protect him, I had no hope of defying Bal if he wanted Elliot punished. If I fought my friend to protect Elliot, he’d kill us both. I swallowed hard, hating that for the first time ever I was questioning my loyalty to my friend and Lord, for a bond that was only just forming between me and Elliot. Either way Vito had no understanding of how his words affected Elliot. But he soon would. Elliot had been abused all his life; that wasn’t happening anymore—ever.

“Elliot. Go and wait outside.”

I had refrained from using any commands recently and his glare told me he realised he couldn’t defy this order. I would have been happy at that show of rebellion if he hadn’t dropped his gaze when Vito chuckled. I snarled as Elliot curled in on himself and walked out without a word. In the blink of an eye I had Vito around his thick neck and slammed him up against the wall.

“Yeah, he’s my prisoner, you arsehole. But he is worth every bit of my time, and anyone else’s that I say. Know this. If you ever touch him or disrespect him again, I’ll break you. You feel me?” I snarled.

“Whoa, okay, boss.” Vito lifted his hands and eyed the door speculatively. “You sure he’s your prisoner?”

“Yes!” I snapped.

Vito raised his brows, but shrugged. “So you want me to shoot him if he runs?”

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