Page 56 of Dark Desire
He licked his lips before his gaze settled on my face. He wasn’t smiling; instead, he looked forlorn. Unsettled even. “I received a message from the Gods. You two had better come inside.”
After Zoran quickly explained that Leif had recently inherited the powers of a seer, the three of us gathered around my cramped dining table. I reached across to hold Zoran’s hand while Leif sat opposite us. His distinctive eyes darted between us, his expression stoic as if he was still processing something only he could hear.
“I don’t know how else to put this, so I’m just going to say it...” Leif rubbed his forehead and then leaned forward, resting his elbows on the surface of the table. “I think Darcie’s going to die tonight.”
Zoran’s jaw clenched, fury darkening his expression, and I briefly closed my eyes before offering Leif a small smile. “We know.”
He frowned. “Youknow. What do you mean, youknow?”
“I broke the life oath I made with The Fates when I saved Zoran’s life,” I muttered. “The consequence of that is death.”
Zoran’s grip on my hand tightened possessively. “I won’t let it happen. I won’t let them take her from me. I don’t care what the Gods said, I’ll find a way to stop this. I’m going to offer to become a seeker for The Fates in exchange for her life,” Zoran growled.
“No! You can’t!” I shouted, horror gripping my insides.
“Why not?” Zoran asked, staring at me. “They enlist supernaturals with unique and rare abilities. I am one of the last three Demonski Upirs still alive. That must be worth something in their eyes.”
“You won’t be free, Zoran. I didn’t save your life for you to give it to them and be forced to complete their demands forever.”
“If it saves yours, I don’t care.”
Leif looked at him with heavy sorrow in his eyes and shook his head. “Don’t do it. It won’t make a difference. She broke a life oath. That cannot be forgiven or negotiated without paying the price. It’s going to happen, Z. I saw it.”
Zoran suddenly shot to his feet, his chair crashing backwards and tumbling to the floor. He pressed his hand to his face and turned away from us, leaning one hand against the window as if it were the only thing holding him upright. Leif and I exchanged a glance, a silent conversation of mutual concern for him.
“What exactly did you see?” I asked, trying to hide my shaking hands under the table. I hoped my death would be quick and painless.
“It was quick,” Leif said, as if he could read my dark thoughts. “Zoran was there, holding you. The vision came with a message from one of the Gods. I never know which God sent it, but I have a feeling it was one who is trying to help you. My guess is Veles.”
“Help?” Zoran spun around, narrowing his gaze on Leif, his voice edged with disbelief. “When have the Gods ever given a damn about trying to help?”
“The fact that I can tell you this only proves that they want you to know. Granted, the gods are assholes, but they never waste words. They only interfere when they feel responsible. The message said…” He drew in a breath, preparing to recite something that seemed etched into his memory. “Her death must be the price. A life for a life. Once the debt is repaid, balance is restored. Fate always wins… but the chance to mould it to your will still remains.”
What the hell was that supposed to mean? Does the chance to mould fate to my will still remain? How?
Zoran stepped forward, his eyes widening as his mind spun. “You saw her die?”
Leif nodded. “I did. There is no way around that. Her life had to be given to end her oath and restore the balance.”
“A life for a life,” Zoran repeated almost whimsically, as if the words had a new meaning. I stared at him, perplexed, as he turned to Leif. “That’s it.”
“What’s it? What’s going on?” I glanced between him and Leif, as a slow, mischievous smile spread across the warlock’s face.
“There is always a loophole,” Leif added, leaning back on the legs of his chair with a cheeky grin. “Ain’t that right, demon?”
Zoran bobbed his head, matching Leif’s smile before he glanced back at me. What the hell were these two planning?
Chapter Nineteen
“You want me to become a vampire?” I gawked, staring between Leif and Zoran. “But how will that be a loophole? I’ll still be alive?”
“Turned vampires aren’t the same as born vampires,” Zoran explained. “A human can only be turned by death. They must be infected with vampire venom before their former life comes to an end. In essence, they are reborn.”
“But I thought supernaturals couldn’t be turned?”
“They can’t,” Leif explained. “Except for witches and warlocks. We are the closest supernaturals to humans. Our genetics are human but we have the added gift of magic. That’s why we can be turned successfully. However, turning a witch into a vampire means ending your current life, which is often why our kind refuse to do it, even if they have a vampire mate.”
“Because I’ll lose my magic,” I said, realising what this meant. I’d be giving up my powers for different supernatural abilities. Strength, speed and fangs. It wasn’t something I’d ever considered.
