Page 54 of Redeemed
“Why doesn’t she turn him?” Sheena asks from somewhere outside the bubble Connor has created.
“Because two scions of the same master don’t always get along.”
“You cannot do this thing.” Connor puts a hand on my arm, his expression imploring me to stand down.
“Why not?”
“To bring someone else into the life you lead…” Connor’s voice fades.
Or maybe my rising anger drowns out his words. “What’s wrong with the life that I lead? I happen to enjoy it a great deal.”
“No, you’re fine. There’s nothing wrong with you. I just…” Connor glances at David, who’s got his hands clasped on top of his head, eyes wide like he can’t believe what he’s hearing.
My cell phone chooses that moment to chime. It’s a text from an unknown number.
Madame Packard looks forward to seeing you at three minutes to midnight tonight.
“Too late.” I pocket my phone, my guts twisting on themselves. “My mind’s made up. I will do anything in my power to rid myself of Jacques Betancourt. I hope you’ll support me, but either way…” I shrug. It would be a painful irony if ridding myself of Jacques loses me Connor as well.
The silence between us reaches an uncomfortable point when Cliffe says, “I’ll go with you.”
“What?” I shoot her a glance.
“When you go this evening. You shouldn’t go alone into a strange vampire’s home, so I’ll go too.”
Her simple common sense wakes the rest of them.
“She’s right. I’m in.” Sheena sounds unconvinced, but I appreciate her support.
David rises from the bed and comes to stand between me and Connor. “Me too, although I understand where Connor’s coming from.”
“I will not,mo shíorghrá.There must be another way.”
He’s close enough I catch his leather and whiskey scent. I close my eyes. Jacques’ voice grows stronger, though I no longer feel the need to give in. Connor moves away, taking his warmth and his scent with him.
I don’t move. “When David decided to callbeurteilungon his uncle, you supported him despite the substantial risk involved. When you defeated Adam Smith by turning yourself into a shadow of death, I did not remove myself from you. Why deny me your support now?”
I open my eyes. Connor’s face is a mask of anguish and his words—bring someone else into the life you lead—run through my mind in Jacques’ voice. There’s nothing wrong with my life. Nothing.
“I am a vampire,amore mio. I have been one all these long years, and I see no shame in creating another such as myself. I’m sorry, but I must do this.”
“I’m sorry too.” Connor reaches for my hand and intertwines our fingers. “I’m going out for a while, but I’ll be back before dawn.”
With that, he leaves before anyone can react. David moves first, flinging the door open and hollering, “Get back here, you dumbass.”
No response. He leans against the door jamb, hands covering his face. Sheena puts an arm around my shoulders and I lean into her strength.
From her chair in the corner, Cliffe chuckles. “You weren’t fucking kidding, vampire Gall. You said there’d be fireworks, but dang.”
“Did you just call him vampire Gall? Like, is that your nickname for him?” David peers at her from between his fingers.
“Apparently,” I say, and David laughs. He crosses the room and rises on his toes to brush a kiss on my cheek.
“Give him a minute, Tony. He’ll pull his head out of his ass and be back with an apology before we get around to missing him.”
I pull David close. “I miss him already, but you’re right. Let’s use our time wisely and make a plan for what happens next.”
Sheena snorts a laugh. “Can’t wait to see how this one gets fucked up.”
