Page 75 of High Stakes and Soulmates
“No, it’s not safe. Atticus and I searched absolutely everywhere. It’s why it took us so long. Trust me, you’re not going to find him if we couldn’t. I’m really fucking sorry,” Casimir says. “We dealt with his people, but by then he was gone. I’m so sorry I couldn’t do more. We’ll find Louis and Cyrus’s brother. We’ll make sure Louis can never touch you or Cyrus again.”
“If Cyrus lives,” I say.
“He’ll live. He’s strong.”
“His whole family is dead because of me,” I whisper.
“How is it because of you?” Casimir asks. “How could you even imagine that such a thing is because of you? He’s a fucking monster; you didn’t make him that way.”
“He told me the whole reason he’s hurting Cyrus is to fuck with me. This is all my fault. I need to get away from Cyrus. I need to pull away and hope that Louis leaves him alone.”
Casimir shakes his head. “You need to be there for him and protect him. Now that we know he’s back, we’re going to make sure that Cyrus is never alone. The group of us will keep him safe.”
“Yeah? Louis has already been in your home and you didn’t even know it,” I say.
Casimir gives me a questioning look. “What do you mean?”
“The blood you took from me—he stole it and has been marking every crime scene with it. He wants me to know that every one of these people has died because of me. BecauseItook Arturo from him. Fuck.”
“You didn’t do anything. He’s a monster. And he’s a monster that we will find,” Casimir tries to assure me. “Please trust me.”
“I do,” I say, but I feel like everything is falling apart, and I’m reminded again how weak I am compared to that man. I can’t do a damn thing to protect Cyrus. All I can do is flail around and leave more people dead in my wake.
“Ezio, I’ve known you hundreds of years, and you’ve never just… given up. So why are you trying to give up now? After Arturo died, you didn’t just give up, did you?”
“No, but I was a fool who thought I could do something, that I could change something. But I can’t. I’m weak, I’m useless… all I do is get people killed.”
Casimir shakes his head. “I felt the very same fucking way. And I’m positive no matter what I say, you’re not going to believe me. So just promise me this. Before you run off, talk to Cyrus.”
“If he lives!”
“He’s going to live. Cyrus is tough.”
“I can’t even fucking turn him into a vampire to save him now that he’s been bitten. I just…” I trail off and silence settles around us again. I find myself wanting Julian, but he’s back in his cage having absolutely no idea what’s happened. “Should you get back to Julian?”
“No, his mother is monitoring the house,” he says. “Julian will be fine.”
I nod and look down when Yorick takes my hand, and I realize that I’ve just been absently clawing at my bloody pants, like I can just rub the blood away. “Do you want me to go harass them into hurrying up?” Yorick asks.
“I don’t think doctors take their leisurely time when saving people,” Casimir says. “I bet they actually work quite fast.”
“Hmmm… possibly.” Yorick squeezes my hand. “What if you spend time looking at paintings of Gustov? I bet that’ll make you feel better.”
“Oh! That’s a wonderful idea. Distraction is always best,” Casimir says, like he thinks Yorick was being serious.
“You’re ridiculous,” I inform him. “Very ridiculous.”
“Atticus, did you get my beautiful artwork? I made sure to send it first class so it’d get there quickly,” Yorick says.
“I did. I was terrified it was a portrait of you and I’d have to burn it, but it was significantly better. I sent you one back. If I’d known we’d be meeting in person, I would have hand-delivered it to you.”
“Oh, well I can’t wait,” Yorick says. “I will use it as kindling.”
“I was going to use mine as toilet paper.”
“You’re a vampire, you don’t even shit,” Yorick growls.
“I was going to wipe my ass with it anyway.”
