Page 32 of Across the Sapphire Sea
This time, Elias would not play dumb. They’d been dancing their way to this conclusion all week. “How is it done?”
“I take your blood—all of your blood—and you die…” Valeri let the words linger between them.
Elias watched his own breath as the breeze stole it away in wisps and curls until all traces disappeared.
Valeri continued, bright eyes focused on him with singular purpose. “Then I give the blood back. And you wake, reborn. A vampire. Like me.”
“Like you.” A chill rippled through Elias’s chest. “How do you know the transformation will work?”
“I’ve done it before.”
This time, Elias’s shock was real. He’d never considered the possibility Valeri had other spawn out there in the world. “You’ve made another vampire?”
“Once.”
Elias knew he must be gawking, but he couldn’t help himself. “But where are they?”
“Heis irrelevant. The transformation worked. Do you want it or not?”
Elias faltered. An owl screeched in the distance. “I don’t know.”
Valeri hovered, their faces inches apart. “Make a choice.”
“Now?”
“Now.”
“What if I say no?” Would Valeri kill him? Was this his plan all along?
Valeri leaned in, so their chests pressed together and their cheeks touched. Elias could no longer see his eyes. Couldn’t interpret his expression. Somehow this was more frightening. His heart pounded.
“Then I’ll give you the money I have on me, and you can take Barley and go south. Pavel is mine. There will be no more between us, and you will never tell a soul about me.”
Simple. Take the money, take the horse, find a new life that didn’t involve killing people. But it wouldn’t involve Valeri either and despite his fear, Elias wanted Valeri above all else.
“I want a companion,” Valeri whispered into his ear. “I’ve chosen you. Will you choose me?”
Thump, thump, thump.Elias listened to his heartbeat for the last time.
“Yes.”
9
Elias, Present, 1432 Common Era
Tired of arguing, Elias walked back to the ship with Valeri in silence. Halfway through the journey, Valeri linked their arms. Elias recognized the gesture for what it was. A peace offering, the best Valeri could give. He would receive no apology, but this he could have. He squeezed Valeri’s bicep against his side. Whether happy or miserable, they would be together.
They were approaching the ship when the pitter-patter of light footsteps alerted Remy’s presence. He trotted in from the boardwalk. Next to Elias, Valeri stiffened.
“Best to wait,” said Remy.
“What’s going on?” Valeri’s gaze landed on the vessel.
With an hour’s time left before dawn, there was no one about. No obvious reason not to board the ship.
“Aella heard talk amongst the crew. Some of them think we’re cursed and no longer want us aboard.”
Valeri scowled. “After what we’ve paid? Of all the ungrateful—”
