Page 62 of Across the Sapphire Sea
Confirmation of his fear sat heavy on Elias’s shoulders. “And what would you have me do?”
“Persuade him to give up. He is pathetically enamored with you. Put your significant charms to good use for a change, and get the both of you out of here. As far as you can. Never come back.”
Though things were perhaps even less funny with this dire warning, Elias had to suppress a sad chuckle. “Enamored with me? Surely you jest. He can hardly stand me some nights. Tonight for instance. And your presence will only make that worse.”
“For that, I’m truly sorry, but you’re a fool if you don’t realize his devotion. Valeri may be shit at expressing it, but his love for you can surely be seen from the moon.” Lajos studied his nails as if the next bit were of no importance. “I’ve offered for you on several occasions—no small sum either, for you are worth your weight in gold—and he won’t hear any of it.”
Elias hid his revulsion. “Valeri is rich. He doesn’t need your money.”
Moistening his lips, Lajos lowered his voice. “I’ve offered him more than money.”
“What else is there?”
Lajos caught his gaze with glowing emerald irises. “Power.”
“I’m surprised he turned you down.” Elias wasn’t sure how Lajos was doing it, but a thrumming pulse radiated from the other vampire, enough to raise the small hairs on his neck. “I’m not a thing to be bought and sold.”
“Good for you for believing you have choices.” Lajos gave an indolent shrug. “Perhaps I’m wrong. Perhaps you do. He may love you enough to let you go one day, if that’s what you decide, but I wouldn’t bet my ponies on it.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Elias leaned back. “I’m still waiting for your point.”
“I’ve already made it.” Lajos pursed his lips, gave Elias a long, slow glance. “Use your charms to get him to leave. There’s nothing for Valeri here. The vampires he seeks won’t tolerate his poking around much longer. If he won’t go, you should. Perhaps that’s the better idea. Go, and I guarantee, he’ll give chase. That will get you both out of harm’s way.”
What Lajos didn’t know was that he and Valeri had already planned to sail south. Elias wouldn’t tell him. He’d let Lajos think his warning had been heeded. When Lajos discovered their absence, he could feel smug for all Elias cared.
“Why are you here, Lajos? Not in these rooms with me now, but in Rovaniemi. I’ve seen your paintings. You could take your art somewhere it would be appreciated. Rome. Paris. Yet you remain in this land of ice and snow. Why?”
Lajos’s casual sprawl had stiffened. “You really are smarter than he is.”
Elias would not be fooled by flattery, and he didn’t believe it anyway. “Will you answer?”
Instead of looking at Elias, Lajos took in the room, eyes roaming the colorful decor and settling on a mediocre painting of a sunset done in bright yellows and vibrant oranges. They sat together in sullen silence long enough for Elias to conclude that the answer was no, Lajos wouldn’t explain why he stayed in Rovaniemi.
Then, while still staring at the subpar painting, his voice came soft and singsong,
“I’m not allowed to leave here yet.
I am here to pay a debt.
We must take what we can get.
And you should cut your losses.”
Unsure how to reply, Elias considered his words. “You owe a debt to the ancients?”
Lajos grinned, revealing his fangs to be as petite as their owner—and just as deadly. “The ancients.” He rolled his eyes. “I suppose it’s a fitting enough term, but that’s not what they call themselves. How pretentious. No wonder Valeri calls them that.”
“What do they call themselves?”
“They are The Vartija, the wardens of the gate.”
Curiosity flared. “What gate?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Lajos drawled slowly, now that he had Elias’s full attention. “The gate hasn’t opened in millennia. It’s dormant.”
“Were you here last it opened?”
More laughter, as if Lajos thought him particularly amusing. “Buttercup, I’m notthatold.”
