Page 67 of Across the Sapphire Sea
Elias failed to repress a shudder.
“We keep you here, as prisoners until you can be trusted.”
Another horrible option.
“Or, we kill you as we have those before you who sought secrets that weren’t theirs for the taking.”
“You assume we are defenseless,” said Valeri. “We’re not.”
Elias wished Valeri would stay quiet, just this once.
But Valeri kept talking, “None of your proposed solutions will do you any good. Every vampire in The Dozen knows your location, and they will not suffer our deaths, disappearance, or imprisonment lightly.”
Ash quickly added, “None of The Dozen wish you harm. None intend to share your secrets. We do not come to you with threats, but with pleas. We wish peace between our people, and help for Mahu.”
“What you wish is irrelevant,” said Isla. “You cause us great damage. Relocating The Vartija is no easy task, but when your people come looking, I assure you, they will not find us.”
Valeri stood. “I found you.”
Elias grabbed him and jerked him back to his seat, pinching the skin on his flank harshly. Valeri would get them all murdered.
“And you will die for it,” said Isla.
Valeri turned sharply to Aella. “We need one of them.” He pointed to Isla and Sachi. “One of the glowing ones. They’re half-breeds. Their blood is the cure.”
Elias blinked, his mind reluctant to process Valeri’s words. He’d kept this secret the entire time? “What?”
Valeri’s gaze flit to Elias. If he felt guilty, it didn’t show in his hardened expression.
“You knew what the cure was and didn’t tell us?” Rage flamed hot, constricting Elias’s chest. “But we can’t steal a person!”
The words were out before Elias could think better of them. He slammed both hands over his stupid mouth. Everyone had turned his way. Shock and anger painted the faces of The Vartija.
“Of course we can,” said Valeri. “Aella.” He looked at her as if he fully expected her to obey. Pop open a portal, steal a living being, and rush them all to safety.
Elias had never been so disgusted. “I’m going to be sick.”
Aella’s muscular frame held the coiled energy of a wolf about to strike, but she kept it in check and looked to Ash for guidance. Remy and Laurence were on the edge of their seats. The Vartija were equally stiff and stone-faced.
“No one is stealing anyone, Valeri,” said Ash, though he wasn’t looking at Valeri. His gaze remained directly on Isla. “He does not speak for our group. We wish you no harm, but nor do we intend to sacrifice ourselves to your extreme version of justice.”
The tall man stood. “Ash, you seem a reasonable man, but we’ve been threatened in our own inner sanctum—”
Isla stood with him and finished his thought. “Actions have consequences.” She raised her hand toward Valeri.
Elias lunged to put his body in front of his sire’s. He was furious with Valeri, but he didn’t want him dead.
“Remy,” said Aella.
Power radiated from Isla’s outstretched hand, barely visible, an iridescent wave headed straight for them. Valeri grabbed Elias and made to reverse their positions, but it was too late.
Or it would have been.
The shimmering wave hit a barrier and dispersed in a wild glow of light that fizzled and died out without causing harm.
Valeri tugged Elias out of the way.
Remy was standing now, arms outstretched, Laurence at his back with a hand on the nape of his neck, Aella at his side. “Come,” he ordered.
