Page 70 of Across the Sapphire Sea
“Quiet, both of you.” Ash raised his voice. “I’ve had enough of your bickering. Valeri, make your point.”
“Their scrolls said that in this place, thousands of years ago, a gate to another world would open on the solstices. Creatures from our side could cross to theirs, and vice versa. The vampires here mated with fae folk from another realm, and thus produced a hybrid. Drinking the blood of a half-breed heals ailments and grants immortality of the kind the ancients enjoy. Without a half-breed of their own, The Dozen will continue to fall victim to the aging sickness, and Mahu will surely die.”
“But we cannot simply take a person against their will,” said Ash. “What on earth made you think we’d agree to that?”
“He didn’t think we’d agree.” Laurence. Of course. “That’s why he didn’t tell us. He knows it’s wrong and thought that, in the moment, we would betray our morals. Easy for someone with no morals to think others would so willingly give up their own.”
“You didn’t even tell Elias,” said Remy. “He was so shocked as to scorn you in front of everyone.”
“Shut your mouth,” said Valeri, his head full of menace. He’d had enough of Remy’s lip this journey to last an entire lifetime. He had no idea how Laurence could stand the runt.
“Don’t speak to him that way.” Laurence scowled, gray eyes glowing. Valeri would never get used to the unnatural hue.
Aella stood and also began to pace. “What if you’ve overcomplicated this? What if we don’t need an entire person, but merely a small offering of their blood to take back to Mahu? Perhaps we could work out a trade.”
“Do these people seem open to a trade to you?” Valeri scoffed. Asking for a handout would never work. They needed a prisoner, that was all there was to it. But first, they must get Elias back from wherever Sachi had taken him. If there was one thing Valeri regretted, it was his decision to bring Elias along. He should have left him at Bran Vigny where he would have been safe until this mission was complete. Once he had Elias back, he’d never let him out of his sight again.
“We won’t know if we don’t ask,” said Aella as she walked. “What is Elias likely to say to her?”
“How should I know?” Valeri snapped.
“It’s a valid question,” said Ash. “You control his every movement. He obviously didn’t know you intended us to kidnap a halfling, but what else have you told him?”
Valeri didn’t see the importance of this line of inquiry. “I’ve kept him out of it.” Though Elias knew about the gate, didn’t he? Lajos had mentioned it, along with another name for the ancients. Valeri had told him of Isla. But the rest he’d kept secret. Perhaps he shouldn’t have.
Oh Elias, don’t get yourself in any trouble. I’m so sorry.
How mad would Elias be when he returned? He’d been furious with Valeri when he left, but Elias never stayed mad long. Valeri could count on that. Elias’s good nature had eased them through many arguments. He would charm that half-breed, then come back to Valeri safe and sound, and Aella could portal everyone out of there.
Aella’s gaze flitted from Valeri to the others. She dropped back into her chair. “We must at least try to pursue a trade. Convince them their secret is safe with us and offer something of value in return for a sample of blood for Mahu. Do any of you have other ideas?”
“The Dozen are wealthy. We could offer to pay,” Laurence suggested.
“These vampires don’t seem to lack for resources,” said Ash. “My instinct says to appeal to their empathy, but they’ve rejected that plea once already.”
Aella scowled. “Rejected then threatened severe retaliation. If it weren’t for Remy’s barrier…”
She didn’t have to finish that sentence. They all knew Valeri or Elias both might be dead without the magical shield. The thought grated on Valeri like sandpaper.
“Do you think they operate by committee?” asked Ash. “They mentioned a vote. But then Sachi spoke as if she were the leader and commanded the others in the face of opposition.”
“Perhaps we have only to win her good opinion, and the others will follow,” said Remy. “Hopefully, Elias will bring us some useful information.”
Valeri glowered at the four of them, with their heads all turned together, effectively excluding him from the conversation. They wouldn’t even know about these vampires or the cure if it weren’t for him. And as far as he was concerned, they were focusing on the wrong thing.
“We ought to go after him.” Valeri glared at Aella. “Use the magic we brought you along for, get us out of this blasted room, take Elias and the woman, and go.”
“You aren’t listening,” said Laurence. “None of us, nor The Dozen, would ever agree to your criminal plan. Think of something else or be quiet.”
Inside, Valeri fumed. He opened his mouth to argue but closed it as the door swung wide to reveal one of the half-breeds. Not Sachi or Isla, but the other one. The third one.
Their group was on their feet in an instant, Remy’s hands twitching at his sides. Valeri had to admit, having a witch around who could produce a barricade came in handy. He turned his attention to the newcomer.
Skin glowing brighter than the full moon’s rays over freshly fallen snow, their ethereal appearance confused the eyes. Was this a man or a woman? Valeri couldn’t be sure. He also didn’t think it mattered. What mattered was where Sachi had taken Elias and what was she doing with him.
“Where is my fledgling?” Valeri demanded none too tactfully.
Golden eyes settled on him, the weight of their stare pushing him back a step. The purple tunic flowed about their ankles as the halfling came to a stop. “Elias is safe with Sachi. She is gentle. Have no fear.”
