Page 78 of Across the Sapphire Sea
With boredom came boldness, for what did he have to lose? Valeri lived in a constant state of irritation, why not give him something to be irritated about?
Elias ventured from his room. He began to meet people. First the donors, who were available to any vampire in the castle upon request. Then other vampires. A woman called Livia who had harsh words for Valeri, but was very kind to Elias.
And finally, Laurence.
Well, he didn’t meet Laurence, not really, but he saw the man. Elias wouldn’t have known who he was if a smaller, younger vampire with long yellow hair hadn’t called out his name.
“Laurence, wait for me.”
The big vampire stopped in his tracks, turned, and his handsome face lit up with a welcoming smile, gray eyes glowing silver. “Remy! You’re early. We have an hour before we must meet Aella.”
Elias stared from where he’d frozen in the corridor, hoping to blend in with the wall as he ogled the pair.
Laurence was huge. Well, maybe not huge per se, but tall and broad with brawny muscles and a rounded chest and eyes only for Remy, which was good because it meant he did not catch Elias staring.
Remy, by contrast, was a petite beauty. Short of stature, thin like Elias, with a lean frame and a youthful face. His blond hair hung in loose waves around his shoulders, and despite their size difference, he fit perfectly in Laurence’s embrace as they greeted one another not ten feet from where Elias stood.
“An hour you say?” said Remy with a twinkle in his eyes. “I can think of a number of ways to spend an hour with you.”
Laurence gave an indulgent grin. “Well, let’s see how many we can check off your list, shall we?”
The pair hurried past Elias, who ducked to avoid notice.
So this was Laurence? This was who Valeri had chosen first?
Laurence must have been Valeri’s type. But Elias was nothing like Laurence. Not proud or strong or handsome. Not muscular or imposing. He was just Elias. Rather scrawny—though not as small as Remy had been, but still—he was nothing compared to a man like Laurence.
What had Valeri ever seen in him?
20
Elias, Present, 1432 Common Era
The Vartija were already gathered at Warden’s Hall when Isla brought Elias and his party to meet their fate. The same group from last night—the three halflings: Isla, Finley, and Sachi; Bannos, the tall vampire who’d ordered Isla to attack Valeri; and two other men who’d still not been introduced—sat in a half circle as if they were about to play cards and not sentence six souls to death or imprisonment.
Though he was still furious with Valeri, Elias had drunk from him upon waking and stood at his side now. He wasn’t sure what awaited them when they were out of this catastrophe, but he wouldn’t abandon his sire yet.
Bannos stood as they entered and gestured to the empty chairs. So polite. So civil. Their apathy made Elias sick to his stomach, a familiar feeling he was eager to be rid of.
Elias risked a glance at Sachi, and she met his gaze with a brave face and subtle nod. They had a plan. Their group knew the details, and the seven of them were ready to see it through. With a bit of luck, they’d be back in Bran Vigny by sunup. Without it, well, Elias didn’t want to think about what could happen.
Everyone sat. The old wooden chairs, probably ancient themselves, squeaked in protest.
Bannos addressed the group, but his eyes were trained on Remy. “Your vampire-witch has made coming to a solution difficult.”
Laurence sat stiff in his chair.
Did they expect an apology for not being easier to dispatch?
“So long as your solution is within reason,” began Ash, playing his part, “it’s not out of the realm of possibility that we could be convinced to cooperate. What have you decided?”
“The decision was not unanimous, therefore, it’s only temporary. You benefit from our long-rooted desire to move away from executions. We’ll allow you to choose. You may remain under our supervision until you either prove yourselves worthy, or until such time as you make such a nuisance of yourselves as to warrant further action. Because of you, we’ll need to abandon this location and secure another.”
Ash sat forward in his chair. “Or?”
“Or you may submit your minds to our magic. We’ll wipe all knowledge of our existence and deposit you someplace safe where you can begin anew. The process isn’t exact, and many of your memories will be lost, up to and including vital pieces of what makes youyou.”
Ash frowned. “That is not much of a choice.”
