Page 68 of Over the Emerald Valley
Abasi had said he’d killed his maker with his own stake. Solon held a stake in his hand. With a burst of speed and power, he drove it up into Abasi’s flank, under his ribs, and toward his heart.
Locked in a bloody embrace—Abasi with his hand in Solon’s hair, Solon with his hand against the man’s torso—their eyes met.
Blood bubbled from Abasi’s lips as he coughed and sputtered. A grotesque smile spread across his face. “It’s your curse now.”
Chills raced down Solon’s spine.
Abasi’s grip weakened. When he slowly slid to the ground, Solon went with him, unwilling to let go of the stake lest Abasi somehow yank it out and recover.
Their gazes stayed locked until Abasi stilled completely.
No one spoke.
Solon backed away. He needed to take care of Temaj, but he was so…thirsty. A wicked thirst. Its intensity frightened him.
“Is it over?” Neku’s voice came out unsure, shaky.
One part might be over, but for Solon, something new and terrifying was just beginning. “He’s dead.”
Neku let out a breath and crept forward from the wall. “You’ll forgive me if I check for myself?”
Solon nodded and headed toward Temaj, who was awake, though he hadn’t moved. He watched Solon approach through veiled lashes, fresh tears on his cheeks.
Kneeling at his side, Solon took his hand. It was cool and clammy. “Are you all right?”
Temaj squeezed his fingers. “Dizzy. But I think so. Are you?”
Solon ran his tongue over his newly razor-sharp teeth. “I don’t know.”
“I watched you die. Almost. Then you came back.”
“I feel different.”
“You look different.” Temaj let his hand go and touched his face. He stroked fingers across his brow, down his jawline, and to his lips. “Let me see.”
Reluctance flared strong. He didn’t want to show the fangs. Didn’t want to have them at all. He shook his head.
“Are you worried you’ll frighten me?” asked Temaj. “I saw what just happened. You’re covered in blood. I can handle the teeth too.”
Solon cringed away. He’d forgotten about the blood. It must be all over his face, and he had nothing to wipe it away.
Temaj’s gentle fingers firmed on his chin and turned his face back. “Let me see.”
Solon opened his mouth, revealing the cursed teeth, worried Temaj would flinch. But he didn’t.
“Did it hurt?” Though Temaj asked quietly, Solon heard the words crisp and clear, like musical notes from a lute, twinkling to his ears.
“When he bit me? Yes.” Solon recalled the sharp pain, unexpected and grossly intimate. “Dying? No. Coming back felt inevitable, like being sucked into a whirlpool. No choice but to follow along.” And the blood? The blood was divine. Finer than any wine, more delicious than any succulent meat. He’d never known something so decadent, and he ached for more.
“You sacrificed yourself for us, didn’t you? You knew what he was going to do, and you let him do it.”
“You give me far too much credit. It was a last resort.”
“Still. Thank you.”
Solon couldn’t accept thanks. Not really.
“Are you still…you?”
