Page 147 of The Vampire's Mercy
But what else? What about my world?
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, shoulders slumped. Defeat bore down on me, grief a vicious attack constantly landing blows. “I’m so sorry.”
None of this had to happen. It should’ve ended that day in the tower in Aidan’s pocket of reality. But I’d ruined it.
I’d ruined everything.
Medusa held me as a ball of venomous ice formed in my chest. “It’s okay, sugar. It’s okay.”
But it wasn’t.
It really wasn’t.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
PARIS
This all happened seventy years ago, when the vampires and the frostbrood came to Quintrealm.
Shit. Just shit.
“This is the means to fighting back,” Caer said as I got back on my feet.
I was back in the tower, back in the place Aidan created.
My throat burned from all the puking, and my heart was broken into a billion pieces.
Caer continued. “My curse is a strange beast, and it put these props in place.” She gestured at the wardrobe and bureau, then pointed at me. “For years, I waited for something to happen, and then I woke up in the body of a baby boy. I gifted you with my song, intercepting you being given the mer blood.”
And that answered that years-long question I had about why I didn’t get the breathing underwater gift.
“Through you, I have restored some memories,” she carried on. “Through you, I can use my power and grow. Together wecan defeat him. My essence is inside you, your body adapted to carry me. Now you see, now we can begin.”
My insides curdled like milk in the sun. “I’m your…puppet?”
“We are one,” she countered. “You are my hope. You are the world’s hope.”
No pressure, huh? “By giving Aidan his freedom?”
“You heard him. Only if he is free can I work against him.”
“Seems like a bit of a prick move.”
She’d cursed him, he’d cursed her, making a stinking mess.
“Quite,” she said. “Now we find a new weapon to kill him with. Because he will find a new vessel to inhabit. But first, I must recuperate. The song is spent. We will learn more as we move forward.”
Good, because there were gaps to fill.
I didn’t like this, being a pawn in some god fight.
I rubbed at my throat. “What about Silvanus?”
She shook her head. “He can help. The vampires will now see the truth of Aidan’s rot. But we must be careful. Now he is free, Aidan will begin work on whatever it is he has planned. And the rest of the world needs to learn the truth.” Cue a heavy sigh.
“Fuck,” I rasped, tears flowing again. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to cope with this.”
Every part of me was tense to the point of agony.
