Page 65 of Gray
“I’m on your side, not his,” Konnar said. “Despite my preference to remain neutral, my allegiance has always been to you. Apologies for eavesdropping. I never intentionally read your thoughts.”
“Bastard,” Mason muttered under his breath. “I knew he could read minds.”
I lightly bumped his arm.
“What happened?” Alastair set his drink aside and folded his hands in his lap, ankle crossing over his knee. His casual demeanor couldn’t hide the worry in his eyes though. “Why the change?”
“I received a call from Omar, a friend of mine from a coven in Manchester. He said many vampires have sided with Asa. They were told to attack humans. As many as possible, including children. The ones who detest such a thing refused and were killed. So others then pledged their fidelity out of fear.”
“Lazarus said Asa and Belphegor set monsters free all over the world,” Alastair said. “He claims there’s no reason for the attacks other than to simply kill… but I disagree. This is part of something bigger. Forcing vampires to kill or be killed only makes me believe it more.” He tapped a finger on his thigh. “Did your friend say anything else?”
“Only a warning.” Konnar took another puff of his cigar, then released the smoke. “He said when Asa comes for Echo Bay, I need to make the right choice.”
“And that is?”
The vampire smirked. “To tell him to bite me, of course.”
Bellamy laughed.
“I’ve spoken to my coven,” Konnar continued. “They are all in agreement with me. We will stand beside you in this fight. You’ll find that many here feel the same. Bane and his pack, as well as the Fae. I’ve worked too hard for peace to throw it all away now.”
A puzzled expression crossed Mason’s face. “You’d risk going up against the son of Lucifer, potentially dying because of it, all for the sake of humans?”
Konnar looked at him. “Saying all of us are evil is just like saying all humans are good. Neither is true. Evenmonsterscan have a moral compass. I don’t wish to see this world destroyed any more than you do, Mr. Hawk.”
Mason dropped his gaze to our joined hands. Poor guy probably didn’t know what to think. I nuzzled his arm and smiled when his eyes moved to me. He didn’t smile back, but his hand squeezed mine a bit tighter.
I hoped the discussion ended soon. My eyes were starting to get heavy, and I didn’t want to miss anything important. Usually I had more time before Sloth took over, but the naps I’d taken before coming to the club had been too short.
“There’s one more thing,” Konnar said, drawing my attention back to him. “Omar mentioned reapers. They were with Belphegor.”
“Reapers?” Galen asked. “They’ve always been neutral when it came to angels and demons.”
“Wait.” Mason frowned. “Like grim reapers? The beings who ferry souls to the other side?”
“Yes,” Alastair answered. I was surprised by his patience. He normally loathed questions. It showed he was trying when it came to Mason. “As Galen said, they’re neither good nor bad. They take souls to paradise or to the fiery pit. Nothing more. Nothing less. They are forbidden to meddle with human lives.”
“Indeed.” Konnar took a drink and lightly ran his tongue over one of his fangs, which had protruded with the taste of blood in his wine. “Which brings up an interesting question: why have they sided with Asa? What purpose would they have to do so?”
Raiden reached forward and grabbed one of the chocolates from the bowl, his sin finally winning. He unwrapped it and popped it into his mouth. Clara shook her head at him, and he grinned before throwing his beefy arm around her.
“Another question to consider.” Alastair rested a hand near his mouth, gaze intense. “What use does Asa have for the reapers? Because they’re not fighters. They don’t harm humans.”
“Yeah, but they collect souls.” I sat up a little, trying to shake off my sleepiness. “Maybe Asa is looking for a specific soul? But he doesn’t know its location. So he’s sending monsters to kill people at random, then using the reapers to bring him the souls.” At their stunned stares, I scoffed. “I do more than sleep, you know. I’m smart.”
Mason rested his head on the side of mine. “Yes, you are.”
I smiled at the familiar flutter in my belly and laid my head back on his shoulder. Surely he wouldn’t act like that if I was just a booty call.
“I’ll contact Lazarus.” Alastair stood from his chair. “Perhaps he can shed some light on the situation.”
“Good luck with that. That prick is never around when we need him.” Bellamy downed the rest of his drink. “As for me? I’m gonna get shitfaced and then find a dick to ride. Who wants to join me?”
“I’m in.” Raiden ate another piece of chocolate before grabbing a few more from the bowl and stuffing them in his pocket. “For later.”
Bellamy and Raiden left the lounge, the music from the main part of the club blaring as the door opened, then quieting once it closed again. I guess Bellamy had gotten over whatever had been bothering him. Or maybe Lust had reached his limit and needed to let loose.
“I think I might join them,” Clara said, pushing to her feet. She adjusted her blouse before pulling her hair free of the bun and shaking it loose. “Maybe I’ll find a hot girl to take home. Or two.”
