Page 72 of Bite of Passage
“Trained killers who need an outlet.”He spun a knife on its side in circles on the table.“I considered quitting.Gemma asked me why I didn’t.My targets try to kill me every time, obviously.I could become an assassin for hire or find something else for the money.I took a break for two weeks to think it over.But I couldn’t quit.I promised Lissa.”
“I don’t know that our sister wanted you to fight magical creatures for the rest of your life.”
“She asked me to kill the demon possessing her.To kill all demons.”
“She was terrified, in pain, and dying.She may not have even known what she was asking of you.”
Skarde grabbed the knife to stop its twirl.“I do what I do because it’s who I am.There’s no one else to do it, which Gemma acknowledged.I’m uniquely qualified.We heal fast.We’re strong.I’ve studied these beings for long enough that I know their weaknesses and conceits.Don’t get me wrong.They still surprise me a lot of the time.”
“What about those human kids?The Hunters?”
“They’re good at sniffing out trouble.They uncovered this new bit of insanity with the necromancer.I’m sure they’re headed down to see if they can deal with it, but if it goes the way it usually does, they’ll make a mess of it until I get there.I can’t take Gemma with me this time.”
“Why not?She’s got nothing else to do.”
“She’s untrained.I can see her trying to help a zombie feel better instead of having proper fear of it.”
“That’s how she got me free.She helped the witch free herself of the slave band.It threw the witch completely for a loop.Maybe her brand of unusual can be helpful to you.”He paused and added, “I’m not filling in for you when her hormones kick into high gear.”
“You sure as hell won’t,” Skarde snarled.
Cade chuckled.
“Fine.I’ll take her with me.We’ll leave after dusk.”
“The snow might be too deep.”
“It’ll change to rain tonight.It always does this time of the year.The roads will be cold and slushy.”
“Did you ever notice how the year-round cold weather began at the same time as our species’ curse?”
“Never thought about it.”
Cade smirked.“Are we going to talk about the fact that you successfully turned her?”
“Maybe we all have one turn in us.”
Cade shook his head and compressed his lips.“The members of the Directorate have been testing the curse for years.Each of them tried to turn someone they deem worthy, and it failed every time.They’re older than us, older than any other vampire in the world.I think the oldest on the panel turned at least fifty humans before giving up.They’ve asked newer vampires who’ve never turned another to try.They all failed.Until you.”
“How would they know no one else succeeded after you?That was over a century ago.”
“They watch.They have spies.It’s why anyone interested in risking a turn has to ask for permission.Sometimes they grant their permission just to see if it works, knowing it probably won’t, and it hasn’t so far.Then, they kill the half-turned human.”
“Except VanFliet.Why isn’t he getting Punishers up his ass for not asking permission?”
“He’s already killed two Punishers who tried.”
Skarde stared at his knife.“Why didn’t they send you to stop him?”
“I told them I’ll only deal with one blood brother at a time.”
“Are you going todealwith me now?”
“I fucked up my role as Punisher when I pushed you to turn her.We’re both on new paths.”The word “together” hung unsaid in the air between them.
The relief to have his brother back on his side surprised him.“The inability to turn reeks of magic.A curse.”
“That’s their theory, but they’ve burnt so many bridges with the magic world that no one will talk to them.Even Magdalene hates them more than me.That’s where it gets interesting in regard to you.Why do you think they’ve tolerated you doing what you do?Why wouldn’t they have sent me to warn you, or outright stop you from mucking around with magic?You fight magic with magic.Technically, it’s not breaking the rules since you don’t sleep with witches nor do you attempt to turn them into vampires.And there are prophesies about you, unlike other vampires.Since they’re well aware oftheprophecy, why has the Directorate chosen to leave you be?”
