Page 62 of Amethyst and Iron
For her part, the Alpha wolf met her glare steadily.
I tensed, prepared for this to escalate.
This seemed like odd behavior for Velra.
Of late, it would be considered as such.
But not from before—not when it came to her trauma and howthatimpacted her actions and thoughts alike.
She was naturally possessive, she’d demonstrated that several times with all three of us. But this was more than that.
This was rage and the desperation for control trying to drown what was really at the root of it all—fear and helplessness.
Rhyza’s gaze flicked to me, noting my tensing state.
She was certainly a well-seasoned warrior to be able to pick up so astutely on that, because I was very good at hiding my intent when it was called for.
Then she very carefully reached out and clasped Velra’s hand, holding her to her and stroking the back of it softly. “Your love for my son is deep. Honest. True. I can feel it. But there’s also great fear. Careful. We all make mistakes when we allow that to lead the way.”
Velra’s eyes flickered. “I don’t—”
“When Lazriel was tracking his father, he was attacked. Brutally. By an agent ofPuritas.Not just any member of that despicable organization, but by Victor Halrow. He is fixated on Lazriel not only due to hisborn hybridnature, whichPuritasfinds abominable, but because of a twisted connection to Remnant.Lazriel is not safe. Halrow is an apex predator. He hunts like no other. When Remnant stepped in and saved Lazriel, that monster responded by hunting The Shadowed protection that had been assigned to our son, and brutally torturing and murdering them all. Twelve vampires who were near-Ancient in their standing. That’s how powerful he is. The fact thatRemnanthad to personally intervene to spare Lazriel tells you much else about the threat that Halrow is.”
She patted Velra’s hand. “Lazriel isn’t prepared. Because of mine and Remnant’s decision to spare him from the world of his father. Ancient Vampire blood runs in his veins. Remnant will teach him how to use that to its full advantage. He needs his guidance now. And that is how he will survive what is coming.”
“He doesn’t need to defend himself all alone,” Velra argued. “We’re here.”
“A being can’t be dependent on anyone else to defend them. They have to be capable on their own for any true chance of survival.”
“Also, he needs to learn how to embrace his vampiric roots,” I spoke. “It pains him that he has not.”
“He was feeding from you, Cassius, figuring it out,” Velra argued.
Rhyza smiled at her words. “That’s a good sign. But not enough.”
Velra pulled her hand away like she had burned her.
And I suppose she had in a way.
I grimaced as I felt an awful swell of heavy emotions through our Brand threatening to overtake her.
And then she shoved her hand through her beautiful hair and drew in a steadying breath. “Lazriel didn’t just seek out his father forPuritasbusiness.”
“The necromancer is sick. I know.”
“And others are dying,” I cut in.
“It’s being investigated.”
“To what end?” I asked. “And from what angle? Necromancers are enemies to vampires by nature.”
“Not one who is deeply tied to the son of the Commander of The Shadowed.”
“You mean, not one who can be used by them because of Lazriel’s love for Sylas?” Velra uttered.
“That will be a factor.Butit also means that they have a vested interest in Sylas Morgrave remaining aliveandfinding a cure, being restored and at full power.”
“Full power for what?” I pressed.
