Page 61 of Cosmic Power

The Alpha shifter ignored her, continuing on as if she hadn’t even spoken.

“I’m assuming you all know the story of the Originals? Roughly 4,000 years ago, five supernatural beings came to Earth through a magical portal from another world? Ringing any bells? Well, how do you think they opened that portal?”

Again, no one answered, and anger flashed on Barnabas’ face. He clearly wanted them all to participate in this little chat he was having, but he was getting nothing.

“It was because of these.” He spread his arm out in some kind of grand gesture as one of his lackeys came through the double doors carrying a tray carrying five pieces of jewellery, one of which was Luther’s ring.

“The Original Artefacts,” he said with reverence.

Zamorra sat on the edge of her seat, leaning forward as much as she could to get a better look as the shifter walked to Barnabas and handed him the tray. Along with Luther’s ring was the necklace she saw Barnabas use against Roman the night they were kidnapped. The one that nearly burnt his entire face off. A silver band with a dark black gem sitting snugly in the middle and in between, two vibrant emerald green earrings surrounded by a splattering of gold.

“When all five Artefacts are brought together and a blood offering is paid, they open a portal to an entirely different world. One filled with power and riches beyond your wildest dreams…and I plan to take it all.”

Daeva laughed, a deep, resonating sound that made Zamorra think he didn’t actually find this funny. He found it ridiculous. “You’re insane. This is all a bunch of hocus pocus bullshit parents tell their children at night for a good bedtime story. None of this is true,” he said, continuing to laugh.

“As the son of the Original Vampire, I think you know it definitely is true.”

Lilith gasped, her eyes snapping to Daeva in surprise. Zamorra did the same, eyeing him warily.

No. Fucking. Way.

She gulped. “You’re-you’re—”

“No, I’m not,” Daeva snapped, eyes burning crimson. “And I have no idea why you would think that, Mr Baxter. You have the wrong vampire.”

“Oh, no I don’t.” His blue gaze swept across the table, looking at each person carefully, methodically. “Like I said, it took a lifetime of research and planning, but gradually I’ve found all the pieces of the puzzle. I’ve found you all.”

“Hold up.” Zamorra raised a palm in the air. “You’re not making any sense. Let’s say you’re not totally bat shit crazy and you’re telling the truth. Which, let’s be honest, is pretty fucking slim. What the hell do you need us for?”

He gave her a look that made her feel like a child who just asked the stupidest fucking question in the world. “For the blood offering, of course. The only way to activate the Artefacts is with the blood of the Originals. Since I don’t have them, their descendants are the next best thing.”

Lilith shook her head in disbelief. “You’re crazy,” she muttered, refusing to believe anything Barnabas was saying.

“Their descendants?” Zamorra frowned. “Are you saying—” she coughed and took a sip of her drink to clear her throat. “You’re not saying that we—” she gestured around the table, “We’re these ‘descendants’?”

Barnabas smiled widely, flashing his teeth. “That’s exactly what I’m saying, youngin.”

Zamorra shook her head. “You’re out of your ever-loving mind,” she squeaked.

“I agree,” the dark mage cut in. “You can’t honestly expect us to believe any of this. All of this”—he waved at the tray of jewellery—“is nothing but a bunch of fancy hardware. Even if the Original Artefacts where real, how the fuck did you manage to steal them from the strongest supernaturals in the world? Your story is full of holes, and I don’t believe a single fucking word of it.”

The light mage spoke for the first time. “I have had enough of this.” His chair dragged along the ground as he got to his feet. “You will release me now.”

Mathias growled, his eyes flashing silver. “Sit down before I make you.”

“This whole thing is stupid. You’re stupid. Let us fucking go,” the dark mage barked, standing as well.

“I can’t do that, Gabriel,” Barnabas said, leaning back in his chair, relaxed and calm. “Every single one of you is vital to the success of a lifelong mission. To let you go now would mean to waste hundreds of years of time and energy.”

“You say you need my blood for some stupid offering? Here.” Gabriel picked up a knife and cut horizontally along the inside of his forearm, letting the blood drip into an empty glass. He picked it up and slammed it down in front of Barnabas. “Not that it will do you much good. This entire thing is fucking nuts. Now, I’m leaving.”

Gabriel spun and marched towards the double doors. The two shifter guards standing either side moved and blocked his path.

“It isn’t that simple, Gabriel. I need more than this little bit of blood to activate the Artefacts.”

Zamorra stiffened, a horrible feeling creeping inside of her. “How much more?”

An evil smirk graced the Alpha shifter’s lips as he picked up the glass that Gabriel had bled in and drank it, his silver eyes never leaving hers. “All of it.”

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