Page 50 of Cosmic Power

“Last name,” the ancient vampire demanded.

“HaDantè.”

Thaddeus frowned, eyes darting between them, confused as to what exactly was going on. Luther was, too. His maker never showed interest in other supernaturals before…not like this.

“Hmmm.” With one last lingering look, Zvetari turned and headed back towards the centre of the room, dragging Leilani along. He took notice of Void leaning against the kitchen island, stuffing the leftover sandwich Ryker left into his mouth, and seemed to dismiss him.

“What are you doing here, Zvetari? What do you want?” Luther asked. He locked eyes with Thaddeus and flicked his head to the side, signalling for him to take the young mage out of the room.

Thaddeus nodded and they scurried away.

“I had a word with the young vampire you had locked up in your warehouse. Maddox.” Zvetari pulled on the chain in his hand tightly and Leilani grunted, shuffling to her maker’s side. “Kneel,” he commanded.

The blonde-haired vampire gasped in shock. “You can’t be serious.”

Power flooded the air as Zvetari’s eyes glowed bright red. Leilani buckled and she dropped to her knees hard, a crack ringing through the room. She shrieked in pain.

As if nothing happened, Zvetari continued. “He had a lot of very interesting things to say—”

“Whatever he said, it was a lie,” Leilani snarled, baring her fangs.

Zvetari gripped her chin roughly with his thumb and forefinger, his black claws digging deep into her skin and drawing blood. She hissed, her blue eyes flaring red.

“One more word, Leilani, and I will cut out your tongue. Do you understand me?”

Whimpering, she nodded.

He let her go and faced Luther again. “I know everything. How she orchestrated the kidnapping of your servant.How she stole the Garnet Ring and gave it to the Alpha shifter. How she plotted against you. Everything.”

“And you believe him?” Luther asked, eyeing his maker sceptically.

For years, Luther told him about Leilani’s deceitful ways, about how she wasn’t who she portrayed herself to be. He never believed him—and Luther was his sire. Had been by his side for over 1,500 years. Why would he believe Maddox so easily when he couldn’t believe someone he’d known for so long?

“I delved into his mind, saw everything through his eyes. It was very…revealing.”

Luther stared, stunned. “You can do that?”

“I can do lots of things, Luther.” Zvetari circled Leilani, his anger like a heavy cloud over the room. He glared down at her. “All these years I’ve believed in you, trusted in you, given you the benefit of the doubt when others claimed that you had done horrible, unspeakable things. And all this time…they were right,” Zvetari growled.

Leilani opened her mouth and Zvetari placed a sharp claw against her lips. “Not. One. Word. Your time for excuses is over.”

Zvetari stood behind her and locked eyes with Luther. He kicked her straight in the back, sending her flying forward. She shrieked in surprise and her face smashed into the floor hard enough to break her nose. Zvetari placed a boot to the back of her neck and held her down with ease, despite her flailing limbs.

“She’s yours to punish as you see fit, Luther.” He held the chain up in the air between them, offering it to him.

Luther eyed Zvetari and the chain warily. “Tell me something,” he began, not moving an inch to take what was offered. “If you possess the ability to read people’s minds, why didn’t you read Leilani’s when I told you of her betrayal? You would have been able to see I was telling you the truth. Better yet, you could have scanned my mind and seen the events from my eyes.”

Zvetari clenched his jaw, his anger increasing. “And who are you to question me?”

Luther didn’t buckle under his intimidating gaze. He refused to. His maker may be one of the most powerful beings he’d ever met, but Luther had his own power. It coursed through his veins, fuelling his body, his beast. He stared hard and stood tall, unleashing ripples of his power into the air.

“Answer my question Zvetari, or you can leave.”

Zvetari smiled, flashing his fangs. “Do you really think you can take me, Luther?”

“Want to find out?” Luther unsheathed his claws, holding his body tight.

A whistle rang through the air, followed by a crunch. “Bet ya fifty that Lord Douche loses,” Void mumbled around a mouthful of potato chips.

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