I then place the watch into Valiente’s palm.
With visible relief, he immediately slips it into an inside pocket of his expensive suit jacket before looking to his right at the loving, wonderful guy I can no longer see. “It’s good to have you back, boy. We havesomuch work to do.”
My gut twists at his smarm. I can only imagine Collin’s horror at being in this man’s power again. But I can’t do anything about it. Valienteis the owner of the watch now.
The Vampire King shifts his attention to me, his smile friendly. “Now, it’s my turn.” He glances down. “Mijo, please stand.”
Rafa struggles to rise, and I quickly bend my knee to lift him up by the elbow. I’m at least somewhat confident that Valiente won’t sneak-attack me, since he said anyone who wanted to go could do so, and I definitely want to be anywhere but here right now.
The Hunter looks at me, grateful, as I support him. “Thank you, Alvin.”
I don’t have it in me to say anything back, but forwhat it’s worth, I guess it’s good that he doesn’t seem to be mad at me. When we are both fully on our feet, I realize that Valiente has removed a large knife from a belt he’s wearing under the jacket.
My eyes widen, but the vampire holds up the blade one-handed, flat against his palm, tip pointed to the side, like a peace offering. “This is just to cut his ropes, my young friend. He is no longer my prisoner.”
And true to his word, he cuts the black nylon 550 cord restraining Rafa’s arms behind his back. Rafa massages his wrists absentmindedly, while keeping his eyes on his father. It suddenly occurs to me that the Hunter has been strangely quiet throughout this whole thing. I figured that it was because he was beaten and exhausted, but that certainly didn’t stop him before, when he was giving Prince Eirian lip while recovering from smoke inhalation.
Valiente returns the knife to his belt and grins. “Well then, let’s find out who wants to go with you! We’ll start with my son. Rafa, would you like to leave with young Alvin here?”
“No, father,” Rafa immediately replies. All the emotion that had been playing on his face before I made the deal has suddenly dulled. If anything, he seems in a daze.
Valiente glances over at me, eyebrows raised, ostentatiously feigning surprise, then he looks back at Rafa. “Are yousure? I need you to tell me if you want to leave.”
“No, father,” he replies, almost like a robot. “I want my reward.”
I didn’t think I could get a worse feeling about thisdeal. But my gut starts to sink. This doesn’t sound like Rafa being brave and sticking around to help me. It sounds scripted.
“Rafa, what are you doing?” I ask.
Valiente then sweeps the room with his eyes, patting down the air with extended fingers. “Friends, friends, please lower your weapons. We certainly don’t want any of these youngsters to feel like they are beingcoerced.” The vampiric Hunters slowly uncock the hammers of their Berettas and lower them to their sides.
The Vampire King flashes his fangs, pleased. “Now, is thereanyonein this room who would like to leave? Don’t be shy! I promise you will be free to go with no repercussions.”
The children all step forward at once, a single coordinated unit, their eyes locked on Valiente.
“No, Master,” they say in unison. “We want our reward.”
They sound like the freaking Children of the Corn.
Valiente turns to me and shrugs with exaggerated apology. “Well, then. It seems that everyone wants to stay. I’m sorry, Alvin, but it looks like you came all this way for nothing.”
“What did you do to them?” My voice comes out as a whisper. My eyes rake over the kids, and I open my senses as wide as I can.
He smirks. “Well, I hope you’ll allow that I made a very convincing argument?—”
The ozone magic! I assumed it was just around the vampires, but it’s not. Each of the humans in this room isdirectly in front of a vampire, even Rafa, and the stinking clouds of power are diffuse. The energy easily extends far enough to cover all of them. Could that be affecting their minds?
“This is spellcraft,” I say, heat rising in my gut. “You’re manipulating them. This isn’t what we agreed to!”
Whatever crazy, evangelistic look that was in his eye before evaporates—and in its place forms a knowing sneer. “Oh, this isexactlywhat we agreed to. Perhaps they might have answered differently not too long ago, but I promise that they do notwantto leave with you now.”
Up to this point, I’d felt lost, and any anger churning inside was directed solely at myself. But I am still full of power—and this is bullshit.
I step up to him, fists tight, inhuman strength flooding the muscles of my arms. “You might think you’ve played me here. But I gave you the watch, and I am not leaving this room without those kids!”
His expression lights up like he just won the lottery. “I expected as much. Rafa told me you were quite the hero, so I completely believe that you don’t want to leave.” He reveals his fangs and locks eyes with me. “Which, of course, meansyoudon’t get safe passage out, either.”
Ozone magic explodes right into my face, hitting me like a freight train—with magical compulsion.
