“It’s never accurate when it’s wrong.”
He chuckled. “Language changes with time. Live long enough, and you will see.”
“I know that.”
“Well, then.”
“Besides, I don’t care about Roberto,” she said. “We’re going to kill him.”
“‘We’,ma chérie?”
“I helped you with Nico, didn’t I?”
“Indeed you did. I have not thanked you for that.” He placed a kiss on the top of her head. “Thank you.”
“Eve and I figured out the spells,” she said quietly.
“I wondered why you had blood on your forehead.”
“Strength spell. It worked, too. I kicked a thrall into the ceiling.”
“Did you now?” He sounded impressed. “I don’t think Nico saw you as a threat, even when you were clinging to his leg. That blow… You should not be able to hurt a vampire,ma chérie,but Icannot deny you did. Seeing his face when my bonded punched him in the balls?” Antoine smiled. “I will treasure that memory.”
“He deserved it. He wanted to take me away from you. And he entombed you. Deserved it twice.”
“And now he’s dead.”
“Just like Roberto will be, soon enough.”
Antoine paused. They’d traveled far enough that apartment blocks had replaced houses. He landed on a tall building, running its length with his usual grace, not even jostling her, and leaped before he spoke again. “I fear he is still too powerful. I do not want to risk you.”
“Gabe mentioned Anastasia tonight. Another vampire?”
“Yes. We met with her, and some of her allies, earlier this evening.”
“A political move?”
“An optimistic one.” He seemed thoughtful. “I don’t like Roberto, and I will be very happy the day he dies, but that aside… what he’s doing is wrong. Vampires have laws too, and controlling his spawns?” He put a subtle emphasis on the last word to register his amusement. “It is… abhorrent.”
Cally was silent as she considered this. “It’s a bloodline ability, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then if it’s so bad, why does he have it?” She went on hastily. “I mean, I don’t disagree that controlling another isnotacceptable, but you all control thralls, don’t you? Why is it different when it’s vampires? It just… It smacks of hypocrisy.”
Antoine grunted. “I suppose, when one gets used to one’s own world, one’s perspective becomes skewed. You are quite correct,ma chérie. Fundamentally, we are, and always have been, the monsters you accused us of being.”
“Roberto’s still an asshole,” she added.
“Yes. And one that tried to claim you like a king claiming a slave.”
She shuddered in revulsion. “So we kill him, and if you can get political support to back it up, all the better. Maybe Tobias will help your case.”
“I don’t trust him for one moment, but we will see.”
Cally pressed her hand to his chest, thoughtful.
“Share what’s on your mind?” Antoine asked.
