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“Hi,” I said awkwardly when I trailed inside. “We should talk. Dinner at the pub?”
Lydia’s painted black lips quirked, and she nodded before leading us up all four flights to Silas’s office. My pulse pounded as I stepped inside, unsure how to handle what I might face if he tried to blackmail me but ready to use my mind-bending if necessary.
“I’m so pleased to see you both,” Silas said smoothly, straightening the tailored vest beneath his suit jacket. “Please have a seat. Lydia, would you get our guests something to drink?”
I frowned, not liking my brilliant friend being treated like a maid.
“No, thank you. I only have a half hour or so then I must return to the base,” the general said in clear dismissal.
Lydia shut the door behind her, and we took the seats opposite Silas at his desk. I noticed the fireplace in the corner going strong despite the air-conditioned room. Apparently, Silas appreciated atmosphere.
“Let’s get down to business, shall we?” Silas asked, leaning across the desk.
“Please.” The general sat back in his chair and Silas turned to me, his golden eyes swirling like fairy lights.
No! Pythia’s exclamation seemed far away as I gazed into two beautiful suns before me.
“Dr. Devaux, you will not use your abilities on me. Ever. Understood?”
That direct demand shocked me, but of course I wouldn’t do that to him. I nodded, still staring at the glow of his eyes. The memory of Julian’s indigo glow flashed through my mind as he continued talking, and Pythia’s warning faded into a distant thought.
“Furthermore, you have no reason to fear me. In fact, you like being around me. You can trust me.”
“Is this absolutely necessary?” The general interjected, but Silas did not turn away, and I was happy not to lose the view of his golden auroras. I liked him and his undulating irises.
“General, if you wish to work together on our very important research so we can finally pull ahead of MorningStar, it is,” Silas said, taking my hand in his. “But you can go now. Charlotte and I have much to discuss.”
“Very well.” The general stood and panic overtook me. I gasped, still unable to look away and Silas’s hand tightened on mine almost painfully.
“You can’t leave. I need someone I trust from SHADE with me at all times,” I said, desperate to keep the general there.
Silas smiled then, the pulsing gold swelling and turning red on the edges. “I see my problem child, Julian, has done some damage control with glamour of his own. No matter. You no longer need worry about anyone else being with us, my dear.” He patted my hand, and I relaxed as the door shut behind the general.
“You won’t remember what we discuss here unless I tell you to,” Silas continued. “I’ve waited a very long time for this. Do you know why you reincarnate, Mon Cher?” he asked.
“I’m Julian’s mate,” I spit, hating that I was supposedly made for that vile man.
“No,” Silas said, just as upset as I was. “In my mind, it is because you were stolen from me, and I have waited centuries for this opportunity to right that wrong. I always get what I want, and I want you.”
I believed him but was confused.
“When you live as long as I have, you learn that people are predictable. You also face the inevitable hopelessness of time. But I discovered the thing that others missed—the reason to stay alert and alive. Do you want to know what that is?”
“Yes,” I said, wanting him to keep talking so I could watch his eyes some more.
He cupped my face. “Challenge, Mon Cher. Challenge and pursuit of power. I have spent ages with many scientists looking for a way to regain my psychic powers that I lost when I was turned. I found a way, but it is temporary. I have to feed from someone like you.” He lifted my hand and sniffed my wrist as though testing a fine wine. “The trouble is, humans only last a short time and psychics are ever so hard to procure.”
He set my hand down and patted it again. “Stay still and listen,” he ordered, then rose and began to pace the room. I wanted his eyes back but wouldn’t interrupt.
“As I said, people are predictable. But you and your lover have never been so. Thus, you are a challenge to me. But I see now that I’ve been made to be patient for a reason. You will provide both coveted powers to me for eternity, Mon Cher. Your father and the girl are the ones who will finally solve my problem. They are close to an answer, and when they have it, all will come together.”
Silas stared into the fire then was back in his seat staring at me. His fingers traced my lips. “Do you have any questions?”
“What are they working on?” I asked.
“A way to ensure that a psychic will retain their powers when turned into a vampire.”
His plan was to turn a psychic so that they’d keep their abilities and provide him with an unlimited source of power. Clever. I trusted him, so it must be okay. “How do you drain psychics’ powers?” I asked, curiosity exciting my scientific brain.
