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I stared at him. “Trust you?” I shook my head. “You know, I sit here and stare at you and don’t wonder why my grandmother fell in love with you. You are quite beautiful, and I have to keep reminding myself that you are a Dark Warlock because you are also oddly charming. You seem to value the truth and that comes across as…something I find I like. I don’t want to like you, Beyland, but…I do see why my grandmother did and then was so disillusioned. No doubt she felt a fool when she found out about you still practicing the Dark Arts.” I paused and added, “Tell me, please tell me, how could anyone so beautiful, and yes, charming, be so black-hearted?”
He didn’t move. He didn’t speak. He stared at me and when he spoke, it was with a touch of sadness. “Your grandmother asked me that very question on the day she left me.”
“And what did you answer her?”
“I told her the truth. I am not beautiful on the inside. This…” he ran his hand from head to toe, “is a façade. That was my answer. She turned and left me at full speed, crying, with a fist to her mouth. It hurt her to leave me and it destroyed me to see her go, but while she was alive, I had the hope of getting her back. Ramon and Allora blasted my hopes.” He looked away and then he looked directly into my eyes. “You are your grandmother’s blood. I see that and don’t wish to hurt you, but remember, I will if you don’t do as I ask.”
“You told her the truth too late,” I said sadly.
“Indeed, the truth, which I have always prized, did not serve me in that instance because she saw in that moment who I had become, and she would not, could not live with me unless I denounced the Dark and walked into the Light with her.”
“And if she had lived? If she had given you another chance? Would you have walked away from who you are?”
“She didn’t live, so the question is moot.”
“No, it isn’t. You said you had hope, is that because you finally went to her and gave her hope as well? Did you give her something to hold onto? Tell me, Beyland…I need to know what she was thinking, feeling…” I suddenly knew something. I knew he had one spark of Light still inside of him. It was an exciting revelation and I pointed my finger at him. “You have a corner of your black heart with her name on it, and that corner is still full of Light.”
He stood up and overturned the table, sending dishes and food everywhere. “Enough. Will you help find those papers? Or do you want that woman you saved today to die a torturous death?”
I
knew there was only one answer. “I will help. Leave Mrs. Tunny out of this. Leave all the humans at MacLeod out of this and I will help. But only on our Blood Oath!”
Even a Dark Warlock could not renege on a Blood Oath. Aunt Elle had taught me once that even the blackest of Dark Warlocks could not renege on a Blood Oath.
“You dare to ask me…your senior, your superior in every imaginable way for a Blood Oath?” He was outraged.
“Yes, I dare, and what is more, you will give it. You want what you think I can get you. I am willing to try, but only if I know you will keep your end of the bargain.”
All at once there was no rage and he actually smiled. “I am pleased with you, Bobbie Skye. You have spirit. But, mark me, in this…I will not be satisfied unless you succeed in this endeavor. Are we clear?”
“Yes, we understand one another completely,” I said. “Only…I don’t think destroying those notes will distress Ramon as much as you think.”
“It will get his attention and allow me the time and the place to ensure his capture and the beheading of his little Ancient Clan. They plan things against the human race…against a world I am rather fond of, and I alone cannot stop them from those plans without one of my own. This…is a way to end it,” Beyland said.
“Yes, but why do you still serve Ramon?” I was curious.
“Serve? Is that what you think? Well, perhaps I have allowed Ramon to think so. You see, as you just pointed out, a Blood Oath cannot be broken. Ramon took one from me when I believed he was a friend.” He sighed. “I was still a youngster in the Dark Arts then. What I have to do now is get him to break our oath. He will do so when I am done with him and then, then I will kill him…but it will take time and torture.”
“Whoa, deep evil thinking there,” I said. “But…we need a Blood Oath, a simple one that we agree to help one another in this instance. Me—I bring you the notes. You—you don’t harm anyone I care about, and I will assume you won’t harm anyone I don’t care about because, well, that wouldn’t help your plan and…”
“Hush, Bobbie Skye, I understand and as Dark as I am, I rarely hurt those who don’t get in my way. Now, as it would be uncomfortable for me to cause you pain—because of her, you would do well to remember I am a Dark Warlock first and foremost and will achieve my goal.”
“Okay, I believe you and I don’t need you to threaten me or mine. Blood Oath, now,” I told him.
“Very well, as you wish, my dear.” He twitched a finger and produced a sharp knife and handed it to me.
“Okie-doke,” I said, and cut my hand with the knife he had given me. I am proud to say I did this without flinching. I took the palm he extended to me, and carved a slice of his flesh open and dripped my blood into his open wound.
“I promise on my blood to help you find the day-walker’s notes,” I said, and closed my eyes.
“I promise not to kill those you hold dear as long as you deliver those papers within a reasonable length of time,” he answered.
We rubbed our bloody palms and our hands were encased in a red light, sealing our oaths. I had just made a pact with the devil!
~ Five ~
I STEPPED OUT OF BEYLAND’S portal alone. He didn’t escort me and he didn’t follow. Jeremy rushed to grab me by the hand and race me back behind the Blood Ward.
