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I pushed from my knees, swaying as I stood. My shoulder connected with the wall and my glare landed on Domnius, one of the older vampires who was new to my member’s circle.
“You said it would work. You said I could bring her back. I’ve tried seven times so far! Every time, she doesn’t come.”
Fast steps took him closer to the door. I could smell his fear as it perfumed the room thickly.
“King Delacroix, it should have. The powers on the other side must have prevented it. I don’t understand. You’re the most powerful vampire alive. Right?”
“Of course I am you fool! You deceived me. You lied to me.”
“No. I swear I did not.” Faster he stumbled back. My pace was swift as I matched his steps. I lunged as he spun for the door, pinning him with my body against the barrier.
“I don’t like manipulators. Did you use me to become a member? Did you feed me false information for status?”
“No, please! You felt her. You were so close, I heard you say it.”
“You heard nothing,” I yelled, spinning him to face me. “If I didn’t need you, I’d kill you right now. As it is, you may still have information I need. Do you? What are you hiding up there in that mind of yours?”
My eyes tried to search his but he wouldn’t meet my gaze. With my other arm, I gripped his chin, squeezing for his attention.
“Look at me. Show me your secrets. Perhaps if you show me yours, I will let you in on one of mine.”
“Your Highness, I beg of you.”
“Begging is for the weak. Look at me!”
My grip became crushing. Domnius thrashed as his face turned a deep shade of red. Just when I knew he couldn’t take anymore, his eyes shot up. My trap was immediate. I plunged into his mind, shredding through his memories like a tissue paper. Murder, rape, all the pettiness I expected was there. It wasn’t until I got to his developing gifts that I let time play out. What happened with Tessa was what he had said. I was doing it right, so then why couldn’t I bring her to me? Yes, Marko and Hunter had a role in preventing me, but I should have been stronger than the three of them combined. I should have had no problems bringing her back.
“Show me,” I growled under my breath. “Show me how to get to her.”
The repeat of the memories had me searching other routes to take. When I was still left without answers, I let his body drop to the floor. Coughing filled the room as I turned and began to pace again.
“We will try again. This time it will not fail!”
“She …” Again, he coughed violently. “She is not your mate anymore. The challenges almost make the task impossible. It works only on bonded and creations. You have neither.”
I stopped, turning my head to look over my shoulder. “Can you guarantee that it works?”
“Well … yes,” he said, standing. “I don’t see why it wouldn’t. That’s what it’s for. It is the easiest thing and usually the first we learn when we bond.”
“What if a person was so strong that their blood protected their creation or mate against them? That it guarded them just as well as it did its source?”
His eyebrows drew in. “Well, there’s bound to be a way. But.”
A smile tugged at my mouth. “I’m ready to let you in on my secret now.”
My skin rippled and I could feel my body morph to my true self. Immediately hatred gushed through my veins. With it, a roar tore from my lips. Domnius’ hand shot to his chest to cover his heart while his head shook.
“Aetas. You were dead. We saw you.”
“You saw what I wanted you to see. Fools. All of you.”
“Yes,” he whispered. “We are that.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I stepped forward as he cast his stare toward the ground.
“Nothing.” He stole a glance up, edging back at such a slow pace that I knew he didn’t think I was aware of his need to flee. “You bonded the king, and you created the Prince. Which is it that you wish to bring back?”
A chuckle left me. “So impatient to escape me. I don’t blame you.” I tapped into Marko’s blood, letting it once again take me over. My pulse was getting out of control being away from his form for too long. I was … slipping from thought, going back into his frame of mind. The need to have Tessa kept coming through. She was all I wanted and the fact that I couldn’t get her was driving me even madder. If I could just see her—touch her—choke the fucking life from her. Fuck!
