Page 14 of Dark Reckoning
“And I'm selfish enough to not have changed anything had I known. I'm also confident enough to believe in you and Adrian that you can fix this,” Salino said.
I sighed and turned when I heard the door open and Shi entered with Nadia. I held up a finger, letting them know that I was on the phone. “What's going on with you?” I asked, because he'd been stressed when I called and alluded to having multiple problems.
“Impending war. I've been contacted by two of the other emperors who want my head. By severing the link, I have prevented all vampires from gaining more power,” Salino said.
I sat up because that was some shit I didn't want to hear. If Salino died, I would too, and Adrian as well. His problem just became our fucking problem. “And you didn't think to call me and tell me? If you die, we all fucking die,” I snapped.
“I've been a little busy today, Sage. After leaving your home earlier, I received the phone calls. First, they wanted to know what had happened and then I told them. That's when they wanted my life. For fuck's sake, they don't even like each other.” Salino said the last part under his breath. “Yet, they pretend as if I killed a good friend of theirs. It's all a rouse. Their anger is because I cut off our link to gain more power. That is all they care about.”
“Shit,” I said.
“What's wrong?” Adrian asked me as he entered the room.
I just put the phone on speaker. “So, what do we do?” I asked.
“I'd love to say one problem at a time, but apparently neither problem can wait. Do you know how these foul creatures can be killed?” Salino asked.
“No, but fire could be a good guess and decapitation works for everyone. That and removing the hearts,” I suggested.
“I'll alert my vampires to be on the lookout and to kill any they may see,” Salino said.
“What about the other emperors?” I asked.
“They will send their assassins first, and if that doesn't work, they will come,” Salino said.
“Assassins? Wait, what's going on?” Adrian asked, his tone full of concern.
“Fucking emperors have declared war on Salino for severing the line,” I said, bringing him up to date.
“Oh my god,” Adrian gasped and ran his fingers through his dark hair.
“In the meantime, I will contact my royal court. Keep me posted,” Salino said.
“Yeah, you do the sa—”
“Wait, don't hang up yet,” Salino interjected. “I realize now what you can do for me.”
“Ahh, hell... I know I'm going to regret this, but we have no choice. Our lives are linked to yours, so what do you want?” I asked.
“You and Adrian are my strongest weapons. I'll need you by my side. I need you to figure out a spell that can kill them before they kill me. And if possible, link ALL vampires to me,” Salino said.
“That's how we got into this trouble in the first place,” Adrian snapped.
“The genie, as they say, is already out of the bottle. The Dark God is no longer linked to vampires. So, by severing the line of the other three emperors and connecting their vampire lines to me not only ensures your own survival, as I will be alive and no longer challenged, but every vampire will be under my rule, which is better for humanity, do you not agree?” Salino asked.
Shit, I looked at Adrian and he looked at me. We couldn't argue with that logic. “That does make sense. However, I'm not going in blind like the last fucking time,” I said.
“Meaning?” Salino asked.
“Meaning, we need to speak with the Echelon Imperial to make sure we wouldn't be opening a bigger can of worms.” Adrian picked up what I was putting down and ran with it. That was my baby. We were so in tune with each other.
“Fine,” Salino huffed. “Do your research, but know that we are at war already.”
“Fuck... and this day started off so promising,” I said, and just hung up, because I really didn't want to hear anything else from Salino. I wanted to toss my phone against the wall, but I needed the damn thing. I looked at Shi. “Food?”
She gave Adrian and me two bags that smelled delicious. “I have questions.”
“I need to feed first,” I said, then looked at Nadia, who was holding a man in a leather jacket with duct tape over his mouth. “He'll do.”
