Page 22 of Dark Reckoning
“Overwhelmingly so, there is so much to experience. I've learned a great deal through your blood, but I want to do these things myself, like driving a car. And oh my, food... the food is exquisite,” Sarino said, a wide grin on his face. He was speaking perfect English, with his French accent, his voice wasn't as deep as mine.
I chuckled and removed my hands from his shoulders as I nodded. “Yes, yes, so many improvements. Wait until you fly for the first time.”
“Oh, I'm not sure about that,” he said, shaking his head.
I laughed outright then, because I could only imagine why he was apprehensive. I’d had my own reservations when the contraption known as the airplane was first invented. “You will.”
Sarino sighed and placed his hand on my arm. “I'm sure, but enough about me. What is going on with you? Everyone seems to be on alert and one could cut the tension with a sword.”
“I've made new enemies, brother. We are at the cusp of war as the other emperors would have my head for severing our link to the Dark God that granted us our powers,” I said because there was no point in lying. If we had to fight, then I'd have every vampire in my line ready for battle.
He patted my shoulder and then dropped his arm at his side. “I will fight with you. We've just been reunited. I will not allow anyone to tear us apart, not ever again.”
I caressed his cheek. “Once my youngest child arrives, we will be able to come up with a strategy that may very well put the advantage in my court,” I said. Some may believe I am always scheming, but that wasn't the case. I didn't wake up this morning plotting to kill every emperor and take over their lines. However, that was now my goal.
“Sage?” Sarino asked. “I haven't met him. He's the other mage under your control, right?”
I smirked. “He's the only mage under my control. His lover, Adrian...” I paused, because now that Adrian also needed my blood to survive, or so it would seem... then maybe he was also under my control. “Now that I think about it, yes. They are mine. However, they are stubborn, especially Sage. The lion shifter in him along with his own personality often fights back.”
“Don't rule the way the last emperor did, Salino.”
“You know that I'm not like him. I could never. But you also know from my visions that vampires need a firm hand,” I said. “I will not take any weak stances, brother, even if I do make enemies. It's unavoidable. When you're at the top, the most powerful, you will always encounter those who want what you have.”
He nodded because he did understand. “Can I meet him?”
I nodded. “He'll be here... well, now.” I could sense my child entering my home. Sarino stood beside me as we waited for my mages to enter. The door opened, as I expected, because Sage was a rude bastard who wouldn't knock. I cocked an eyebrow at his attire, as I'd never seen him dressed so casually. “Laundry day?” I joked.
He huffed and Adrian trailed in right behind him dressed in the same type of outfit. Although, it was more common for Adrian to be in a pair of sweats and a T-shirt, I didn't think Sage owned any.
“Jesus fucking Christ, there's two of you,” Sage said, his striking gray/golden gaze roaming between my identical twin, Sarino, and me.
“A pleasure to meet you. My name is Sarino,” my twin said, extending his hand to Sage.
Sage shook his hand. “I can't say if it's a pleasure yet, to meet you, but time will tell.”
I sighed. “Rude,” I chastised.
Sage huffed. “I've had a long fucking week.”
“As much as I'd love to hear you two go at it, we've got work to do,” Adrian said, a duffle bag slung over his shoulder. “Where can we set up? I want to get this place under protection.”
“Very well, to bring you up to date, I have requested that my vampires bring me one of those creatures you mentioned. Also, one of the emperors is coming here in a matter of hours. I want you two by my side.”
“You said you wanted to take them all out? Is that still something you want?” Sage asked.
“Oh, yes, very much so,” I said.
Adrian scoffed. “So, you're bringing the war to them, with us as your ace in the hole?”
“It's the only way to ensure our survival. With every vampire linked to me, there will be no one who would dare challenge me.”
“Are you sure you're just not trying to do this as some fucking power grab?” Sage asked, his arms crossed over his muscular chest.
“Understand, Sage, I was content with being an Archduke. However, I knew that in order to save my brother and Louis, I had to take the steps and risks I took. Now, granted, I didn't expect the fallout of the Dark God, El-Kazier, breaking free as the price of our spell, but it is what it is. Now, at any time, an assassin could take me out. Do you want to continue to live your lives under that umbrella of fear? Had the other emperors not threatened my life, I wouldn't feel the need to take theirs. I didn't wake up this morning choosing violence, but here we are,” I said.
Sage nodded, because he understood, more so than Adrian, I thought. Because he was a shifter king and mob boss. Our worlds were very similar and he knew what it took to keep the vultures at bay.
“Well, for now, we'll need to keep you protected. If you die, we die, and the Echelon Imperial may not be powerful enough to take out this god without damn near killing countless people in the process,” Adrian said.
