Page 54 of Dark Reckoning
I rolled my eyes. I didn't love them, but I could appreciate what they represented more. Well, actually, just the one that made me emperor of all. Not the two leechy ones from the dark mages... Then again, being linked to them was almost as good as being linked to all vampires. They would have a vested interest in keeping me alive, because they were using my power. Very well, I did love the sigils, but I didn't want him to know.
“Can you just answer my question?” I asked.
“Because we took something from you and an exchange was made in the bargain. We are dark mages whose most powerful weapon is fire in all its incarnations. Through Sage being your child, we were able to give you have ability. You're welcome, by the way,” Kakashi said.
“Enjoy your immortality and enhanced strength,” I shot back. Like he said, he gave and took.
“I will, as I'm sure you'll enjoy being the only emperor,” he stated, and it let me know that he was someone who must get in the last word. I fought not to scoff.
Sage stroked his chin. “I need to test my lions to see if anything has changed. I also want to see if Adrian can drink my blood as well. If he can do that—”
“Then you're hoping he won't need to feed from me?” I interjected, finishing what I guessed would be Sage's thought.
“That won't change. He'll always need Salino's blood,” Kakashi said.
“But yours may be able to help if he can,” Aldéric added.
“Still, I need to know what has changed,” Sage said. Then he looked around. “Where can we wash up? I don't want Adrian to see me like this.”
“Through that door is a large shower,” I said.
Sage pointed at the corpse. “Can I get rid of him?”
“His usefulness has been fulfilled. Yes,” Kakashi said with a coldness that even I found unnerving.
“Did he have any family?” Sage asked.
Aldéric laughed. “You're a mob boss, act like it.”
Sage snapped at him, “You don't know shit about me. Keep your fucking opinions to yourself.”
Kakashi studied Sage for a few seconds then sighed with a nod. “He did, but unless we deal with this Dark God, none of that will matter. Cremate him, bury him, sink his body into the ocean, whatever helps you sleep at night. Aldéric and I need to leave to study our grimoires.”
“What about the vampires outside?” I asked.
“You need to lower your barrier so I can release the cage I have around them,” Kakashi said. He began to gather his clothing from the floor and Aldéric did the same.
I did as he instructed and summoned my vampires to enter my home. I could sense them passing the barrier, which was an interesting sensation. I noticed it when Sage and Adrian, along with my vampires, had all returned.
“I can sense them coming inside past the barrier,” I said.
“Oh, that. Yeah, you'll be able to sense those linked to you through blood, either human or vampire. You'll also be able to sense those with power like shifters, mages and griezels,” Sage replied.
“Why don't I sense everyone who enters, such as regular humans?” I asked. “They could be a threat.”
“Shit, be glad that you don't. That could get really annoying, all the comings and goings of humans. You sense who matters. I felt it when all of my pride made it to my tower, so I'm at ease knowing they are all safe,” Sage said. “As for humans being a threat, the barrier will handle that.”
Well, that did make sense. The sensation didn't hurt, it was like a tingle, but more intense when so many were entering at once. Still, a small price to pay for such security. I nodded and Sage winked.
“Aldéric and I will take our leave now,” Kakashi said. He nodded at his lover, and the two teleported from my home while the barrier was lowered.
I looked at Sage. “Nice couple.”
He snorted a laugh and nodded. “I knew he was a son of a bitch the first time we met, but he's necessary.”
Once I felt the last vampire pass through the opening of my home, I sealed the barrier back into place. I sent Nakago a telepathic message to greet them and arrange for them to wait for me in the grand hall. “All right, all of the vampires who were outside are now safe.”
I watched as Sage raised his hands at the sacrificial lamb on the floor and it burst into flames. They burned so brightly, I felt the heat emanating from them. This was the perfect time to test if vampires were truly immune to fire. I walked over to the flames and slowly began to extend my hand.
