Page 57 of Dark Reckoning
Another vampire raised her hand and I gave her permission to speak. “What will we eat?”
“I have plenty of humans for you to feed on. Once I was made aware of the issues we're all facing, I prepared. It was your old emperors who failed to plan in their need for revenge. Understand, I do not care that they are dead. I do not suffer fools, nor will I tolerate dissension. Speak up now if you refuse my rule,” I challenged.
The room remained quiet.
“Very well, for now, get settled.” I turned to Nakago. “Assign a team to help them get adjusted.”
He nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty,” he said. In the presence of others, he always addressed me by my title or with some variation. In this instance, it was important for the others to see so they could accept their new situation.
I stepped down and walked through the vampires as they parted with bowed heads. By the time I made it to my bedroom, every step felt like I had weights dragging behind me, I was that tired. I didn't bother to strip, I simply collapsed on the soft bedding and allowed sleep to take me.
Chapter eight
Iwaslyinginbed with Adrian at my side, already blissfully snoring away. We may have just gotten a power boost, but it still took a shit ton of energy from us. The test I wanted to run on my pride would have to wait. Still, I needed to let Shi know that we were staying and I wanted her to stay as well. I released Adrian and snatched my cell from the nightstand, and sent her the message.
Are you all right, Sage?she asked.
I'm fine. Just dead on my feet. I need to sleep. But when I wake up, I want to see if the spell we worked had any effect of you.
I hate that we have to stay the night. These fucking bloodsuckers keep giving me shady looks. I'm going to fuck one of them up.
I laughed as I read her message. Don't have too much fun without me. I was certain if any fight did break out, Shi could hold her own. But more importantly, Salino wouldn't allow any harm to come to Shi in the first place. Fact of the matter was, through me, he also had access to my pride. However, now that he was the sole emperor... he really was the most powerful supernal around... well, I'd take that back. There was a griezel king who was rumored to be over six thousand years old living in South Africa. He'd be the most powerful. I wondered if Kakashi was aware of him or if he knew his real age? That was, of course, if he was even real.
In any case, I ended my conversation with Shi and pulled Adrian closer to me. I closed my eyes and forced the many thoughts that plagued me into silence. When I woke up, I’d deal with the troubles of the world.
***
I pulled on a fresh t-shirt that Nakago had provided me. Adrian was also dressed in the outfit he was given. I slipped on the black jeans that fit me perfectly and by my reflection in the mirror, my ass looked great in them. Maybe I should wear jeans more often.
“Sage...” Adrian began.
“Yeah, baby?”
“The spell you did last night... are you okay?”
I didn't answer him right away. I knew what he wanted to know. We had killed an innocent man to work our dark magic. I should feel bad about it, but I didn't. Because I knew his death was both unavoidable and necessary and I didn't believe in regretting things that could not be changed. And to be honest, if it would save Adrian from harm, I would have killed a thousand innocent people. I was selfish enough to care about who was and what was important to me. If this Dark God, El-Kazir, didn't pose the threat that he did, I'd be on the side of live and let live. But, what answer would—could I give Adrian?
“I'm fine, baby,” I said finally, and I hoped he didn't ask any follow-up questions the way he tended to do.Let this one go, Adrian. The room filled with silence for a few seconds, then he nodded.
“Okay, I just wanted to make sure that you're... fine with whatever you had to do,” he said.
“We did what we needed to do and I have no regrets,” I told him, and left it at that.
He gave me a look I couldn't quite read, but didn't ask me anything more about it. We left the bedroom to get started on the day's tasks. I tested Shi to see what was different about my lions. All good news. Not only were my felines immune to fire, but they were stronger and faster. All in all, the spell we worked was the gift that kept on giving. The vampires who had been stuck outside were now inside. From what I’d heard, Salino had gotten them all in line, letting them know their old emperor was dead and that he was the only emperor alive. I was sure they all felt it, but he made sure they knew it. They were getting adjusted now and I would bet some wanted his head, but wouldn't dare try to take it. Not only would Salino's death affect all vampires, but he had powerful mages on his side and I wouldn't stand for anyone hurting him. Hurting Salino would hurt Adrian. I would kill any vampire who tried.
I was sure Salino told them as much after Adrian and I had gone to sleep, because we received quite a few looks as we walked through Salino's home to the dining room where food was being served. Some of their expressions held contempt, which I didn't give a shit about. Others were more in awe or even fearful—which was smart on their part. As Adrian, Shi, and I ate breakfast, we conversed.
“How's Nadia?” I asked Shi.
“Missing me, but she's okay. She said that those things did try to get inside, but the barrier you put up kept them out. So, at least we know it works,” Shi reported.
I nodded. We never got a chance to test the barrier on our own home, but seeing it in action keeping those monsters from climbing Salino's home, I had faith that my tower would be safe. Besides, I would have certainly heard something from my pride if otherwise.
“Xavier's fine too, I talked to him this morning. He was wondering if we were going to do anything about the monsters, but I told him that we couldn't until we dealt with El-Kazir. I just told him to stay put. I'd rather he be safe,” Adrian said.
“Was he trying to go somewhere?” I asked, because I didn't know why Adrian had to tell that fool to stay put.
Adrian sighed. “He is having a hard time being idle when people are in danger.”
