Page 69 of Dark Reckoning
“I've been meaning to ask since it's just us. How is it being in love with someone you know is evil?” she asked.
That pissed me off, because she didn't know Sage. “He's not evil. Is he dangerous, ruthless, fearless—yes. But he isn't cruel for the sake of it. You don't know him or me. So, please, keep your opinions to yourself.”
She shrugged. “Very well. I see it's a sensitive subject for you. Dating a mob boss and all.”
I rolled my eyes as I took off my robe. “I have work to do,” I said, then teleported back to Salino's tower.
I landed in the bedroom that we shared, because it was a safe bet. Again, I noted that didn't have to lower the barrier here either. That was awesome. As for Salino, I'd been feeling the connection to him since last night after the spell and it was weird. The good thing was, I knew exactly where to find him. I didn't want or need his blood... at least not yet, and that was more good news. Whatever they'd done had made it so that Sage's blood was enough to sustain me for now. A blessing.
I made my way to Salino's office where I'd sensed his aura. “I need to speak to Salino,” I told the guards standing by.
“You have to wait,” said one of the vampire guards.
“It's important, I need to speak to Salino now,” I said.
The vampire looked me up and down. “He doesn't want to see any guests now.”
“Salino!” I yelled, because I didn't have time for this bullshit.
The vampire shoved me back and I shoved him using the force of my magic and it was powerful enough to send him through the door and into the office. The other vampire who was standing guard stumbled back, his mouth agape in surprise and fear. The vampire who laid his hands on me groaned as he dusted the debris from his clothes. It reminded me of when I'd done the same to Salino, sending him crashing into his desk. I looked into the study to see Salino sitting on the sofa with his brothers. At least now, I knew why he didn't want to be disturbed.
“Let him in,” Salino said, as if any vampire could stop me if I wanted to enter. I wasn't sure if I was under Salino's willpower the way Sage was... but something told me that I wasn't. He had no control over me, save the fact that his blood helped keep me alive.
I crossed the threshold and stepped over the wreckage of the door. The vampire guard was on his feet, glaring at me, fangs exposed.
“He attacked me, Sire.” He snarled.
“You shoved me and I shoved you back. Be glad that was all I did. Hell, be glad it's me you're dealing with and not my boyfriend,” I shot back, then turned to Salino. “We need to talk.”
Salino sighed and motioned for the vampire guard to leave. “My door will need to be replaced.”
“I hope you're not expecting me to pay for it,” I said, then walked over and took a seat.
“This is the mage who was there last night?” asked Salino's maker and older brother. Although he looked like a teenager, there was nothing childish about him. He exuded power and control, even more so than Salino.
“He is. Juliano, I don't think I've had the opportunity to introduce you to Adrian Elias. One of my mages and he is also linked to me, almost like one of my vampires,” Salino said proudly.
“Troublesome twat,” Juliano said with a mean curl to his lips.
“Excuse me? What did you call me?” I asked.
“You heard me. Your meddling put us all in this predicament. I can't even return to my home because of those monsters running amok,” Juliano said.
“Yeah, well...you can thank your brother for asking for a favor that great. It certainly wasn't our intention. But from what I've heard, you're all immune to fire now. You can thank my boyfriend for that,” I said, matching his energy.
“And I wouldn't change a thing. I don't regret saving our brother and James,” Salino said.
“I can't say that I'm not happy to be alive either. Although, I wish the circumstances were better,” Sarino said.
I liked him... out of the three brothers, he seemed to be the most human. I hoped he'd have a better influence on the other two, especially Juliano.
Juliano huffed. “Are you any closer to restoring the world to its natural order?”
“We are, as a matter of fact, and that's why I'm here.” I looked at Salino. “We need you and Damon so we can work a spell to create a weapon to take out El-Kazir.”
Salino cocked a blond eyebrow. “Why me?”
“Because the spell calls for the head of a line of supernals. And... well, that's you. We need a vampire, griezel, and shifter,” I informed him.
