Page 55 of The Vampire Always Rises
It was anger.
Why was she angry at him?Why are you angry with me?
Huh? Who said I was?
I can feel your emotions just as you feel mine.
She looked startled for a moment.I keep forgetting we are a two-way radio.
Why were you angry with me enough to leave the safety of my home in order to find me? I arranged for everything you needed there.
Again, the little bubble of anger rose in her. He was genuinely perplexed by it, and wanted to know what was triggering such a reaction when all he was doing was keeping her safe.
It took her a few minutes to answer, and she glanced over her shoulder at Savian, who was engaged with his phone, looking up every few minutes to check the trail before returning to text messages.You know how I said I lived with a cult?
Yes. Your father belonged to it, I believe.
That’s right. Well, one of the things they were very big on was telling women what they could and couldn’t do. Mostly couldn’t, because they didn’t like us doing anything that came close to making us actual human beings rather than the pretty, brainless little childbearing dolls that they wanted.
Merrick drove on, keeping his thoughts carefully to himself. He noted, however, the sense of anger was replaced by a deep sadness in Tempest.
Even as an adult, every facet of my life was structured. I had times when I had to milk the goats, and times when I had to wash the clothes, and times when I had to be on my knees begging God for humility. I was never allowed to do anything off the schedule, or make a decision for myself, or, merciful deity of your choice, actually live life the way I wanted to.
With a shock, he realized that she had viewed his actions in the same fashion she viewed those of the members of the cult, and he had to admit that when they were seen in that light, she was justified. He had taken away her choices, and given her parameters under which she could live, and no more.
So when you dumped Kelso and me off at your house—
“Dumped” is hardly the word.
—I decided that I wasn’t going to go back to that sort of a life. These last few months have been wonderful, Merrick. I can decide what I want to eat for a meal. I can decide when to have the meal. I pick out the clothes I want to wear, and when I will wear them. And I decide where I will go, and what I will do.She slid him a sidelong look.Even a Beloved has a right to autonomy.
Yes, she does, he agreed, enjoying her start of surprise.
That’s why we decided to come to Nice, to see you. I’m sure you’re angry about that, but I will point out that at least I’ve seen Carlo, so we know he’s still in the area.
I am angry about many things, but you making decisions for yourself is not one of them. Unless it endangers you, and then I reserve the right to feel a little testy.
She giggled in his head.I’d never imagine you saying the word “testy.”
I am a man of much depth,he said complacently, then added, “What will your friend do if Carlo discards him?”
“Discards as in what? Throws out of the car?” She looked horrified at the thought. “Or thrown away because they killed him? You don’t think they killed him, do you? Galloping grape juice, what have I done? I was sure they wouldn’t kill him, but now—”
“Calm yourself,” he interrupted, not liking the panic and guilt he saw in her eyes. “They have no reason to kill him. He is not an immortal, and he has no ties to me. They do not kill for the pleasure of it.”
The image of his sister’s broken body rose in his mind, but he ignored the guilt that accompanied the memory. He couldn’t think now of how he had failed her. She was dead because he hadn’t kept her safe, and that was all there was to it. He had to keep the most important item uppermost in mind.
Protecting Tempest.
No, he corrected himself. Finding Victor was the most important thing. No one, not even Tempest, would be safe until Victor was located and imprisoned.
“Oh, I sure hope so, because Ellis is a nice guy. You’d like him.” Her voice was leaching sadness and regret, making Merrick want to take her in his arms again. He wanted to make love to her until she forgot about the world, forgot about the drama in which she’d found herself, forgot about everything but him.
He wanted to be the world to her.
“What exactly has this Victor done, if you don’t mind me asking? I know the Revelation is bad news, but I haven’t heard anything about him specifically,” Savian asked, pulling his head in from where he’d been looking out the window at the trail.
“He is directly responsible for the death of my sister, and twelve other Dark Ones over the last twenty years. The Horsemen were brought together ten years ago in order to combat the threat they pose to our kind.” Merrick kept his voice level despite the anger and sorrow that rose at not being able to save his sister.
