Bound by Darkness - Alexandra Ivy [117]
“It was inevitable.”
The cur made a sound, as if he hadn’t actually thought through the fact they would eventually be exposed.
“But the danger would be considerably lessened if we had an early warning system. Who knows what the seer could tell us?”
There was a tense pause and Ariyal wondered if the vampire intended to kill the cur.
It wouldn’t be a bad choice considering that the Dark Lord might very well destroy anyone near the cur if he learned of his traitorous thoughts.
“How long have you served the master?” the vampire at last demanded.
“What does it matter?”
“Because the stupid rarely survive more than a few decades,” the vampire explained in smooth tones.
The cur growled. “Are you calling me stupid?”
“It is either that or suicidal if you believe you can double-cross the Prince of all Darkness.”
“Christ, I didn’t say I wanted to double-cross him,” the cur protested, an edge of fear in his voice as he belatedly realized the danger. “I merely wondered why we’re not allowed to use such a powerful weapon when our enemies are quite literally at our doorstep.”
“And wondering if he is hiding a foretelling that speaks of our ultimate failure?”
“You said that, not me.”
The vampire’s humorless laugh sliced through the air. “Perhaps you are not so stupid as I feared.”
That was still up in the air as far as Ariyal was concerned.
He understood caution, but the cur was right to question why he wasn’t being allowed to use the services of such a potent weapon.
Could it be that the Dark Lord was indeed afraid of what the future might show?
Or did he simply refuse to allow his minions any power that he didn’t give them directly?
“How long have you served the Dark Lord?” the cur abruptly demanded, perhaps needing reassurance that he hadn’t made a colossal mistake in joining forces with the dark side.
“Several centuries.”
There was something in the vampire’s silken tone. Something that echoed the grief that still gripped Ariyal’s heart.
“A long time to wait for your rewards,” the cur muttered.
“Ah, but some rewards are worth waiting for.”
“I suppose.” The cur didn’t sound entirely convinced. “What were you offered? Riches?”
The vampire made a sound of disgust. “What is money to an immortal?”
“It’s pretty damned sweet if you ask me.”
“So young.”
“If it’s not money then what?” the cur demanded. “Power?”
“We both know I have no need to barter for power.” There was enough of a bite in the air to reveal the vampire was offended by the question. “I have possessed rare abilities since I was a mere foundling. And I only gained in strength after traveling through the Veil.”
Ariyal’s brows snapped together.
The Veil?
What the hell did that mean?
And what rare powers did he have?
Meeting Jaelyn’s wide gaze, he wasn’t reassured. She obviously understood what the vampire was talking about and wasn’t happy.
Which meant that he wasn’t happy.
“What’s left after money and power?” the cur mocked.
“Love.”
There was an awkward silence before the cur at last managed a sharp laugh.
“Are you shitting me?”
“There is nothing more treasured by vampires than their mates,” the vampire informed the cur in frigid tones. “They would give their lives to protect them.”
“Yeah, but ...” The cur cleared his throat. “You want our master to give you a mate?”
“Don’t be an idiot,” the vampire snapped. “I want him to return the mate I lost.”
“Ah.” Another awkward pause. “Just to be clear. When you say ‘lost’ you mean ...”
“She was killed when our lair was attacked by a rival clan and their pet witch.” The sheer lack of emotion in the vampire’s voice revealed the depth of his grief.
“Damn, I’m sorry.”
“As I watched her being burned on a stake our mighty prince came to me. He promised me in that moment that my mate would be returned to me if I pledged my loyalty to him.”
He felt Jaelyn’s shiver as they shared a glance of compassion.
Before he’d taken a mate he would never have understood what could drive a man to make a deal with the devil.
Now it was all too easy to imagine.
Of course,