The Killing Dance - Laurell K. Hamilton [163]
“Will Sabin be able to read his part of the spell tomorrow night?” Raina asked. She moved in very close to Cassandra. “Once his brain is rotted away, there will be nothing left to do but lock him in a box with crosses on it. Hide him away.”
Cassandra’s hands balled into fists. A fine trembling ran through her body. Raw fear showed on her face.
Raina turned to me almost conversationally. “Sabin won’t die, you understand. He’ll melt down into a little puddle of slime, but he won’t die. Will he, Cassandra?”
“No,” Cassandra almost shouted. “No, he won’t die. He’ll just go insane. He’ll still have all the powers of the triumvirate, but he’ll be mad. We’ll have to lock him away and pray that Dominic’s spells can hold his power in check. If we can’t hold his powers prisoner, the council will force us to burn him alive. Only that would be sure death.”
“But if you do that,” Raina said, “you and Dominic will die, as well. All those vampire marks dragging you down to hell with him.”
“Yes,” Cassandra said, “yes.” She stared at me, anger and helplessness in her face.
“Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?” I asked.
“No, Anita, you’re just supposed to die,” she said.
I swallowed hard and tried to think of something useful. It was hard to do with Gabriel lying on top of me, but if I didn’t think of something, we were all dead.
Cassandra startled as if someone had touched her. A prickle of energy swept over my body from her, raising goose bumps where it touched. Gabriel ran his fingertips over the skin of my arms, making the gooseflesh stay just a little longer.
“I must go,” Cassandra said. “Before the night is over, you may wish you were being sacrificed.” She looked from Gabriel to Raina. “A slit throat would be quicker.”
I agreed with her, but I wasn’t sure what to say. We were discussing different ways to kill me. None of them seemed particularly good choices.
Cassandra stared down at me. “I am sorry.”
“If you’re really sorry,” I said, “untie me and give me a weapon.”
She smiled wistfully. “Sabin has ordered me not to.”
“You always do what you’re told?” I asked.
“On this one thing, yes. If you’d watched Jean-Claude’s beauty rot before you, you’d do anything to help him.”
“Who’re you trying to convince, me or you?”
She swayed slightly, and I felt the roll of power out of her body and along mine. Gabriel licked my arm.
“I must go. The circle will be closed soon.” She stared down at me, at Gabriel running his tongue up my arm. “I am truly sorry, Anita.”
“If you’re looking for forgiveness, pray. God may forgive you; I won’t.”
Cassandra stared down at me for another heartbeat. “So be it. Good-bye, Anita.” She ran in a blur of white, like a fast-forward ghost.
“Good,” Raina said, “now we can set up the lights and make some test shots.” The lights sprang into a dazzling brightness.
I closed my eyes against the glare.
Gabriel moved up my body, and I opened my eyes. “We were going to strip you naked and tie you spread-eagled, but Cassandra wouldn’t let us. But now she’s too busy with the spell.” He put a hand on either side of my head, pinning some of my hair. “We did makeup on your face while you were out. We can make the body makeup part of the show. What do you think?”
I tried to think of anything useful. Anything at all. Nothing came to mind. He leaned over me, bringing his face close and closer. He opened his mouth enough to show fangs. Not vampire fangs but small leopard fangs. Richard had told me once that Gabriel spent too much time in animal form so he didn’t come completely back anymore. Great.
Gabriel kissed me, lightly, then harder, forcing his tongue in my mouth. He drew back from me. “Bite me.” He kissed me, then raised his lips back just enough to whisper, “Bite me.”
Pain excited Gabriel. I didn’t want him more excited, but with his tongue halfway