8. Chapter Eight
Chapter eight
Benji
Cuddling into Lysandro’s side had become my absolute favorite thing to do in the evenings after the library closed. With Scotty moving fully into the position of Ego’s anchor, my sometimes cranky, always quirky vampire didn’t have to make as many trips out to the mini-castle.
I’d met what they called the Scooby-Doo crew, and I loved them all.
They were such fun, unique people. And loyal.
I’d never experienced that kind of loyalty in my life.
I thought maybe Rafe and I were developing that kind of relationship, but this was a whole group of family and found family, and it was really beautiful.
Lysandro kissed the top of my head. “We need to talk.”
Had he found out about the creepy love letters I’d received? With everything going on with Ego, I hadn’t mentioned them to him yet, and the more time that went on, the more pissed I knew he was going to be once I finally told him.
“Uh-oh. It sounds serious.”
He scooped me up, settling me so that I was straddling his thighs facing him.
“I do enjoy it when you manhandle me,” I said with a saucy wink.
He gave me a faint, strained smile, so I stopped teasing and nodded at him so he’d know I was listening.
“We’ve found a way to get Ego’s Sire here.”
Okay, that wasn’t what I was expecting. “That’s not a good thing, is it?”
Lysandro licked his lips. “That all depends on what happens.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, fear clawing at my insides. “What are you going to do?”
“Whatever it takes to save the fledgling.” He rubbed his hands down my thighs. “Ego’s family will be there to help him, and they’re all powerful in their own rights, but…”
It didn’t escape my notice that he didn’t say I’d be there. He’d expect me to stay home inside the wards, but that wasn’t going to happen. “But you think it’s going to be up to you to handle it?”
“I do. He’s building an army, so I have no idea how many humans he’s turned. Whether any of them gave consent or not, ultimately, if I’m the one who ends up having to give him his last death, then…”
“Then what?” I asked, stroking my hands over his chest. “Your position in Ego’s life will become more permanent?” I shrugged. “I hate to tell you this, but you already treat him like he’s your fledgling. Nothing would really change except he wouldn’t be in danger anymore.”
Lysandro grabbed my hands and held them in his. The intensity of his stare would’ve made me nervous if I hadn’t already known he’d never hurt me. “Benji, I’m ancient.”
“Well, duh.”
“According to vampiric law, if I willingly terminate the life of another as old as me, then I have to accept responsibility for those who he gave our nature.”
Confused, I scrunched my nose. “But we don’t know that he’s as old as you, do we?”
“I don’t see a younger vampire getting away with this. The council would’ve stopped it immediately if they knew, and if Damien had heard whispers, he’d have come to me.”
Laying down on his chest, I whispered, “So what are you saying?”
“That whatever happens might open me up to having a lot more…children, for lack of a better word.”
My heart hurt for my vamp. He was saying it all so matter-of-fact, but I knew he’d never wanted to be responsible for other vampires. That was why he’d never created his own. We’d had enough conversations about the rules of his world for me to know that he didn’t find them fair or just.
Unbeknownst to Ego, he already planned to protect him from their council—one he hadn’t told the fledgling about yet—but how many more might need his protection? And what would that mean for him? For us?
“I’m sorry.”
His arms came around me, holding me close. “I don’t know what the future will hold now, Benji. I don’t want you—”
“I’m not going anywhere, okay?”
He remained silent, and I leaned up and glared at him.
“I’m staying with you. No matter what happens. Just make sure you’re still alive—or your version of it—after this meeting with Ego’s Master, or I’ll…I don’t know what I’ll do, but you won’t like it.”
He snorted a laugh. “My sweet Benji.” He reached up and cupped my cheek. “You are a treasure.”
Leaning down, I pressed my lips to his in a soft kiss. “And I’m yours, so make sure you come back to me.”
His strained smile wasn’t reassuring at all.
Lysandro
Chance hosting us at Willowhope Manor for Ego’s attempt to pull his Sire out of the Dreamveil was ideal. Their great room was big enough for Ego to lay with his head nestled on Scotty’s lap, and Sky and King had their own mattress to slumber on and go into the Veil.
We knew vampires and Dreamwalkers didn’t inhabit the same space inside there, but our hope was that they could somehow find him and be a point of contact so that Ego’s Sire couldn’t confuse him or steal him away.
As frustrating as it had been to take him on and become his mentor, I found it worse that I couldn’t join and help him. But our plan was solid, and once he coaxed his Maker close enough to pull him out, we’d all be here waiting.
I gazed around at all who’d assembled and relief flooded me that Ego had such an amazing support system.
All the magic users were gathered in white robes, and candles flickered around the room, giving them the ambiance they needed to do their things.
Since I didn’t know who’d had the audacity to turn the fledgling, especially without his consent, a part of me worried that I wouldn’t be enough backup for Ego.
A larger part of me than I cared to admit.
There were very few older than me, and they were all bad news.
My thoughts went to Benji. I’d demanded he stay behind the wards at my home on Belflower Lane tonight, and as expected, he put up quite the fight.
I’d finally gotten him to at least agree to stay at the library.
Goddess help me, I hoped he listened. Worrying about the young fledgling was enough without putting Benji into the mix.
Just the thought of some asshole vamp looking at my…
whatever he was sideways made me want to burn the world to the ground.
We all held our positions as Ego, Sky, and King slept on.
The magic users maintained their circle, sometimes chanting, sometimes singing, and other times perfectly quiet.
Scotty stroked Ego’s hair back from his face, glancing at me every so often.
I continued giving him nods of encouragement. Ego would be fine—I’d make sure of it.
As twilight approached, Scotty began trying to wake Ego.
His attempts went unanswered for longer than I was comfortable with, when all of a sudden, his movements became jerky, like he was fighting.
He’d succeeded. He had his Sire. Scotty held on to him for all he was worth, and I moved closer, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice.
The room exploded into action as Ego’s arms filled with another person, and he did indeed bring out another vampire. His Sire. The one who called himself Master.
Vesper.
“Brother,” he said with a smirk once he saw me.
“I should’ve known it was you,” I responded. I’d been right. Vesper was at least a century older than me, and he’d been stronger than most back in the day.
The taunts he threw at me rolled off my back. I didn’t care what he thought of me, never had. Our mother had let him stray too far and get away with too much while she was still with us. It was no surprise that he’d gotten even more rotten with her passing.
Our argument heated up, revealing more of my business to this group of people I’d grown to consider friends than I was comfortable with.
It came as no surprise that he monologued at me.
He’d always loved the sound of his own voice, and there was no other sound in the history of forever that grated on me more.
When he came at me with extended claws and grabbed me around the waist, there was no choice.
Vesper would never listen to reason or repent.
As much as I didn’t want to deal with the council, had this creature been even slightly reasonable, I’d have pursued the proper channels.
But this…no. I should’ve put him down when our mother perished.
I gripped his shoulder hard enough for my nails to cut through his clothing, piercing his skin, and punched my other hand into his body. As much ick as he was, I couldn’t risk his body repairing itself, so with extended teeth, I ripped out his throat and then tore out his heart.
As his body fell, I spat the remnants of his throat onto the ground. “Maybe I’m not as soft as you thought,” I said with finality.
With the threat removed, all of the worry and anger and rage disappeared, and my legs gave out.
Then there was Benji, holding me up. I shouldn’t be shocked that he wasn’t where I told him to be, but the happiness I felt at his presence was overwhelming.