As she watched Khent battling, she knew she couldn’t allow Ilu to conquer all life. Especially not her vampire.
He was beautiful the way he moved, so fierce, especially with those thick black wings that didn’t slow him down at all. Though she knew Nergal had to be more powerful than anyone downhere in his domain, Khent, and even Rolf, seemed to be keeping up. Though the vampires took more hits than Nergal did.
Val needed to concentrate, to think. As she did, she felt a spark of heat wrapped around her, the feel of her reaper protecting her. Ah, so that was what he’d done. Sneaky guy. When she’d given him a piece of herself, he’d returned the favor. Their bonding, perhaps?
She didn’t know how vampire mating worked, but it seemed he’d slipped some of his essence into her, strengthening her. Just as she’d merged with him when they’d made love. She missed that, feeling so close to another.
And not feeling possessed or taken over, but equal. One with Khent of the Night Bloode.
For all his bluster about lesser humans and being so superior, he didn’t let anyone else disparage her. And he had come down here to get her. She felt his purpose throbbing inside her, that band of protection around her soul so clear.
Closing her eyes, she let herself feel.
Ah, Valentine. What is it you do there?Ilu sounded curious.
Val needed to build rapport. Fast.I’m checking on my mate.
The one fighting Nergal?
Yes. Khent. He’s mine.
Thus he’s mine.
No. My…contract…was mine alone.Val paused.Do you have a mate?Was that it? Was Ilu lonely?
I do not.
My friend lost his. Talon’s been sad ever since. Vladimir killed her along with my parents. That’s why I’m down here. To kill him right back.
He’s already dead. And seriously depleted. Much of the beast has turned.
Into what?
I’m not sure.Ilu sounded puzzled.And that’s odd, because I’ve been alive for millennia. Though I slumbered, I was aware in a distant corner of my mind.
So you’re a god?
I’m awareness. Creation. Destruction. Almighty. I and we and no one.
Then why do you need me?
You ask excellent questions.
Val cringed as Khent flew through a wall of rock while Nergal followed him, tossing him back and knocking into Rolf.
Bodies tangled, and Rolf and Khent attacked Nergal together. But no one was laughing anymore, when before they’d seemed to be enjoying the battle.
When mankind was in its infancy, I developed kin, you might say. Sisters and brothers. Others like myself. But as the years passed, humans grew particular about their attachments, and my kind found ourselves drawn to them. Drawn more to their worship. I still don’t know why our dependence collided.
I didn’t like it, so I pulled away. But a certain group remained devoted to me.Ilu warmed with what felt like affection.You are one such devotee, a much distant ancestor of the first. Yet my dissociating changed me. Just as your worship changed you.
It turned us into necromancers?
I think so. I have always been on the cusp of worlds between. As I was before I was called to return.
Who called you? Vladimir?
That one? No. He’s too weak. Not like you. You hold a tiny piece of me inside you, and thus I’m able to be here. Now. In this new world. My realm vanished long ago. And now I’m here and determined to make things right.
