Entwined Realms Volume One(74)
He would get her back, and if the Guild fought him, he’d destroy them all.
The only emotion he could spare for Valry was anger, anger that she was keeping him from finding Larissa.
Betrayal or not, perhaps some good could come of this night if he could discover why it was Larissa these beings were obsessed with. Terak turned to the vampire. “What is your name?”
The vampire cocked his head in surprise. “You would speak to me, Terak, Clan Leader of the Gargoyles?”
“I would be a fool to not listen to your words now that you are here before me. Valry spoke of a bargain. Tell me what it is.”
“I am Garof.”
“And who is your master?”
“That does not concern you, Clan Leader. That knowledge will not affect the words I speak. I hope my lack of answer will not stop you from listening to my other words.”
Terak inclined his head. Vampires never gave the name of their Master; it had been a desperate attempt, nothing more. “I will listen to your words. What actions I will take based upon them is not guaranteed.”
“My people want the woman. She is needed for a spell.”
“She is needed to rip the Realms apart, this I know.” Terak watched the vampire closely, but to the vampire’s credit, the only sign this might have been a surprise was an extra-long blink. “How would she accomplish such a task? Why her?”
Garof shook his head. “You do not need to know the specifics. What I am willing to divulge is that we need her and her alone. To possess her we would be willing to pay a very high price.”
What did the vampire think to offer? “How high?”
“Since you know the ultimate purpose the woman would serve, you will understand when I say this. Once we return the Magic Realm to its former state, we will have gargoyles rule over all, second only to the necromancers.”
They would never quit hunting her.
As Valry gasped and even Malek let out a grunt of surprise, this knowledge pounded through Terak. She would never be safe again. There was nothing he could do to blunt their interest. With his words and his covetous gaze, the vampire showed how much they desired her.
For him to stay with her was to put his Clan in the direct path of the necromancers. They would go from neutral parties to fierce enemies.
But to walk away from her was as good as handing her over to them.
She was sunshine. She was light and laughter and the key to a part of him that had sat, unused and rusty, since his mother had died. She was gentleness that surrounded a will of steel, and a fierce protectiveness to her family and her students and whoever else she considered her Clan.
She kept the secrets of a gargoyle and had fought to save him. She told him her secrets and let him wipe away her tears.
Calm descended, thick and complete.
She was his heart, his life, and he would forever protect her. Whatever he needed to do, whatever he needed to give up, he would keep her at his side and ally with whomever he must, as long as she was safe.
The vampire was watching him with careful eyes. This channel had to remain open, for the hope of future information. “What if the spell does not work? What will you give that will serve my people here, in this realm?”
The vampire looked surprised. “The Magic Realm will once again exist, Clan Leader.”
“Do not talk to me of certainties. Yes, the Magic Realm may once again exist, but I will not make my people an enemy of several powerful Houses on that hope. I want to know what I will receive should this not come to pass.”
“I would need to talk to my Master and ask him what he would wish to give.” Garof nodded at Valry. “I will contact the female in our usual manner when I have a response for you.”
“You speak of this one?” Terak grabbed Valry’s wing and flung her toward Malek who caught and bound her.
“Terak, no. How can you do this, when you yourself are talking to the vampire?” She struggled against Malek’s hold. “Let me go.”
“This one,” said Terak, ignoring Valry’s pleas, “has betrayed her Mennak and kept secrets that might have placed my Clan in danger. Look at this female tonight and remember her face, Vampire, for you will never see it in the flesh again.”
Garof smiled. “I have high expectations for our future conversation, Gargoyle. I will be in contact with you.”
The vampire disappeared, teleporting away in less than a blink of time.
Valry cried as they flew back to the keep, struggling against the ropes that bound her. They landed among several warriors. Terak ignored the questioning gazes on him and told Malek, “Lock her away.” Malek nodded and led her to the dungeons.
Before anyone could voice their questions, a cry of “Mennak!” sounded through the crowd. A warrior broke through and stood before Terak.