“I have to try everything within my power to get him back.” I stood and held my arms out to her. Her hug was tentative, frightened.
“Be careful,” she warned. “Strike first if you can. They are smart and they are strong. If you can’t get Thayde to return, what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, clinging to her like a spider wrapping their prey.
“Please protect yourself.” She sniffed. “I don’t want you to die.”
“I will,” I pulled away from her, forcing a lame smile. She returned the favor.
“Bye,” she whispered, as she closed the door.
“Bye,” I said to the door.
Clasping my hands together, I relaxed and focused. Troen had said they were in Florence, Italy. But where in Florence? To begin, I tried to narrow in on Thayde, but I couldn’t put a lock on his location – he was a blur – a blue glaze that circled Europe. Giving up, I locked in on Flynn, instantly finding him. He stood, alone in the center of the Piazza Della Republica, as if he were waiting for me. It was now or never. I’d have to Leap. Breathing out, I allowed the crushing power to overload me before it blasted me forward to Italy.
Flynn jumped back as I suddenly appeared beside him. His blond hair now free from blood, he almost looked Human. Almost. He smiled widely, his canine teeth lengthening.
“How could you do this to me, Flynn?” I cried, doing my best not to make him explode on the spot – there were too many people milling about the vast plaza. “After everything we discussed, how could you betray me?”
“You’re far too trusting,” his voice was full of malice. “One good love story and you turn all gushy. I told you, you were too weak to be The Link.”
“I trusted you and you turned on me like a typical vampire.” Disgusted, my lips curled. “Where’s my husband?” I took a step toward him and he dropped his voice.
“Be very careful,” he warned, “you are in our territory now, mermaid.” He jutted his chin to a group of people sitting at an outdoor restaurant table. A large umbrella, made from light canvas material shielded them from the bright sun.
I instantly recognized the Master from Flynn’s memories and he wiggled his fingers in a wave. It was ridiculous. They acted as if they were all one happy family traveling together, visiting the many sites Florence offered.
“Be very careful,” Flynn repeated, his tone lightening ever so slightly, but I didn’t wait for him to finish. Instead, I strode across the sunny Plaza to the Master who lazed in his chair, a bright white suit adorning his lengthy body. Several vampires stood and he held up his hand, ordering them to wait. When I reached the table, he flashed me a brilliant smile.
“Good morning, ragazza carina!” He welcomed. “Would you like a seat?”
“What have you done with my husband?” I demanded. His countenance did not change and he looked about the Plaza. Flynn took his place behind him.
“’Tis a beautiful day, is it not?” He smirked. “Splendida giornata.”
“I’m not here to discuss the weather,” my jaw ached from clamping it shut. “I want my husband back.”
The Master rolled his head around on his shoulders and waved his hand in a large arch before him. Like puppets, the tourists mingling in the Plaza dispersed, leaving the large square empty.
“Your husband is dead.” He announced and reached for a glass filled with red liquid. Sipping its contents purposefully, he kept eyes on me. When he finished, he licked the remaining red stain from his lips. The act made me sick. I knew it was blood he was drinking. Was it Thayde’s?
“He is not dead,” I disagreed. “Where is he?”
Crossing his long legs, he pushed his lips forward as if musing. “He is not dead in the actual sense of the word. But he is very much mine now. He is a part of our family.” He looked about at the group of vampires circling him. “My family is growing and he makes a most eccezionale addition.”
“You want to create a new race with Herra.” I added and he shook his head.
“Herra is inconsequential. She had her use and now, now she is, what is the word?” He paused, making a show of thinking. “Inutile: useless to me.”
“She plans to start a war,” I said and he waved his hand as if trying to rid himself of a pest.
“I am aware of her plans. They are no business of mine. I have what I want. With the husband of The Link on our side, it gives us an extremely powerful advantage, don’t you think?” He took another sip from the glass. “So now, what can I do for you?”