Forever(57)

“I am tired of your games,” my voice grew louder. “Don’t make me force you to give him to me.”

“Force me?” He laughed. “Who do you think you are dealing with, Siernetta?”

I was about to answer when a black shadow passed overhead, silencing my words. Shielding my eyes against the bright sun, I scanned the skies and found nothing. Seconds later, a figure landed heavily at the Master’s feet. Pulling from a crouching position, it straightened and turned. It was Thayde.

I was not prepared to see him so soon and it shook me to the core. Pale and beautiful, those eyes I loved so much had not changed, but as his gaze shifted to me, and there was no hint of recognition in them, my heart sunk.

Dressed completely in black leather, I had never seen Thayde look so strong, so sure. His posture exuded confidence and power. Indeed, the other vampires seemed to hold their breath, waiting for his next move. The Master smiled smugly and shifted his gaze to me.

“What are your intentions, minuscola ragazza?” His voice dripped with sarcasm.

I couldn’t tear my eyes from Thayde. To see him so cold and aloof tore me to pieces. My heart ferociously beat within my chest and the foul taste of heartburn raced up my throat.

“What have you done to him?” I demanded.

“Flynn did exactly as he was ordered: he gained your confidence and brought us The Link’s husband. With Thayde being bonded to you, he has the chance of retrieving all your powers. We healed him and now he is ours. Such a pity for you, but for us, it is everything we needed. Cosi semplice.”

The Master rose from his seat, gracefully wrapping his arms around himself as if pleased. “Our family is now complete. With a mer-vamp among us, well, let me just say, the possibilities are endless.”

“He’s not yours. You act as if you control him.”

He smirked. “He’s every bit ours. How could he not be? We saved his life.”

I forced vomit back down my throat.

“He doesn’t remember a thing, so I expect him to do just as he’s told.” He sneered. “You know, I did not appreciate your former leader paying us a visit. It was not expected and we rarely allow such intrusions.”

“Troen was here?”

“He warned us of your anger in taking your husband. I suspect he believes you are able to rival our powers. His words were ‘She will not take any prisoners.’ But it is of no consequence to us. We have what we need and now it shall be finished.”

The Master moved toward me, his steps elegant as a dancer. “Was it you who entered my mind? I understand why you would want information.” He sniffed the air. “I sense something – something you are hiding.” His dark eyes searched my face as he stopped in front of me. “Something, something mars you. Perhaps it was the Genif our little friend Herra sent. Perhaps it is your weakening resolve. Perhaps it is something more,” his voice trailed off.

To continue to let him ponder would, no doubt, give him enough time to realize the truth about my pregnancy. It was time to end this. Instead of backing down, I stared back at his soulless eyes. Pulling the memories from him was harder than I thought and it took a moment to filter through the hundreds of years he existed, but I got what I needed. My powers swiftly gathered within me, my skin prickling with fire.

“Your name is Albert Qamar. You are not Italian. You are a descendant of the Parsee community from South Asia. Like Flynn, you were turned against your will by the true Master, who immigrated with the group of Zoroastrians of Iran during the 10th century AD.”

The vampire slowly released his self-imposed embrace, his arms falling to his sides.

“Your mad thirst for revenge drove you to this,” my voice grew louder. “Your thirst for power will be your undoing.”

The shocked look on the Master’s face was satisfying in itself and I finished in Italian, mocking him.

“Vostra fiducia nei vostri poteri e vostra debolezza: Your confidence in your powers is your weakness.”

His face turned evil in a second. “And yours is your exuberance to jump into things headfirst.”

Before he had time to react, I threw my shield around the two of us, tossing the other vampires aside like tumbleweeds. In response, the Master opened his hand, a knife developing and threw it at me with all his might. The silver blade twinkled as it zipped toward me. Raising my hand, I disintegrated it, the rage within me shaking as I focused on him.

A few of his servant vampires beat against the shield, their attempts to enter useless. Flynn, merely crossed his arms and watched the scene as it unfolded. For the briefest of moments, a satisfied smile crossed his face.