Pretty When She Destroys (Pretty When She Dies #3)(57)

“...and so that’s why Samantha needs Roberto.”

“What?” Cian’s attention snapped back to Jeff.

“Samantha needs a ghostly minion,” Jeff said, obviously repeating himself. “Because she needs someone to help her with the ghosts.”

“And she wants to recruit Roberto’s ghost?” Cian’s emotions were immediately mixed. Roberto had been a close companion for years and someone he had relied upon until Roberto had betrayed him to The Summoner. He did miss the old camaraderie he shared with Roberto for many years, but the anger he felt over his betrayal could not be so easily assuaged in the glow of fond memories.

“Well, she knows him. And Roberto will most likely want revenge on The Summoner. The Summoner did almost obliterate his ghost to infuse himself into Bianca’s body.” Jeff finally looked Cian directly in the eyes. The earnestness in his gaze did little to soften Cian’s reluctance.

“Did you consider, Jeff, that he may also want revenge on Amaliya for killing him?”

Wincing, Jeff inclined his head. “Yeah...maybe. But if he agrees to help, Samantha will hold authority over him. He’ll be totally dependent on her.”

Cian didn’t blink as he continued to stare at Jeff. “And you think this is a wise idea?”

“Samantha is a phasmagus who has yet to totally manifest her powers. She needs this help. We need her at full power.” Jeff waved his hand at the whiteboard. “The Summoner has anywhere from nine to eleven of the rings. It’s almost October. We’re running out of time, Cian.”

Returning his attention to the women outside, Cian saw Amaliya resting on the ground gazing up at the stars. A pang of sorrow surprised him. For a moment he wanted to rush outside and lay next to her. It had been so long since they’d had a quiet moment to just enjoy the night. For a short period of time after they had first gotten together, they’d spent hours sitting outside on the balcony of their penthouse apartment, smoking cigarettes and talking. It had been incredibly peaceful. He longed for those nights again. Perhaps it was inevitable that to return to a more halcyon existence he would have to make deals with devils.

“You’re not asking my permission to do this, are you?” Cian shifted in his chair. He was amused when Jeff started.

Jeff wagged his head. “No. Not really. It’s Samantha’s choice, you know. In the end. It’s her power. Her life. We won’t even see him unless she decides to let him manifest. His entire existence will be tied to her.” Once the words left Jeff’s mouth, his demeanor significantly altered. Cian recognized his look immediately. It was of a man who realized he didn’t have control over the situation either.

“Point well made. I will support Samantha’s decision then.” Cian cleared his throat. “Is that all?”

Jeff winced. “No. One more thing.” The human clasped his hands together in front of him and took a deep breath. “Benchley uncovered some information about Bianca that complicates everything.”

“Enlighten me.”

As Cian listened to Jeff explain all that Benchley had unearthed, a feeling of dread washed over him. It was vividly clear to him what Amaliya’s reaction to the news would be. She would want to immediately launch a rescue. Cian had enough insight into her mind to know that Amaliya would not be able to abide Bianca being held captive by The Summoner. What his beloved hadn’t shared in actual conversation he had already glimpsed in her mind. Amaliya was adrift. As a vampire fledgling, the first years of her undead existence would have been under the guidance of her creator, but The Summoner had abandoned her. The power within her sought out vital connection. Coupled with the loss of her grandmother, Amaliya was craving familial bonds that were denied to her throughout her life. If Bianca was alive, she was in essence what was left of Amaliya’s vampire family. The Summoner, Bianca and Amaliya would have created a troika of power unlike any other if The Summoner had not been so set in his ways.

“Blood calls to blood,” Cian said at last.

“What does that mean?”

“Vampires that are created by the same vampire have a strong attachment to one another. Though Rachoń and I have a very adversarial relationship, when I’m near her I feel the connection between us. That is what initially drew me to Amaliya. I still feel a pull to The Summoner after all this time, though it has diminished with time. I suspect that the link between Amaliya and Bianca is even more intense. They are the only two of their kind.” Cian finally relaxed his posture. He rested his elbows on the table and cupped his chin in his hands.

“So this is bad,” Jeff decided.

“Possibly. Depending on how I deal with it. And you must let me deal with telling her. Understood?”

“Yes, absolutely!” The young man was clearly uneasy with the entire situation. “Benchley calls Amaliya our big gun and she really is. If she goes off after The Summoner on her own, we’re f*cked.”

“I almost think I preferred it when she ran away from danger, not toward it.” Cian gave Jeff a slim smile.

“A nice middle ground between the two would be good.”

The massive pulse of power almost knocked Cian off his chair. It thrummed through the room like a cello playing low notes.

“Cian?” Jeff rose to his feet in alarm.

Scrambling to his feet, Cian stared out the window. “Shit.”