Magic Forged (Hall of Blood and Mercy #1)(76)

“If you are trying to talk me into feeling pity for her, it won’t work,” Killian darkly said. “She killed vampires and humans alike.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “She clearly had a loose screw. I’m not at all trying to justify her actions, but it doesn’t make you second-guess your new law?”

“No,” Killian said. “Because every vampire life is precious. And Unclaimed don’t survive long.”

“Why is that?” I asked. “They can purchase blood—it’s not like you guys are reliant on other vampires for provision.”

“No,” Killian agreed. “We rely on our Families for power and protection. Unclaimed don’t survive long because they are walking targets. They have no allies among the vampires, which makes them easy prey for the rest of the supernaturals.”

“I don’t believe that,” I protested. “As a community we have to get along—or we’ll collapse.”

Killian raised his other eyebrow. “And I suppose your experience has disproven this?”

I shut my mouth so hard my teeth clicked.

When the other Houses had refused to help me, I knew I was dead. Everyone knew what would happen, and the werewolves hadn’t tried to stop it, and the fae nobles my parents had been allies with hadn’t sought me out after I pledged servitude to Killian.

I was able to survive because of the Drake Family, not because of the goodwill of our community.

It was heartbreaking. Knowing that magic was dying should have united us…but while on the surface everything seemed okay since there weren’t many conflicts and no wars, in reality the magical races had drawn lines of separation.

Except I’m a wizard living here in Drake Hall. Does that count for anything?

“Isn’t there a way you could make things safer for the Unclaimed?” I asked, not quite ready to let go yet.

Killian tilted his head as he thought.

“I mean, you’re the all-powerful, intelligent Killian Drake,” I said, buttering him up for all I was worth. “Creating an alternative should be easy for you.”

The flat set of his eyebrows and the line of his mouth said he knew what I was doing and wasn’t falling for it, but he played with my fingers as he thought. “I could require contact or nearby living quarters with other Unclaimed. If they form their own sort of community—even if it’s small—it would provide more protection than living alone as a sitting duck.”

The light in his eyes was curious now—he was thinking about it.

Which surprised me. I didn’t honestly think he’d be willing to change something he’d done. Maybe his concern for the preservation of the vampire race as a whole really was what drove him, rather than a general thirst for power.

“You don’t regret your decision?”

“Huh?” I snapped my eyes to Killian’s face.

He finally set my arm down on my mattress—though he still held my hand. “You don’t regret your decision to kill the vampire?”

I furrowed my brow. “No. Why would I?”

Killian raised his eyebrows. “Because of your sanctimonious and precious House rules?”

“Oh. That.” I briefly pursed my lips, then shook my head. “No. I did the right thing. It might go against House rules, but I feel it here.” I thumped my chest with my free hand, breaking off in a wheeze when I realized it was my mangled shoulder. When I recovered my breath I added, “I’d rather fight and spill blood than let my friends die in front of me.”

“Even if it means you can’t lead your House?” Killian asked.

I considered his words. “Yeah. It was right,” I repeated.

He stared at me with an intense scrutiny in his eyes I couldn’t quite place. Did he think I was stupid? Did he believe I had fallen into whatever plan he had concocted? (If so, he had another think coming to him: just because I’d stop someone from killing him didn’t mean I was going to do his bidding.)

I figured he’d keep pestering me about it, but he abruptly replaced his stare with a smug smirk. “Then you consider me a friend? My wizard, you are more na?ve than I thought.” His voice was such a rich velvety purr it was obvious he was playing it up to cover whatever he was thinking.

“Let’s just say I don’t want to see you die,” I said.

“An acceptable beginning.” He leaned closer, his eyes at half-mast. “I can’t say I’ve ever seduced a wizard, but it might be fun to give it a try.”

I sucked my neck into my shoulders. “No,” I said. “Don’t do that.”

Killian inched closer. “Do what?”

“Look here. You need to learn about personal boundaries and comfort zones.”

“Quite right,” he agreed, his faint British accent thickening into something much stronger. “Why don’t you teach me?”

I scrunched my nose at him. “Come any closer and I’ll purposely open my shoulder wound and stink you out of the room.”

Unexpectedly, Killian froze, his head half-cocked. “Touché, little wizard.” He leaned back in his chair just as the door thumped open.

“I thought I heard your voice!” Celestina had a big smile on her face—and a smoldering potion in each hand. “I’m so glad you’re awake!” She set the potions on my nightstand and sat at the edge of my mattress, leaning in so she could give me a hug. “You were amazing.”