Natural Mage (Magical Mayhem #2)(24)

“You need me alive, right?” I said, having a hard time focusing on what he was saying. My mind went back to Emery telling me about vampires when we were in Seattle. You should always keep your wits when dealing with a vampire. They are smart and cunning. If a vampire can get one over on you, or use you, or…something you probably wouldn’t even think of, they will. Without hesitation. They have no loyalty.

“Yes, about what happened last night,” Darius started. “I had not intended to put you at such risk—”

I held my hand up to stop him. Callie had told me I held the power, and it was time to exert it. “Answer my question.”

Something sparked in his eyes. His pause was slight, but enough to give away his pivot. “I do need you alive, yes. But I will not allow the enemy to use you.”

The air thickened and my temperamental third eye started doing a jig, trying to get me moving. “You need me alive as long as I’m not a threat to you.”

“Just so.”

Which meant he’d kill me if the Guild successfully captured me.

I exhaled slowly, trying to calm my rapidly beating heart.

With everything I had, I wished Emery were with me. He would know how to navigate this situation.

“Then I guess we know where we stand.” My throat clearing didn’t cover the sound of a soft scratch outside of the door, as though a claw had gently slid down the wall.

Darius’s words came back to me.

You need to spend some time living in fear to get used to what it does to you…

“What is outside that door?” I asked, my knuckles white from gripping my hands together.

“That took much too long,” Marie murmured, and Darius and Moss both slightly nodded.

“I think it wise for you to leave the safety of the Bankses’ house,” Darius said, ignoring my question. “You are welcome to stay here, if you would like. Reagan has opened her home as well. Or, if you’d prefer—”

I held my hand up. “What is outside that door?”

“—I can rent something for you in the area. I would advise your friend to stay put. A non-magical person has no business in your life at the moment. It would likely be incredibly dangerous for her, and she has been through enough magical drama.”

Light footfalls passed the room, like something was running. Another set of footfalls, this time with nails softly clattering on the wood floor, shifted closer to the door.

“You need to be pushed, Miss Bristol,” Darius said. “Known Guild members have been seen in this area. My people are keeping an eye out. The shifters are on alert, as are the local mages and witches. But the Guild is notorious for their covert tactics. I expect to see some of the local mages shift their allegiance. That will lead to spying. People who have acted as friends may help trap you. You must be ready before that.” He paused for a moment. “To answer your question, you have finally clued in to the five brand-new vampires waiting outside of this room. I will not let them kill you, but I will let them try. Your training has begun.”

I stared at him with a slack jaw.

Five?

That one new vampire had nearly taken me down yesterday. Darius thought I could handle five?

“Kill as many as you like,” he continued. “They should never have been turned, and their creator has since been destroyed. If you don’t destroy them, I have no doubt the shifters will.”

“But…they’re people,” I said, aghast.

“Prisoners convicted of heinous acts to their fellow man. The vampire that illegally turned them thought their past would enhance their maliciousness. She was right. They are a danger to both the magical world and the human world.”

“They’re like the vampire you brought with you last night? The one that almost killed me because you didn’t properly guard him?”

Darius’s lips thinned, the only indication that what I’d said cut him. “That vampire was the best of the lot and from a previous turning. His inclusion was a test…which he failed. Have no fear; he would not have reached you. Had you not reacted, another would have.”

Something—a vampire, I now knew—snorted near the door. The sound was inhuman. They were all likely in their swamp thing forms.

I wanted to ask just who Darius thought would’ve helped me from across the room, but I didn’t have the luxury of talking back. I had other things on my mind right now. Like the five hungry and out-of-control vampires waiting outside of this room, blocking my exit.

“Why aren’t they coming in?” My voice was high and tight. “Are you going to let them bite me?”

“I am their master now. They will listen to me until provoked beyond their limit. They will not enter this room while we sit idly at this table.” He put his hands on the table, palms down. “They won’t bite at this age. They will tear into your skin. I will not let them do that around a vital nerve, but otherwise…”

He let the sentence linger. It was probably better that way.

I blew out a breath, good and slow, trying to still the tremors racking my body. It didn’t do much.

“Why the hell did Reagan bond you?” I asked. “You are, quite possibly, the worst person alive.”

“I am not alive.”

“That just makes it worse!”

“He has your best interests at heart,” Marie said, finally looking at me. I saw a burning hunger in her eyes. She was reacting to my fear. Her hunger was rising, and her desire with it. I could feel them both. “He is being more lenient than I would’ve been. We fought side by side. I felt your greatness. These parlor tricks are beneath you. And so is that hideous dress.”