Bound By Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #8)(97)

He understood caution, but the cur was right to question why he wasn’t being allowed to use the services of such a potent weapon.

Could it be that the Dark Lord was indeed afraid of what the future might show?

Or did he simply refuse to allow his minions any power that he didn’t give them directly?

“How long have you served the Dark Lord?” the cur abruptly demanded, perhaps needing reassurance that he hadn’t made a colossal mistake in joining forces with the dark side.

“Several centuries.”

There was something in the vampire’s silken tone. Something that echoed the grief that still gripped Ariyal’s heart.

“A long time to wait for your rewards,” the cur muttered.

“Ah, but some rewards are worth waiting for.”

“I suppose.” The cur didn’t sound entirely convinced. “What were you offered? Riches?”

The vampire made a sound of disgust. “What is money to an immortal?”

“It’s pretty damned sweet if you ask me.”

“So young.”

“If it’s not money then what?” the cur demanded. “Power?”

“We both know I have no need to barter for power.” There was enough of a bite in the air to reveal the vampire was offended by the question. “I have possessed rare abilities since I was a mere foundling. And I only gained in strength after traveling through the Veil.”

Ariyal’s brows snapped together.

The Veil?

What the hell did that mean?

And what rare powers did he have?

Meeting Jaelyn’s wide gaze, he wasn’t reassured. She obviously understood what the vampire was talking about and wasn’t happy.

Which meant that he wasn’t happy.

“What’s left after money and power?” the cur mocked.

“Love.”

There was an awkward silence before the cur at last managed a sharp laugh.

“Are you shitting me?”

“There is nothing more treasured by vampires than their mates,” the vampire informed the cur in frigid tones. “They would give their lives to protect them.”

“Yeah, but ...” The cur cleared his throat. “You want our master to give you a mate?”

“Don’t be an idiot,” the vampire snapped. “I want him to return the mate I lost.”

“Ah.” Another awkward pause. “Just to be clear. When you say ‘lost’ you mean ...”

“She was killed when our lair was attacked by a rival clan and their pet witch.” The sheer lack of emotion in the vampire’s voice revealed the depth of his grief.

“Damn, I’m sorry.”

“As I watched her being burned on a stake our mighty prince came to me. He promised me in that moment that my mate would be returned to me if I pledged my loyalty to him.”

He felt Jaelyn’s shiver as they shared a glance of compassion.

Before he’d taken a mate he would never have understood what could drive a man to make a deal with the devil.

Now it was all too easy to imagine.

Of course, that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to kill the vampire if given the chance.

“What was her name?” the cur asked.

“Dara.”

“Pretty.”

“Pretty.”

“She was exquisite,” the vampire corrected. “And she will be again.”

Ariyal sent Jaelyn a questioning gaze.

So far as he knew the Dark Lord could give the power to reanimate the dead as a zombie. Or call on spirits like the Sylvermysts.

But he’d never heard of bringing someone back from the dead and returning her to her former life.

Jaelyn gave a small shake of her head, revealing that she was equally confused.

“I don’t mean to be a downer, but are you certain that the master can make good on his promise?” The cur readily voiced their suspicion.

Ariyal shook his head.

Right now he wasn’t sure what was puzzling him more.

How a seemingly rational vampire could believe his mate was going to be returned from the dead. Or how a cur who couldn’t open his mouth without sticking his foot into it managed to survive for so long.

The vampire hissed. “What are you implying?”

“Bringing back the dead ... I mean, it seems ... iffy.”

Ariyal swallowed a sudden shout of alarm as pain lashed over him, tearing at his skin and threatening to crush his bones into powder.

“Do you doubt my power, or my willingness to fulfill my pledge, Dolf ?” a soft female voice asked.

Ariyal didn’t need to see the two men falling to their knees with their heads pressed to the ground at the approach of the Dark Lord.

It’s what he would be doing if he weren’t holding so tightly to Jaelyn.

“My prince,” the cur breathed, his voice ragged. As if he was bearing the brunt of the Dark Lord’s displeasure.

“Hmm. Intriguing. It would seem as if I will need a new title.” The tinkling laugh was like shards of glass shooting through Ariyal. He clutched Jaelyn tighter, sensing her own distress. Just being near the Dark Lord was punishment. “What do you think, Dolf ?”

The cur whimpered. “Yes, my ... master.”

“We will discuss this later,” the Dark Lord assured the cur. “In private.”