Page 4 of Crimson Mate
“My king,” I add respectfully.
The king cocks an eyebrow at me, but nods slightly. “Zachariah, you know I respect your leadership and judgment,but I’d like to know why you wended a perfect stranger into my personal residence.”
“Apologies, Alek,” Zachariah says, motioning to me. “May I introduce you to?—”
“Talia,” I say cutting off Zacharia’s formal introduction. “Talia Ashcroft. And despite my forced arrival, I was on my way to you, your Highness.”
The king glances curiously at Zachariah, the two of them sharing some silent look that has a trickle of foreign power scraping the back of my neck.
“What for?” the king asks.
“To discuss the major baby bloodmad vampire problem you have on your hands,” I explain, not so casually stepping to the side to put more distance between Zachariah and myself. I have to hold myself together, have to keep myself from crumbling. Seeing Z…it’s a pain I didn’t think I’d ever feel again—a searing, unforgiveable pain that rips at my heart.
I take another step away, sucking a deep breath in an effort to not fall apart.
Despite the vastness of the study and its delightful smell of leather and ancient paper, Zachariah’s scent is swarming me, making my baser instincts perk up in a way I simply can't allow.
“I was on a hunt,” I continue. “Tracking someone who I believe may be responsible for the creation of so many new vampires. Someone infinitely more powerful than a baby bloodmad, but I got sidetracked when I picked up on the trail that led me to Zachariah. And it’s a good thing I did or else he would’ve been killed.” I try to deliver the comment with as much iciness as possible, but my heart clenches at the thought of him dying.
It doesn't matter I no longer bear his mark.
Doesn't matter that it's been centuries since I last saw him.
My soul and his were once almost permanently tied, and the idea of him being harmed is physically revolting to me.
A shudder runs down my spine.
What if I hadn't been there tonight? What would he have done? Why hadn’t he used his wealth of power to rid them all at once?
Too many questions race through my mind, making my head spin.
The king stands, coming around his desk as he looks at Zachariah. “You were hunting alone?”
“I wasn't going to bother anyone else. They were enjoying the party. But I’m still dedicated to the mission of finding my brother.”
That comment brings me up short, but I keep my mouth shut.
“I was checking out a lead from Mrs. Zorin,” he continues. “I was ambushed.”
“By infant bloodmads?” the king asks. “They're just running amuck now?” He aims the inquiry at me, but it's Zachariah who answers.
“They seemed newly transitioned,” Zachariah says. “They were not properly trained, but their newly inherited strength was enough to overwhelm mine.”
I tilt my head at that, knowing very well how much power my once-upon-a-time-mate possesses. And depending on how long he's been awake and who he's been killing or bargaining with, it could be infinitely more. But he's not sharing that with the king. Why?
I mentally recheck my mental shields, internally inspecting to make sure they’re completely intact.
Mental shielding is one of the first things we're taught as huntresses, and it's something I've grown very good at over the last few centuries. Even now, I can feel the king's power tappingon those shields and searching for any weaknesses, and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't an effort to keep him out, but it is. As a vampire under his rule, normally there’d be nothing I’d deny my king, but mind-sharing is something that takes trust, and the king and I are strangers despite my loyalty to the crown. Luckily, he backs off quick enough that I don’t judge him harshly.
The king lets out a heavy sigh, shaking his head. “We need to return to the scene, gather any identification or information we can, and burn the bodies.”
“I’ll get someone on it,” Zachariah answers, taking his dismissal and heading toward the doors.
I move much slower, wondering what the hell I'm expected to do now? I hadn't exactly accounted for running into my ex-mate, especially since I thought he was still deep in stasis.
The fact that he didn't call out to me upon awakening speaks volumes about his priorities, and the old, familiar sting of always coming second to duty slices into me all over again.
I head toward the doors, because it’s the only exit, and I absolutely need to get the fuck out of here.