His Dark Obsession

23. Against my Conscience

ZADKIEL

She turns when I enter what looks like a broken-down lift of some sort, and motions for Blade to leave us.

“Are you sure?” He asks wearily, as he glances at me.

“I’m sure.” She replies firmly. “We’re in a metal box, Blade. If a fight breaks out, you’ll hear

He nods, but he doesn’t seem too sure, but he obeys and pulls shut the metal door that scrapes loudly. I raise an eyebrow as Ziahra turns to the other side, and pressing a button, motioning me to step out

I follow and we’re in a small room, but it’s a bit bigger than the lift at least.

The door shuts behind her, and I glance around the tiny room.

“You changed your mind about talking to me?” I ask, crossing my arms.

She crosses her arms and walks over to me. “What can you do?”

She doesn’t beat around the bush as she looks up at me, determination burning in her eyes.

“Depends on what you want from me?” I reply, looking her dead in the eye

There’s a reason she called me and I’m not going to make this easier for her She sighs, turning away and wrings her hands.

“I don’t know what I want, or what is the right thing. Am I making things worse? Mother had faith in you. She believed you will come and take your place. That you would be one of the greatest kings we’ve ever had…” She says, turning back to me. She no longer looks like the fearless vampire princess, but a girl who is trying to hide her fear

“But she said the timing must be vital. I don’t know what timing she means, I think we need you now, or never.” She continues.

Timing… could it be what Evangeline mentioned, being offered power? What exactly does this woman know? Could it be something that can help us?

“Where is she now? You said the steward is holding her somewhere?” I ask.

“In the fortress, where he resides and rules. He wants her to marry him by tying himself to her It will only strengthen the approval of the people, at the moment they are split. Some willing to serve the true bloodline, others wanting the power and life that Vadam promises.” She says as she begins pacing in the small room.

“How long has he been in power?” I ask. It’s hard to think that my mother is alive and out there.

I’ve never cared, and I don’t even know if I even want to meet her… but seems that we may just be destined to cross paths.

“Fifty years?” She replies, not sounding too sure. Vampires do live longer….. “But it was when he found out about you several years ago that things changed. He feared the loss of his position because you are a male heir, something that has not been born in the Aton line for centuries. “You are the rightful king.”

I lean against the wall, observing her

“Out there, you were keen on handing me over. How did that change?”

“You can’t trust everyone now, can you? I’m not sure which of my men are loyal to me. I’m certain he’s placed a few in there to keep an eye on me” She says icily will ask you one more time, what power do you hold?”

She’s asking me to defeat an overlord for the sake of their people my people. If I agree Time is ticking and I need Evangeline back, and something tells me I need to get to the realm of the gods. to find the answers that Evangeline was after. What power do I hold?

She’s waiting for an answer, and I can see she’s out of options. They are struggling as well.

I can overthrow him. My mate is the true ruler of the werewolves, next in line to the throne. With her by my side, I will have the manpower to take him out, but…”

pushes, her

need to find the answers she was looking for. She’s not been able to,

‘Smart.’ Zerachiel hums.

there in the room. What

that’s not

don’t know why I told her

trying to make

then what? How do you get her back?” She asks, strumming her fingers on her

answers and somehow get her back.” I

I don’t know

So, what do you want in return for you to

vampires hold great power, that they excel in the ancient arts.” I

her eyes

says, about to turn away, when I grab her elbow and force her to look at

and I’m reminded

need to tell me.” I warn quietly. She

rightful ruler, I have a right to know though,

Why are you asking about the ancient

to lose. I need

cross into the realm of the

the gods? Is this a joke

way, or the deal is off,”

a miracle. We don’t just enter the realm of

don’t, but I

to fuel the ritual that

My stomach twists.

Fuel?

came here with

hold some power

guilty.

eyes. I’m so lost in my own dilemma I didn’t even pay

she is withholding something, you can tell from

snarl menacingly. “What do you know about the ancient arts or crossing into the

a little.” She admits quietly, “but that is something that must never

“You?”

the Aton line, and most likely you also hold the power, but without experience, you

it? Won’t I be enough?” I look at her sharply and she

require time, blood, and power. You are asking for a portal to be opened to another realm. You need enough power to sustain yourself

it out, bottom line. It will have to be me… and there’s one more thing. If I go,

before she looks up at

idea…” I cock a brow. “Oh

to hold even the undead. We can seal her in one of them, and

beings who were said to be locked.

said?” She

glancing up at

a crypt, will she see