Lucas started to continue, but paused when his gaze caught the still full mug of blood on the table. He
seemed slightly perturbed I hadn't accepted his offer. “I assure you the blood is safe.” He paused. “But it's getting cold. You really should drink it before it starts to coagulate." I looked at the blood one last time then returned my gaze to Lucas. “No thank you." "I know you're hungry, Rose,” Lucas pressed. “If you think you will offend my senses by drinking blood in front of me, you won't. I have worked with many, many Vampires in my time. Please,” he said, gesturing to the mug.
"I'm fine,” I assured the warlock.
"Very well,” he said then sighed. Leaping down—or was it his “up"?—he spun in the air and landed on his feet directly in front of me. “Tell me about the Ifrit." "Who?” I played coy.
"Chithula,” Lucas confirmed. There was a sharp edge to his voice that wasn't there before. He had dispensed with the pleasantries and was getting down to business. “What did he tell you?" "That was a very private conversation. I don't think it needs repeating,” I said boldly, deciding that if I were to die here, I would do so with my dignity intact. "This isn't the time for bravery, child,” he threatened, even though I was certainly older than him. “I want to know what the Ifrit told you. Tell me." "That would violate Seeker/Demon confidentiality rules,” I mocked. "I can take it from you if I want,” Lucas said spitefully. I studied the Warlock for a moment. If he could, he already would have. He was bluffing. “I was simply visiting an old friend,” I lied. “That's all." The Warlock tipped his glasses down so they barely clung to tip of his nose. He looked at me with solid red eyes over the rims. “You're lying."
I smiled wryly and held two fingers up. “Scout's honor." "Don't toy with me, Vampire,” Lucas growled. “What did the Ifrit tell you?" "That he just saved a bunch of money on his car insurance by switching to—urk!” An invisible grip clamped around my throat stopping my witty comeback. "I am growing tired of this,” Lucas warned. “Tell me what you know!" I saw a bead of sweat on his forehead. I surmised this wasn't his lair and its upkeep was taxing his powers. Warlocks, unlike Witches, were the result of a pact with a Demon for power. Witches were born with their power while Warlocks were made. Their power wasn't limitless and unlike Witches, it could be taken. “I won't talk."
The Brimstone Betrayal
calibre-titlepage.xhtml
358117.xhtml
358119.xhtml
358121.xhtml
358123.xhtml
358125.xhtml
358127.xhtml
358129.xhtml
358131.xhtml
358133.xhtml
358135.xhtml
358137.xhtml
358139.xhtml
358141.xhtml
358143.xhtml
358145.xhtml
358147.xhtml
358149.xhtml
358151.xhtml
358153.xhtml
358155.xhtml
358157.xhtml
358159.xhtml
358161.xhtml
358163.xhtml
358165.xhtml
358167.xhtml
358169.xhtml
358171.xhtml
358173.xhtml
358175.xhtml
358177.xhtml
358179.xhtml
358181.xhtml
358183.xhtml
358185.xhtml
358187.xhtml
358189.xhtml
358191.xhtml
358193.xhtml
358195.xhtml
358197.xhtml
358199.xhtml
358201.xhtml
358203.xhtml
358205.xhtml
358207.xhtml
358209.xhtml
358211.xhtml
358213.xhtml
358215.xhtml
358217.xhtml
358219.xhtml
358221.xhtml
358223.xhtml
358225.xhtml
358227.xhtml
358229.xhtml
358231.xhtml
358233.xhtml
358235.xhtml
358237.xhtml
358239.xhtml
358241.xhtml
358243.xhtml
358245.xhtml
358247.xhtml
358249.xhtml
358251.xhtml
358253.xhtml
358255.xhtml
358257.xhtml
358259.xhtml
358261.xhtml
358263.xhtml
358265.xhtml
358267.xhtml
358269.xhtml
358271.xhtml
358273.xhtml
358275.xhtml
358277.xhtml
358279.xhtml
358281.xhtml
358283.xhtml
358285.xhtml
358287.xhtml
358289.xhtml
358291.xhtml
358293.xhtml
358295.xhtml
358297.xhtml
358299.xhtml
358301.xhtml
358303.xhtml
358305.xhtml
358307.xhtml
358309.xhtml
358311.xhtml
358313.xhtml
358315.xhtml
358317.xhtml
358319.xhtml
358321.xhtml
358323.xhtml
358325.xhtml
358327.xhtml
358329.xhtml
358331.xhtml
358333.xhtml
358335.xhtml
358337.xhtml
358339.xhtml
358341.xhtml
358343.xhtml
358345.xhtml
358347.xhtml
358349.xhtml
358351.xhtml
358353.xhtml
358355.xhtml
358357.xhtml
358359.xhtml
358361.xhtml
358363.xhtml
358365.xhtml
358367.xhtml
358369.xhtml
358371.xhtml
358373.xhtml
358375.xhtml
358377.xhtml
358379.xhtml
358381.xhtml
358383.xhtml
358385.xhtml
358387.xhtml
358389.xhtml
358391.xhtml
358393.xhtml
358395.xhtml
358397.xhtml
358399.xhtml
358401.xhtml
358403.xhtml
358405.xhtml
358407.xhtml
358409.xhtml
358411.xhtml
358413.xhtml
358415.xhtml
358417.xhtml
358419.xhtml
358421.xhtml
358423.xhtml