“Akvan is back, Max. You know she must have realized that when you destroyed his obelisk, Akvan would be called bac
k to earth. ”
The grogginess had completely slid away, leaving his mind sharp again. “At one time I would have disagreed…but now I know better. She would rather battle a demon than her own son. Her son, who tried to unleash the powers of the obelisk, could have taken over Lilith’s reign—or at least weakened it. Whereas a demon would cause all of the vampires to unite behind her. ”
“Indeed. I believe you are absolutely correct. All of the vampires would unite with Lilith except those few who have allied themselves with Regalado since the downfall of Nedas. Even Beauregard and his minions would join Lilith; he’s no fool. ”
“True. There are few vampires who will join the ranks of a demon, or support one in any way, unless they have some grief or complaint with their own vampire leader. Regalado has managed to convince only a relatively small number to join him. Then, too, there are some members of the Tutela, those who are still mortals and who were led by Regalado, who are still loyal to him. ”
“Indeed,” Wayren agreed again. “The battle for Hell rages between the demons and the undead, and there are few who cross from one side to the other. ”
“Thus the threat from Akvan must be great enough to convince at least some undead—and Regalado himself—to join his ranks. ”
“His power is very great. When he was still ensconced in Hell and only his obelisk was here, there was the chance that the obelisk could be roused to imbue its possessor with great power—the power to raise the souls of the dead into an immortal army. Of course, that was Nedas’s plan, which you foiled by destroying the obelisk—at Lilith’s request. Now Akvan is here, and his presence brings that same power, but it’s already inherent in his being. It doesn’t need to be activated. ”
“Then why, if he’s been back for more than three months, have we seen no sign of him?”
“He is still weak. He’s gathering his strength, likely with the help of the Tutela and Regalado and his followers. ”
“Hence the reason for the event at the villa. He needed to feed. ”
“We cannot wait for the vampires to come together to fight him. He must be slain before he reaches his full power. ”
“I called him back. I’ll do it. ”
“It will be no easy task, Max. ” Wayren looked at him so long and seriously—almost sorrowfully—that Max felt the urge to twitch.
“What is it?”
“It’s written—”
“That I’ll die doing it? I’ve no fear of that. You know that, Wayren. ” It was true. He’d be free, and he’d willingly give his life, as Eustacia had, as countless others had, for the mortal world’s safety. “I’m bound as a Venator to give my life in the fight. ”
“It is written…in a prophecy translated from the Persian by our own Lady Rosamunde Gardella…‘Neither Venator nor undead immortal shall slay Akvan; ’tis only a mortal man shall send him permanently to the bowels of Hell, using his own strength against him. ’”
Max’s mouth dried and he felt energy drain from him. Who else would be equipped, trained, prepared enough to slay a demon? Surely not any mortal man. Only a Venator would know how, would be brave enough. Would have the skills.
Only a Venator who was not a Venator.
Wayren leaned forward to touch his hand, but he pulled away from her slender fingers, reaching for his black stake. “You knew it would come to this. You knew it when I first brought you the salve. ” Though he tried, he couldn’t summon the anger. It was what it was. His path would be thus.
He lifted his eyes and met her blue-gray ones and gave a short nod. “Tomorrow. ”
Fifteen
In Which Our Heroine Becomes Quite Provoking
Once she considered it, Victoria was relieved that Sebastian had slipped away from the Consilium and was no longer around when it was time for her to leave.
They had so much unfinished business between them, so many things she wanted to say and to demand…but until she figured out how she felt about everything she’d learned in the last half day, Victoria didn’t want to try to confront him. Her body still sizzled and hummed from the release of their lovemaking—if one could call it that. And that was one path on which she wasn’t ready to tread. Was it love that drew her to Sebastian? That caused her to open up to him, to share that part of herself?
How could it be, if she didn’t trust him?
She might not trust him, but despite that and his predisposition to taking the easy way out of any situation, she found she could be happy, even relaxed, when she was with him.
It had been so much easier with Phillip. He was handsome and charming, wealthy and trustworthy. He obviously loved her, even adored her. He wanted to marry her—and at that time she foolishly thought she could agree, that she could have it all, that both sides of her life would remain intact, safely separate.
So she fell in love with him. Married him.