Finn’s arms close around my waist and drag me away before I get trampled by the onslaught of slayers and vampires quickly hurtling toward me. Before I know it he’s slamming shut the door of his van and I’m sitting in the back with Delilah, Pamphrock and Rebecca.
“What about Rita and the others?” I ask Finn frantically as he starts the engine and tears away from Whitfield’s mansion.
“Gabriel has a vehicle,” is all he says in reply. Clearly getting his Governor off the property is his first priority right now.
Pamphrock is sitting with Rebecca in his lap, he looks at me then and his face is full of gratitude. “I can’t t
hank you enough for what you did,” he says, his voice laced with emotion.
“It’s what I agreed to do, isn’t it,” I reply quietly. I can’t get the image of Ethan’s hurt and disappointed face out of my head. It’s all ruined now, our brief moment of happiness.
Pamphrock repetitively runs his hands over Rebecca’s blond hair, as though she might disappear if he doesn’t continually remind himself that he has her back.
My voice breaks the silence when I ask, “Do you know what she is?”
Pamphrock’s brow furrows in momentary confusion before his eyes widen in realisation. “How do you…” he trails off, unable to finish. Delilah’s sitting back, watching our exchange. Pamphrock eyes her warily.
“I just know.” I answer, but I can’t help it when I continue, “I’m the same.”
His eyes go even wider now. “No, that can’t be, you’re not, you don’t smell like her.”
“My mother cast a spell to cover it.” I tell him simply. I would never be telling Pamphrock any of this if I didn’t see how much he loves Rebecca, and that love is what will prevent him from doing anything to hurt me because of what I am. Because in essence, it would be the same as hurting his own daughter.
Hope seizes Pamphrock’s face. “Do you think your mother could do the same for my girl?” he asks.
“She’s dead,” I tell him sadly, but it doesn’t deter him.
“Well, could you do it? You obviously know something of magic from what I saw you do in front of the vampires tonight.”
“I don’t know. Maybe with some help I could try.”
Pamphrock beams at me. “Wonderful! I will pay you generously for your efforts.”
“I can’t make any promises.” I remind him.
“Of course,” Pamphrock responds, and then he goes back to running his hands over Rebecca’s hair in wonder.
I break his reverie when I ask, “Do you know that Whitfield didn’t try to drink from her, why do you think that is?”
Pamphrock glances back at me. “That is because nobody yet knows how much of Die Äußerste Macht blood it takes to become immortal. If too much of the substance is consumed it can be poisonous, and the vampire will die within a matter of weeks. Whitfield has been keeping my girl alive for this long because he is still trying to figure out the perfect quantity.”
“So he didn’t just kidnap her because he wanted to blackmail you into stepping down as Governor. He wanted her for her blood as well?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Somehow he managed to discover my daughter’s blood could give him eternal life. He’s been trying to steal her since before this war even began.”
“Is that why the war really started? Because Whitfield wanted Rebecca and not because he wanted to pay tribute to the dead Herringtons?” I might be asking too many questions, but I can’t seem to contain my curiosity.
“Yes,” Pamphrock whispers.
“Wow.” I whisper back.
Pamphrock levels his gaze on Delilah now. “I take it you have decided to switch ranks, my dear.”
Delilah replies with sincerity. “I can no longer abide by my brother’s loyalty to Whitfield. The man is a monster and I will not live under his tyranny any more.”
A thick silence ensues, before Delilah leaves her seat and goes to kneel down in front of Pamphrock, her head lowered deferentially. “I hereby pledge my allegiance to you, Governor Pamphrock.”
Pamphrock lays a hand on Delilah’s shoulder. “Rise child, I accept your allegiance with gratitude.”