Bitten to Death

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Funny what a difference a couple of calls can make. With Niall acting as our go-between, Aine explained that the rites of succession included a moment of sheer ecstasy for the vampire about to become the mask. Like yeast in a bread recipe, the ecstasy was necessary. It acted as a catalyst to the Vampere magic, forcing the mask to recognize a new wearer and triggering it to meld with the new Deyrar’s mate.

With a twist, the squares of this mixed-up Rubik’s Cube began to align. Disa needed Vayl. Loved him in a sick sort of way. And the binding, this trip to Slovenia, they were all part of the ceremony that would eventually end with his chameleon eyes blinking from that hard wooden shell if I couldn’t figure out something, and fast.

Aine said usually the ecstasy involved a bout of sexual bliss, but Disa knew better than to try to take Vayl there. Thus, the reunion. Nothing would make Vayl happier than to reunite with his sons. After which, he’d be dead.

“If I just knew who Vayl’s sons are,” I said as I hung up the phone. “If only someone could tell me.”

“Cassandra might know,” Dave said.

“I’m calling her.”

But when I woke her up for the second time, clued her in to the gravity of the situation, she couldn’t tell me. “I have never gotten a clear look at them,” she said. “I’m not sure any Seer ever has. Vayl remembers Hanzi and Badu so strongly, theirs are the faces we see when we try to raise a vision of their reunion.”

“Let me think. That means this psychic in Patras, this Erilynn, probably didn’t see them either. Which would’ve maddened Disa. She must’ve threatened the woman, who would’ve tried to find a way to survive. So, what did she do? She pulled somebody else’s face out of Vayl’s head. But who? Vayl doesn’t know that many guys. Dave’s here. Pete and Bergman are in America. Cole’s—”

Cole’s somewhere mysterious where Cam just happened to show. Is the world that small? I don’t think so. Girls, we have a winner!

“Jaz?”

“Sorry, Cassandra, I think I just figured it out. Cole told me he met Cam while he was working his present assignment. I don’t think that’s coincidence, do you?”

“No. That sounds—manipulated. Tell me, is Erilynn all right?”

“Not even close. Disa must’ve been afraid Erilynn would try to find Vayl and set things right. You Sisters of the Second Sight are pretty ethical, after all.”

Cassandra sighed. “I’ll let the guild know.”

“I’m sorry, Cassandra. Are you . . . gonna be okay?”

“Yes, thank you.” New warmth in her tone now. “I just—there are so few of us. I always take it personally when a Sister dies.”

“I can see how you’d feel that way.”

“Thanks.”

“Would you—like me to find out about the arrangements for you? That way you could send flowers or something if you wanted.”

“You’d do that for me?”

“Uh, yeah, sure.” Assuming Vayl and I survive the next few hours.

“Jaz, that would be wonderful!”

“Okay, I’ll let you know.” We signed off and I sank back into my seat, telling myself what an idiot I was to try to have even one relationship, much less multiple ones, when my entire mind should be focused on the task in front of me.

Dave slammed on the brakes. Traffic had backed up now that we’d entered the heart of the city, and his patience had evaporated. As he leaned on the horn he yelled, “Were you just talking about my Cam?”

As I nodded he began shaking his head. “It’s impossible. He’s on the other side of the world. They all are—”

“No, they’re not,” I told him. “Cole told me he just met up with Cam. If I’m right, they’re both in Slovenia. Cole was assigned to terminate a mark who still hasn’t shown up. I don’t know why Cam’s been sent there, but I can guess. Disa’s known she needed Vayl all along. I’m starting to think she and Blas got the grall to suck at least that secret out of Hamon. Knowing Vayl’s obsession with finding his boys, she must’ve decided to manipulate his need to see them one more time. I think she found a way to get Cam assigned to do some training wherever Cole is for the next week or two, just in time for Vayl to make his discovery.”

Dave’s face looked bloodless inside the van as he took a quick right, rocking Jack into the seat and making Admes grunt. “How could she have the power to force them to split up my unit?”

“Maybe he’s just on leave.”

“Or maybe I’ve let them all down. If I’d been there, he wouldn’t be standing in the path of octopus-throat right now.”

“Your guilt, while attractive in this light, is really starting to piss me off. What do you say you let it go so you can start being the kind of leader they need?”

We stared at each other longer than it was really safe for us to, considering he was driving. Then he smiled. “Sounds like a plan.”

“That’s the brother I’ve come to know and occasionally wish I could still kick the ass of. Here, let me check and see if Cole’s texted me lately.” Yup, he had. In fact, it looked like the message had come while I was talking to Aine.

Cam’s done working for the day. We’re off to slog some brewskies. Why do they call them Alps anyway? Too short a name for such big, frigging mountains!

I texted him back.

Where are you? If you need to clear the info-share with Pete 1st—do it ASAP. This is vital!

Seconds later I got his reply.

Sorry. If I told you, I’d have to . . . you know.

Shit!