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SEBASTIAN’S CRAVING for Eden didn’t lessen at all as the next couple of weeks passed. He resisted the urge to track her down and have his way with her again. Her hold over him was inexplicable, since she couldn’t use magic. It was best to avoid her and hope it would eventually fade. His dead, shriveled heart longed for her, but he knew he had to be practical. The danger he sensed for her hadn’t gone away. If anything, it was stronger now.
Seeing a flicker of movement, he turned his head to see a figure slinking into the shadows. Ever since he’d first seen the dark-skinned vampire with the white scar on his face, he’d felt like he was being followed. The cloaked man kept finding him. He was spying on him from a distance right now. Sebastian had to be careful not to display his heightened speed, strength and other abilities where he could be seen. He kept his face hidden and avoided speaking to others.
Sauntering around the corner, he zoomed away, only using the normal speed that any master vampire could call on. He didn’t dare ask Jardine to meet him to give him an update on her search for whomever had brought the silver tablet to Nox. The spy could find him again and overhear their plans. The last thing Sebastian needed was for Lord Kreaton to learn that he was here. He would become the most hunted being in the city and no place would be safe for him to hide.
It was nearing the end of winter, but snow still covered the ground. He couldn’t fly, so his footprints left a trail that could easily be followed. He’d come up with a way to lose the spy who was already hot on his trail again. Sebastian ran down the sidewalk of one of the poorer suburbs in the District. There were a lot of footprints in this area, which was exactly what he’d been searching for.
Seeing an alley ahead, the master vampire made sure the street was devoid of vampires, then he leapt up onto a fire escape without bothering to use the ladder. He utilized his incredible speed to race up to the rooftop, then sprinted over to the wall. He jumped up onto it, then launched himself into the air. He soared across the fifteen foot gap with his cloak streaming out behind him. He landed lightly and took off running again.
Snow crunched beneath his boots as he crossed the Vampire District from up high. He left the spy in his virtual dust and descended another fire escape when he was close to the river. He crossed the bridge to the Fae District without being spotted and continued his search for a suitable magic user.
He was lurking near the elven woods when a letter fluttered towards him. He grabbed it and opened it to find a summons from Kade Sinclair inside. His ally wanted to meet with him and Raum at the asylum in the Night Cursed District in an hour’s time. Hoping the warlock had good news, Sebastian made his way through the Fae District to the City Square. He caught tantalizing whiffs of Eden’s scent, but he didn’t deviate from his path. Sacrifices would have to be made in his quest for vengeance. His own personal happiness was one of them.
Kade was already waiting for him when he climbed up the fire escape to the roof of the asylum. Raum arrived a couple of minutes later in his demon form. His massive wings blocked the faint sliver of the moon, then shrank as he transformed into his human form. He landed on his feet, adjusted his tie, then nodded politely. “Gentlemen,” he said in greeting. The warlock and master vampire nodded back.
“Have either of you found a match yet?” Sebastian asked.
The warlock shook his head. “Not yet. I was hoping you two have made progress on that front.”
Raum crossed his arms and shook his head as well. “I’ve had no luck at all, I’m afraid,” he said. “There were a couple of ladies I was contemplating approaching, but they were both murdered.”
“Who killed them, mon amie?” Sebastian asked.
“I don’t know,” the Demon Guild Master said darkly. “They were murdered with extreme violence, but I have no idea who was responsible for their deaths.”
“It wasn’t us,” Kade said when the demon eyed them speculatively. “We’re allies, remember? We aren’t about to jeopardize our chances to defeat our enemies.”
“Of course,” Raum said smoothly. “You must forgive me for my suspicious nature. I’ve been around my own kind for far too long and I expect treachery from everyone.”
“I haven’t found a suitable match either,” Sebastian told them.
“Has Jardine located the person who knows how to use the artifact?” Kade queried.
The master vampire shook his head. “Not yet, but she is searching diligently for this person.”
“It’s been nearly three months since we joined forces and none of us have made any headway,” Raum said in slight frustration. “Our time is running out and we’re no closer to finding suitable candidates to become bonded with.”
“We’ll find them,” Kade said with confidence that neither of his allies shared. “We just have to be patient and keep searching. Xiara Evora seemed pretty certain we’d find our matches.”
“Maybe that strange little Night Cursed gypsy told her that,” Raum muttered. “The fortune teller seems to be far more talented than most of her kind.”
“Perhaps I should speak to her and see if she has any advice for me,” Sebastian said sarcastically.
“I wouldn’t discount the idea,” the warlock said in amusement. “Maybe she’ll be able to tell us where we can find these dangerous and powerful women.”
“I’ve already had my fortune told,” Raum informed them. “I highly doubt a second visit to the mystic would prove to be fruitful.”
“You already visited the gypsy?” Kade asked in disbelief.
“What, demons can’t have their futures told?” the Guild Master asked, quirking an eyebrow at his ally.
“It just seems out of character,” the warlock hastened to explain.
“I’ll keep the gypsy in mind,” Sebastian said before an argument could break out between the pair.
Raum glowered at his ally for a few seconds before deciding to drop the matter. They couldn’t afford to begin fighting. They had to stick together to the bitter end if they wished to achieve their goals. “If that is all the news you have, I’ll be on my way,” he said.
“I just wanted to check in with you both,” Kade replied. “I don’t have any further information for you.”
“Neither do I,” Sebastian added.
“With luck, the next time we meet, one of us will have found our match,” the hell spawn said. He transformed into his demon form and flew away.
“You must be cautious when dealing with the demon, mon amie,” the master vampire cautioned his ally. “It would seem his pride is easily wounded.”
“Raum seems so refined and respectable when he’s in his human form,” Kade said in a disturbed tone. “It’s easy to forget he’s evil to the core.”
“His manners are as pretty as his face,” Sebastian said and both men chuckled. “I will see you anon,” he added, then harnessed his energy and sprinted back to his mansion in the Vampire District. Kade teleported away even before his undead ally reached the ground.
