Sacrifice (Book 2)

Chapter 12.2 - Acetabula et Calculi

Ethan was fast, but Tobia was faster. Before Ethan took two steps forward, Tobia was standing in the center of the vampires. The magnitude of voices in the square made it impossible to hear what Tobia was saying. If the vamp chose to expose him, he would do it now. Ethan braced himself as he watched Tobia engage Erdo in conversation. Erdo motioned in Ethan's direction and the group turned in interest.

He'd lost the element of surprise. Ethan didn't care. With the stake concealed against the underside of his forearm, he marched after Erdo. He knew he was being rash, but he had spent a lifetime searching for the bastard and vengeance was finally within his reach. The need to deliver justice was too great, the taste of revenge too sweet to deny. Erdo's life would end tonight. Even if it meant he died too.

Again, Tobia appeared at his side. Before he could react, Ethan felt Tobia wrap a steel hand around the arm that held the weapon. "Don't do anything foolish, son, unless you want your mother and sisters to perish," he said in a low voice.

Ethan looked at Tobia. He hadn't said it as a threat--it sounded more like a warning. Tobia had positioned himself close to Ethan's shoulder so no one knew he gripped Ethan's bicep under the folds of his robe. And yet, Tobia pushed him through the crowd with the clear intent of delivering him to his maker.

Ethan was about to shake him off when Tobia said in a loud voice, "This is my historian, Monk." Tobia made it sound like an answer to a question. Ethan and Tobia now stood in the center of the vampire ring. Ethan looked around at their masked faces trying to decide what to do as Tobia's palm tightened around his arm. "Welcome friends to my home." He swept his free hand out in a wide arc. "I trust you will find tonight's dining pleasures to your liking. Please help yourself; partake in anything that interests you."

Erdo stepped forward to stand less than a foot from Ethan's face. He angled his head and peered at him from behind his mask. "Have we met? You seem...familiar."

Tobia laughed. "I hardly think that is possible, good sir. This one of my vein is quite the recluse. That is why we call him 'Monk.' He seldom leaves his library. Inevitably, I had to force him out this evening."

Understanding hit Ethan.

The comment about being able to smell one of your own.

Tobia's bizarre behavior brushing down his robe.

He had no idea why, but Tobia was protecting him. Everything he'd done since Ethan walked into the piazza had been to keep him safe. He wiped his hands across Ethan's robe to mark him with his scent, so Erdo wouldn't recognize him as one of his vein. He stopped Ethan from going kamikaze on Erdo, and now he had given him a cover story and reason for being there. Ethan knew he could go off half-cocked sometimes, but he wasn't stupid. Tobia had given him several warnings this evening. It would be prudent to listen to him. Too many lives hung in the balance.

Ethan reminded himself why he was in Venice and what Cole had told him was happening in the vampire world. Before he ended up stepping on his dick, he decided to do as Tobia told him.

*

Madison's heart about stalled in her chest when she saw Ethan and the gold-feathered vampire approach the group. She prayed Ethan could handle the situation and would be able to get out when he needed. But right now, she was thankful he provided the perfect distraction for her.

"Mariposa, come with me!"

Seizing the opportunity, she grabbed Mary's hand and slowly stepped backwards away from the circle of vampires. When a group of tourists snapping pictures moved between them and the leaches, the Queen dropped Mary's hand and turned around. "Follow me," she said picking up the hem of her dress and hurrying away from the group. Mariposa didn't argue and complied.