Watcher in the Darkness, Book 3: Imprisoned

Chapter 45, pt. 2

Every muscle in my body tensed as I turned to face him.

"I do not need Karen beyond that for which I have already used her. She is an accessory, a bauble, and just as easily discarded."

I came to stand in front of him. "I promise, before this is over, you're a dead man." To Karen, I said, "Come on, Karen, open your ears. Hear what this sick fuck is actually saying."

Karen continued to trace chalk runes around the circle as though I hadn't spoken.

"Yes, Karen, by all means, hear that if this half-breed fails to uphold his end of the bargain, I will rape you to death, then rape your blood-soaked corpse right in front of him, just for fun. Also, the black flu golems you've made are still plentiful. Just think, by the time this disease is contained, you may very well be responsible for killing thousands." Karen looked up from what she was doing with a warm smile, then Khalid chuckled. "Ah, who knows what she heard?"

I shut my eyes tight as I struggled to contain my temper. Through clenched teeth, I said, "Tenanye, I need you. Now."

"Yes?" Gwen said, curt and impatient, as though she'd been standing next to me the entire time. The deep black dress she wore made her skin look like white marble. Her eyes behind the lacy black veil were full of contempt. She crossed her arms over her chest, and I realized just how much weight she'd lost.

"Stop this," I said. "Make Karen hear what's really being said."

Gwen gave me a disdainful look. "What part of 'his magic is stronger than mine' was unclear for you?"

"My dearest Gwen," Khalid said when he realized she had joined us. "I'm so glad that you are here. I have something for you." He pulled the tarp from the statue of the demon and angel. "This was not seized along with the rest of my assets, because it has always belonged to you."

"Indeed," Gwen said, unmoved. "I accept your generous offer, djinn. I shall enjoy smashing it to sand for little more than my amusement."

Khalid nodded. "Don't forget spite, my dear," he said as he turned his back on us.

I shook my head. "I don't buy that. There has to be something..." It was then that I finally noticed the skylight. Several panels of sheet metal had been removed from the roof above the circle. Through the gaping hole, I watched clouds roll across the sky. There would be no protection from the coming rain. Or the sun.

I looked at Karen again as she referred to the book in her hands and tweaked the runes. She didn't notice the ones she'd already drawn shifting behind her. Then again, if Khalid controlled what she heard, logically he could also control what she saw. Her reality was in his hands.

"I wondered when you were going to notice that," Gwen said.

"What am I about to become?" I said with dull horror.

"A Pure vampire. Except, after your transformation, the circle will contain you."

Ah. Of course. "So, when the sun rises, I'll be dead. I guess I shouldn't count on your help here, huh?"

"Judging by your tone, I think you know the answer to that. You know my True Name, Toby. I will never be safe for as long as you are alive."

I nodded. I wasn't even offended. "Well, I suppose there's nothing to say, then, except Mata Diablo." The dagger appeared in my hand as I turned toward Khalid. Gwen said nothing as I walked in his direction, but Karen happened to glance up.

Her eyes widened in alarm. "Toby!"

Every muscle in my body seized and I froze in place. Khalid looked over his shoulder, curious, saw the dagger, then scowled. I would've cursed if my mouth still worked, but all I could do was growl.