Blood Betrayal

Chapter Sixteen

Their talk had gone even more poorly than he thought it would. He hoped to speak civilly, get some answers. It was clear that he was still wounded by the past they shared.

Having to explain the situation to Sam was harder than speaking to Ghanny. He had told her that he met the High King and Queen but failed to mention the circumstances.

Mentioning that Daxus had beat him within an inch from life wasn't something he did freely. He had never told anyone other than Marthus that the High King threatened him with death. Admitting that the only reason he survived that beating was the Queen's blood in his system was something he had never done and never planned on doing.

Keeping the most worrying things from Sam he explained the situation as best he could. Something involving the Fae had happened in the new world forcing the High Queen to pay them a visit. He told her that Ghanny needed space, that she should be left alone.

Samantha was still asking questions he couldn't or wouldn't answer when there was a knock on the door. Hoping that it was Marthus but fearing that it was the King himself Alistair told Sam to go upstairs. She refused.

"No, we're supposed to be a team and I want to know what hell is happening in my house. I'm not going anywhere."

"Please just go, this is a volatile situation and you could get hurt. If that is Daxus a single wrong word may prove disastrous."

Shaking her mane of red curls she set her feet on the ground. "Then I won't say a word but I am staying."

Another knock sounded. With no time to argue he approached the door. Sam followed a few feet behind. Sending a silent prayer to the fates that it was Marthus he took a half-second to fix the blank mask he wore in court over his face.

The fates were not shining upon him. Infamous Daxus, the King of vampires, sire to them all, the man of myth and legend stood before him. He felt his expression falter for a moment as the King's lips curled into a perfectly cultivated smile.

"Assyrian, why I do not believe we were ever properly introduced," the King said in an all too friendly manner.

The man was just as other as he remembered. He had thought that perhaps his mind was making up their inhuman appearance. That he had misremembered. The moment he saw Ghanny he knew his memory was not playing tricks.

They were both as hypnotising and unearthly as he remembered. When he was speaking instead of bearing down with fists raised he looked remarkably similar to Ghanny. Of course that was to be expected. They were a male and female version of the same creature.

The last time Alistair had seen him Daxus had been wearing nothing but a shendyt. Primal in his anger he had appeared little more than a blur of fury.

He was currently looking more modern. In leather pants a white buttoned shirt and black boots it seemed that he had embraced the changing times. Moving slow and measured wearing a courtly smile over his deceptively pretty face he was hiding his savage nature under a cloak of civility.

In one hand he carried a burlap bag. Alistair was wary of what could possibly be inside. Looking up he addressed the man.

"We know each other well enough I think."

Daxus's fingers curled into a loose fist at his side. Alistair mentally checked himself. No need to antagonise a creature that more than likely wanted nothing more than to bleed him dry.

"We need to talk. Come sit and converse."

Not waiting for an invitation Daxus walked into his house paying him no attention while breezing past. He only slowed when approaching Samantha who was watching him with something close to awe.