Page 20 of Threads of Crimson 2

“I do enjoy it when you manhandle me,” I said with a saucy wink.

He gave me a faint, strained smile, so I stopped teasing and nodded at him so he’d know I was listening.

“We’ve found a way to get Ego’s Sire here.”

Okay, that wasn’t what I was expecting. “That’s not a good thing, is it?”

Lysandro licked his lips. “That all depends on what happens.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, fear clawing at my insides. “What are you going to do?”

“Whatever it takes to save the fledgling.” He rubbed his hands down my thighs. “Ego’s family will be there to help him, and they’re all powerful in their own rights, but…”

It didn’t escape my notice that he didn’t say I’d be there. He’d expect me to stay home inside the wards, but that wasn’t going to happen. “But you think it’s going to be up to you to handle it?”

“I do. He’s building an army, so I have no idea how many humans he’s turned. Whether any of them gave consent or not, ultimately, if I’m the one who ends up having to give him his last death, then…”

“Then what?” I asked, stroking my hands over his chest. “Your position in Ego’s life will become more permanent?” I shrugged. “I hate to tell you this, but you already treat him like he’s your fledgling. Nothing would really change except he wouldn’t be in danger anymore.”

Lysandro grabbed my hands and held them in his. The intensity of his stare would’ve made me nervous if I hadn’t already known he’d never hurt me. “Benji, I’m ancient.”

“Well, duh.”

“According to vampiric law, if I willingly terminate the life of another as old as me, then I have to accept responsibility for those who he gave our nature.”

Confused, I scrunched my nose. “But we don’t know that he’s as old as you, do we?”

“I don’t see a younger vampire getting away with this. The council would’ve stopped it immediately if they knew, and if Damien had heard whispers, he’d have come to me.”

Laying down on his chest, I whispered, “So what are you saying?”

“That whatever happens might open me up to having a lot more…children, for lack of a better word.”

My heart hurt for my vamp. He was saying it all so matter-of-fact, but I knew he’d never wanted to be responsible for other vampires. That was why he’d never created his own. We’d had enough conversations about the rules of his world for me to know that he didn’t find them fair or just.

Unbeknownst to Ego, he already planned to protect him from their council—one he hadn’t told the fledgling about yet—but how many more might need his protection? And what would that mean for him? For us?

“I’m sorry.”

His arms came around me, holding me close. “I don’t know what the future will hold now, Benji. I don’t want you—”

“I’m not going anywhere, okay?”

He remained silent, and I leaned up and glared at him.

“I’m staying with you. No matter what happens. Just make sure you’re still alive—or your version of it—after this meeting with Ego’s Master, or I’ll…I don’t know what I’ll do, but you won’t like it.”

He snorted a laugh. “My sweet Benji.” He reached up and cupped my cheek. “You are a treasure.”

Leaning down, I pressed my lips to his in a soft kiss. “And I’m yours, so make sure you come back to me.”

His strained smile wasn’t reassuring at all.

Lysandro

Chance hosting us at Willowhope Manor for Ego’s attempt to pull his Sire out of the Dreamveil was ideal. Their great room was big enough for Ego to lay with his head nestled on Scotty’s lap, and Sky and King had their own mattress to slumber on and go into the Veil.

We knew vampires and Dreamwalkers didn’t inhabit the same space inside there, but our hope was that they could somehow find him and be a point of contact so that Ego’s Sire couldn’t confuse him or steal him away.