Page 132 of Eternal Surrender

“We believe so,” he said.

“How long do I have?”

“The sooner you revert the easier it will be on you in the long run.”

“Are we talking weeks, months?”

“Days, hopefully.”

I was stunned. “I’ve yet to find what I need to reverse this.” Fabian glanced in the direction of where Ingrid had disappeared. “That’s why you need her.”

“I’m not sure getting her any more involved is a good idea.”

“That’s not up to you.”

I hesitated, shocked by his bluntness. “Do you know what’s poisoning us?”

He gestured for me to follow him toward the chairs. “We know who it is. But not what. Not yet, anyway.”

“Are the Stone Masters responsible?”

He nodded solemnly. “Sovereign. They’re poisoning themselves.”

I sat on the edge of the chair opposite his. “And Sovereign then transfer it to vampires who drink from them.”

Ingrid reappeared and Fabian gestured for her to sit with us.

“Who are you?” Her tone sharp.

“An ancient one,” I said it with reverence.

“Why did you want to see me?” Ingrid asked nervously.

“You don’t base all of humanity on the sole act of one,” Fabian said.

“You’re saying not all vampires are bad?” She crossed her legs, getting more comfortable, still shaken.

“Ingrid?” Fabian spoke her name with affection.

She shook her head as though coming out of a daze.

He leaned toward her. “So now you know about William.”

“How am I meant to wrap my head around something like that?” she asked. “I don’t know who or what to believe anymore.”

“The truth always surfaces.” He glanced back at me. “William is the balance of the two now.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Ingrid asked me, her frown deepening.

“You wouldn’t have believed me,” I replied.

She shook her head in disbelief.

“Ingrid, you were with Jadeon just before it happened to him,” Fabian said.

Her shoulders slumped. “He told me that, but I. . .”

“You witnessed William’s resurrection,” he offered. “His formation.”