Chapter Thirty Five

  Tension suffocated the room like a heavy blanket as Dimitrius explained everything he’d learned. Afterward, a stunned silence rang out. It was Sera who finally broke it, disbelief and the smallest thread of fear coloring her tone.

  “So, your dad was the original incubus who started the legendary war? That means he’s not just old, he’s ‘should be dust but isn’t’ old.”

  His lips twitched at the description even as he nodded. “Correct. He stated that I was the last living descendant of the final round of children before his plans failed. When I refused to join him, he called forward the sleeping inheritance buried within my blood.”

  At that, Vlad stepped forward, an amused smile curling his lips as he teased. “And while I’m sure Julian had fun with that, I’d prefer we don’t let it happen again. At least, not while I’m in hearing distance. I’ve accepted our new status as friends with nothing else, but having to listen to you is just a tease.”

  Dimitrius shifted, a shard of embarrassment clear, but before I could snap back, Sera cut in with a snort. “Yeah, I’m with him on the whole ‘do not repeat’ thing. I really didn’t need to know what you sound like in that way.”

  She didn’t even hear the worst of it, since we’d cut everything short…But Dimitrius wouldn’t appreciate me saying that, so I kept it to myself. “Yeah well, congratulations, you know anyway. You won’t need to worry about it happening again either, since we have the information we need and–with any luck–that bastard will be dead by tomorrow.”

  The mood turned somber again as Vlad nodded, his smile dropping into a scowl as he rolled his shoulders. “And on that note, you said you saw architecture that was unique to France, yes? There aren’t many castles there that aren’t tourist attractions or in use. It should take little to no effort to find the one you saw.”

  So saying, he moved to the computer at Dimitrius’s desk and began typing. Wrapping an arm around Dimitrius’s waist, I sent up a prayer to anyone who was listening for this to be it. That monster had killed too many innocents–mentally scarring hundreds of others–to be allowed to live another day.

  Sneaking a glance with Dimitrius, an icy understanding settled between us as his hand hovered down to rest on my hip, squeezing lightly. No matter what happened, we were dragging his father into the grave. After that, we could finally relax and enjoy our relationship without someone actively trying to kill us.

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  I couldn’t wait. After the past few months of constantly fighting, I’d revel in the opportunity to just be with him. Despite my unfortunate personality flaw of needing to ‘play the hero’ as Seraphina called it, I really did enjoy peaceful times. When this was done I’d be holing myself up with him and talking to no one for at least a week.

  If the world tried to fall apart in that time, it could burn. Nothing short of a horseman knocking down our door would stop me from relaxing. An apocalyptic event would be negotiable. A noise of triumph from Vlad pulled my attention back to him as he turned the laptop to face us. “I searched ones with the layout you mentioned and two came up. Do either of these seem right?”

  Dimitrius nodded instantly, pointing to the one on the left. “That one. That is where he hides.” Vlad flicked a glance over it, nodding as he stood.

  “That’s in Les Andelys. It’s a ten hour flight so we should prepare ourselves and be ready for anything. None of his soldier should be old enough to fight us yet, but he’s shown he has no problem hiring mages. Dimitrius, I’ll equip you with a spell to repel most magics.”

  I went to argue, Sera tensing right next to me, before Vlad shot us an amused glance and continued. “Of course, I’ll be giving it to the women as well.” His brow ticked up, lips twitching to reveal a tusk. “No need to become irate, I’m not stupid enough to try to keep you from the battle. I’ll simply be at your back to ensure no harm comes to you.”

  She huffed, grumbling even as she relaxed. “I’m fully capable of protecting myself and once we get there, I’ll prove it to you. Whoever kills of incapacitates the most wins?”

  Vlad’s lips stretched into a full grin and he nodded. “Perfect, considering each of our expertise, it should take little more than fifteen minutes.”

  The borderline arrogant comment made me snort. “Easy there, let’s not get such a big head. Even this house can only hold so much hot air and we don’t want your skull popping on the ceiling.”

  Dimitrius let out a choked sputter, attempting to muffle his laugh to not avail, but Sera didn’t bother hiding it. Open laughter rolled from her as Elle watched in amusement.

  “Oof, good one, but she’s right. Getting arrogant means we get dead, so let’s just play this smart…for once.” She glared pointedly at me on that and I raised my arms in surrender.

  “I’ll admit I usually don’t follow plans that consist of more than ‘kill him’, but you’ll be happy to know that since dating Dimitrius I’ve been doing the impossible and growing a few brain cells.”

  She nodded in approval. “Good. You’re over three hundred years old, it’s about time you learned to use that thing in your skull called a brain. I thought it was going to rot away thanks to your refusal to exercise it.”

  I raised a hand to my chest in mock offense, but Vlad cut in with a chuckle. “While this is highly amusing, we should be going. Ten hours is too long to leave him to plot as it is. The longer we give him, the worse our odds are of something nasty waiting.”

  All levity dropped from the room as we nodded. Laughter could come later, it was time to head for the battlefield.