The Allies of Old; Book Two Renewal: Chapter Forty Eight "Dark Decisions"

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If you have not read the first book of the series, "Reborn", it is advisable you do so before reading "Renewal" or you will be lost. This link will provide you with a series summary as well as all sixty-eight chapters of Reborn

Chapter Forty-Eight

Tyros sat in a corner booth at a seedy tavern, his brother’s words playing and re-playing in his mind. He tried to conjure the image of the future he’d once planned for, one in which he would lose himself in the luxury of America’s wealthier cities, but could no longer see it.

He had spent the years following his long hyberstasis doing his brother’s dirty work, assassinating vampires who were a potential threat to Demetrius’s empire. He’d needed money, his brother paid well, and since the majority of them had been fallen and the rest well on their way he had never felt a shred of remorse.

He now had enough money to break away but deep down he knew his brother was right. He would eventually want more, and though he could find other ways to increase his holdings it would take longer and require skills he would have to learn. And where once he’d been mildly intrigued by the possibilities, now he was beginning to believe that the words in the old books were more than just the rantings of superstitious fools, which meant the world was going to change. But into what? If his brother was right then could he afford to keep turning down his offer? But if he was wrong, if his side lost….

He lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply. Damn his brother. And DAMN that little blonde healer! Why in the hell did he give a fuck about her?

He had been correct in assuming his brother would offer a great deal for her capture and delivery once he’d learned she was residing in Michael’s household. The moment Tyros had given the information his brother had gone straight from stunned speechless to furious.

“YOU BRING ME HER LOCATION WHEN YOU COULD HAVE BROUGHT ME HER?”

Had he not been a vampire his ears might have suffered permanent damage. In fact if not for the vows they’d exchanged long ago his body might have as well. Not by Demetrius himself, he was more than confident he could take his brother physically despite his larger stature, particularly since he’d spent the past seventy years honing his fighting skills.

But he knew his brother didn’t lie when he spoke of an army inside his walls. Fortunately for him the nature of the vows they’d once made prevented Demetrius from causing him harm, either by deed or intent.

He had not cowered beneath his brother’s rage and wouldn’t have even if he hadn’t had the ironclad insurance policy. He’d simply waited patiently until Demetrius was finished ranting and calmly pointed out that their agreement did not require him to capture her.

And then he’d watched as his brother’s mottled and distorted features gradually returned to normal. At which point Demetrius had smiled and said, “You are no one’s fool Tyreguent. Tell me what you require for this service and you shall have it.”

He’d stared at his brother long and hard as he grasped the implications of such an offer. “Anything?” he’d asked.

“ANYTHING,” Demetrius had responded.

He’d smiled a little then and told him he would have to think it over carefully. His brother had been less than happy and pointed out that at the moment it would be a fairly simple matter but if he continued to wait things could change, she could leave London, etc. etc.

He’d simply nodded and told him he’d be in touch and then blurred from the sight.

His brother was right of course, if he waited too long it would be far more difficult. Even now he couldn’t be certain it would be easy to accomplish. If Jessica Richmond had told anyone what had transpired between them he was likely not a household favorite, and even if she hadn’t his abrupt disappearance would have made them wary. And then there was the small matter of Le’Jarien’deDachielle. Though if the male had run far enough he would not be aware of Anna’s emotions and Demetrius could have the bond broken before anyone was the wiser.

If he acted now.

She is nothing, nobody, he inwardly insisted, just a stupid fucking human who happens to have an abundance of Faerian blood and was lucky enough to be changed by an unturned male. And if she played her cards right Demetrius would treat her well enough, at least until “his” children were born. Besides Tyros would then be in a position to make her life easier…in fact he could extract a vow from his brother that would protect her... He put his forehead in one hand and massaged his temples. Goddamn her.

A feeling of coiled energy filled him and he leapt to his feet pacing out of the smoke filled space into the night air.

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