It just didn’t seem right.
The obnoxious snore next to him told him that the other traveler who bunked in his room was still sleeping soundly. The sun had just begun to peek over the horizon, and he’d be back to the mountain in a few hours.
“Sebastian,” said a voice, and he looked over.
She was still there.
“Am I dreaming? Wayren?”
“I’m here. I’ve come to wish you luck and bring blessings.”
He nodded. Whether it was a dream or not, he felt contentment.
Wayren’s presence in the past had been a source of discomfort for him when he knew he wasn’t being true to his calling or following through on his duty. Now her presence-whether it be real or in a dream-felt like a commendation of sorts, an acknowledgment and a blessing.
“And I came to bring you this. Wear this and don’t remove it, and… it will help.”
Something silver glinted in the dusky light, then plopped onto the bed next to him. A ring, heavy and silver, set with a garnet the size of his thumbnail.
“What is it?”
“It will help you follow through on your intent and keep you strong in the face of weakness. I can do nothing else. The rest is up to you.”
He picked up the ring and slid it onto the middle finger of his left hand. “Thank you.” He then he looked at her. “And thank you for Rosamunde’s papers. They led me here.”
“I knew that they would.” She nodded, her blond hair shifting with the movement. She paused; then he felt the wisp of a touch on his hand, and still wasn’t certain if it was real or imagined. “You’ll do well, Sebastian Vioget.”
And then he woke up.
The silver ring was on his finger, the sun was blazing just atop the horizon… and he was ready to begin his last day of life.
Two hours later, Sebastian stood at the stone crevice that led to Lilith’s hideaway.
He had no trouble gaining entrance to Lilith’s lair once he showed the five rings to her guards and surrendered his stakes. They didn’t attempt to take the silver ring that Wayren had given him, which he wore on his other hand. Sebastian didn’t intend for this little meeting to last more than an hour, and he was arriving at the high point of noon.
He was taken to the same room as before, only a short walk down a twisting corridor made of stone.
The chamber appeared the same, and he greeted Lilith calmly. She sat on her chaise, just as she had the last time they’d met. Today, she wore a gown of black, which made her skin appear starkly blue-white.
Sebastian didn’t see Pesaro at first. When he did, he needed all his strength not to react. Merciful God.
How long had it been? Three days? Barely three days. And look at him.
Sebastian tore his eyes away from the man, faltering for a moment, struggling to hide his shock as he gathered his composure. Never had he seen a man who possessed such strength and power brought to such depths, such vulnerability. Such emptiness in his eyes, an absence of hope-or even comprehension-in his face.
Would he look that way himself after a day? Two days? Sebastian’s stomach roiled, threatening to spill its contents.
Save me.
Sebastian took a deep breath. He looked back at Lilith, careful not to eye her directly and become trapped by her gaze. He forced himself to ignore Pesaro. Things would be different for him. He would make certain of it.
“Beauregard’s grandson, how kind of you to join us.” Lilith trained the force of her blue-red gaze on him, and though he avoided it, he still felt its staggering weight… and the lure. He struggled for breath for a moment, reaching his hand through the slit of his shirt to touch the vis bulla there.
A zip of strength passed through him, followed by another breath of power. He was the grandson of Beauregard.
He was a Venator.
“I’ve come for Pesaro,” he said, then took a little breath to collect himself and his thoughts. He had to handle Lilith differently from how Pesaro had. “Why do you not release the poor bastard? He looks as though he can provide little amusement in his condition.”
Lilith looked at him through sly eyes. She raised a slender eyebrow and smiled. “I have no intention of releasing him. But now that you’re here, perhaps you might stay. The three of us would have such an amusing time.”
“What an intriguing thought,” he said, making his voice low and liquid. He allowed his eyes to slide slowly over her. If there was one thing he knew, it was how to appeal to female vanity. “But I must confess… I don’t like to share. I should find him just as intrusive here as I always have.”
“Lucifer’s staff, you sound much like your grandfather.” Lilith gave a low, surprised laugh. “And you look a bit like him, too-around the jaw and chin. And the mouth.” Her attention settled there on his lips for a moment. “I was always fond of Beauregard, Sebastian Vioget. It was too bad he angered me back in fourteen fifty-two during that episode in Vienna, or we might have been eternally happy together.”
“So that explains why you never gifted him with one of the rings.” Sebastian held up his right hand. “But that matters no longer. Bygones shall be bygones, shan’t they? And… I wear the Rings of Jubai. All of them.”
She sat upright, interest gleaming in her eyes. “So you have breached the pool. Did you retrieve the orb?”
“We have the orb, and the portal shall be closed. But Mercy seemed to be more interested in something else at the bottom of the pool.”
Lilith’s gaze sharpened, and she seemed to understand that her plans had gone awry. “You still wear the rings.”
“I do, and shall forever, or so it appears. They cannot be removed.”
“I don’t believe you. Take them off, or I shall remove them for you.”
Sebastian dredged up his most charming, provocative smile. “Is that a threat or an offer, Lilith?” He surreptitiously touched the vis beneath his shirt again as he maintained that smile.
“You truly cannot remove the rings?”
“Indeed not. They have fused to my flesh.”
She watched him closely as if to read what was in his mind. “Why, then, are you here?” she asked at last, settling back onto her chaise.
Sebastian nodded. “Ah, so now we shall speak frankly. I am here to exchange myself for Pesaro. Apparently you’re in need of a concubine who can… shall we say… keep pace with you?”
Lilith gave a small laugh, but there was a hint of confusion underlying the derision. “And why would I make such a trade as that? You’re here, and so is he, and all I need do is give the command, and I’ll have you both.”