Flesh and Blood

She was about to yell for Mal and Dominic to get out while they still could when Tatiana grabbed her tunic front and hauled her to her feet. ‘I will come for you tomorrow and you will give me the ring.’ She tore off a piece of Chrysabelle’s tunic and stuffed it into her pocket. ‘There’s no point in running.’

Tatiana dropped Chrysabelle. Pain shot through her shoulder. Tatiana snapped her fingers at her companion and yelled, ‘Scatter.’ A moment later, a swarm of insects buzzed out of Aliza’s house and back into the swamp.

Mal was at her side instantly. He broke the rest of her bindings. ‘Are you all right?’

She nodded, gently rolling her shoulder. ‘Yes, but I don’t think Creek is.’ He’d worked his thigh free of the bolt pinning it, but his shoulder was still stuck fast.

Mal didn’t bother looking. ‘How are you?’

‘You need to leave,’ she told him. ‘Dawn is coming.’

‘Not without you or Doc.’ Mal turned as if to grab his friend, but Dominic snatched the weapon Octavian had discarded and jumped on top of Doc, pressing the blade into his throat. ‘Daybreak or not, this isn’t over. There is still the matter of the blood I’m owed.’

‘You would die over the matter of a little blood?’ Doc snarled.

‘If need be, yes.’

‘Then go to ash.’ Doc stared at Aliza. ‘Forget his blood. You got what you wanted. You owe Fi help.’

Aliza nodded. ‘So I do.’ She kissed Evie’s head as she got to her feet. She dug in her pocket and produced a small bundle wrapped in white paper. She held it up so Doc could see it before tossing it in his direction. ‘Burn that and get her to pass through the smoke. Your Fi will be restored.’

Doc reached for the bundle but Dominic pressed the blade harder. Blood welled up around the metal. ‘The remainder of my blood, witch. Return it now. Or I will kill Maddoc.’

Aliza shook her head. ‘What do I care if the shifter lives or dies? The blood was my price for what he required. All of it. I’m not returning any of it.’

‘Then he dies.’ Dominic lifted slightly, as if prepping for the killing blow.

‘No!’ Chrysabelle shouted. ‘Don’t you dare!’

Mal held her back, but he was seething. ‘You kill him and Katsumi dies. I promise you that.’

‘Both of you stay out of this,’ Dominic warned. ‘This is between Maddoc and me.’

Chrysabelle shook her head, angry tears burning her eyes. ‘I wish Maris were alive to see how right she was.’

Dominic stayed his hand. ‘How right she was about what?’

‘She wrote in her journals that leaving you was the hardest decision of her life, but she knew you’d never give up the dark power being vampire gave you. She couldn’t be with you because loving her wasn’t enough for you.’ She swallowed down the hurt knotting her throat. ‘Look at you. She was right. You’re so caught up in your own sense of justice.’ She looked away for a second, blinking hard to clear her vision. ‘If you kill Doc, you and I are through. Your last link to Maris will be gone completely.’

‘You don’t understand,’ Dominic said. ‘There is power in a vampire’s blood. Power I cannot allow the witch to have. This isn’t about justice – it’s about self-preservation. Maris would understand that.’

‘The woman who gave her life to save mine? No.’ Chrysabelle shook her head. ‘I don’t think she would.’

Aliza pulled a subdued Evie to her feet and held her close. ‘This is all very touching, but I’m not giving up the blood, no matter who dies, so stop asking. The deal’s done. It’s mine.’

Mal stood and stepped forward. ‘Would you return Dominic’s and take mine in exchange?’

Aliza looked at him with great curiosity. ‘You’d give yours up freely?’

‘Not freely. Dominic’s must be returned.’

Aliza glanced at Evie. The two exchanged a peculiar look before Aliza nodded. ‘I’ll do it. On one condition.’

‘What?’ Mal asked.

‘What is the ring Tatiana spoke of?’

‘The ring of sorrows,’ Chrysabelle volunteered. What did it matter if Aliza knew the ring’s name? Time was running out. ‘Do you agree?’

Aliza nodded. ‘I do.’

Mal held his hand up and spoke to Dominic. ‘You must also agree that the return of your blood settles things between you and Doc.’

With great hesitation, Dominic sighed, slowly shaking his head. ‘He stole from me.’

‘As Katsumi did from Chrysabelle.’

‘You will consider that matter settled as well or there is no deal.’ Dominic didn’t take his eyes off Doc for a second. ‘And I want the vial in my hand before I drop this dagger.’

Mal looked at Chrysabelle. She nodded. It seemed like a small price to pay for Doc’s safety. ‘Then it’s done.’ Mal shucked his jacket and held out his arm. ‘You’re wasting time, witch.’

Moments later, Mal’s jacket was back on and Aliza held a syringe filled with his blood. Doc stood next to him and Chrysabelle, Doc’s eyes bright gold with predatory sharpness.

Dominic’s vial was already stowed. ‘You’re a fool, Malkolm, but I appreciate what you’ve done.’

Doc grunted, a twisted sound of gratitude and skepticism.