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“Rahmon knows?”

“Yes, every little detail. Rahmon knows names, times, dates, everything, Jacques. I wouldn’t lie to him, unlike some.”

“That was Pal and Mera’s choice to tell Rahmon. How dare you steal that from them? They saved Rahmon’s worthless life, and this is how the bastard pays them back?” I snarled.

Rahmon looked ashamed. But my temper was up, and there was no stopping my mouth.

“Did you know your father murdered your mother? That you lived in a slum until Pal and Mera took you in?” My words hit Rahmon hard, and he reeled back. “Yeah, looks like Ami has told you everything. You and Kit would have died with shit-filled nappies and starving bellies if not for Pal and Mera. Died in the gutter you came from. And this is the respect you show? Sneaking around and lying? Disrespecting them? Ami told you everything?” I demanded in a hiss.

“Jaq, don’t!” Ami warned.

“Oh no. Rahmon’s old enough to lie to his parents and fuck a woman thousands of years older than him. Then Rahmon’s old enough to learn the truth. You are marked… by a cult. We fled Egypt to save you from being sacrificed. Pal and Mera lost theirhome and everything to protect you. You selfish little prick. They should have left you in the gutter to die,” I spat.

Rahmon faced me and paled.

My words hurt him, and they were meant to. My anger at Rahmon knew no bounds, and suddenly, I realised he was no longer an innocent child. Ami had corrupted that.

So be it. I leapt at Ami and knocked her down. My fist collided with her jaw, and Ami pushed me backwards and came for my throat. I threw her over my head and spun. I was furious, all I wanted to do was smash Ami into the ground.

Rahmon stopped me. He thrust a knife through my ribs with such force that it appeared the other side.

I glanced down, then turned. Rahmon was white and shaking, but he faced me as a man would.

With deliberate slowness, I backhanded him lightly and sent him flying. Rahmon gazed up at me in fear as I drew the blade out of my back and threw it at his feet. Then I opened my tunic so Rahmon could see the injury.

Rahmon’s eyes widened as he watched the wound heal.

Behind me, Ami scrabbled to her feet and ran in front of him, arms wide to protect him. Rahmon peered out from behind her.

I stared at Ami and then Rahmon. My mouth opened, but no words came out. Rahmon scrambled to his feet and moved in front of her. Ami tried to pull him back. Rahmon shrugged her off, and Ami settled for laying her hands on his shoulders. He watched as the skin closed about the wound, and within minutes, there was no sign that I had ever been wounded.

In fear, Rahmon licked his lips but stood firm, and I reluctantly admired him for that.

“Now you know exactly what type of monster I am. Boy, I gave you love and devotion, and you’ve thrown it back in my face. We are no longer family!” I stated.

“No…” Rahmon cried, looking unsure.

“Return home and explain what happened here tonight. If you can wield a knife against a family member, then perhaps it is better that you leave with your slut.” Angrily, I turned on my heel and left.

Rahmon called out my name, but I kept going. I was deeply shocked and upset.

I changed direction and went into the town. There was a tavern there that sold cheap and potent wine. It would take a while to achieve drunkenness, but that was my goal.

I couldn’t believe that Rahmon had attacked me. I never dreamed that Rahmon would have been capable of such actions. Angry, I stumbled into the tavern and sat in a corner. A girl came over, and I told her I wanted the strongest stuff they had in the house. She left quickly and got my drink. Irately, I downed it in a gulp and ordered three more. Her eyes widened, but she obeyed.

A figure slid into a chair opposite, and I looked up and groaned.

Not now, but then, on the other hand, why the hell not? Everything else had gone to shit.

He watched as I drained the drinks, and as I ordered three more, he put his palm on the table.

“I think that you have had enough.”

“Not even started.”

“I know what happened, Jaq. Rahmon is maturing. You have to allow Rahmon to make his own decisions.”

“If Rahmon must fall in love, why not with a human? Why a Vam’pir?” My anger prompted curious stares.