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“Should have let Ramedes have you. After everything I risked for you,” I snapped.

“Rubbish. Nothing was jeopardised,” Rahmon retorted. “And nobody can stop Ami and me now.”

Nathan gaped at Rahmon before knocking him across the cave.

“Is this how you address the man who put his life on the line for you? Who rushed into a fire to save your worthless life and was seriously burned? Several times tonight, Jacques nearly died because of your ungrateful arse,” Nathan growled out as Rahmon got to his feet.

Rahmon’s eyes raked my body, and he lingered on the burn scars. Guilt flashed across his face. But Rahmon held himself tall.

Rahmon had turned into somebody I didn’t recognise.

“Should have saved Kit and let you rot. My previous words stand, Rahmon, you and I are no longer family,” I snapped.

Kit stared at us, her face pale from shock. But even Kit showed self-satisfaction. I’d no idea why, but there you go, that’s women for you. Contrary creatures.

Fear gone, Kit looked Ramedes in the eye. Ramedes lay on the ground gasping for breath, and Kit leant forward.

“This is ended, witch,” Kit said spitefully.

“Yes, it is now,” Ramedes replied, rising to her feet.

She gazed at me sorrowfully, and I held her gaze. Ramedes lowered her eyes first, and I allowed myself a small smile.

I grumbled, “This wasn’t necessary.”

“Jacques, I would not have released them. However, your solution was extreme, and I underestimated you. Tonight, a Vam’pir murdered two souls of the Viscerov. The Viscerov does not birth children anymore, Jacques. We watch for Viscerov souls to be reborn and then change the host to become Viscerov. And tonight, you trapped Viscerov’s souls inside Vam’pirs. Never will I underestimate you again,” Ramedes replied.

“I don’t understand,” I responded. “Kit and Rahmon’s personalities sound like they would have been destroyed, and the people they are, would have died.”

Maybe not a loss in Rahmon’s case, I thought, unaware that my thoughts showed clearly. Rahmon flinched.

“Not quite. Kit and Rahmon would have been enhanced. Their soul would have matured, and both would have come into their powers. Instead, now their soul grieves because they are less than they should have been.”

Panic flooded me as I gazed into Kit’s eyes and tried to see if she was in pain.

“Jacques, I feel fine,” Kit soothed.

“A lie, Ramedes!” I accused.

“No. Kit and Rahmon could have achieved greater things. Now, they are trapped in a Vam’piric body. They would have received Viscerov powers, and they could have chosen to stay with Pal and Mera. Too late now, Jacques,” Ramedes replied, sorrow flooding her voice.

“You’d have let them return to Pal and Mera?” I whispered.

“Of course. I am not a monster. I just wanted help the souls reach their potential,” Ramedes replied.

“I didn’t want to do this,” I answered. Worry and self-doubt were beginning to flood me. Had I made a mistake after all?

“However, you managed to finish my task in your own way. Kit and Rahmon are immortal, but the soul that is Viscerov will not know the peace and pleasure of being truly whole.”

“The twins have always been complete. Ramedes, it is you who underestimated everyone because you bought into the myth you’re a Goddess. Lady, being immortal doesn’t make you a goddess. You never offered the children a choice. Never gave any of us one. Now I have to explain that to their parents. If only you’d lowered yourself to explain.”

Apprehensive, I bowed my head, feeling sicker as the moments wore on. Nathan put a hand on my shoulder, offering comfort, and I touched it with gratitude. He would face Pal and Mera with me. Ultimately though, I’d bear the brunt of their anger.

Ramedes waved her hand, and the gate opened.

As we left, Ramedes called out, “One more thing, Vam’pir.” I pivoted to look at her. “If you had held on for just three more minutes, the twins would have been safe. Once the human body reaches a certain age, it becomes impossible to change them.”

Infuriated, I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Ramedes turned away from me, laughing, and Kit grabbed my hand.