Page 23 of Forty Deaths Till Us Part

Dimitri’s eyes sparkled, and his shock turned to interest. “We must call a clan summit immediately, before he dies.”

Rene moved so fast, my hair blew into my face. He held Dmitri by the throat with his arm extended. “In my weakest hour, you are no match for me, Dimitri. Any other vampire would be dead minutes after exposure. You should be more interested in finding a cure so the witches don’t exterminate our entire species than concerning yourself with the next overseer. I guarantee you there are far more appropriate contenders from the other clans than you.”

The other death dealers ran into the room with their weapons drawn. They extended their spears and aimed them at Dimitri. Cass stepped in front of them and stared at the suspended clan leader. “Until Rene dies, he is in charge. If you issue another order like that, I will stake you and bathe in your blood.”

Dimitri held Rene’s wrists as his feet dangled in the air. “I apologize for my outburst. I fear for the clans and if you fall, then we will be in complete disarray. The witches will annihilate us without an overseer. Our unity is what makes us strong. No single clan could withstand this kind of war.”

Rene lowered him slowly to the ground. “That is true Dimitri, but I put contingencies in place for my death centuries ago.”

Dimitri coughed when Rene released his neck. “What contingencies?”

Rene rolled his shoulders, and the sound of stone grating against itself echoed around us. “You will find out when I leave this world, but I assure you that you won’t like it.”

Dimitri’s eyes widened, and his face held a mixture of fear and surprise. “It won’t happen again. I apologize. Your... condition is concerning.”

Cass motioned to the stairs. “Rene, let’s get you up to your suite.”

Rene grabbed my hand and turned toward the stairs. While his face remained impassive, his anger rolled off him in waves. Dimitri had waited more than ten seconds before basically declaring Rene unfit to rule all the clans. Two thousand years of knowledge and power were worthless to the Shadow Bone leader. As if he believed he was better equipped to withstand a supernatural war. How inflated could one ego be?

Cass darted ahead of us and opened the door to the suite, holding it until Rene and I were safely inside. Val and Quinn entered before she closed the door and the three leather-clad death dealers stood like sentries, regarding their leader.

Rene released my hand and sat down on the bed. He held up one hand and turned up his palm. Every finger was completely gray and looked like a perfect statue. “Cass, I need you and the death dealers to look for Brigid. I do not require guards in my personal suite.”

Cass pointed at the door. “Did you see what happened down there? Dimitri is like a fucking vulture. He’s practically drooling at the opportunity to replace you. If he calls for a vote of no confidence, we are all doomed.”

Rene smiled, but a part of his face didn’t react like it should. “Trust me, Cassara. This is not the first time a clan head has attempted to overthrow me. It has simply been some time since it happened. Even if I am confined to a bed, the clan is about to realize the true extent of my power and the fate that awaits them if I die.”

Cass looked less sure of herself. “That sounds bad.”

Rene shrugged. “It would be more challenging for you than most, but for much different reasons.”

Cassara looked like she wanted to ask more, but Rene’s eyelids drooped. “Get some rest. I will do as you ask, but one death dealer will remain in the mansion at all times. You call if you need him.”

“Agreed,” Rene said.

Cass opened the door and Val and Quinn filed out before she exited and closed it. I moved to sit on the bed beside Rene, but he lay down and pulled me beside him. I was nestled against his body and despite the grisly transformation, he felt warm to my touch.

His fingers traced my back, and I was glad I couldn’t see them. “I have imagined my death many times, but never like this. The irony of turning to stone when I have lived hundreds of years feeling as if my heart was just as cold as any statue is not lost on me.”

I place my hand on his heart. “You aren’t cold, Rene, and you aren’t going to die. I will do everything in my power to ensure you beat this thing.”

He stared at the ceiling for some time. “There is only one way to boost my power. You are not ready for it.”

I leaned up on one arm. “You know a way to reverse the effects of this compound?”

“Yes. Without an antidote, the only way to counteract this poison is for me to bond with you. Even though you are a vampire, you were exposed, and your power made you immune to its effects.”

I couldn’t deny what he was saying. I felt the sparkly dust touch my skin, but there was no reaction. “Is there any other way?” With all the surrounding betrayal, I wouldn’t lie to him. He was right. I wasn’t ready to commit to anyone let alone the most powerful creature on earth.

“Not that I am aware of. Ursula seemed to think there was an antidote, but she didn’t know what it was. I am pretty sure she is looking as we speak. She understands the consequences of my death better than the Shadow Bone clan.”

I pursed my lips. “Dimitri mentioned something to me about bonding. May I ask you some questions?”

“Raven, you never need permission to ask me anything. No matter how difficult the subject, I will tell you the truth.”

“Dimitri said that if you bond with a member of Shadow Bone you are required to take a wife from each of the other clans. Is that true?”

His eyes flickered red. “It is, but I’ve already taken steps to rectify that issue. Certain concessions were put in motion the moment I met you. All I can ask is that you trust me.”