The Blood Boss by Davidson King

Chapter Eleven

Jayce

Ithink I knew in my heart, while Sibell told the story, that my biological parents were dead, but I’d held onto hope, and hope felt like such a stupid thing right now.

“My parents…Michael and Anne, they know?”

Sibell’s eyes glittered with unshed tears. “Yes. Asherah came to me, and we did the spell, as I said. And while I would have happily raised you to be my own, it was too dangerous. Knowing me, working for me, that’s different. Hiding you in a home with humans made the spell stronger. The three of us explained quickly to Michael and Anne, and while they had a very hard time understanding or believing, they took you in. They honored the wishes given, and you were safe.”

“So, if I was safe and hidden, why did they die? Why’d they have to?”

“The human world is so different than any and every other one,” Cain called from across the room. “While you’ve only ever known life with vampires and other creatures in it, there was a time we were all but the folklore you read.”

“But you all came to help us; how can such evil toward each other save humanity? You’re hypocrites!” My hands shook and my nose clogged as more tears threatened to rise.

“Jayce.” Sibell took my hand. “Vampires have their way, as do all species. Queen Asherah and Rigil knew they’d be captured and information about you would be exposed. There is some magic that can shatter even the walls of a mother and father’s love for their child, and neither of them wanted you to ever be found and destroyed.”

I couldn’t look at Sibell, at anyone. Anger burned through my veins. “Tell me…please.” A hot tear slid down my cheek, but I didn’t wipe it away. I sat still, closed my eyes, and remembered what Asherah and Rigil looked like from Sibell’s magic.

“When you were safe with the Harlows, Rigil and Asherah asked me to come to one more place with them before they left. I figured they would run, but that was when they explained to me that her father would drain her of everything to find you, and Rigil’s prayers for help from the stars went unanswered.” I realized Sibell’s hands shook as she spoke.

“They took me to Gibson Peak; you know the one?” I nodded. It was so beautiful. The story was, two lovers faced with death came together near the water, and instead of leaving each other, wrapped themselves in an embrace so powerful it turned them to stone and forever they are encased. A charm with the name Gibson was melted into the rock, making everyone think that was one of their names. So it became Gibson Peak. Where lovers go who never want to part.

“Your mother and father walked to the edge, and I remember my heart being in my throat, hoping I was wrong, but she smiled, much like you do, and explained that it was the only way.” Sibell released a single sob and continued.

“Demum sacrificium ultimum solvit,” she whispered, but I didn’t know what that was.

As if Cain read my mind, he responded, “Ultimate sacrifice.”

“Yes.” Sibell wiped her cheek. “They knew I could do it, and it was the one and only time I wished I was void of any power.”

“What is that, the ultimate sacrifice?” I looked at Cain, Natalie, all of them.

“It’s the most selfless of sacrifices.” Petru pushed off the column and came closer. “It’s said that when someone uses the demum sacrificium ultimum solvit to protect another, all they are—their gifts, powers, life force—goes into that being. Shrouds them. That, along with the illusion spell, would make it near impossible to find you.”

“I watched as your mother sang to your father, entranced him with his stars above him and her sea below her. And they danced, Jayce, as I whirled my spell around them. Your mother spared your father the pain of knowing they were dying by the power of her music. And…” I’d never seen Sibell so distraught. I wanted to reach for her but I couldn’t—I felt too much.

“They were so beautiful,” she cried. “I miss them so much but vowed to protect you and watch over you. And every moment I got to spend with you kept them alive. Jayce, you’re the best of their worlds. You smile and I see her; when you laugh, I see him.”

“Did it hurt?” I asked.

“I don’t know. I just remember them dancing to her song, and then like breath on a dandelion, they scattered.”

I knew there were a million questions I had every right to ask and that Sibell had been faced with an impossible choice that night. She must have been an extremely loyal friend to Asherah. I’d been raised in a house of love and my life was a good one, but in that moment, I wanted everyone to disappear. I wanted them to stop looking at me, waiting for something to happen.

“Jayce.” Cain was closer than before. “Can you hear me?” Of course I could hear him. “I need you all to leave this room, now.” Was he talking to me? Why wasn’t I speaking?

“Cain, I think I should stay.” Sibell sounded so far away.

“You need to leave. You’ve done enough. You wreck lives and call it mercy. Is there never another way to deal with situations than to destroy a life?”

“How dare you!”

“No! How dare you!” Cain roared, and yet I didn’t flinch. Hell, I couldn’t feel my own body. “They died for nothing. Jayce is in danger, and you can say it’s my fault but your secrets, your magic is why this is happening.”

“He isn’t safe with you, Cain, you know that.”

“I know nothing of the sort. Now leave.”

“I can’t. I vowed to keep him safe.”

I could hear Cain’s laughter, but it wasn’t filled with joy; it was dark, sinister. “Hell of a job you’re doing, lady.”

“Absorb his debt and let him leave with me.”

After a pregnant pause, Cain answered. “No.”

“You’re like them. You want his gifts and if you can’t have them, you’ll kill him.”

“Guys, maybe we don’t argue in here?” Someone brushed past me.

“You’re right, Natalie, how about you all leave?” The couch dipped, and I knew it was Cain.

“He will surely die if he stays with you.” Sibell kneeled, and it was as if she were begging Cain. “Please, for once don’t let your selfishness and jealousy rule your choices.”

“You know nothing about me, witch, and I know the dangers.”

“You don’t.”

“Petru, show Sibell out.”

A second later, Cain’s hands were on mine, prying my fingers open. Bloody crescent marks shone on my palms.

“She hates you.” My voice sounded hoarse, and my throat was dry.

“She does, and I hate her.”

I peeked up to see him assessing my wounds. “Why?”

“I think we’ve had enough stories for today, Jayce.”

He was probably right. I wasn’t sure my heart could take any more horrors. I was weary, achy, and wanted to shut myself away from it all.

“Fair enough. But why does she think I’m not safe with you?”

Cain huffed and his ruby gaze met mine. “Not today, Jayce. You’re still working for me, and it’s best you concentrate on that right now.”

“Work?”

“Yes.”

Was he serious? “I want to go home.”

“No.”

I stood so abruptly, Cain was pushed back against the couch. “If I’m going to die it won’t be here, with you.”

“You think you’re safe with the Harlows? You go there and you will sentence them to their own deaths.”

What?“Why would—”

“You don’t know a lot of things. I get that, and I’m trying really hard to be patient with you, Jayce. Your parents, they took you in, promised to love you. Their job is done.”

“Who are you to make that call?”

“They don’t have the power to keep you safe, but you have the power to get them killed. Is that what you want?”

I shook my head. “Of course not.”

“You have a lot to process and…” His gaze roamed over me. “And I can feel your power now. I didn’t before, but I suspect with everything coming to light, the illusion spell is crumbling.”

“What’s that mean for me?”

“I honestly don’t know, Jayce.”

I lifted my hand. My skin wasn’t tinted odd colors like Rogos; I appeared to still be me. “I don’t look like them.”

“No, and you don’t have the appearance of a star god, either.”

“Why is that?”

Cain shook his head. “Again, I don’t know.”

Cain was right, I needed to process it all. “Can I call my parents, tell them—”

“Jayce, I know you want to warn everyone, I get that, but right now you need to not tip them off. You’re not there, and Rogos and Sable rarely leave the water. They’d require someone on the land to speak with them, and here in Black Veil that would be a witch or a vampire. There are very few witches, and I have control over the vampires.”

“Can you please protect them?”

Cain stood, and I craned my neck to follow his eyes. “I will send someone there to watch for activity. But until we know more, you must stay here and act no differently toward your parents when you do speak with them.”

“Why?”

“I told you, if you let on that they—”

“No, I mean, you can throw me out, save yourself, let me die at their hands. But you’re not, and for what? I doubt it’s because I’m such an amazing assistant that you can’t lose me. Is Sibell right? Do you want to see what you can extract from me?”

Cain pressed his chest against mine, my chin rubbing over his tie. “Sibell knows nothing about me or what drives me. What I do and why I do it is for the good of Black Veil.”

“For the good of Black Veil, not me?”

“You’re a part of this place, are you not?”

“But I’m a liability.”

Cain cocked his head, and the look he gave me made my body warm. “I think, like me, you’re misunderstood, Jayce. I will not throw you out defenseless. We must learn.”

Learn, right.“Do you have work for me, or can I—”

“Go, process. I implore you not to call your family. Perhaps a walk in the garden, a swim in the pool, you can have the day to yourself.”

I was about to thank him, when he stepped back and spun on his heel. “I’ll see you at dinner.” And just like that he was gone, and I was alone…to process.