Page 83 of Eternal Surrender

“You’re not staying.” I shook my head.

He gulped, hard.

I raised my hand to clarify. “Nothing’s going to happen to you. You have my word.” On nearing him, I breathed a sigh of relief he hadn’t been turned. “Remember when I told you about the island?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve crossed over to it.”

Sebastian climbed to his feet and took a step toward me with a steady gait, his limp now gone. “Your brother thinks he’s a vampire,” he said. “Where is he?”

“In the study.”

“With Miss Scarlett, with the candlestick.” He let out a nervous high-pitched laugh.

“Sit down.”

He did as I asked, leaning back against the wall again.

I knelt close. “You’re in shock.”

His attention lingered on the books.

I got comfortable and reached for the first one, showing him the cover. “Arthur R. Raker. Ancient Aztecs.”

“I’m not going to like this, am I?”

“Perhaps I shouldn’t have started with this one.” I gave his shoulder an affectionate squeeze.

“Please don’t tell me I’m some kind of sacrifice.” Sebastian folded his arms around his legs. “Don’t kill me, William.”

“I saved you, remember?” I took a deep breath. “The Aztecs believed that an ongoing human sacrifice was essential to appease the Gods and drank blood to ensure their debts were paid.” I put the book down. “Franciscan monks documented how the Aztecs offered their blood for the sake of humanity. Notice the common denominator.”

Sebastian shifted uncomfortably. “Not sure I like where this is going.”

“Keep up.” I reached for the second book. “The Hindu God Shiva, meaning Auspicious One. The earliest accounts of her life first recorded around 1700 BC, mentioning her ability to have victory over death. Worshipped by millions, this once-living being had a third eye and was able to read minds.” I placed it back on top of the other and held up the last one. “Great Britain. Archaeologists discover evidence that blood rites were conducted at Stonehenge.”

“You’re trying to convince me it’s not your brother’s fault?” Sebastian stood up and made his way toward the open gate.

“These are all a gentle introduction,” I said.

“Into what?” asked Sebastian.

I stood up. “Alex was trying to heal your leg.”

His frown lines deepened. “Makes sense.”

“Sebastian, Alex has healed you.”

“Thank him for me, won’t you.” Sebastian’s right foot stepped out of the cell, his hand reaching behind him.

“Unfortunately, the side effect is sensitivity to light. Alex gave you just enough blood to heal your leg, but you’ll need sunglasses or you’ll feel like your orbs are being burned out of your skull.”

“Thanks for that little nugget of info.”

“Sebastian.” I remained still, wary of keeping my distance. “Your limp’s gone.”

He bolted.