“No, Michelle, it’s impossible. When will you stop thinking that you believing something makes it so?”
“This isn’t easy for me, Amaia.” Michelle pulled her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them.
“I’m not capable of loving you, Michelle, not the way you do me. I killed you, in case you’ve forgotten. That’s how we got into this mess. It’s time you moved on and found someone who loves you enough not to kill you. That’s not such an unreasonable request.”
“It is when my heart’s yours. If what you say is true, then losing you hurt so badly that it has haunted me past the grave. You really think I can let go of that love for another?”
“You can, and you will. I’ll not be seeing you again.”
“What?” Michelle shot to her feet.
Amaia stood to meet her face to face. “You heard me. I’m letting you go, Michelle. You don’t have a choice. You can either wallow in self-pity, or you can go find someone else to love and some happiness. I’m removing myself from the picture to make it easier on you.”
“Easier my ass, Amaia.” Michelle’s anger boiled over. “You’re scared, and I understand that, but I never took you for a coward. You’re not the type of woman to run from problems.” She took Amaia’s arms firmly in her hands, holding on so tightly that Amaia would have bruised if she were mortal.
“No, Michelle, I’m not scared. You are. That’s why you’re reacting this way. Everything will be fine. You’ll be better off without me. You’ll see.”
“No.”
“I have to go, Michelle.”
“No, Amaia.” Her grip tightened.
Amaia brushed a kiss against her lips and then thought better of it. If this kiss had to last her through eternity, she would savor it. Amaia pulled Michelle to her, delving into her, tasting her, allowing every emotion to wash over her. Michelle’s grip loosened as she responded in kind. At some point, the torturous desire the kiss stirred was stronger than the ecstasy Amaia felt at the touch, and she pulled away. “Goodbye.” It came out a whisper. Amaia broke free from Michelle’s grasp and fled in a movement so quick and silent Michelle would barely have been able to see it.
Chapter 37
Samegrelo, March 1798, 2 years, 10 months later
“And what have you been doing, Amaia?” Zenas’s voice had a certain serpentine quality to it made worse by the fact that Amaia resented being in his presence.
“Studying.” He would need to ask a lot more specifically if he wanted anything from her.
“Yes, obviously. What have you been studying?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” The murmurs of the assembled vampires quieted. Three pairs had been summoned to a ruined castle in southern Russia to aid Zenas in his battle with Ezekial’s clan. They stood in the drafty great hall, engaged in casual conversation until the last of Zenas’s council arrived.
“Careful, my child. There’s no need to antagonize him.” Lawrence’s eyes shot her daggers.
Zenas chuckled. Amaia knew he admired her spirit. It gave him pleasure to lay claim over her. “Yes, I would. Tell me, Amaia, what have you been studying? I have a feeling it is far more interesting than anything else I’ve heard today.”
“Oh, it is. I guarantee you haven’t heard anything half as interesting.”
“I’ve heard that you’re studying reincarnation.”
Lawrence didn’t want Zenas knowing about her work on aura manipulation. Instead, he had led him to believe she was focusing on reincarnation. Lawrence encouraged her study of it since it helped his breeding program, and it was always easier to root misdirection in truth.
“Yes, that’s true. What do you know of it?”
“Only that it exists. I don’t see much more use for the knowledge.”
Amaia had to give him some tidbit. She didn’t really want him to know her business, but he already knew something, so she couldn’t feign ignorance. A partial truth would be easier to manage than an outright lie. “I’ve been studying to see if a person’s energy grows stronger with each life.”
“You’re able to track one person through multiple lives?” For the first time, Amaia saw Zenas show surprise.
“Yes.” She wouldn’t give him any more.
“Interesting.” Zenas seemed content to let her be, and a moment later, the door opened to admit two more vampires. “Ah, Ivan and Rodrigo. Finally.”
The two men approached and knelt to kiss Zenas’s hand. “Forgive us, sire. We weren’t in a position to leave right away.”
“I understand. I trust you not to cause a scene while obeying my orders.” Both men rose, and Zenas signaled for everyone to gather round. “As you all know, I have brought you here to deal with the menace that is Ezekial’s clan. They have meddled in our affairs one too many times.”