I want to bathe in it.
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about. That’s the evil that’s seducing you. The malevolent power that is crawling through your blood tempting you onto a treacherous path that wil cost you everything you love and hold dear. You have to let that anger go before it’s too late. Vengeance always turns inward and it wil consume you until nothing’s left but an empty hole that nothing can fil .”
Nick bristled as he saw that night again—the glee in Alan’s eyes as he pul ed the trigger. They shot me!
“And they wil pay, but not by your hand. Trust me. Karma has her own plans for them and what she has in store is more painful than you could ever dream.”
I don’t know about that. I have one great imagination. And letting it go is much easier said than done.
Ambrose laughed in his ear. “Believe me, I know.” Al of a sudden, Nick saw Ambrose in the car beside him.
Translucent, he manifested on the other side of his mother, leaning against the car door as if he real y was another passenger.
His dark eyes fil ed with absolute misery, Ambrose reached out and touched Nick’s mother’s cheek. There was so much anguish on his face and tenderness in his touch that it made Nick’s stomach clench. Ambrose touched her as if she were a ghost who’d haunted him for centuries.
Most of al , he touched her as if she were unspeakably precious. Someone Ambrose had never thought to see again.
Even Ambrose’s lip quivered while he brushed his hand through her hair.
You love her, Nick sent his thoughts to Ambrose.
Ambrose nodded, then met his gaze so that Nick could see the sincerity burning in his eyes. “I would do anything to keep her safe. Anything to keep you on the right path.” And it was then Nick knew he could trust him. There was no way to fake that depth of emotion. He meant every word he said. Even though it kind of grossed him out that his father’s brother loved his mom he believed Ambrose was trying to help them.
The look on Ambrose’s face seared him. “Wil you trust me, little brother?”
I guess. But only as long as you don’t betray me.
Ambrose gave a cocky grin. “I’m the last person who would ever do that, Nick. I would sel my soul and give my life to keep you from becoming what I am.”
Nick nodded. Then tell me what I need to know.
“You’re going to have to learn to take control of the zombies.
”
Nick laughed out loud, which caused Caleb to jump in startled alarm and glare at him. “Sorry,” Nick said out loud. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Caleb snorted before he relaxed. “It takes more than you to scare me. Must be amusing in that head of yours, Gautier. But remember the rest of us aren’t in there with you.” Yeah, only Ambrose seemed to have that power.
Nick returned his attention to Ambrose. Car lights shone through his body, making it shimmer in the darkness. Can Caleb not sense you?
“Only if I al ow it.”
And obviously, he wasn’t al owing anyone but Nick to see and hear him right now.
What are you? he asked Ambrose.
“We”—he indicated the two of them—“are the last of a cursed race. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it’s our prime nature to hurt others. When they’re weak and hurting, we swoop in for the kil . But I’m hoping you have enough of your mother in you that you’l learn to curb those impulses and learn to let the things go that I never could.” Nick hoped so too. I don’t want to be anything like Adarian.
That eerie red tint returned to Ambrose’s eyes—not that Nick needed a reminder that the creature next to him wasn’t human. “Neither did he and he’s not quite the jerk you think he is. In time, you’l understand him better than you’l want to. And together, if we’re lucky, we’l keep you from fol owing in his footsteps. In the meantime, I have to teach you everything I know as quickly as I can.”
What’s the rush?
Orange flickered in his red eyes, like dancing flames. “My time’s running out and soon I won’t …” His voice trailed off.
You won’t what?
“I won’t care anymore. About anyone or anything … not even you. ” Ambrose took Nick’s hand and manifested an ornate gold dagger in his palm. The pommel held an elaborate pattern that looked like a circle of ancient birds spiraling out.
And on the cross hilt was a bloodred ruby that seemed to be radiating warmth.
Nick frowned at it. What’s this?
“The seal of the Malachai. With that dagger, there’s nothing you can’t kil . Gods, demons, zombies … you name it or, more to the point, stab it and they’l al fal to you.” Why are you giving this to me?
“In part so that it won’t tempt me, and so that you can cut through the zombies who’l come for you tonight.” He took Nick’s hand and laid his palm over the center of the dagger.
“Close your eyes and imagine it the size of a pocket knife.” Do what?