“And that is why you want the cure, demon,” Jebbadiah said, his body a coiled wire as he faced the vampire lord. “You want to turn your own people into vampires, to make more like yourself. An army of demons, with you at the head.”
“I might have offered my people immortality.” Jackal shrugged, still talking to me. “What of it? It’s a gift I would offer gladly. Our race has lost just as much as theirs, perhaps more.” He raised his empty hands and took a step toward me, ignoring Jeb. “Come on, sister, why are you so concerned about one human? They’re food, bloodbags. We were meant to rule over the human race, that’s why we’re superior in every way. Stop fighting your instincts. If Kanin truly sired you, then you have the potential to be a Master, same as me. And I’m not above sharing everything with you. I don’t tolerate other vamps in my kingdom, but for you, I’d make an exception.” His voice became low, soothing. “Think of what we could create, the two of us. We could have our own little paradise, with our armies and servants and human cattle. We could offer our faithful the gift of immortality, and we would rule this world till the end of time. Our own vampire Eden.”
“Never!” Jeb cried and snatched the scalpel from the floor. “Never!” he said again, his face wild. “Blasphemy! I will die before I let that happen!” And he flew at the raider king with the scalpel held high.
Jackal turned as the human lunged, easily grabbing Jeb’s wrist and wrenching the blade from his grasp. “Now, now,” he growled, baring his fangs as he lifted Jeb off his feet. “You can’t die yet. I need you to finish that cure. However, I have no qualms about torturing you a bit to get it.”
He flung Jeb backward, and the human crashed into the counter, smashing vials and beakers on his way down. He collapsed amid a rain of glass, and the sweet scent of blood rose up like a geyser.
The Hunger roared. I hurried over to Jeb, who was struggling upright amid the sea of glass, not knowing for sure whether I would help him or attack. Blood trickled down his arms and face, running into his eyes, and he slumped against the counter, his head falling limply to his chest.
“Jeb.” I crouched in front of him, desperately trying to ignore the pulse pounding in his throat, the crimson spreading over his shirt. He reached one hand inside his torn coat. Off to the side, I could see Jackal in the same spot, arms folded to his chest, watching us with a smirk on his face.
“Vampire,” Jeb whispered through gritted teeth and shoved his hand at me. I caught it, and something small, a tiny strip of dark plastic, dropped from his palm into my hand. I stared at it, frowning. It was about the length of my middle finger, and about as wide.
“For Ezekiel,” Jeb murmured, dropping his arm weakly. “Tell him…to take care of our people.”
“Jeb—”
“Well, that was entertaining,” Jackal said, dusting off his hands. “But I believe I’ve run out of patience for the night. So now, my dear sister, I need an answer from you. Will you join me? Will you help me find the cure and populate our world again? Think of what the vampire lords would give us for this information. We could rule them all, if we wanted. What do you say?”
I looked at Jeb, slumped against the counter. I could smell his blood, hear his heart in his chest, feel his cold eyes on me. Judging, hating. Even now, I was still a demon. He would never see me as anything else.
I faced Jackal again. “No,” I said, and his eyebrows shot up. I walked around the counter and stood between him and the human, raising my sword. “I’m taking Jeb out of here, whether you like it or not. So get out of my way.”
Jackal shook his head sadly. “Pity,” he muttered. “We could’ve had something extraordinary, you know. Two siblings, united by fate, join forces to change their world. What can I say—I’m a romantic at heart, though this story wasn’t meant to be.” He took a breath and gave a dramatic sigh, smiling at me. “I’m going to have to kill you now.”
“Then stop talking,” I challenged, sinking into a ready stance, “and get on with it. The sun is going to be up soon.”
Jackal bared his fangs, and his golden eyes flashed. “Oh, trust me, sister. This won’t take long at all.”
Reaching into his duster, he drew forth a long wooden stick, one end coming to a deadly point. My stomach twisted in raw, primal fear, and I stumbled back.
“I thought you might appreciate this,” he said, smiling evilly as he stalked forward. “Kanin was the one who taught me, you know. To master my fear, to use it to my advantage.” He twirled the stake between his fingers, grinning. “What’s the matter, sister? Didn’t he teach you the same? Or was your education cut short by our kin who want his head on a platter? How much practice did you get with dear old Kanin, anyway? I’m guessing less than me. I’ve known our sire a long time.”