smoothed the hair from my forehead, a look of concern
shadowing her face.
“Don’t worry Pandim,” I said softly, trying to calm
her. “I’ve been through worse and still alive to fight
another day.”
“I know,” she sniffed, trying to hold back her
tears. “But I don’t like to see you like this.” With that, she
curled up beside me, snuggling into my ribs as best she
could, like a small puppy in a new home.
I looked upon Pandim for a moment, allowing my
eyes to soften briefly at her innocence - but remembering
that Viken was still in the room and watching, I turned and
looked at him coldly.
“What?” I growled at him.
“Nothing,” he said, feigning innocence - at which
he failed. “As for the first of many questions: Damascus’
errand boy, Zavier, came with a message telling me to
come and, ‘retrieve my pet’.” Viken looked like he wanted
to ask me something but wasn’t sure if he really wanted to
know the answer. His hesitation didn’t last. “What in the
hell were you doing at Damascus’ manor anyway?”
“Well -” I began, but stopped. “I went after the
medallion.” I knew he wouldn’t merely drop the subject,
so I decided to just be honest with him. “Lianna
discovered that Damascus had taken possession of it. I
couldn’t pass up the opportunity.”
Pandim sat up beside me, “Why do you always
have to do that? To go after vampires like Damascus. It
doesn’t make sense! Do you have a death wish?” Her dark
green eyes were wide with worry and sadness.
94