“I am sorry, My Lord. But I did not understand what it
was that was calling me,” he whispered.
“Didn’t understand, or chose to ignore?” His creator
stepped into the light of the streetlamps. “I told you that if you ever
crossed me, after I gave you the chance to continue your miserable
existence, I would kill you. Do you remember me telling you that?”
He hung his head, knowing he was dead, and nothing he
could do or say would change that. “I remember, Sire. But I was
truly uncertain about what was calling me, and I did not know how
to answer. I have not been well trained in the vampire arts, Lord
Vaistian.”
Vaistian bent down and picked the boy up easily, standing
him upright. “Then why did you not seek me out, Lazarius? How
many other vampires could be calling you to them?”
He knew he was beat, and so spoke truthfully, “None my
lord. I did not come to you when you called, and it would be a
dishonor to you for me to deny it. I was learning of something
interesting and did not wish to leave until I had found out all that I
could.”
Vaistian stepped back, interested that the boy had spoken
honestly; it was rare for one to do so, especially when faced with their
own death. Even if he did not truly wish to kill the boy, he was not
one to go back on his word.
“Before your die, tell me Lazarius, what did you hear that
was more important than your master’s call for you?”
Without knowing that this one piece of information would
save his life, he again spoke only the truth. “I heard two men talking
about a medallion with great power. They said it could give its owner
the supremacy to control others. I was curious that such an item
should exist, and I wished to hear all they could tell me.”
114