The incision on the left seemed to take Maya less time, and moments later she was already gripping the second ball with her instrument.

When she ripped the ball out, David’s head reared up and his eyes shot open at the same time. A pain-filled scream tore from his throat while blood splattered all over his front and the metal block slipped from his mouth. His eyes were glaring red, and he jerked at his restraints.

“It’s over, David, it’s all good,” Cain tried to calm him and gripped his shoulders, pressing him back down onto the table.

The vampire’s chest heaved, but finally his eyes connected with Cain’s gaze, and he blinked.

“Are they out?” he asked, his speech sounding a little muffled.

Maya smiled at him. “Yes, they’re both out. Let’s get you some human blood so you can heal.”

David closed his eyes and sighed. When he opened them again, he looked calm again. “Thank you. All of you.”

“Did you feel anything?” Maya asked.

“Only when you pulled just now.”

“Good.”

David looked around the room. “Where’s the witch?”

“We sent him outside. I figured you might not want to see him after this,” Cain said.

“Bring him back. And make sure he gives Kathryn a larger dosage of his potion. I don’t want her to feel any pain.”

“You got it,” Cain agreed.

34

While both Kathryn and David were resting after their procedures, and Maya and Gabriel watching over them to see if their fangs would indeed grow back during their restorative sleep, Cain paced in this office.

Faye’s staunch belief in Robert’s innocence made him doubt his own suspicions. Though Thomas had talked to the prisoner, he hadn’t been able to make him admit to the treasonous act. Robert had continued to declare his innocence.

Did he have anything to lose by talking to Robert himself?

Cain charged out of his office and nearly bumped into Abel in the hallway.

“Whoa, Cain, where are you off to in such a hurry?”

“Going to see Robert in his cell.”

“Ah, the traitor. Do you want me to come with you?”

Cain was already walking past Abel and didn’t even turn his head when he responded, “No!” and continued on his way into the lower level of the palace. By now he knew the layout well enough to find the cellblock without having to ask anybody for directions.

One guard—Cain recognized him as Simon—sat at a table in the anteroom to the cells. He jumped up instantly when Cain entered.

“Good evening, Your Majesty.”

“Evening. Open Robert’s cell and let me in.”

“Of course, sir.” Simon unhooked the keys from his belt and motioned to a heavy iron door at the end of the corridor.

Cain walked to it and waited until the guard had unlocked and opened it. “Lock it after me. I’ll let you know when I’m done.”

He stepped into the dim interior and heard the door shut behind him with a loud thud. His eyes perceived Robert instantly. He sat on a small cot in the corner, his back stiff and his gaze locked onto Cain.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Robert said with a good dose of sarcasm in his tone.

Cain didn’t let that show of defiance deter him. “Faye is pleading for your release.”

A spark ignited in the older vampire’s eyes. “Ah, Faye, she still believes in the good in people, doesn’t she?”

“Is she wrong in doing so?”

“Sometimes she is.”

“And this time?”

Robert gave a slow shake of his head. “This time her instincts are right. I’m not a traitor. What I told you is true. Somebody set me up.”

“And why should I believe you?”

“I can’t help you there.” Robert shrugged.

“That’s not very helpful.”

“Why are you really here? If Faye had managed to convince you, you’d be releasing me now.” He glanced at the door. “But it doesn’t look like you’re letting me go. So, if she couldn’t convince you of my innocence, there’s no reason for me to try. You and I, we always had a bit of a rocky relationship. If you trust anybody in this place, it’s Faye. It’s always been that way, ever since you rescued her.”

To have Robert confirm Cain’s trust in Faye felt reassuring. “A rocky relationship, huh?”

Robert smiled. “Yeah. I never approved of the way you disposed of the old king.”

Cain instinctively took a step back. “Disposed of?” What was Robert suggesting?