“You didn’t have to. I can see it in your eyes,” Boaz said. “He told me there was a prophecy. You’re the one who saw his future?”
“Yes,” Blade said.
“There’s something that makes you believe Lyla is his bride,” Boaz said. “What is it?”
“You really don’t want to know this,” Blade said, turning away.
Boaz exhaled slowly. “No. I do.”
Blade turned back to face him. “My prophecies aren’t always true. I didn’t see Drago getting trapped in the underworld. Or Alexander being infected. This could also be wrong.”
“Just tell me,” Boaz said softly.
Blade hesitated, then lifted his hands in surrender. “Okay. In my vision, he had a child. And vampires can only reproduce with their fated one.”
Boaz clenched his jaw as pain sliced through him.
“Okay,” he said, staring down at the floor for a moment.
“Are you okay?” Blade asked, reaching out to touch his arm.
“I’m fine,” Boaz said, even though he felt like he might be sick. He should have known it would end this way, that there was no future between them. He had had his doubts, but he had still wanted it. He had wanted to belong to Alexander, to be with him, to stay in his arms for the rest of his life.
“I guess Lyla would have eventually come around,” he murmured to himself.
“What?” Blade asked.
“Nothing,” Boaz said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “I should go.”
“Boaz, I really didn’t mean to say anything. You and Alexander seem so happy. Fate can change,” Blade said, the sincerity in his eyes making something twist painfully in Boaz’s chest.
“The funny thing is, I wish that were true. But I had my doubts, and I pushed them away because I wanted him. Even when hedid the most ridiculous things, I went along with them because I wanted him.” Boaz pressed a hand to his chest.
“You’re in love with him.”
Boaz was silent for a beat. “Yes.”
He took a deep breath, then walked out of the room. He found Manlius speaking with Killan in the foyer.
“We’re setting up right now,” Killan was saying. “I spoke to the high priestess. The witches will be here tomorrow to help us create a magical barrier around the veil. Last time we were too late. Hopefully this time we can minimize casualties.”
“You’re not going to try and save your loved ones?” Manlius asked. “I thought you believed we should open the veil and try to save them.”
Killan sighed. “I would love to have my son back, but it’s too risky. Perhaps if you had your powers back, we could figure something out. At least now we know how the demons operate, unlike last time when they took us by surprise.”
“You can get your powers back?” Boaz asked, cutting into their conversation.
“Boaz,” Manlius said, turning to face him, surprise flickering in his eyes. “Killan and his people are setting up camp at the monastery. You should go and help them while Blade and I are busy.”
Boaz looked between Manlius and Killan. It was clear the sorcerer did not want to talk about his powers. Boaz wanted to push, but something told him Manlius would not allow it. He nodded and walked out of the house toward his truck.
When he had arrived that morning, he never imagined things would end up like this. He had still been in his love bubble and now it had shattered completely.
He had thought Alexander ignoring him after accusing him of using him as a distraction was painful, but this…
Boaz pressed a hand to his chest again. The ache there felt like a stab straight to the heart.
He opened the door to his truck just as a delivery van came careening down the road.