Free Sunset: Pact Arcanum: Book One by Arshad Ahsanuddin

memories. When he attacked, he felt my Gift kindle. That’s why he didn’t kill me immediately. He waited until just before the change was complete before turning me.” He sighed. “Luscian did so love to collect hybrids.”
    “And in the meantime, he indulged in a little recreational torture.” Rory’s words were laced with sympathy.
    Nick shuddered but tried to cover it by picking up his glass again and taking another sip. “I try not to think about that.”
    Rory turned back to face the bonfires. “I was there at your house as soon as Ana said it was clear. I saw what he did. He left you to rise to the second life alone, in the dark, never knowing what had happened to you or why.”
    “I know you were there, Rory. I heard you.”
    “What?” Rory blinked. “No, you were dead, Nick. You must have imagined it.”
    “You said you were sorry and that you should have warned me,” whispered Nick. “Then you swore they would all burn for what they had done to me.” He stepped closer to the wall and looked down at the funeral pyres below. “And you kept your word.”
    Rory was silent, following Nick’s gaze to the blue flames.
    Nick leaned against the crenellated wall. “So, what now?”
    “Now?” Rory paused and took a sip of bloodwine. “Now, you can do whatever you want. I can provide you with a supply of Tiamat, unless you want to hunt outside the Armistice Zone or find a willing donor. Daywalkers still need blood periodically, although they can extend the interval by psychic feeding.”
    “Hunt?” asked Nick, looking at him quizzically. “Isn’t that against the rules?”
    “The Children of the Dawn swear not to kill, except in self-defense, defense of another, or to defend their honor. But they all chose to become what they are and entered the third life willingly. You had it thrust upon you in battle. The rules don’t apply to you, unless you decide to take the oath. You’re a free agent.” Rory looked out at the horizon, where the smoke-filled sky continued to brighten. “It’s already been arranged.”
    Nick considered that. “What about the Challenge of Kings? You called Luscian out and now he’s dead, although admittedly you used me as a proxy. Technically, House Luscian owes you a hundred years of service.”
    Rory tilted his head and grinned back at Nick, his fangs showing momentarily. “Is that what you want—to swear allegiance to me and become Primogenitor Jiao-long?”
    Nick shrugged. “Just stating a fact.”
    “No. I won’t make you swear your honor to my service; that is, unless you decide you want to by your own choice.” He drank the last of his wine before setting down his glass. “Besides, are you sure you have the right? You were the most junior scion of Luscian’s bloodline. If any of the others survived, they would have first crack at the job.”
    Nick shook his head. “They’re all gone, Rory. I can feel my connection to the bloodline, and it’s empty of any other voices.”
    “I guess that makes you Nicholas Magister Luscian by default.” Rory smiled. “Soulkiller’s Bane.”
    Nick snorted. “You better not let that name catch on. I have no desire to live up to any kind of legend. I’d just as soon not let the Court of Shadows know that any of Luscian’s scions survived.” He finished his bloodwine, then turned around and leaned his forearms on the stone wall, holding the empty glass as he watched the vermillion sky.
    Rory copied him. “So, you’re the last House Luscian vampire in the world.”
    “Yup,” Nick said with a nod. “They were a blight on the pages of history. Killing them did the world a favor. No one will miss them, least of all me.”
    “What will you do now?”
    “Nothing.” Nick stood again, setting his glass down and shrugging nonchalantly. “I just want to go home, back to my life.”
    “Your life is over, Nicholas.” Rory stared at him, obviously appalled, then stood again and crossed his arms. “If you return to the