Chapter 450

• Outside the circle, understanding came to Gard. He had seen this once before, so many millennia ago when Anakatrine was just a babe and his mother had reigned as Queen of the Vampires. It was something so outdated it was long forgotten by all, apart from his sister it appeared. Ice ran down his spine as he watched on helplessly. "Don't do this, Anakatrine," he whispered. "Dear God, don't do this."
• "I take from you that which was given." Talons shot sparks of fire into Reasa's body and she spasmed in pain, screaming into the air as her back arched and Anakatrine chanted in the circle. "I take from you that which you have dishonoured." More fire raced through Reasa's body and she screamed again, writhing in agony on the floor.
• "As the first vampire was born with the blood of his Queen, did she bequeath to him his strength, his vitality, his speed and his everlasting life. Her blood flowed in his veins; her blood made him what he was. As she once gave, now do I take back that which was always mine to give and will forever be mine to retrieve. I take back my blood, my honour, and my protection unto the day you should be worthy to once more know my benevolence."