days, until I was mad from hunger. She finally brought my wife up, chaining her, too, so she couldnât run away. That night, I killed my wife. I killed my wife and ate her.â
Bones let him down. Jelani staggered for a moment on his prosthetic legs until he found his balance. When he did, he shoved Bones back.
âIâm sorry, mate,â Bones said quietly. âBut you know it wasnât your fault. Itâs their crime, not yours.â
Jelani gave a bitter snort. âOh, I know theyâre guilty for her death. But every time I go to sleep, I can still hear her screaming in my dreams. Over a hundred years later, I can still hear it.â Jelani met Bonesâs gaze squarely. âI want it to end. I want all of it to end.â
Bones let out a slow sigh. âMarie has no idea the LaLauries are even here, does she? Thatâs why Ralmiel is so brazenly after me. He has no fear of repercussions from her.â
âWhen Delphine and Louis were hunting in the city decades ago, Majestic told me not to act until she was back. She didnât want anyone knowing for fear that news of it would weaken her power. But the LaLauries got away before Majestic returned. This time, I couldnât risk letting them get away again. So I lied to you when I brought you here.â
Bones ran a hand through his hair in frustration. âMarie will kill you for this. But you must already know that.â
The big manâs shoulders slumped. âYou canât know what itâs like, living among our kind crippled this way. Majestic has made it bearable, but once the LaLauries are dead, I want to die, too. My only hope is that Majestic is kind enough to make death my punishment for my betrayal, instead of casting me off without her protection.â
Bonesâs gaze traveled once more over the stumps that made up Jelaniâs arms and legs. Jelani couldnât wield a knife in defense of his life or in defense of Marieâs, which was the expectation of any member in an undead line. He couldnât even walk, if someone were to sweep those prosthetics out from under himâand that would be the first thing any hostile vampire or ghoul would do.
Looking at it coldly, all Jelani had to offer Majestic in return for her protection was his loyalty, and heâd just burned that by going behind her back over the LaLauries. Even if Marie sympathized with why he did it, sheâd still have no choice except to kill him for it. Not if she didnât want to be regarded as a weak leader.
And if Bones was being practical, now that he knew none of this had been sanctioned by Marie, heâd leave the city to-night. Then once Jelaniâs deeds were revealed, Bones could truthfully claim ignorance of the manâs betrayal.
But if he didnât, any further actions he took would be held up to judgment by the queen of the city. Bones was a trespasser, hunting on Marieâs grounds without her permission. He knew she wouldnât look kindly on that. Furthermore, while he was here, he was providing a damn fine target of himself to Ralmiel, since he couldnât very well hide and hunt at the same time in the same small area.
Though neither could the LaLauries. Not for much longer, as it were.
There was only one choice, wasnât there?
Bones stared at Jelani, not letting any emotion show on his face. âI donât believe Iâll see you again, mate, but Iâll promise you thisâyouâll have your vengeance.â
Jelani gave him a tight smile. âIt wonât just be my vengeance. It will be shared by my wife, and everyone else who died at their hands.â
Bones walked away, not replying to that. Death he could give, yes. But at the moment, he wished he could give hope, too, even though there was none for Jelani, and perhaps none for himself, either.
Chapter 9
B ones walked up the street to Beccaâs salon. Heâd tried her cell earlier, but she didnât