by Raven Steele
We met each other's gazes, a silent pact. That’s what tragedy did to people who share the same loss—bring them together with an unbreakable bond.
When we approached Ironwood, Victor came out to meet us. He froze in his steps when he saw Roman in my arms. I had minutes before dawn. Hardly enough time to have a conversation about what happened. I wouldn't even be here for Oz and Amy when they woke up. Or Emma. One day, when I was an older vampire, sleep wouldn't be as important. I looked forward to that time.
I gently laid Roman down on a bench and asked Rebecca to grab a sheet to cover him. "Victor, would you help her load him into the van at dawn. She's taking him to the Ames de la Terra for a proper burial."
He stared at Roman’s body. "I told him not to go. I begged him, but he knew."
"Knew what?"
He didn’t look up at me. "He said if he didn't go there to stop you, that we would lose you forever. He sensed a pivotal change in your life, and he said he couldn't let that happen. I told him they would kill him, but he wouldn't stop. You were all that mattered."
I stuffed my fist into my mouth and bit down hard enough to draw blood. I feared that change had already happened. I think I killed Lucy. I couldn’t remember. Maybe I had killed more. Could I come back from that? Roman had given up his life believing I could.
"Did you set me up?" I asked point blank.
He looked at me, his eyes bloodshot. "I swear to you, I didn't. I believed the witch. I don’t know why she betrayed me. She hates Bastian more than anyone I’ve ever met. I must have underestimated the hold he has on her. I promise I would never have sent you to the airport had I known the truth.”
"I want to believe you.” My bones ached with wariness.
“Then believe me. I’ve been honest with you from the start. It’s Bastian who has manipulated you. I’ve seen how the Principes Noctis operates. They can get their worst enemy to believe they are best friends. All of them are that way. They love to put on elaborate shows, making them out to be these noble creatures. It’s disgusting.”
I leaned against a nearby post. I needed to find some strength to do what needs to be done.
"Listen, Aris, I know I'm a jackass. I've done terrible things. I convinced myself it was the only way, but in reality, I was a coward. I let my fears control me, and the city suffered for it. I will always regret what I did, but now that you're here, I want to make it right."
“Do you mean that?” I wasn’t sure I could believe him, not yet, but there was one way he could start proving himself.
“I’ll do anything.”
I leaned away from the post. "Then tonight, after I've slept, you and I are going back to Bastian's."
He snorted. "Why would I do that? He’ll kill me."
"Do you trust me?"
He searched my eyes. "If you say I must go, then I will go. I owe you that much."
I nodded and backed up toward my room, feeling the first of dawn’s light. "Please apologize to Emma for me. I will see her when I rise."
I glanced briefly at Roman's body. This would be the last time I saw him. My throat constricted, making it near impossible to swallow.
"I'm sorry about Roman." he said. "I could tell he loved you like a son."
I averted my gaze and ignored his sentiments. Victor may not have betrayed me, but he was the furthest thing from a saint. The blood on my own hands caught my attention. I was just as bad as him. None of us were innocent. We were all monsters.
I turned away and disappeared into my home. In record time, I showered and changed my clothes, adding them to an already bloodied clothes pile from the day before. So much blood and killing. I retired to my coffin at the last second and closed it tight, partly wishing it would never open again.
Roman, my mentor, and father figure was gone forever.
Chapter 36
I couldn't sleep despite wishing it very badly. I wanted my eyes to close, and when I woke, I'd find this was all just a terrible dream. I attempted to think of Roman and our time together, but the memories only brought crushing pain to my chest. The memories would have to wait.
After some time, footsteps approached. “Aris? Are you awake?"
I opened the heavy lid. Emma didn't say a word as she climbed in next to me and snuggled against my chest. I lowered the top and embraced her tightly while she softly cried. Her presence is exactly what I needed to calm my thoughts, and it wasn’t long before we both fell asleep.
Nighttime had arrived. Its darkness caressed my bones, urging me to go to it. I lifted the coffin lid careful not to disturb Emma.
I had slept some, thanks to her, but it had been difficult, as my mind raced with everything I needed to accomplish. An elaborate plan had carefully formed in my mind, and at the top of the long list was the most important item: avenge Roman's death. It would take a long time, possibly even years, but one way or another, I would take down the Principes Noctis and kill Bastian. That was the only way I could redeem myself.
I slipped out of the coffin and picked up my phone from off the table. Next to it was the small vial Richard had given me, the cure. I left it alone, not giving it a second glance. For my plan to work, I couldn’t be human.
With my phone in hand, I snuck deep into the tunnels to call Samira. She answered right away.
"Aris," she said, her voice holding a note of sadness. She must've heard about Roman.
I didn't know what to say. How could I tell her that it was my fault he died? If only I had trusted him. If only I had listened.
"I'm sorry about Roman.” When I still didn’t speak, she asked, "Are you all right?"
Another question I didn't know how to answer. I was anything but all right. I inhaled a breath, and on my exhale, I blurted, "I'm hungry for blood all of the time. I can't control it."
Again, she was silent before saying, "You must have unlocked Elizabeth's DNA within your blood. Are you also stronger?"
"Incredibly."
"You must fight it," she said. "Think of the people you love. Roman, Oz and his sister, and the other woman. Emma is her name, right?"
She must've been talking to Rebecca. What else did she know?
"I've been trying," I answered.
"Try harder. You owe this to the people you love and to yourself. Do not let them see you become a monster. You're better than that."
I swallowed hard thinking of the last images Roman saw of me. He had seen me become a monster, drunken with human blood.
"The weapons you wanted are almost ready," she blurted as if that might make me feel better.
When I didn't say anything, she asked, "Do you think it would be best if you returned here for more training?"
"I can't yet, but I will soon. Maybe sooner than you think."
"What do you have planned?"
I considered telling her, but I didn't know if she would agree or not. What I was about to do was risky but would serve many purposes. "I'm doing what has to be done."
"Will it cause harm to others?"
"No one who doesn't deserve it."
It was her turn to be silent. "Just don't do anything Roman wouldn't do, and you'll be making the right choice."
I squirmed uncomfortably, as a knot tightened in my throat. "I have to go."
“Remember," she said before I could hang up. "You're not a monster."
I said goodbye, gripping the phone tightly. If she'd seen me last night, she would think otherwise.
I returned to Ironwood, drank several bags of much-needed blood, then found Oz and Amy sitting together in Command. They were staring at the screens but more like looking right through them. I cleared my throat. They swiveled their chairs my direction. Amy's eyes were dark and puffy. Oz was pale. The scent of their blood permeated the room. I needed to eat again.
"Dude, so sorry about Roman.” Oz shook his head in disbelief. “I've been sick about it all day."
Amy's eyes welled with tears, and they spilled onto her cheeks. "I'm going to miss him."
My lips
tightened. "We all will."
Oz ran his fingers through his hair. "Rebecca said there would probably be a funeral in a few days out in Louisiana. We would like to go, but we won't leave you."
"I plan on being there too." I tilted my head and sniffed the air. "Where's Victor?"
"He left a while ago but said he would be back. I can't tell you how psycho it is to have him down here."
"Things will be different after tonight."
"What's happening tonight?" He rubbed his sisters back, as she sniffed and wiped at her eyes.
"You'll find out soon enough. Both of you need to pack. We are leaving Ironwood."
He nodded grimly and lowered his chin to the top of Amy's head. "I still can't believe it."
I left them alone for their private moment and walked to the center of Ironwood to look around. This has been my home with Roman all my life. Now it just felt empty.
I lowered to a bench to wait for Victor. There was a chance he wouldn't show up. It would make sense if he skipped town. He knew where I was taking him tonight and believed he wouldn’t survive.
Emma staggered out of my home and stretched her arms high. She smiled through a yawn and joined me on the bench, resting her head on my shoulder. She reached out and slid her fingers into mine. "I'm here for you if you ever want to talk."
I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I will be leaving soon to Louisiana for Roman’s funeral. I’d like you to come."
"I'd like that. Can we leave tonight?"
"There's something important I need to do first, but I can’t do it without Victor. I'm waiting for him to return."
She sat up straight and looked at me, her eyes pleading. "Whatever it is, just forget about it. It's not important."
I reached up and stroked her cheek with my thumb. "I wish there was another way, but there isn't. The Principes Noctis has to be stopped, and what I have to do tonight is a crucial step to making that happen."
She gazed into my eyes as if looking for any doubt beyond their glossy surface. She would find none.
My shoulders relaxed when I caught Victor’s sent. "He’s here." I tilted my head at the sound of something else. I came to my feet. "He's not alone."
I positioned Emma behind me and prepared to attack should Victor arrive with anyone dangerous. I sniffed the air. The scent was familiar. Where had I smelled it before?
Victor appeared around the corner. Jordan strolled next to him.
"What's he doing here?" I demanded. Enough people knew about Ironwood as it was.
"Relax,” Victor said. “The Principes Noctis is after him too. I just want him to stay here for the night, and then I'll sneak him out of the city tomorrow."
Jordan walked up to me. "Sorry, man. Not trying to cramp your style or anything. I just want to live. Besides, I can't wait to get out of Coast City. It's gone to pot."
At the sound of voices, Amy and Oz joined us on the street. I introduced everyone.
While they chatted, I kept a steady eye on Victor. It was good he showed up when he didn’t have to. He owed me nothing. Roman had said I could trust him, but I hadn't believed him. Victor scrutinized me back just as intensely, probably wondering what I had in store for him tonight.
Emma leaned against me, her body warming mine. Oz began sharing a funny story about the time he had tried to scare Roman. When he was finished, the others shared their own stories. It was especially interesting to hear Victor talk about Roman, who had known him long before any of us had.
It hurt like hell to hear stories about the man Roman used to be, things I'd never heard before like how he had been engaged to a woman for two years before Moretti’s men killed her. Life changed for him after that. That’s probably when he decided to take V proteins, like my father had and Victor, too. They may have all injected it at different times, but their reasons were the same—someone had hurt a person they loved.
Victor lightened the mood a bit by sharing funny stories about Roman, my father and mother, and him. They had all been good friends at one point. Now, three of them were dead.
I came to my feet and met the eyes of everyone there. My gaze settled on Victor.
"It’s time."
Chapter 37
Victor stood and approached Emma. "It's been a great honor to know you. You brought joy to my jacked-up life."
She frowned and glanced from me to him. "Why do I feel like you're saying goodbye?"
"Just thought I would say it. I'll be back." He turned around, avoiding my eyes, and walked away.
"Can I give you a hug?" Amy asked me tentatively.
"Of course." I kneeled and opened my arms.
She hurried into them, and I held her tightly. "You, Emma and Oz do something fun tonight. Have you ever gone out for a midnight swim?"
She pulled back from me, white-eyed. "Can we do that?"
"I used to do it when I was younger. Go out one of the drainage tunnels to the beach. You remember how to get there?"
She nodded and glanced back at Oz. "Can we?"
"Sounds like fun, but will it be safe?"
"Vampires will be busy tonight,” I answered. “It should be fine, but take one or two of the electric guns just in case."
Amy laughed and hurried off to get ready. Oz patted me on the back. "Be careful tonight. We have a funeral to go to, and I only want one body there."
"You got it."
Oz followed after Amy. Jordan walked away too, probably recognizing that I needed a minute alone with Emma.
She stood and leaned against my chest, her heart beating fast. I held her close, unsure of what the night’s events would bring. I didn't plan on dying tonight, but things were going to be different from here on out, bad different.
I tilted my head toward her and lifted her chin to me. "I need you to seriously consider leaving Coast City." She opened her mouth to argue, but I spoke first. "Just think about it. We’ll go to the funeral, and maybe you'll really like it there."
She lowered her gaze. "We'll see."
I leaned forward and brushed her lips against mine. It was a quick and gentle kiss, but I feared if I did more, my heart would falter, and I would rush into my home and drink the cure. Maybe one day there would be time for that, but not anytime soon.
She swept dark hair away from her face. "I guess I should go find something to swim in. Good suggestion, by the way. It's just what we need to take our mind off things."
She kissed my cheek and walked away, glancing back at me once.
I inhaled a breath and rolled my shoulders back. Time to get to work.
Victor and I walked in silence through the tunnels leading to the south side of town where my car was parked. When Victor saw it, he whistled low. "You've got good taste."
I said nothing, as I slid behind the driver’s seat and started the engine. I gripped the steering wheel, feeling the vibrations of the idling engine against my palms. I glanced sideways at Victor. I had to go through with this, but part of me felt guilty. He had been my mother’s friend at one point.
I drove through the city going slower than I ever had before. For some reason, it didn't seem appropriate to speed knowing what I was about to do to Victor. He never said a word. Neither did I.
It felt strange to park outside of Bastian's home with Victor sitting next to me as a willing prisoner. I hoped it stayed that way when he learned his fate.
I reached for the door handle, but Victor stopped me. He stared straight ahead at the mansion through the windshield. "If I go into that house, I will be killed. I know this, but I’m not going to fight it."
He met my gaze, his eyes full of sorrow and regret. "I loved your mother more than any other woman I’ve ever met."
"You’re willing to die for some memory of her?"
He shook his head. "I'm not doing this for her. I'm doing this for you. I believe you need me to die for some reason. Probably to prove to Bastian you’re one of them. Or maybe it’s not that complicated. Maybe you just need me to die so you can finally move
on with your life. I’ve been a pain in your ass for a long time. I get it, and I'm going to give you what you need.”
He paused for a moment as if he expected me to respond, but I gave him nothing.
“I know I'm not coming out of that house alive, but there's something else you must know. I grieved your death, just as much as I grieved for Daisy.”
He looked away from me and rubbed his chin. “I didn't ever plan on telling you this, but you need to know that your father was willing to sacrifice everything for you. Even his own life."
I groaned and furrowed my brow. "My father only cared about himself."
"That's where you’re wrong. Your father would do anything for you and is about to die for you right now."
My head slowly turned toward him, and my mouth fell open. “What did you say?”
"I was going to take her away," he said staring out the windshield again. "My son and my soon-to-be wife. She tried to divorce him several times, but he threatened to kill her and members of her family. We figured if we could get her far away from him, he’d realize he didn’t really need her.”
He kept talking as if he was all alone. “I really think the V proteins Jonas injected into him didn’t react well with his DNA. It made him crazy, and it only got worse as more time passed. He wasn’t the man I grew up with.”
He stole a breath. “My whole world was destroyed when you and Daisy died. I could’ve left town, but I wanted revenge. It’s all I could think about, but then I learned about the Principes Noctis and realized there was no way I could beat them. So I delayed them as much as I could. People got hurt in the process, and that’s when I lost my way. I admit I got all twisted up in the whole power trip thing. It was addicting. But then you showed up and everything changed.”
He turned to me. "I didn't want to kill Kristen. I swear to you. But Bastian said it was her or you. She knew this. She heard it all. I told her I could sneak her out of the city, but she didn't want to put your life in jeopardy. She died for you, too. Just like I'm about to."
He opened the door. I didn't try to stop him, as he walked toward the mansion.
