Oh, so that’s good, then. I glance at Michael.
‘We’re all sworn to her, sworn to protect the humans who nourish us, to share the world with them as equals. Wherever you see the red flower, you can find a pathway here. But I suppose you’d know that already.’
I know now. But, like everything else in this place, it just brings up more questions. If Kyle was working for Ira, helping smuggle people into the Reaper network, because he was a damn Reaper, after all, then why the hell was he also working for Mistral? Even if he did love Jessie, how could he betray his principles like that?
Because he was good at betrayal.
The words whisper through my mind. I clutch Michael’s hand, as though he can chase the shadows away.
‘How do you know when she’s going to return?’
‘You don’t, really. She chooses her time. There’s a legend that when the pimpernel flowers turn blue, she’ll walk among us once more. But I’ve never seen a blue flower here.’
‘She didn’t show up during the Rising?’
‘Reapers had no part in the Rising, because we saw no point to it. More violence never breeds peace. The world was overrun, by both humans and vampires; it was time for it to be rebalanced. But when the last few remnants of the human armies retreated into the woods, Reapers intercepted them.’
‘What happened?’
‘They were offered a choice. Join our cells and give up their old world or die. Most chose the former. And, with their help, we grew to the global network we are now. A world of day and night, humans and vampires living together, still following the original blueprint of the first settlement.’
‘This is why Reapers have such a fierce reputation.’
Cass nods. ‘We let the legend grow, a shield to keep us all safe. It’s why we do what we do.’ She glances at the watch on her wrist, then claps Michael on the shoulder. ‘I have to go. But I’m glad you’re back, brother.’ She flashes from the clearing, leaving us alone.
I’m amazed. But I’m also aware of time passing. My parents will be frantic with worry, Raven forces no doubt being mobilised across the realm, looking for me.
‘We need to get out of here,’ I murmur.
‘I know.’ The same worry is evident in Michael’s voice. I get it. There’s so much at stake here. I cannot be found. ‘And we will. I have a friend I can ask for help. We’ll catch up with him later.’
‘What will we do until then?’
‘Come on.’ Michael’s thumb rubs my shoulder as he tucks me into his side. ‘Let me show you around.’
A short while later we stroll along the main street. Despite my concerns, I still can’t get over how perfect it is. Or the fact that it’s hidden away, and it’s global, the legend of the dark knights keeping vampires out of the Great Forests. Why would they come in here, after all, and risk the Reapers’ wrath? They have everything they need, in their cities built by human hands, their art and porcelain and blood all provided whenever and however they desire. I understand why vampires felt they had to act, to take back the night. But I cannot understand why that meant the wholesale destruction of an entire way of life. If I could, I’d stay here for ever, not return to that world of blood and shadows beyond the trees. It sickens me to think of it now, my paltry efforts to change things almost embarrassing, yet still more than anyone else has ever tried to do.
Thisis what I want, I realise, as we cross the bustling main street, taking a side street lined with houses. I glimpse comfortable furniture, soft curtains, a child’s play set in a back garden as we go past.Thisis what will work. Not vampire-free zones or hunting grounds or some fucked up amalgamation of everything else.Thisis how we can coexist, vampires and humans.
However, I need to tread carefully. Reapers won’t want their secrets exposed, especially to Raven. The network is closed, the entry numbers controlled, so me asking to open it to everyone isn’t going to work. What I need to do is learn all that I can about it then replicate it, beyond the trees.Thisis the future.
We continue wandering past shop windows, kissing in arched doorways. We pass a statue of a weeping angel on a huge plinth, photographs set into the base, vampires and humans. A legend is engraved into the stone.In memory of the fallen.
I pause. ‘What’s this?’
‘It’s a memorial,’ Michael says, his voice soft. ‘To fallen Reapers from the Southern Network.’
‘Oh.’ I scan the photographs, the men and women, human and vampire, all of them dedicated to the marvel of this place, to the point of sacrificing their lives to keep it safe. Then my breath catches. I’m glad Michael’s arm is around me. I might fall, otherwise. In the bottom row is a picture of a dark-haired vampire, his handsome face split in a familiar grin. It’s Kyle. Seeing his face again … my chest feels as though it’s caving in.
‘Is that…?’ Michael’s voice is low. His other arm comes around me and he holds me while I break against him. Even though I thought my love for Kyle died when he betrayed me, it seems there are still little tendrils left, barbed things lurking in the depth of my soul, ready to tear into me at any moment.
‘Come on.’ Michael tows me gently away. I get a vague sense of green leaves and dappled sunlight. ‘Just breathe, E. Keep breathing.’
But how can I, when all the oxygen seems to be gone? I curl into him, burying my face in the curve of his neck, gasping against his warmth.
‘Come on, let’s sit.’
I open my eyes. We’re at the edge of a rocky outcrop, the forest falling away beneath us, rising to the hills behind. Dark figures move among the trees, one of them raising their hand to wave.
