He gives me an amused look. “You truly think every vampire in this empire is pleased with my father’s rule?”
I know they’re not. But what I don’t understand iswhy.
“Forgive me for my ignorance. I’m just a lowly sigilmarked from the Thorn.”
His eyes flicker, and I know he regrets his patronizing tone. “Some vampires believe the sigilmarked could give us access to the sun if they chose to.”
We move to the next section, and I lean close to him. “But it was Mortuus who took the sun from you.”
Tiernon sighs. “The—”
His eyes narrow, becoming glazed.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Lucius says one of the vampires was spotted downstairs in the lower exit.”
Lucius is currently high in the stands on the other side of the Circus, which means he’s capable of mindpathing over a substantial distance.
Tiernon’s expression hardens. “Lucius will notify the others and they’ll approach from that side. We need to take the vampire quickly and quietly. The emperor doesn’t want the public to learn that the rebels have gotten this close.”
His hold on his power lessens, and for the barest moment, it swamps me until he regains control, frustration written all over his face. Tiernon seethes with more than enough power to make this problem go away in the blink of an eye. The emperor is happy to create a scene when his citizens are being burned alive, but gods forbid people know his enemies are here under his nose.
“We’ll split up,” I say. “You approach from that direction, and I’ll go this way.”
Tiernon snorts. “Absolutely not.”
“How badly do you need to capture these vampires?” I hiss, and Tiernon lets out a low growl.
“Fine. Go.”
I sprint down the stairs while Tiernon moves toward the other aisle. We’ll both arrive through separate doors downstairs, hopefully distracting the vampire.
Neris hurtles past me, blazingly fast, and I follow in her footsteps. To our right, I spot Micah doing the same.
By the time we get through the exit beneath the stands, the vampire is cornered, his back to the wall, Tiernon prowling toward him. On his right, Micah and Lucius stand, blocking any chance for him to flee.
The vampire is delicately built, his eyes darting to each of the imperiums surrounding him. Thin lips pull back from his fangs, but I can see the panic in the hands fisting at his sides.
“It’s over,” Micah says.
“It willneverbe over. Not until Vallius Corvus is dead.”
I can get behind that. If only these vampires weren’t so willing to take out innocents to get what they want.
The vampire’s satchel is at his feet. He has no chance to get to his weapons. But his gaze flicks to Tiernon, and suddenly, I don’t see a vampire at all. I see Loyd Gatlin, and the desperate, hunted look in hiseyes three years ago. Right before he killed himself and eight innocent people.
Resignation flickers over the vampire’s face, followed immediately by determination.
He reaches into his pocket.
“Get down!” I scream.
I’ll give the imperiums some credit. They don’t hesitate. All of them hit the ground. All of them except Tiernon, who whirls, eyes filled with horror as he launches himself toward me.
We’re all going to die.
No. My brothersneedme.
