Micah was bemused by my request, but he’d agreed. And I know he’ll keep his word.
It doesn’t make up for taking Jorah’s friend from this world—nothing could. But it’s comforting to know that Jorah will have a chance to live his dream once I’m gone.
When I return to my room, a set of imperius armor is spread out on my bed like a taunt. Panic ripples through me, but I force myself to don the armor. Each time I close my eyes I see Gerith’s and Evren’s faces, their eyes wide with shock and horror.
Pulling on leather leggings, I lift the black breastplate with shaking hands. The breastplate is lightweight, yet impossible to puncture with my knife. It curves up my back and chest, protecting the vulnerable spots at my throat and spine.
The helmet is last.
When I look in the mirror, I’m unrecognizable. Black boots, black leather pants, imperius armor, and the helmet with its eye shield all make it impossible for anyone to tell who I am.
At least until they rip this helmet off my corpse.
No. There’s a chance I can make this work. If I strike fast enough, there will be a moment of shock. A moment where people will stare, their minds unable to comprehend what they’ve just seen.
I’ll be prepared for that moment. I’ll have a way out.
I’ll do everything I can tolive.
“Arvelle?” Tiernon’s voice is rough as he knocks on the door. My heart dances in my chest. He’s back.
“Yes?”
A pause. He’s noticed that I haven’t invited him in. “Are you ready?”
“Almost.”
I wish I could pull him in here. Wish I could take him to bed just one last time.
And still, a part of me is desperate for this to be over. Desperate to watch Vallius Corvus suffer and die for everything he has done.
“I have to leave early. My father wants me by his side.” A long, awkward pause, as if he’s waiting for me to say something about him and hisfather. “I’m leaving Neris in charge.”
“Fine,” I say. “I’ll see you there.”
Minutes later, I join the others in the common room. Neris gives me a questioning look, likely still irritated that I was able to join the imperius at all.
Time suddenly begins to race. What seems like moments later, we’re walking outside, the frigid air a welcome relief on my overheated skin. Above, the stars glimmer like jewels scattered carelessly onto black silk sheets, their glow creating a soft, silvery light.
We make our way to the closest ley station, traveling in small groups. Neris sends me an intent look and I give her a shaky smile back, even as cold sweat collects at the back of my neck and begins to drip down my spine.
Think of Evren and Gerith.
It helps, imagining them free.
Hope is strange. I’m likely walking to my death, and yet some part of me refuses to comprehend that this is the end. I’m still picturing myself sprinting from this place once again.
But this time, Leon won’t be waiting to help me get to safety. I made sure of it.
“Through here,” Neris says, and the eight of us follow her through the servants’ quarters. Mundanes and low-level sigilmarked pay us no attention as they hurry back and forth, moving in and out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
I’ve seen the way the imperiums walk when they’re on duty. And I mimic as best I can, hands loose at my sides, chin up, strolling with purpose. One by one, we enter the dining room.
My eyes take a moment to adjust to the light, cast by hundreds of flickering black candles held in silver candelabras. I guess the emperor doesn’t like aether lamps for his dinners.
We’re not late—Neris would never allow such a thing to happen. And yet it seems the vampires have already gotten started. The coppery tang of blood is heavy in the air, and I breathe through my mouth as I walk past the long, ebony table stretching through the center of the room. The table is polished to a gleam, reflecting the candlelight as the open door creates a breeze, sending the light dancing through the room.
The emperor sits at the head of the table, Rorrik to his right, Tiernon to his left. The remaining members of the Vampire Council are seated around the table, draped in silks and velvets ranging from jewel tones to white.
