His thin lips are spread in a tight smile, displaying his fangs in an obvious threat. “Finally, you die, traitor.”
The vampire sprints toward Rorrik, an aether bomb in his hand.
My vision narrows until all I can see is Rorrik.
“Shouldn’t you be off terrorizing someone?” Tiernon growls.
Rorrik’s eyes meet mine. “I thought I was.” Warmth spreading through my stomach at his teasing tone, my lips almost curving despite my fear.
My heart slams into my ribs as the vampire lunges.
Rorrik’s icy gaze on mine as he stares at me like the thousands of spectators are invisible. “Do you feel powerful in this moment, little rabbit?”
Time slows to a crawl.
Rorrik leaning close, his eyes intent. “Do you truly believe people are just one thing? Entirely good or entirely evil? Is it really just that simple for you?”
I hate Rorrik. But I don’t want him dead.
The revelation shakes me to my core.
My silver dagger is suddenly in my hand as I throw my body in front of Rorrik’s. He rocks forward in surprise, his hands slamming down on my shoulders.
My dagger slides into the rebel vampire’s heart like a warm knife through butter. He stares at me, bewildered, and my throat swells shut as I watch the life go out of his eyes.
“No!” Rorrik roars, echoing my thought. He catches the aether bomb in one hand, pushing me away with the other. For one long moment, he stares down at the vampire.
He whirls on me, teeth bared, and I back up, my knife dripping blood.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
“There he is!”
A group of rebel vampires climb the broken slabs of marble in our section, aiming for us. They’re blindingly fast, scuttling toward us with faces twisted with rage.
Rorrik throws the aether bomb.
The resulting explosion makes my teeth rattle, and I cough as dust and smoke fill the air. When I look down once more, the vampires are little more than body parts strewn across what is left of the marble.
Rorrik’s eyes are feral, his hands trembling as he pulls the red book out from beneath his cloak. He crouches next to the vampire’s body. When his eyes meet mine, I freeze, my instincts screaming at me.
“Why did you kill him?”
“I—” I swallow, my throat dry as dust. “He was going to …” My cheeks blaze. “You’re welcome.”
Shock flickers through his eyes. “You thought you were saving my life?”
“An impulse I already regret, believe me.”
He lets out a hiss. “You’re not helping your case.” Turning away, he begins to pace. “The rabbit thought she wassavingthe wolf,” he mutters.
WhatwasI thinking? “Was Bran telling the truth? Did you see me first? Did I know you when I was younger?”
Rorrik faces me, his eyes flat. “Irrelevant.” His expression turns considering, and my palms go damp. “Do you know how many plans I put in place to ensure that vampire came to me?”
I swallow. “No.”
“Umbros blessed him, giving him the ability to speak and read the language of the gods.”
