Eloise would never lie to me, but the Aurora she met in the challenge wasn’t the actual Aurora. These challenges are simulations, mirror realities. They might be an accurate portrayal of what my world is like today or they might be a simulation based on my memories.
“When you win,” I say carefully, “we will decide together what we’ll do next. But nothing has changed for me. I will stay here as long as you wish to stay.”
She leans into me, and I pull her into a tight embrace. “As long as I’m with you, the geography doesn’t feel quite as important as it once did.”
“Rest now. All you should be worrying about now is winning the next challenge. Did the map I drew for you help?”
“Yes. My archway led to the Blood Beach in Aendor. I found Aurora’s house quickly enough. I thought I had it. Valeska must have gotten really lucky.”
My eyes narrow. The place where Valeska entered the forest was near the castle. Even with her advanced speed, it should have taken her longer to find the witch village. She would have had to search an entire forest and cross a mountain. Unless she somehow guessed correctly and went straight there.
The door opens and a nurse enters with a bag and IV supplies. “Hi, Eloise. Oh hi, Damien.” She looks between the two of us and smiles warmly. “I’m here to start your IV. Don’t worry, I’m new but I’ve been practicing. You’re my third one today.”
“I believe in you, Ren,” Eloise says kindly. “I didn’t know you were working down here though. Is this new?”
“I took over for Olivia.” She swabs a vein and prepares to insert the needle.
“I didn’t know Olivia was working as a nurse for Dr. Everline.”
Ren’s eyes flick up to Eloise’s and she frowns. “You don’t remember? I think she was your nurse the last time you were injured. I saw her standing outside your room for what seemed like an hour. I thought she was waiting for you to finish with Damien before bringing you your meds or something.”
Dark suspicion flits across Eloise’s features as she meets my eyes again and holds an intense stare. Ren finishes hanging the bag, hugs Eloise, and leaves. Once we’re alone, Eloise grabs my arm. “Olivia stopped by my room yesterday. Marabella told me she only returned to Night Haven to be a donor again because she wanted to find someone to turn her into a vampire. She came by to show me her fangs.”
“A recent development, I assume?”
“Yep. I saw her at the trial tonight with her sire.”
“What did he look like?”
“Palace uniform. Not a soldier. Short, slight frame.”
“Fuck. That’s Galloway, Valeska’s personal assistant.”
Eloise gapes, her eyes narrowing in disgust as she draws the connection I’ve already worked out. “Do you think Olivia spied on us and exchanged the map of Tenebris for becoming a vampire?”
I growl. “I think it explains how Valeska performed that trial like she had directions.”
She squeezes her eyes shut and fists her hands. “That fucking bitch. And now I have no advantage going into the last challenge.”
Rage burns in my blood, but I try to remain calm for her. “I must go. The night grows late and I have not fed.”
Her brows dip in disappointment, but she nods, clearly more concerned with my welfare than her comfort. Typical Eloise. “All right. Will you spend the day with me after?”
“Eloise…” I cup her chin, using my thumbs under her jaw to tip her head and kiss her in a way that will last until I return. She wants me to stay, but there’s something I need to do for her. Something that can’t wait. “I wouldn’t miss it, little bird.”
I stride from the infirmary and break into shadow.
Outside Galloway’s home, I lurk in the shadows, waiting for dawn. By Night Haven standards, it’s a mansion. The place has to have fifteen rooms, and the front yard’s landscaped stone and statuary are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The massive fountain out front features the three graces, the figures circling a central pedestal, hands linked and backs to the column. The water that arcs over their heads is dyed red to resemble blood.
So fucking pretentious.
Why didn’t Valeska choose Galloway as her mate? The little pissant would have happily licked her boots. As it is, his nose is permanently brown from kissing her ass. Obsequious little shit.
The streets have grown quiet by the time he arrives with a blond vampire on his arm. Something about her reminds me of Valeska—the type of woman who wears her beauty like armor and whose eyes betray no compassion or empathy. Shark eyes. This woman was a monster before she ever became a vampire.
I step out onto the walkway, blocking their path. “Olivia?”
“What do you want?” she asks, folding her arms. She’s not afraid of me. She should be.
