Phoenix has gone pale. “It’s true,” she whispers.
“That’s bullshit—” Remus starts, but Vlad cuts him off.
“Your family is bound to me in blood until the debt is satisfied.”
Abaddon’s jaw clenches. “And how, exactly, do we do that?”
Vlad turns to look at Layden. “Simple. You give your brother Layden to my granddaughter in marriage, so she might bear me an heir. Only then will the blood debt be considered paid.”
The room explodes.
Phoenix spins toward Vlad. “Grandfather!”
I’m shocked too. Vlad has been shooting death glares at Layden this entire time, and now he wants them married?
But looking at the calculating gleam in Vlad’s eyes, I get it. He knows exactly how powerful this family is now. An alliance through marriage—a grandchild with angelic blood—would be quite the coup for his vampire dynasty.
Layden steps forward, his face unreadable. “I will do it...” Phoenix’s mouth drops open. “If she accepts.”
Phoenix stares at him. Opens and closes her mouth. Looks between Vlad and Layden and back again.
“I— I— You don’t have to do this.”
Layden takes her hands in his, looking into her eyes with an intensity that makes me feel like I’m intruding just by watching. “We both know I do.”
“He does,” Vlad confirms cheerfully. “And so do you, dear.”
Phoenix blinks several times.
Then, finally: “All right. I accept.”
Wait,whatjust happened?
“Excellent.” Vlad claps his hands together. “You’re all welcome to stay the month while we prepare for the blessed nuptials.”
He looks around at his sons. “Now, I’m starved. It’s feeding time. Come on, boys. Let’s see if there are any looters breaking curfew.”
I shudder and step back as several vampires grin and follow their grandfather out.
Remus immediately puts himself between me and them, wings flaring.
“I’m so sorry,” Phoenix is saying to Layden. “I had no idea he would?—”
“I don’t look forward to being in-laws with him,” Abaddon says dryly. “But nothing forges a true alliance like a marriage. If you’re both willing.”
“We are,” Layden says firmly, actually blushing as he glances at Phoenix, who nods emphatically.
“Well then.” Hannah beams, looking shell-shocked but relieved. “Looks like we’re going to a… wedding?”
Remus’s arms come around me from behind. “I don’t know about you,” he murmurs in my ear, “but I’m ready for some alone time.”
“Me too,” Romulus echoes.
I struggle not to giggle as the light in my chest flares in response. Oh wow that tingles.
“Brothers,” Abaddon calls toward them as they start steering me toward the door. “We need to have a long chat soon. About what happened up there.”
“Fine,” Remus growls over his shoulder. “Just don’t come knocking too soon if you value your life.”
