Helena cursed, repositioning the spear in her hands.
Raven hissed at Helena, whirling on the vampire. “This whole thing was your idea. What sort of game are you playing?”
“You’re a reckless fool, and you’re going to get every vampire killed,” Helena proclaimed.
“But you encouraged me to do this!”
“So Lucian would kill you! All I ever wanted from you was my eternal youth. After that, your usefulness came to an end. You’re just going to attract attention now, and we’llallbe doomed.”
“You sly old bat,” I sighed, shaking my head. “I always seem to be underestimating you, Helena. I love you, but you’re wrong about Raven.”
Helena blinked, frowning. “What do you mean by that?”
I pursed my lips. “Raven isn’t going to get us all killed, if we do this right. I understand that you …orchestratedall of this to become a vampire, but your plans need to end here and now. Raven deserves to live just as much as you do.”
Raven scowled, ignoring me. “I can’t believe you would listen to anything Lucian has to say at all, given how he turned his back on you. Lucian is as hard-headed as he’s ever been. I’ve worked hard to make this happen, and it’s Lucian who will ruin it all if he’s allowed to live.” She gestured to the shadows.
Nancy suddenly appeared behind Helena, forcing the wooden spear from her hand and restraining her. The maid winced. “Sorry about this, your ladyship.”
Helena frowned. “Nancy, we’re in this together.”
“Are we now? I didn’t hear you asking if I wanted to be immortal. Raven was good enough to do just that.”
Raven smiled. “Now, Lucian, you may have fooled even Helena, but I know you. I’ve spent decades at your side. You’ll say anything to survive this, even flatter me and make pretty speeches about how right I was.” She moved faster than I could follow and was suddenly only inches away. “But I’m no fool, Lucian. I’ve seen you covered in blood, head-to-toe, smiling, agonizing screams all around you. That is who you are, not this … neutered version.”
I straightened, eyes never leaving hers. “You can do what you want to me, but don’t force these humans into a life of blood and darkness. That’s what you envision, right? Humans and vampires coexisting? Prove it and let them choose what they want.”
A growl reverberated deep in Raven’s throat. Her lips parted, revealing fangs sliding from their sheaths. She was ready to strike. She would rip out my throat, and that would be the end of the great Count Lucian Cross.
Very well. I was prepared to meet this end. I’d had a good many more years than most. But I had to convince Raven to allow the others to leave unmolested once she’d seen to her revenge. How could I procure that mercy from her when she remained unconvinced of my sincerity?
“Oh, don’t be such a bore, Raven.”
I started, tilting my head to regard the speaker.
Isabel materialized from the back of the room, melting from the door to the garden, grinning. Her skin was so milky pale that she looked like a ghost, blonde hair flowing behind her loosely.
“Isa … Isabel?” I stammered.
Isabel pushed a stray hair out of her eyes. “Yes, yes, I know. I look positively radiant. Immortality really does suit me, wouldn’t you agree?”
Another figure appeared at her side. Emmett.
Isabel grinned back at Emmett. “My friend here was good enough to see to my eternal existence.” She cupped his cheek, then slapped it playfully. “What a gift. I offered the same to Violetta. She’ll be by my side in the morning, as it always should have been.” She beamed. “You were right about that, Lucian. Ambrose wouldn’t have been very good for me, I’m afraid. I’ll trade the title of duchess for forever with Violetta. Not a bad trade, if you ask me.”
Raven squinted at the duo. She tilted her head, then looked back at me. “You didn’t kill him.”
“No,” Emmett agreed, cracking his neck. “But he gave me a splitting headache.” He smiled when he noticed Flora. “Hello, Mother. You’re looking well.”
The duchess watched him with her lips pressed into a thin line, like she was trying not to cry. She reached out for him, and he embraced her, grinning down at her. His sharp incisors were showing and she reached up to touch them with the tip of her finger.
“Careful,” he said, jerking back. “You’ll cut yourself.” He hesitated. “Are they … hideous?”
Flora’s face softened. “Oh, darling boy, nothing could ever make you hideous.” She paused. “But it will take some getting used to.”
“Stop. Talking.” Raven walked up to me slowly, eyes darting over me. She blew out a breath. “You didn’t kill him.”
“No, I didn’t,” I agreed.
