“Lucien,” Gideon warns.
Lucien sighs. “I understand your thoughts and can assure you I have no false intentions nor is this a game I’m playing singlehandedly.”
A thought enters my mind that I’m surprised hadn’t arrived earlier. “Lucien, why are you helping us find Cyrus? He’s nothing more than a hitman to you.”
“Despite what you might think of me, I do not wish the vampire harm.” He pauses. “My goal has not changed. As long as Callum lives, Terrin will never be free.” I stare at the warlock, not sure if I want to eat him or kick his ass. He seems to sense my inner turmoil and meets my glare with a wink. “Callum’s death and Terrin’s safety are my reasons. When those needs are met, I will give Cyrus the spell he desires.”
“That had better be the truth,” Simon warns.
“The train will be here in ten minutes,” Gideon announces. “I’ve secured passage for the rest of us.” He turns to Lucien. “Meet us in Jackson Square at eight tomorrow morning.”
“Understood,” Lucien answers. “Safe travels.” He waves, adding to the turmoil he brings.
We move faster than humans, arriving at the train station exactly eight minutes later. Smoke billows above the palm trees, alerting us to the train’s on-time arrival. We make our way on board, filling up a private car toward the front.
The last time I was aboard this train was with Cyrus who forced me to do a ridiculous sypher. I smile at the memory. “Do you think we can trust Lucien?” I ask Simon once the train begins moving.
“No,” he answers simply. “I don’t know what awaits us in New Orleans, and the plan we’ve devised depends heavily on him and Terrin.”
“Yeah. I can’t shake the feeling that this is one big game for him.”
Simon turns toward me slightly. “I agree, but he has a huge stake this time.”
“Terrin,” I whisper.
“Terrin,” he echoes.
I look between all the lycan. “Am I alone in thinking they won’t show up?”
Gideon laughs, filling the private car with sound. “I’ve taken care of that.”
“Are you going to share?” Stella asks.
“No,” the Alpha answers. Human Violet would’ve asked a million questions. Vampire Violet is learning to be patient. I scoff at the irony.
My stomach growls, announcing to everyonenearby that the single bottle of blood I drank earlier wasn’t enough. “You need to eat,” Simon says, turning into my caretaker.
“I’ll eat later,” I retort.
He rolls up his sleeve, exposing perfectly clear skin. “Drink.”
I look into his eyes. “Have you lost your mind? I barely have control. Simon, you know I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to stop.”
“You’ll stop,” he answers with a smile.
“You don’t know that. What if I can’t?”
“Then I’ll pull you off,” Stella answers.
“Or I will,” Gideon adds. “Simon’s right. You need to eat.”
“You need your strength right now. Taking your blood will only weaken you,” I argue.
“You need strength, too. Lycan blood is more potent than human and will give you the strength you need. Besides, I’ll recoup what I lost on the train ride.” He looks me in the eyes. “I trust you, Violet.”
“Then you’re dumb.”
He lifts his arm closer to my mouth. The sound of blood rushing through the vein on his wrist is nearly more than I can handle. “You promise to pull me off,” I ask Stella.
