“Dad would do it for one of us.”
“He’s supposed to. He’s the alpha and your father,” I retort.
“I won’t allow him to die for nothing,” Simon says, moving toward the convent.
Cyrus turns me to face him. “I’m not letting Simon go alone.”
“Then, I’m not letting you go without me.”
“Or me,” Stella adds.
“I’m coming, too,” a soft voice says, moving from the shadows.
“Terrin?” I stare at the immortal child. It takes a few minutes to put the puzzle pieces together. “Those women, the ones who fed Cyrus. That was you?”
“Yes.” He nods. He looks each member of our small group in the eye. “You do not stand a chance in there. Callum is too strong, even for your maker.” He nods toward me. “Without me, you won’t defeat him.” His words are not meant to be arrogant, just honest.
“Absolutely not,” I argue.
Cyrus sighs. “He’s right.”
“With all due respect, none of you is powerful enough to stop me. Lucien saved me. It’s time to return the favor.” Terrin steps off the curb and takes off, moving faster than my eyes can track toward the convent.
“Shit!” Without another thought, I follow with Cyrus, Simon, and Stella close behind.
TWENTY-FOUR
a blur of emotions
We catch up to Terrin,standing at the entrance of the attic. He’s so still, he barely looks alive. “Terrin?”
He turns toward me, with blood tearing down his cheeks. “Not everyone is going to come out of this room alive.”
“Good,” Cyrus answers. “That son of a bitch needs to die.”
“Not only him,” Terrin continues. I look at the people who have become my friends, understanding the meaning behind his words. “I saw it.” He looks at me. “There will be great sacrifice.”
Simon steps closer. “The longer we wait out here, kid, the more likely everyone is going to die. I refuse to allow that to happen. Move aside.”
“Do you understand what I’m saying?” Terrin asks, looking at me.
“Yes,” I whisper, not sure I do. “We’re running out of time.” The boy closes his eyes, raises a hand toward the door, and blows softly. The door flies off the hinges, slamming into the room.
The chaos inside is hard to understand. The Alpha and vampires are all over the room, but nothing seems to be happening. Aurora is the first to see us enter. Her hair is messy, and blood covers her chin, but she’s alive and fighting. “Cyrus!” she screams, stopping directly in front of us a heartbeat later. She makes eye contact with each member of our group. “Mommy missed you so much.” Her voice is monotone and lacks the emotion of her words. Dramatically, she wipes blood from her face, revealing healed skin underneath.
“Go to hell, Aurora!” he spews in return.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Is that any way to talk to your maker?” She looks at Terrin. “You are not the same boy.”
“Because he wasn’t me,” Terrin answers simply.
“Kill him,” she orders Cyrus. “Then, kill them all.”
We’ve come full circle. The reason we’re in this mess to begin with was a spell to rid Aurora’s control over Cyrus. Now, in the attic of the Ursuline Convent, she’s ordered him to kill us all.
“I won’t do it,” he whispers.
Aurora smiles, making me want her dead even more. “You will. When you’re finished, kill the rest of these filthy bloodsuckers.” She pointsto the chaos behind her. They’re moving so quickly, I have no idea if anyone is winning.
