“This is going to need some careful planning.” Dad rubs his jawline. He’s leaning back against the mantel, but there’s nothing relaxed about his bearing.
“We need to strike now,” Zephyra insists, her voice sharp with urgency. “Before he consolidates his power.”
“And do what exactly?” Thaddeus Runeweaver’s tone drips with sarcasm. “Storm the halls of his estate?”
“Not an option,” says Soren. “He’s already moved his base of operations.”
I watch the arguments fly back and forth, feeling Marcus’s growing tension beside me. A flash of his thoughts hits me – concern about getting me somewhere safe. I bristle at that. I’m not some damsel who needs protecting.
“Back off. I can take care of myself.”
“Wait.” Darick holds up his hand, his expression grim. “As much as Arabella may have been in denial about what Lucien’s been doing, her facility is heavily guarded. How could they have breached the defenses?”
“He had help.” Marcus’s voice is cold. I realize that he’s been on the phone while I’ve been watching the others. “Valerian de Lioncourt. He’s been working with Lucien all along.”
“Fuck! I knew it!” Darick bursts out. He’s on his feet, bristling. Rowan puts her hand on his arm. “Fucking de Lioncourt was Arabella’s most trusted advisor.”
“More than that, Darick.” It’s Selene now. “He was her lover. The betrayal runs deeper than any of us imagined.”
“How many others?” Marina asks softly. “How many council members are under his control?”
“At least half the Blood Assembly is compromised,” Soren says. “Either through blackmail or willing cooperation. Lucien’s been placing his pieces for centuries.”
Dad sinks into a chair, looking older than I’ve ever seen him. “This isn’t just about power anymore. He’ll use his position to legitimize witch hunting,” he echoes my fears.
“He’s already issuing new edicts,” Darick adds grimly. “Any vampire who refuses to participate in witch blood collection will be branded a traitor.”
The room erupts at this news. There’s so much noise that it’s difficult to make out what’s being said. Through it all, I catch fragments of Marcus’s strategic planning mixing with his protective instincts. It’s getting harder to separate his thoughts from mine. But what I do get is that he thinks I can’t take care of myself.
I glare at him, then turn to the others. Mia is standing, and I half-expect her to settle the commotion. She’s always been the voice of reason, a younger version of Gran in such things. But right now, I can see her hesitate. Soren has an arm around her shoulders, and from the flickering shadows around her, I realize that she’s fighting to suppress her magic. The dark forces are still alive in her. It’s going to be a while before she rids herself of their influence.
Think, Kara. What would Gran do?
“We need to stay calm.” My voice is clear as a bell, and I almost surprise myself when I hear it. Everyone turns to face me, and for a moment, I’m at a loss because I hadn’t thought this far ahead. Suddenly, the words come to me. “For years, we’ve fought off these attacks. We’ve always known that the danger was out there. Now, it has a name. And a face.” I look around at everyone. “Now we know who the enemy is.”
“Do we, though?” The voice is deep, authoritative. And it’s coming from a figure looming in the doorway.
Morgan Shadowmaster.
“What does he want? Come to gloat?”
I glance at Marcus as his words filter into my head. Something flickers in his jaw.
I watch as Morgan steps into the room, his dark coat swirling around him. Despite the clear animosity in the room, he seems perfectly at ease.
“What the hell do you want here, Shadowmaster?” Soren finally breaks the silence. He, of all people, has reason to mistrust the man.
“I’ve come here to help,” the tall mage responds smoothly.
“Help?” Mia scoffs. “Help yourself, you mean.” Her body is rigid with tension. Soren tightens his grip on her shoulders. She dislikes Morgan as much as he does.
“To help with information. I’ve been gathering intelligence for months now,” he says, his deep voice filling the room. “On Seraphina’s orders.”
“What?” I can’t hide my surprise. Beside me, I feel Marcus stiffen.
Morgan’s dark eyes sweep the room. “The High Priestess couldn’t be seen to act against the vampires directly. But she knew something was wrong. The patterns were there for those who knew where to look.”
“So, your support of Lucien…” Zephyra begins.
