I just don’t think that teaming up with murderous vampires is the way to go. Or that I would be better at being in charge of this city than anyone else.
Blame being homeless and eating out of dumpsters at age twelve for my lack of ego. I can acknowledge things aren’t right in the city, while also knowing I’mnotthe right person to fix them.
CRASH.
Another broken piece of furniture, this time is sounded disturbingly close.
These vampsdefinitelyaren’t the right people for the job.
Ember seems to know what I’m thinking, even though my mental shields are still firmly in place.
“It’s a means to an end,” he mutters. “They can do the messy jobs until we don’t need them anymore.”
How he thinks that’s going to play out, I have no idea.
I’m clearly not going to convince Ember to help me get a safe route out of here. I need to check in with the others. Plan an exit strategy.
“Have you heard from anyone?” I ask. “After you knew zombies were going to be let loose while our family was on the streets, did you think to check in with everyone? Have you confirmed they’re all right?”
He blushes. Looking down at his feet like a chastised kid. “I’ve been kind of busy and distracted, Silv. Even with the power boost, creeping into over a hundred people’s heads has fucked me over.”
Boo-fucking-hoo.
I slip down my shields just a smidge and try to check in with Roscoe.
Nothing.
Huh, I guess I’m more tired than I thought.
Either that, or he’s sleeping. I guess it’s probably the middle of the night. Although there’s no clock in here, and with my phone being dead, I can’t check.
Then I hear Zeph’s voice. It’s faint, like our mental link has a dodgy connection. It barely sounds like he’s talking to me.
“Please be okay. Tell me you’re okay. I can’t do this without you, Silver. Little Witch, talk to me. Tell me you’re okay.”
In fact, it doesn’t sound much like he’s talking to me at all. It’s almost like he’s... praying.
“Zeph? I’m here, I’m okay. What’s happening?” I have to drag up the dregs of my magic to speak to him and even more to listen to his response.
“Oh fuck, Silver.” He lets out a little sound that’s almost a sob.
My chest goes tight. “Zeph?”
“You need to get down here. The Spire. Ro is... Ro’s hurt. We can field off Felix. Just get down here.”
“Felix is dead.”Something that I’d almost forgotten with the absolute mess of tonight filling my brain and overloading me.
“I—I’ll come. I’m going to come right now.”
I get to my feet. “I need to go.”
Ember shakes his head, hopping up and holding up his hands. “You can’t. You can’t just leave.”
I stand off against him, folding my arms. But what exactly am I going to do here? Throw a fireball and jump out of the window? Punch him in the face?
Before I can do anything, I hear Ember’s voice in my head.
“She wants to leave. Watch the doors.”
