When I hang my head, the pain in my face beats right along with my heart.
The journey home will be slow and painful. But I’ll find at least one wretched soul to devour along the way. Humans may fear monsters, but they never stop making them.
I carefully stand up and the shadows tighten.
Nausea crashes into me as a shadow curls at my knee, steadying me.
I wait, letting the dizziness pass. Then, finally, I extend my hand to the vampire.
“Thank you, Luca. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you, and I appreciate the information you and Astrid shared with me. I’m sorry that she’s gone through so much. I’ve never had good experiences with my siblings. Astrid seems different. Because of you. If you hurt her, though, I will find out and destroy you. I hope you understand,” I say with a snarl while crushing Luca’s hand.
Luca nods, his gaze steady and sure. “I won’t leave her. Not now, not ever.”
Shadows shift at my ribs, a subtle knowing movement, then settle. They approve.
He studies me, voice dipping into something silkier, laced with intrigue.
“Will you come back? I know Astrid would love to meet her. This … living myth.”
I don’t answer right away.
No fucking way I’d bring Aurora here. Not with my deranged sister still recovering from her trauma.
“Well, we have quite a bit of work to do, so I’m not sure if I’ll be back anytime soon. However, if you wish to visit Lorewood or if you need anything, please contact me. In fact …”
I trail off, looking over my shoulder for a mostly blank piece of paper that flew from the red folder. I pull a pen from my jacket and scribble on a filthy page.
“Here is my address and phone number. Do you have a number I could program into my phone?”
Luca snorts. “Ren gave me a phone. I tossed it in a river.” He waves a lazy hand, as if that explains everything. “We’ll be gone soon. Somewhere better. Safer. Once I get my money sorted.” His fingers tighten in Astrid’s hair. “I didn’t plan on finding her. But now? I can’t live without her.”
The shadows stir, drawn to Astrid’s quiet grief, but before they can reach her, Luca’s steady gaze snaps to them.
They hesitate, flickering between instinct and restraint, then slowly retreat, satisfied she’s safe.
I reach into my pocket and pull out a few hundred-dollar bills.
“Here, use this to buy a phone and anything else you might need. Text me with your new number so we can stay in touch.Aurora and I will need allies when she gains her power, and I hope I can count on the two of you to fight by our side.”
Luca lightly traces his fingers over Astrid’s cheek.
“I won’t speak for her. But you have me, Ezra.”
Something dark and protective flickers behind his eyes as he looks down at Astrid’s sleeping form.
“She’ll decide when she wakes.” Luca exhales, his voice barely a whisper. “She fights even in her sleep.”
His fingers dance over the faint scars on her arms. “I stay close … just in case.”
“Please say goodbye for me. I’m growing quite fond of my wild little sister. I hope she feels the same. Take care of yourself. It seems Renato is currently out of town, so I will head straight home instead of Chicago. But once I speak with him, I will let him know you’ll not return to his side.”
I bow my head to the vampire, then hobble out the door—one step closer to home.
And to her.
Ezra
Oh, my little queen is seething. Perfect. Her flames surge, her fury scorching the air.
