I squeeze Vane’s arm. “I don’t understand. How? What is wrong with me?”
Vane shushes me, but I barely notice. My blood turned Vyvyan human. It’s unthinkable. I’m an abomination—a vampire with the power to unmake vampires. I almost laugh. My mom is searching for a cure, and Iamone.
“Turn her back,” I say to Vane, my voice shaking.
“We already tried,” he says at the same time Vyvyan orders, “Kill her.”
“What? Why?” I cry out.
Vane’s stare darkens with emotions I can’t quite decipher.
“Your blood is a blight against our kind. We need to get rid of you before the witches find out what you can do,” Vyvyan says. “They will use you against us. The ultimate weapon.”
I jerk out of Vane’s hold, stumbling into the overturned settee. My heart beats so hard I might pass out. I’m going to die, my life snuffed out by the very people I thought were my family.
“Please, you’re not thinking clearly,” I beg, but Vyvyan silences me with a sharp look. A sob escapes my throat. There must be an explanation. “I couldn’t have done this. I’m a vampire. I have no magic.”
“You must’ve maintained the ability to heal, Desi,” Vane comments, merely watching as tears slide down my cheeks.
Most vampires don’t maintain any magical abilities after they turn, but somehow, like Vane, I did. I don’t have covetable powers like him, and my abilities will alienate me.
“Give it time,” I whisper. “My blood must be working through your system. You won’t turn back until you’ve digested it.”
Vyvyan and Vane exchange guarded glances. “How long?” Vane questions.
“It depends on how fast she metabolizes it.”
“Give me a number!” Vyvyan roars.
I flinch. “It takes thirty-six hours for food to pass through the body. But since it’s magic, let’s make it a week, at least.”
I’m buying time, and they know it.
Vyvyan turns away, jaw clenched tight. “I still think you should die.”
Vane shrugs, and nausea threatens to overwhelm me.
“What if we banish her instead?” Vane asks.
Banishment. A fate worse than death. Vampires need companionship to survive. The Nest is the first place I’ve felt accepted. If I leave, I may never find that again.
“There’s a chance she’ll tell,” Vyvyan says.
“Let me help you,” I blurt out. “I’ll find out who sent the Balam while you heal. Vane will lead in your stead. During that time, I’ll monitor your progress, and if nothing changes in a week, you can decide if I am still a liability.”
Vyvyan considers me. “Witches are practiced liars. No one will admit they summoned Balam to kill me. It is obvious they mean to destroy our alliance.”
My head falls sideways. I’m not convinced the witches sent the Balam. The paw print signature points to the wolves. But I’m not about to freak Vyvyan out. If wolves are in Corona, I will find them.
“I’m friends with witches. You said it yourself. I am connected to them, whether you like it or not.” My heart is lodged in my throat. “I will find out who did this.”
“She can help, Vyv,” Vane admits.
I balk. I expected him to insist Vyvyan banish me. Now that everyone knows he is my sire, I am sure he isn’t pleased about the unwanted attention.
Vyvyan hesitates, then nods. “Fine. But not a word of this investigation to anyone, or there will be hell to pay. If the witches sent Balam to kill me, they’ll only try again while I am in this weakened state.”
Vane nods. “Desiree is good at keeping quiet.”
