“I recommend using the first vampire as bait. He will be able to distract her while the coven implements a combined attack.”
“Yes,” Rorik says, the same time Layla blurts out, “No.”
Layla weaves her way from the front of the crowd to the back of the room where Rorik stands beside me. She wags her finger at him. “She’s the only one who will know how to kill you.”
“Good. I’ve been trying to die for centuries. I just want peace.”
Layla shakes her head. “I won’t allow it.”
“What will you do to punish me if I defy your order? Let me suffer more than I already have? It’s not possible. I cannot burn in the sun. I cannotdie!Let me face the one who created me so she can fix what she fucked up.”
Vara and Thorne crowd around Layla at the vampire’s raised voice. She holds up her hand, letting them know she's okay.
“She’s not going to end the curse on you, Rorik. You know that.”
“Then let me be the one to end her life. If she is dead, it’s possible the curse will die with her.”
It’s also possible that once she’s dead, Rorik will never be free of his curse. But if he is released, we’re not sure what it would mean for him. Would he turn human? If he’s no longer a vampire, does that mean all other vampires are cured as well? The curse has evolved. The rest of the vampire population isn’t like Rory. Only he can withstand the sun. Only he cannot die by a stake to the heart or decapitation. I always wondered how that’s possible. Rory explained that any attempt he’s made to pierce his heart or take off his head has been magically hindered.
He’s tried.
Everything.
Which is why he’s desperate to confront the woman who caused this, even if she refuses to fix it.
Saoirse speaks over the hum of the chattering crowd. “Let’s vote. Who wants to send in the first vampire to face off with the witch?”
Everyone raises their hands except for the supes who have befriended Rory: Vara, Thorne, Layla, Millie, Teddy, Evangeline, and Xander.
“Really, Locheran? No hand up for you either?”
I shrug. “I guess you’ve grown on me. You're still an asshole, though.”
It doesn’t matter because the rest of the room has voted against us.
“Then it’s settled.” Saoirse says. “Now, let’s plan our approach.”
After an hour of discussion, the plan is set. Once it hits midnight, we move in. The witches will take the front line. They’ll offer Rorik as bait. When the witch who created him emerges—if she does—the battle will begin.
As the hunters and witches fight, Thorne and I will sneak in through a back door. We’re hoping once I’m in the same building as my mate, my connection to her will tear through whatever is blocking it.
I just hope my little mouse is inside… and still alive.
Chapter 28 – Locheran
It’s time.
Nearby buildings have been evacuated. Humans in the area were relocated with the excuse of a gas leak. We have shifters, witches, vampires, and other human-appearing supes in place in case the media shows up to report on the fake gas leak. We also have supes infiltrated in the local utility company as well as law enforcement agencies, so we’re not worried about police and fire arriving.
Shields are in place to hide the pending battle. We can’t have this face off witnessed or leaked when we’re about to reveal our world to humans. We’re trying to convince them we’re not violent and dangerous creatures.
Never mind that humans are possibly more violent and dangerous than monsters, but they’re skittish beings thateasily believe fearmongering. A supernatural battle would only solidify those fears.
Thorne, Xander, and I wait at the back of the small army, which is being hidden by a spell the witches implemented. We didn’t want the hunters to know just how many of us there are. The element of surprise will be in our favor.
We stand across from the building where the hunters are holed up. Farrah’s presence grows stronger with every passing minute, and I wonder if that means whatever she was given is wearing off.
Werewolves and shifters have been scoping out the place throughout the day. They reported that there are at least a dozen hunters on patrol, which is more than we expected… but still not enough to fight and win.
