‘Do you understand how many will suffer if we spare him?’ Marianne says. ‘It is too dangerous!’
‘The sickness only affects mortals, is that right?’
The question makes Marianne frown but she nods nonetheless.
‘If he became vampire, would it restore his health?’
Marianne’s eyes widen as she understands where I’m going with my questions. Her expression turns hard. ‘There is a chance it might. But even so, we cannot allow it.’
A chance. That’s all I want. ‘Then gift him benesangue. Make him vampire.’
When Mémère hears my request, there’s no hesitation in her answer. ‘Non.’
Her definitive tone, as if the matter were settled, only sharpens my resolve. Bullhead taught me that in battle, as in life, to overcome our adversaries we must know them as well as ourselves – a lesson from Master Sun’sMilitary Methodswhich has served me well over many a kanhoo game.
My goal, and my weakness, is to save Tony from death. House Durand’s goals are many: they wish to keep their people safe from le douleur; they wish to find my father; as the last vampire in flesh of House Durand, Mémère’s living link to her son, they wish for me to remain part of their family. I’m an intrinsic part of their goals, as well as their main weakness.
On balance, they have much more to lose.
I lift my chin and play the only card I have. ‘If you take Tony from me, I will never forgive you. I will abjure our blood ties. House Durand will become my sworn enemy and I will dedicate every waking minute of my immortal existence to destroying every member of House Durand, starting with Maximilien.’
Marianne stares open-mouthed at my declaration.
‘Translate!’ I hiss.
She flinches, then does as I command. As Marianne translates, the steel in Mémère’s eyes fades to chagrin then widens into horror. Her lips quiver. She tries to speak but I cut her off.
‘If you don’t help me save Tony, I will ensure no vampire ever sets foot in Tian and you will never discover what happened to Romain de Durand.’
‘How can you be so cruel?’ Marianne whispers. ‘He was your father, too.’
‘Romain is my father in name. I never knew him. But Tony Lee? Tony is my life. If you take him from me, I will burn the world, even if I have to burn with it.’
This time, when Marianne relays my words, Mémère finally understands they are as trapped as I am.
Mémère speaks, a low murmur in counterpoint to Marianne’s trill as she translates. ‘Benesangue does not suit everyone. We choose the recipients carefully. They must be in good health—’
‘I DON’T CARE!’
Marianne ignores my outburst. ‘Some see it as a curse. Some go mad. Tony is already weak and his mind addled with sickness. The benesangue may not take.’
‘Then I am no worse off than I am now.’
For the first time, being regarded with pity doesn’t bother me. I lift my chin, determined.
‘If the benesangue takes, are you certain your Tony wants such a gift?’
I hesitate.I never want to be one of them. My heart feels like a stone in my chest as I kneel beside him, knowing I ought to let him go.
Tony’s breathing is dangerously shallow. I watch his chest rise and fall. Listen to his heart stutter. Inhale his scent, the snowand watermelon aroma I love so much. A sob tears through my throat and I realise I can’t do it. I can’t let him die. I’d rather him alive, hating me, than not knowing me at all after drinking Madame Meng’s tea of oblivion.
‘It doesn’t matter. Make him vampire.’
Mémère and Marianne speak in quick bursts. Finally, they fall silent.
‘Romain was the last vampire in flesh to gift benesangue. You are the only one now who can make Tony vampire.’
‘But I don’t know how.’
