I find him before Isa can come to the door, and when he looks up from his chair in the library, a novel between his fingers, a frown marks his brow.
“Isa and Von are here.” I assume. Why the rest of them—Stein and his demonic army—haven’t arrived yet is beyond me, although thoughts of Sullen’s death day and the prognosticator Stein went to see rattle inside my head. But if Isa and Vonarehere, well, we’re our own army, aren’t we?
And we aren’t running anymore.
Sullen closes the book and gets to his feet, leavingDraculabehind.Tension is in every line of his broad body. He looks as ifhe is heading into battle, and I know that he has been taught to always look for threats first when someone arrives.
One day, I hope I can teach him a different sort of greeting.Maybe one where I drop to my knees for him.
He passes by me, his fingers grazing my shoulder, and I follow him to the entrance hall. Seeing him lead makes my heart beat too fast.
I might worship him more, when this is all over. And I did not think that was possible.
He peers through the peephole when we hear commotion on the other side of the door, then he unbolts all the locks and gingerly pulls it open.
Despite the fact they are my friends—or were, at least—I let him do everything.
The cold October air rolls in and I shiver, folding my arms over my chest as Von and Isa appear on the expansive porch, night sky spreading behind them in the quiet. They are dressed much like me, all in black, Isa’s hair in a crown of braids atop her head.
Von’s gray eyes narrow as he sees Sullen Bram Rule standing like a guard in the doorway. His limbs go still, but then he exhales.
And the first thing he says is, “I’m sorry.”
I think I might faint.
Sullen’s back stiffens. Isa is shoulder to shoulder with Von, and she nods as if in agreement with his words.
“I should have believed her.” Von’s gaze flickers to me but he settles his sight back on Sullen. “I should have helped you. We were cowards.”
I clench my teeth to keep my mouth from falling open because truthfully, I thought this would be one more fight, even if they were on my side.
“But we’re here now.” Isa’s words.
“And where are they?” I cut in. “Your parents?Mine?”
Von looks at me again. It is as if he wants to step close, come inside and embrace me. But Sullen doesn’t move.
“You look… good,” Von says slowly, eyeing me up and down. “But also terrible?”
Sullen makes a noise deep in his throat.
I lift my brows. “He doesn’t think so.”
Von grins. “Sorry,” he mutters.
Isa huffs a laugh.
“They aren’t coming,” Von says, finally answering me. “Because this is for you.” His eyes are locked on mine as he speaks each word. And we both know, no matter what it looks like, Writhe allowing me to handle this all my own is the highest form of respect they could have given me. “I almost asked Mads to reconsider.”
His father. I know what that would have cost his pride.
“But Isa told me you’d handle it and Mads would make it messy.”
“She doesn’t need him,” Sullen says, his tone even.
My heart swells with his words but I stare at Isa. A hardass. The most ruthless asset Writhe has. We trained beside one another but between us, only she took it seriously.Takesit seriously. Letting me do this on my own is better than any apology she could give.
“But you two are here,” I say, like I need confirmation or clarity.
