From the vein.
My glass shatters in my hand at the sound of her scream, anger flooding.
He’s killed her, whether it’s death or vampire. I watch her human life float away like a soundless cloud no one will ever notice.
Nerian uproots his fangs, blood dripping down his chin through a feral smile, and drags the girl toward us by her neck.
“Appetizer, anyone?” he snarls and tosses the naked, whimpering girl on my lap.
CHAPTER 8
KADE
Two Hundred Years Ago — Goreon Kingdom
IDOUBLE OVER, beer sloshing onto stone as agony rips through me from Sam’s magic.
He’s in pain. Lots of it.
And as quickly as his magic called to mine, it disappears, the connection slamming shut between us.
Riot’s wide eyes scan me as I straighten, Hunters around us silent and staring.
“What the fuck was that?” Riot whispers.
I catch my breath, my adrenaline subsiding in the wake of unexpected pain. “Sam.”
“He’s alive?” Riot asks, and I nod.
We were pretty sure of that already. I would’ve felt the loss of his life the way I did Lou.
But now we know.
And now I know a few other things, too.
Samisin Goreon Castle.
“I think he’s being tortured,” I say. Hunters from East and North glance around the room in confusion.
The cavern rattles, and moments later, Ned, station leader of West, barrels into the fortress with his men.
“Just in time, Leader Ned,” I call. “Sorry for the abrupt announcement, but we need to get moving on a plan.”
Ned eyes me, frost clinging to his beard. “Captain Kade, what’s going on?”
Hunters drop heavy satchels of gear around the massive room, filling us to capacity as they flop onto sofas and pull out dining chairs to stuff their mouths from the laden table.
Everyone is here now, and the last time all Hunters assembled, the Great Divide War was won, and Goreon lost the south, forging the Night Kingdom territories from the blood of my ancestors. I feel privileged to be the one to lead us once again.
I post at the head of the table, the fire in the massive stone alcove roaring behind me, spitting and crackling like the blood in my veins. An energy courses through me, and my magic plumes to a bright glow. Power I’ve never felt floods me like the gods are preparing me for war and the responsibility of shepherding my men to the other side of it.
Sensing this within themselves, Hunters still, their focus shifting to me, and all is quiet.
“Hunter Lou has been killed in an attack by the king’s soldiers,” I announce. Murmurs race around the stone room as mugs crash onto the tabletop. “And one of our own has been captured.”
The murmurs turn into roars of outrage, and I give them a moment with their anger before lifting a hand to silence them. “Hunter Sam, the son of our Master, is being held in Goreon Castle.”
“Fuck,” Riot spits, and my gaze catches on Grace, leaning in the doorway of the library tunnel.
