Elliot walks over and stares down at the dead vampire. “Santiago’s?’
“Yes.”
“What does this mean?” she asks.
“It means I’m going to finish what I should have at the engagement party.”
“You mean we,” she says, peering up at me. “I’m sure Vittoria will want in too.”
“I’d rather you didn’t get involved in this,” I say.
She touches my arm. “After everything that just happened, I think I deserve a piece of him.”
I smile. “I suppose you’re right.”
Raleigh comes up beside us, gaze cutting back toward thebuilding we barely escaped. Smoke still crawls into the night sky, thick and oily, carrying the scent of burned flesh.
“I lost a lot of good vampires in there,” he says quietly.
I nod. “Thank you for getting us out.”
“It was a close call,” he says. “And as much as I’d love to rip Santiago apart for this,” he continues, jaw tightening, “my people come first. What’s left of them.”
“As they should,” I say. I may have thought Raleigh and the Rogues as harmless before, a weaker coven of vampires, but it’s clear to me now that he deserves respect. And VMR’s support.
“We’ll have to regroup, so I won’t be able to help you take him out tonight.” His eyes flick to mine. He finds no argument there.
“I’ll make sure Santiago pays for this,” I tell him.
Raleigh exhales and gives my shoulder a squeeze. “I know you will, Lucian.”
He steps back, signaling to the few Rogues still standing. Raleigh gives me one last look, something dark and satisfied flashing in his eyes, then turns away with his remaining men and disappears into the night.
The street settles into an uneasy quiet.
Elliot goes still beside me. Her gaze lifts, scanning the buildings, the corners, the shadows like she’s orienting herself. I watch the realization hit her.
“We’re close,” she says. “My apartment…it’s only a few blocks from here.”
Something tightens in my chest.
“I should go back,” she continues. “Just once. I need to get some things. Change my clothes. And Kayla—I need to say goodbye. To her. To my human life.”
The wordgoodbyelands like a blade.
“I’ll go with you,” I say without thinking.
Footsteps approach before she can answer. Andrew comes up fast, phone still in his hand, tension etched into his face.
“Lucian,” he says, “I just got off the phone with Vittoria.”
I exhale slowly. “Let me guess.”
“I told her about the fire. About Santiago. She’s furious, and she’s already mobilizing. I couldn’t talk her down.”
Of course she is.
“She can’t go after him like this,” I say. “Not without a plan.”
