Her ruined face turns toward me. “I wanted to see the dawn,” she whispers, voice raw. “I wanted to go with him. I don’t want to do this without him.”
My throat seizes, but I force the words out anyway. “Victoria, your father died believing you were safe. If you give up now, if you let that go, it makes his sacrifice meaningless. I know the pain. We lost our families, too. But honor him by living.”
Behind me, Esmerelda, Minerva, and Leonard stand silent in their shared grief. Serafina and Belvedere linger at the edge of the courtyard, giving us space.
Victoria’s sob tears free again, sharper this time. The keening wail rattles me to the marrow. She cries until her body can’t anymore, until exhaustion wrings her dry. I can’t tell if it’s my words or sheer collapse, but she finally stills, limp in my arms.
We guide her back inside, where she sinks into a chair, her skin gray as ash, eyes hollow. More ghost than girl.
Minerva kneels beside her, placing a hand gently over hers. “Do you need blood?”
Victoria nods, voice rasping. “Yes. But… all our stores were in the coven. They’re gone.”
“We know,” Leonard says. “We’ll help you.”
Her eyes widen, suspicion and despair tangling in them. “Why? Why would you share something so intimate with me when you don’t even know me? My brother… he killed your families.”
Esmerelda shakes her head sharply. “Not killed. Spelled. There’s still a chance. And yes, we’ll help you. Because it’s right. Just take only what you need.”
Her voice trembles. “You trust me? After everything?”
I reach across the table, take her hand, hold it steady. “We’re sorry you were dragged into this. But we’re in this together now.” I don’t know what else to say.
Serafina steps forward, rolling up her sleeve. “Start with me. I’m the vessel—my blood should give you strength.”
One by one, we let her feed. Careful. Controlled. Each time she pulls away, faint color creeps back into her cheeks, though shame still shadows her eyes.
When it’s Belvedere’s turn, he rolls his sleeve with a theatrical sigh. “Careful, love,” he drawls, grin wicked. “Once you’ve had a taste of me, you might not want anyone else.”
Leonard groans.
Minerva mutters something about gagging.
Even I pinch the bridge of my nose.
Victoria hesitates, hunger warring with suspicion, but Belvedere just waggles his eyebrows. “Go on. I promise I’m delicious. Five-star vintage, straight from the vein.”
She sinks her fangs into his wrist and drinks longer than she should. Belvedere hisses, goes glassy-eyed, swaying when she finally releases him.
“Damn,” he mutters weakly, his grin crooked. “Guess I should’ve charged you for that.”
No one says a word, but we all know she drank extra just to shut him up.
Belvedere rests his giant head on his arms. “I go night night.”
“Probably a good idea” Esmerelda says.
“While he’s napping, I’ll head to the store to get provisions.”
“Grab some acetaminophen, I think Belvedere might wake with a headache,” I say.
Later,when Leonard’s haul is spread across the table, the room almost feels normal again. Steam rises from the pots on the stove that thankfully works. The hearty stew I’m preparing isjust what we all need to take the edge off our exhaustion. Even Victoria looks steadier, and her voice stronger when she leans back in her seat.
Her eyes are no longer haunted. Instead, they blaze with resolve. “Well,” she says, scanning the table. “Is it time to kill my brother?”
The room stills. I lean back, arms folded, and assess everyone around the table.
Belvedere claps his hands together, grin feral. “I was hoping you’d say that. Maximillian’s caught us in his snares twice now. But this time?” His smile sharpens to a blade. “This time, he falls into ours.”
