Page 149 of You’re So Vein

I start at the beginning, and I leave nothing out, including my own crimes and my own weakness. I walk over and hold Hannah to me as if my body could block their magic.

Halfway through the story, Komal places a hand on my shoulder. It’s not a promise or a dedication, but a kindness I don’t deserve. Her touch steadies me. It reminds me that even though we are over, Hannah still has people who care about her.

And when Hannah snuggles into me, I draw up the final resources of my own bravery to finish the story.

Dante steps forward once I fall silent. “I was in the room after John and Dulcina were murdered. I saw Kael Morrigan leave with his bloody sword. I saw Hannah in her bassinet with not a speck of blood on her, hidden by one of John’s illusions. She didn’t kill them. Check us if you doubt our word.”

The Hierophant waves his staff in front of us. The crystal at the tip glows faintly green. Truth magic. No wonder he leads the priesthood.

He steps back, the crystal of his staff growing dim. “They speak the truth.”

“What does the Dhampir have to say about all this?” Etta asks.

“I don’t want to hide anymore,” Hannah says. “Komal made me realise that I’m not a freak. I’m not evil. I’m just who I am. It doesn’t matter if you don’t want me because Augie and Komal and Dante and the Nevermore Coven will protect me.”

Etta steps back, inclining her head in a slight nod, although her mouth is set in a firm line. The rest of the priests exchange looks – they’re communicating telepathically, a skill I never cultivated. Irene steeples her fingers, but as she isn’t Dusk Court, she has no say here.

My tendrils uncoil from my wrists as my anxiety winds high.

The Hierophant waves his hand. Stone cracks as the statues behind us move and shift, forming a dark doorway in the wall. We’re being dismissed.

“You have given us much to consider,” the Hierophant says. “We will deliberate. You will hear our answer by break of dawn.”

The priests require Hannah to remain under lock and key while they deliberate. We walk with her as Etta leads her away, but I’m relieved to see her prison is simply a large reception room, filled with comfortable chairs, thick carpets, bookshelves groaning beneath the weight of dense volumes, and bottles of vintage blood arranged on a drinks tray.

“I hope you’ll be comfortable here.” Etta kneels beside Hannah as she settles into one of the chairs. “If you need anything, please ask the staff and they’ll provide it. You can read any of the books, and there are some games in the cabinet over there, although they might be a bit complicated. I don’t…” She hisses out a breath. “I don’t know what children need.”

“The room is pretty!” Hannah says. “Can I have some garlic pizza bread?”

Etta blinks. “That’s right. Your father said you can eat human food. We don’t have much in our kitchens, but I’ll see what I can do. I hope you’ll tell us how it tastes.”

“She will,” Komal says. “She’ll give a full Michelin review.”

Etta stands and addresses me. “The three of you may move freely between this chamber and the rest of court. It’s only Hannah who can’t pass through the door. Trying to mess with the threshold sigils will result in immediate execution. I hope you have your answer soon. I…” She looks back at Hannah, who has picked up a book and is happily reading and kicking her feet. Etta clears her throat. “This is big. A vampire child. If it means anything, I think she is a wonder, not a curse. But I don’t know if I can convince the others. This is for you. From Irene.”

She hands me a note with the Empress of the Archive’s seal, and disappears then, leaving the three of us awkwardly standing around. Hannah puts down the book and regards Dante.

“You’re my father,” she says, her voice tilting with interest.

Hearing her use that word for him makes my undead blood boil.

“You have my blood in your veins,” Dante says, sinking into the seat opposite her. “But Augustin is your real father. I should have been involved in your life, but I was a coward. I’m trying to fix that. Do you want to talk to me, ask me questions? I’d like to get to know you, but I understand if you don’t want that.”

“It’s your choice,” Komal says. “If you say no, Augie will make me a new propeller blade out of Dante’s pelvic bone.”

“Will you really?” Hannah’s eyes widen.

“Yes,” I say. “And I’ll take great pleasure in doing it.”

Dante looks panicked. “I don’t know what your father has told you about me—”

“Nothing,” Hannah says. “But I can infer that he was once in love with you, but now he thinks you’re a turd.”

“Oh, really?” Dante presses his lips together. “You can infer all that?”

“I’m very clever.”

“I’ve no doubt.” Dante stares at his bespoke brogues, the leather ruined from saltwater. “Because of my cowardice, I missed out on getting to know you these last ten years. That’s a mistake I’ll regret for the rest of my life. I know it’s too little too late, and I have no intention of taking you away from Augie, but I wondered if you might like to hang out sometimes? If you’ve inherited some of my magical power, I can teach you about it.”