Page 100 of Poison Sun

“No grand plan,” I say. “I was thinking we’ll do it the old-fashioned way.”

“And what way is that?”

“Simple.” I give him a small smile, hoping that maybe—just maybe—things have a chance of eventually being okay between us again. “By taking a plane.”

Damien

Fury churns inside me at the sight of Viktor standing over Eliza’s unconscious body, yet, a sliver of doubt wedges itself into my heart.

“Viktor!” I call out his name, and his head whips around, eyes wild and bloodshot.

He stands, wiping his mouth, staring at me as if seeing me for the first time.

He’s high from consuming so much blood at once. And I’m going to use it to my advantage.

“Damien,” he growls. “What are you doing here? How did you find me? How did you get here?”

His confusion seems to be overwhelming his need to attack, which is exactly what I need right now.

“I found you because I know you,” I say simply. “And I’m here to make you an offer.”

“What kind of offer?”

“An offer for you to return to the clan and face judgement for what you’ve done.”

His laughter is bitter, filled with a darkness that chills me to the core. “Judgment?” he says. “You think there’s a place for me in your clan after this? After I turned my back on everything we stood for?”

“If you haven’t killed a human or bitten a supernatural, there’s a chance,” I press on, clinging to the laws that have governed us for centuries. “The Guardians won’t hunt you down. We can argue for rehabilitation.”

Viktor’s gaze drifts to Eliza’s still form. For a moment, his face softens, twisted with regret and something akin to sorrow.

Maybe there’s still hope for him.

Then, as quickly as it appeared, the hardness returns.

“You think there’s redemption for me?” He shakes his head and chuckles. “I’ve made my choice, Damien. And so have you, by coming here.”

I step closer, every instinct screaming that this is a pivotal moment between the two of us.

I won’t mess it up.

“Viktor, listen to me,” I say slowly, carefully. “This isn’t you. The man I knew—the warrior who stood by my side, my brother in arms—wouldn’t have followed Lucas so blindly. He wouldn’t have succumbed to such... darkness.”

“That man was a fool,” he snaps, voice rising. “A fool who believed in fairness, in a just hierarchy within the supernatural world. But where did that get me? Always in your shadow, always the second to your command, never fully appreciated for my strength and potential.”

His fists clench at his sides, and I see the raw, unfiltered emotion in his eyes. It’s not just anger. It’s pain, betrayal, and darkness. It’s a desperate man clawing for control over his life and his choices.

“I’ve never viewed you as a fool,” I say, praying with everything inside me that I can help him see the light. “You were always valued, and always respected. It’s why I made you the leader of the clan’s warriors. If you felt overshadowed, it was never my intention. But you can still return. We can make things right.”

“It’s too late for promises and regrets.” He doesn’t even pause to consider my words. “Lucas and his clan understand the true nature of our kind. They embrace it. And they’re right. If we don’t adopt their ways, the shadow souls will overrun this city, and all will be lost.”

I shake my head, unwilling to give up on him so easily. “Have you forgotten everything I’ve taught you?” I ask, pressing on before he can reply. “There’s always another way. Power doesn’t need to be cruel or absolute.”

“And what of Amber?” He scoffs, either not hearing what I said, or ignoring it. “Your precious project, your queen-to-be, the star touched girl you’re worshipping as if she’s a goddess herself. Do you think clouding your judgment with her makes you a better leader? A more powerful king?”

It stings to hear him say her name, and a defensive wall rises within me at the sound of it.

“My relationship with Amber has not clouded my judgment,” I tell him. “If anything, it clarified it. And her power is what’s going to ensure we beat the shadow souls. You’re blind if you can’t see that.”

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