Page 104 of Poison Sun

This is it.

I tighten my grip on my dagger, and we move closer, as quietly as possible, using the cover of the landscaping to approach unseen.

As we reach a vantage point, Lucas comes into clear view. He’s standing center stage, at the bottom of the theater, like he’s ready to perform a show.

My heart drops at the sight of Abigail and Yannick, both unconscious, tied to chairs near him. Two figures stand guard beside them, rigid and alert. Even from this distance, the distinctive marks of the downtown vampires are visible on their wrists—the broken shackles.

Abigail starts to stir.

The moment she does, the vampire next to her leans down, presses his mouth to her neck, and drinks.

She goes limp again.

He stops drinking, returning to his stance.

It’s immediately obvious what’s happening here. Lucas’s men are keeping Abigail and Yannick unconscious. Draining them enough each time they start to heal so that they’re weak, but not dead.

It’s not ideal.

But at least they’re alive.

Cassandra’s hand tightens around her sword, her body coiled like a spring. Then, she gives me a nod, and we emerge from our hiding spot, making our presence known.

Lucas’s head snaps in our direction, and a wide, unsettling grin spreads across his face.

“So, you decided to show up, after all,” he says. “Why don’t you put down your weapons and join the party?”

“We’ll put our weapons down when you put down yours,” Cassandra says, although she’s focused on the vampires standing over Abigail and Yannick’s unconscious bodies.

She remains at the top of the amphitheater, and I do the same.

After all, one wrong move might get them killed.

I’ll never be able to forgive myself if Abigail dies because of me. I’ll never be able to face Ruby if I allow her mother to die on my watch, either.

“An understandable request, but I’ll be holding on to my weapon,” Lucas replies. “But don’t worry. I have no intention of killing them—yet. All you have to do is cooperate, and I’ll let them live. If you don’t…”

He trails off, the meaning clear.

“You’re out of control, Lucas,” Cassandra says. “Killing those humans on our territory was bad enough. But what you’re doing to Abigail and Yannick right now? This is the kind of act that starts wars amongst our kind.”

Lucas’s laughter rings hollow in the night air. “War? In case you haven’t noticed, we’re already at war. With the shadow souls roaming the city, the old rules no longer apply. And when I lead us to victory against them, I’ll be the one rewriting the laws around here.”

I want more than anything to scorch that arrogant smirk off his face.

I would, if I didn’t think the guards towering over Abigail and Yannick would kill them if I make a move against their leader.

Finally, Lucas turns his attention to me, his gaze unsettling. “And you, Amber,” he continues. “You’re as beautiful as the last time we saw each other. You have no idea how much it pleases me to be in your presence again.”

Memories of our last encounter flash through my mind.

The pain when his fangs pierced my neck.

The horror when he started to drink.

The fear when he pushed me down and trapped me under his weight.

The desperation as he nearly drained me dry.

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