Page 77 of To Vanquish Darkness

"Theo would be quite displeased to know you've wandered off." Ren took a small step back, but was still too close for comfort. He was powerful in the coven. When Theo wasn’t present, it seemed the other vampires deferred to him. But he wouldn’t cross Theo’s claim, would he?

She acknowledged him coolly, suppressing the tremor in her voice. "Theo understands I have my own priorities.”

He smiled, his teeth glaringly white. “I’m curious, were you lying to me when you said you didn’t plan on leaving, or did something I said change your mind?”

Amalie scrambled for an excuse, but her mind scattered. If Ren discovered she knew the name he’d given, she'd be as good as dead—or worse.

Ren circled her like a predator, his gray eyes flashing with amusement.

Amalie found her part. Angry. Sick of being controlled. "He left me there. After a few hours of twiddling my thumbs, I decided I had plenty of personal research. I’ve moved on to other projects."

"Don’t lie to me. I’ve sensed your affection, Amalie.”

“You can hardly expect me to withstand his glamour,” she snapped. “With him gone, I found more clarity of mind.”

Ren regarded her. “These lands are dangerous for a delicate thing like yourself.”

“They shouldn’t be.” Amalie glanced back at the flats. “You said you were going to be sleeping.”

“Then I guess we both told little white lies.” Ren took a step closer and leaned in. “Theo may be more compelling in person, but he's not the only one who can offer protection."

"Protection is the last thing I want from Theo. I've had enough of his games."

Ren raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Your agreement seemed rather . . . binding."

Amalie thought back to their conversation in the kitchen.

We aren’t meant to bond with them.

But you can bond with humans?

“Theo said I could leave when I wanted.”

"Kind of him. But now you don’t have his protection."

Amalie clenched her jaw. “Are you telling me I need it? I know what to look for.”

Ren chuckled. "Knowing is only half the battle. Like you mentioned, fighting the glamour isn’t always possible."

Amalie’s eyes narrowed. Odd that she’d never felt anything when Ren was close. She’d felt more pull from Etienne in the kitchen than from him now alone in the woods. “Have you never used yours on me?”

Ren’s expression hardened. “I haven’t felt the need.” He clenched his hands into fists, and Amalie’s eyes snagged on his fingers. There was nothing there. All the members of Theo’s coven wore their signet ring. Had he taken his off? Or had she never noticed that he didn’t have one?

“Lucky me.” Amalie started off through the trees.

“I think I’ve proven you can’t outrun me.”

Amalie threw up her hands. “Don’t care. Follow me if you want, Ren.”

“Where are you going?”

She shrugged. “I guess you’ll have to watch and find out.” Panic surged through her. Where was she going? She couldn’t head to Uncle Oren’s farm, not with Ren on her heels. She would have to convince him. Prove that she was doing as she said, getting away from Theo.

Amalie took a sharp turn north into the trees, heading in the opposite direction of Mordelles.

“Interesting.” Ren’s footsteps sounded behind her.

"Please stop talking.”

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