Page 107 of To Vanquish Darkness

“How did you find her?”

Ren’s throat worked. “It wasn’t hard. Once I tracked?—”

“Paul. He told you.” Theo’s hands shook. “You were watching her.”

“I thought you knew—that you’d found her again.” Ren chuckled. “You’re always watching, and you’re meticulous. Always spending time in strange places, trying to make sure nobody sees your true focus. You left for years, never visiting the Clermonts. Never visiting anywhere close to the river.”

Theo growled low in his throat, but Ren pressed the sword closer to his neck. “I was curious,” Ren continued. “That’s all. I was curious if she was what I suspected. And when I found out she was a guardian, I knew it must be the same bloodline.”

Amalie’s breath came in shallow gasps.I was curious.

Ren exhaled. “I did care for her, you know. She was lovely. So selfless. But then I tried the ceremony, and it didn’t work?—”

“What ceremony?” Amalie’s throat grew so tight she could barely draw breath.

Ren ignored her. “I didn’t knowfor sure.”

“You were wrong.” Theo struggled against his grip, but Amalie’s heart skipped a beat. No. One flick of Ren’s hand and Theo would be taken from her. He’d never wait for her. He’d never watch.

“I was wrong then. But I’m not now.” Ren lifted his eyes and looked directly at Amalie.

Theo’s face twisted. “Even I don’t know that for sure.”

Ren’s eyes gleamed, and he gave her a wicked smile. “He knows.” He dropped his gaze back to Theo. “I’ve known you for over two thousand years, and I was there the first time you got that look in your eyes. At the castle. The way you looked at her before she sliced through your spine. That’s when I knew she was the one.”

Amalie’s mind spiraled. They’d been hunting her. Theo, Ren, Marx, whoever this Helena was. But why had her mother died? If she was the one they wanted, why had Ren targeted her?

None of it added up. Theo needed her to find the sword which now sat in front of them, its hilt grasped in Ren’s right hand.

Helena had the sword. She held the power to vanquish any vampire she wished, so why hadn’t she come for them? Why had she offered it as a gift?

“Why kill her? If she was meant to find this for you, why take her life?” Amalie’s voice shook. She needed to end this. She needed answers and she needed to get Theo to safety.

Ren’s eyes darted between her and Theo. “You haven’t told her?”

Amalie stepped forward. “I know who you think I am. I know I was meant to find the relic?—”

Ren laughed out loud, his voice caustic in the still night air. “Oh, Amalie. Is that what you believe? Theo, I’m impressed. You’ve truly outdone yourself this time.”

“I told her what was necessary.” Theo’s jaw worked.

“Necessary to keep her pliant.” Ren took a step closer. “I understand why you’re upset. I should’ve told you about Rachel, but you of all people should have compassion for my circumstances.” He lowered his head. “I told her what was necessary.”

“You broke the bonds of our coven. You killed a guardian.” Theo gasped as the blade bit into his skin, beads of blood forming against the side of his neck.

“You wanted this!” Ren hissed.

Amalie clenched her jaw to keep from screaming. Ren’s words made a pit open up in her stomach. She’d wanted Theo dead. She’d tried to take his life.

But then she’d seen too much.

Ren dropped his voice, his breathing ragged. “I did this for both of us, Theo. I swear to you. I was only trying to get us what we wanted. There is a way for neither of us to suffer, you only have to allow me to complete this.”

I did this for both of us.Amalie couldn’t keep silent a moment longer. “Theo, what is he talking about?” She needed to get the sword out of Ren’s hands, but how? He was faster than her. Theo was stronger than both of them combined, but with the blade tight at his throat, he could barely draw air into his lungs.

“What am I talking about? Isn’t it obvious?”

She glared at him. “That Theo wants to die?”

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