Page 98 of Taste of Death

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Thorne scoffed. “What does a now clan-less vampire have to offer us?”

“Amy mentioned you took blood samples of the Marrowers who attacked Sapien,” I said. “I have the equipment to analyze blood for draitrium and other substances.”

“We already know they were on draitrium,” Rhain growled.

“Yes, and I can get a much closer look at the molecular structure of the drug in the bloodstream. I’ve already identified four different varieties in the tests I’ve run. If I can match your blood to one of them, I can probably tell you where it comes from. At least, which dealers.”

Thorne’s fists closed on his knees, his lips flattening. I knew he felt responsible for the attack on Tavia and Amy’s old community. As head of the ruling clan, he was tasked to protect it. Finding out who drugged the Marrowers and set them loose would go a long way toward preventing another attack.

“Is there a way to verify that your tests aren’t bullshit?” he asked after long consideration.

“I’m the only one in Sanguine who knows how the equipment works. But you’re welcome to come watch me run the tests. I can explain everything step-by-step.”

Rhain crossed his arms. “I don’t like it. Renouncing Rathka’s Order is a nice gesture, but we still don’t know if we can trust you.”

“I understand.” I leaned forward, resting my forearms on my knees. “So I have one more thing to offer. It’s simple in concept but will be very complex in terms of execution.”

“Please,” Thorne drawled with a barely concealed eyeroll. “I’m shaking with anticipation.”

A weighted breath left my lungs. “I’ll convince Carpe Noctem to release Kalix.”

Silence filled the loft. The three vampires stared at me in abject disbelief. Cyan went pale. If I had my facts straight, he’d been the closest to Kalix, and might have even been present when Kalix murdered Baros’s father, the former head of Carpe Noctem.

“You’re full of shit.” Cyan spoke first. “You’re not going to ally with us by promising pie-in-the-sky shit that’s not possible.”

“I’m completely serious,” I said, hoping he could hear the earnestness in my voice. “It won’t be easy, but if we handle this carefully, it is possible.”

“Nobody knows if he’s even alive.” Cyan’s voice cracked with emotion and Thorne placed a reassuring hand on his back. “And even if he is, Baros must be pissed you broke off the deal, so how do you expect to pull this off?”

“He is alive. I have a source inside Carpe Noctem who’s helping.”

“Who?” Rhain demanded.

“I promised to keep them safe. Their identity getting out could?—”

“It’s Inessa, the daughter.” Thorne casually lit up another cigarette.

Rhain and Cyan’s heads whipped to face him while I stared in shock.

“What? How doyouknow?”

“She’s my source too. Been slipping me information about Carpe Noctem for about a decade. We’ve been talking about breaking Kal out for the past year.” Red smoke wisped from the corners of Thorne’s mouth. “She was actually gonna help me ruin you if you went through with the deal.” His heavy-lidded gaze slid over to me. “Good thing you had a change of heart, didn’t you?”

“I’m still not convinced,” Rhain cut in before I could respond. “Why test the blood? Why try to free Kalix? It just sounds to me like you’re trying really hard to convince us that you’re good and trustworthy.” He took a long sip of his drink, eyeballing me over the rim. “And I don’t trust ass-kissers.”

“Consider it a small retribution for everything my ancestors did to yours,” I said. “I never condoned what they did, especially with the draitrium and the werewolves. It wasn’t just wrong, but horrific to treat other vampires like that. Aligning myself with you won’t undo what happened, but I do hope it can lead to healing and collaboration between my new clan and yours.”

Thorne gave a slow nod, like he was intently absorbing everything I said.

“Honestly,” I rubbed my jaw, “I’ve always held a secret admiration for Blood ‘til Dawn. I could never tell my family of course, so I kept it to myself. You’ve fought and scrapped and bled for every ounce of power you have. From what I’ve seen, you do your best to wield it responsibly. And,” I sighed, feeling the weight of grief and despair settle over me, “you’re Amy’s clan, the family protecting her. I miss her more than I can express, but I respect the lengths you’re going to in order to keep her safe. Even if she and I don’t work out, you’re a good clan that looks out for your own and she’s lucky to have you.”

The silence from the other side of the table was contemplative now, not quite as tinged with suspicion or shock.

“What will you do without her blood?” Cyan broke the silence with an intense expression. “As blood mates, you’ll both suffer if you cannot feed from each other.”

I nodded, grinding my teeth and hating the thought of Amy suffering like the first day I met her. “If she’s done with me for good, maybe one of you can broker extracting my blood for her. I’ll give it freely. I don’t need her blood in exchange.”

Cyan cocked his head with a skeptical look. “It’s hell, drinking blood that’s not your mate’s.”

---