Page 124 of Land of Shadow

“I’d tie you to the bed before I’d let you venture an inch out into the darkness. I’m telling you because it doesn’t matter any longer.”

My eyelids flutter closed when he presses his mouth to the spot just below my ear. “Why doesn’t it matter?”

“Because I’ve arranged transport for you off this continent. You’ll fly from DC to a ship in port, then away from here.”

My breath catches, disbelief fogging my thoughts. “What?”

“You’re leaving. Tonight you’ll be taken from here and then across the sea.”

“Your solution to all this is for us to run away toEurope?”

“I didn’t say Europe, and I didn’t say I’m coming with you.”

“You’re not?” Why does that give me pause? It shouldn’t. I shouldn’twanthim to come with me.

He gives me a cocky half smile. “Worried for me?”

“Glad to be rid of you.” I shrug.

His half smile turns into a knowing full smile. “I’m afraid I can’t leave. Gregor’s connection to me is far too strong. He can’t control me as he did when I was younger, but he can still get into my mind if he wants to badly enough. The only way out is for me to kill him.” He sighs. “Therein lies the rub.”

“Huh?”

“The problem. I’ve been near enough to do it many times, but his mind is well guarded and always scanning those closest to him. Any full intention on my part—he’d know before I could strike.”

“If he can read your thoughts, why doesn’t he know you’ve been trying to kill him?”

“He can only read ones that are easy to catch, ones at the forefront of my consciousness. I’m mindful and keep my true desires hidden away.” He sighs. “You’re there. Always there. I can try to hide you away in my memories, but he’d find you eventually if he ever had reason to go looking. I can’t risk it. I can’t come with you. He’d hunt me down, and in doing so, would find you.”

“So you’re content with never seeing me again?”

“I never said that.” He squeezes my hip. “Once I end Gregor’s reign, I’ll be free to come to you.”

“How? You just said he’ll know you’re coming before you get the chance.” I think about the syringe of proteins in my refrigerator. If someone could get close enough to Gregor to inject him, then maybe it would work.

“I’ve been dreaming about it, planning it from the moment I knew what death was. But now I’m close. Closer than I’ve ever been before. I just need a few more pieces to fall into place. As soon as it’s done, we’ll be together.”

I chew over what he’s said. Escaping to Europe doesn’t sound so bad, if I’m being honest. As long as I could continue my work there. I could even tell him about the proteins, give him a head start on getting rid of Gregor. But there’s one part of this deal that’s non-negotiable. “Juno has to come with me.”

“No.”

“Then I’m not going anywhere.” I shove myself out of his lap.

“You are.” He stands and stalks me across the room. “Gregor will still be able to sense you even at great distance, but he’ll have to pull a lot of fucking strings to get to you. You’ll be safe there.”

“What do you mean he can sense me?” I back up until I hit the wall.

Valen cages me in. “My blood—hisblood—runs in your veins now. Enough that he can feel you if he ever were to try. Can even control you to a limited degree. Nudging you in his direction, making you think and do whatever he wishes, though you’ll believe that desire is your own.” He digs his claws into the drywall. “I’ll never let him get to you.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” My mind is running headlong toward a dark path, one wreathed with shadow and despair. “Are you saying that my blood—if it’s used to create a cure for the plague—are you saying it carries Gregor’s will into it? His control?”

“Of course. Why do you think he offered it in the first place?”

The implications of it flood my mind. Anyone who receives a cure or vaccine from the sample on its way to Atlanta—they would all be under Gregor’s influence. He could control … everyone. Every human on the planet.

What have I done?

“I can’t leave.”

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