Page 26 of Nearly Dead

“She’s the one who wanted Leviathan to capture Conrad.”He moves to the door, pausing with his hand on the knob.“She might have an idea as to what the necromancer is planning, or why he’s letting Conrad escape.”

“I thought you chose Leviathan,” I counter, confused as I try to remember how it all happened.

“Lady Astrid made the decision to have the necromancer contain Conrad’s spirit so he wouldn’t keep wreaking havoc.She had me reach out to Leviathan.”

“She chose Leviathan?”

Costin frowns.“I believe so?I can’t remember who mentioned his name first.He is the natural choice.He’s an elder.He doesn’t handle small jobs, but he would take satisfaction in making sure Conrad’s spirit couldn’t escape.Plus, he seemed to like the idea that I would owe him a favor.”

I didn’t know how to feel about Conrad’s imprisonment at the time.I still don’t, honestly.I know it was the right thing to do.Conrad is dangerous, even as a ghost.But another part of me can’t shake the guilt.No matter how messed up he is, he’s still my brother.

“We’re going to figure this out, Tamara,” Costin promises.“Try to remain calm.Don’t let your emotions take over.”

After he leaves, I pull the robe tighter around my body, shivering despite the heat still lingering from our encounter.The shadows seem to watch me.

“Why won't you leave me alone, Conrad?”I whisper.

Conrad’s faded voice answers,“Poor little sister.You’re on borrowed time.Costin can’t save you from your true fate.No one can.”

ChapterSeven

“Remember who you are.”Astrid circles me like a predator, her hand smoothing indiscernible wrinkles from my dress.

I feel like a human sacrifice about to be led to an altar.

Well, minus the human part.

I watch her hands, remembering how many times they’ve tugged at my clothes just like this.When I was a kid, I always felt an air of disappointment in the gesture, like if she could just make me presentable enough, it might hide the fact I was the family’s mortal embarrassment.

My eyes move to study her beautiful, perfect face.Am I still an embarrassment?The family’s monster?A hairy beast dressed up in silk and heels?

Like usual, her steeled expression gives nothing away.

Maybe I’ve been too hard on her.I’ve seen the moments of caring.She did take in the bastard daughter of her philandering husband when my birth mother couldn’t protect me.She’s stood by me since the supernatural hits started coming.

People are complicated.

Life?Even more so.

“You should have let me go,” I tell her.“It would have made everything easier.”

I don’t know if I’m talking about now or when I was a baby.

Her hands stall, but she pretends like she doesn’t hear me.

Costin’s home feels like an endless maze of rooms.Just when I thought I’d seen it all, I find myself in a new underground wing.Astrid has led me down a winding staircase to the antechamber of a formal meeting hall where we will face the council members.Ornate sconces cast a warm glow that does little to dispel the chill emanating from the marble floors.I smell the gas fueling their fires.

The air feels like we’re standing inside a giant tomb.Under the staleness, I detect a hint of old blood emanating from behind the doors.I imagine layers of it season the walls like a testament to those who died here.

Is this where I will meet my end?

As much as I say I want to die, there is a part of me that rebels from the idea.

The walls are black stone, and there are no fake lights behind fake curtains to make me feel like this place is anything other than the bottom of a deep pit.Ancient tapestries hang over the stone depicting supernatural histories, their colors still vibrant despite centuries of existence.

I miss the daylight.

“I hate these old meeting halls,” Astrid grumbles.“They somehow manage to make the gothic style feel both claustrophobic and cavernous at the same time, with none of the beauty and all the charm of the gates to hell.”

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