Page 74 of Claim the Twilight
I headed out to meet Nyx, putting the incident to the back of my mind. I had more important things to worry about right now.
“Tell me about these vampire houses,”Nyx asked as we made our way down the stairs.
“There are three houses. House of Blessed, which is run by Zafrina Sangera, the House of Shadows, which is led by Laudon Umbren, who’s also an old friend of Ezekiel, and Kaster’s father…the real Kaster…Urgh.” I shook my head. “It’s a long story. And finally, we have House of Spirit, which belonged to Christian Constrange, the bastard who killed me.”
I’d already filled her in on the story of my death and subsequent rebirth, but her expression darkened once more as she no doubt recalled my account. “And you’re certain that this House of Spirit isn’t hiding the faith warriors?”
“None have the channeling mark.”
We came to the last flight of steps that led to the foyer where a battle had taken place mere hours ago. The polished floors were clean of blood stains as if nothing had happened. It was enough to make me doubt my sanity.
Sin strolled into view, looking up at Nyx as we descended. His eyes lit up, and there was a definite zing in the air between them. Nyx hadn’t gone into too much detail about what had gone wrong, but I knew enough from my visit to Morningstar earlier this year to understand that this fallen had a lot of ground to make up.
“Where are Bryce and Emmit?” Nyx asked, joining Sin and taking his arm in a smooth, regal manner.
“Inside the main hall keeping an eye on all the fangs.” He glanced my way. “No offense."
“None taken. Are Ordell and Lorenzo with them? Holly?”
“I believe so. I haven’t seen the white wing yet, though.”
“He’ll join us soon enough.” I led the way toward the arch and the corridor beyond. “Let’s get this done.”
Entering the main hall gave me chills, reminding me of the night of the ball when Ezekiel had allowed several women to be murdered, among which had been a good friend of mine. Agatha would always be my great regret. I should have been wiser and smarter, less arrogant in my abilities to tame a beast. But Ezekiel wasn’t the same person any longer. The vampire that killed Agatha had been an unfeeling monster, cursed to lose his humanity. I’d found it in my heart to forgive him, but being in this room brought it all back.
It made me feel dirty somehow.
“What is it?” Nyx asked.
I shook my head, attention on the group of vampires standing across the vast chamber. Without the tables of food and the many bodies to fill it, the main hall was nothing but a cavernous echoing space with its high ceilings and pretty chandeliers. There were no windows here. No escape. No entry for sunlight. It was safe, but it was also a cage.
Maybe we should have met in the dining room, but the last time I’d been there, Ezekiel had made love to me with his mouth. So yeah…I didn’t want to go back there yet.
Several liveried vampires, clearly the guard that had escorted the head of houses here, stood by the second exit to the room with the Faoladh watching them.
Bryce lifted his chin in my direction before fixing his attention back on the guards. Ordell, Holly, and Lorenzo stood to the left of the room, across from the vampire house leaders.
Zafrina and Laudon were familiar to me, but there was a dark-haired, petite woman standing with them. Her skin was almost translucently pale in comparison to the other vampires in the room. She had to be Christian’s replacement for the House of Spirit.
Zafrina Sangera turned her regal gaze onto me as I entered the room. But it was Laudon who addressed me first.
“I’m so very sorry about Ezekiel,” he said, his tone warm and sincere.
“I’ve updated everyone on…everything,” Ordell said.
The knots in my belly eased a little. “Thank you. But we can save Ezekiel, Hemlock, and everyone in Dracul if we work together.”
“You want us to fight a god?” Zafrina snorted indelicately. “That was never the plan. The plan has been taken from us, and now it’s each man for themselves.” She lifted her chin. “I willnotsend my people to certain death. I came here out of reverence to our liege, but Ezekiel is no longer with us, and it is time for us to leave. House of Blessed will retreat to wards at the edge of the mountains in Draconore. Duke Lotheram has agreed to provide sanctuary. Once the barrier around Dracul fails, we will leave. There are places in the Rim that we can find refuge and rebuild our society.”
“You’re a fool if you think there is anywhere that you can hide from Loviator,” Lorenzo said. “If she gets free, she will take not only Dracul but everything around it. It won’t be long until she finds your new refuge.”
“He’s right,” Nyx said. “Morningstar will have no choice but to destroy the Golden bridge and fortify the veil between the human world and the demon one.” She turned to me. “I’ll giverefuge to as many people as I can.” She looked at Zafrina, lip curling. “But there is no place in my kingdom for cowards.”
Zafrina’s eyes narrowed a fraction, then she shook her head. “No, my mind is made up. I’m sorry.”
“You’re going to run?” the petite woman asked, her tone deep and steely. Not what I expected from someone of her stature.
Zafrina looked down her nose at the woman. “Yes, Ophelia. I will run and protect my own. We’ve given enough to this curse and to a monarch who ruled with fear. Now is the time for us to be free. But by all means, stay. Fix the mess that Christian made just as you always have.”
