Page 80 of Discovery of the Vampire
"Alice," Killian said. "We can't ask ye to put yerself at risk like that."
"You're not asking. It was my idea."
After a beat, Killian turned to me, and I didn't even pause to think about it. "I think she's right. It's the only way we'll be able to draw him out."
"Fucking hell." Alex laced his fingers on top of his head as Kenya put a hand on his chest to try to calm him.
It was wrong, and I was a goddamn bastard for thinking it, but God help me, I would gladly sacrifice Alice to get Esme back.
"No." Killian shook his head. "There has to be another way."
The room exploded into chaos, everyone talking over each other at once.
"We could try scrying again—" Lizzy suggested.
"It doesn't work, Marcus is blocking—" Alice began.
"We don't know that until we try," Alex cut in.
"What about that friend of yours…?" Kenya asked Angel.
Killian's voice rose above the others. "If we all went out in teams to search?—"
I slammed my fist against the wall so hard it cracked the plaster. Everyone fell silent.
"Marcus has Esme." My voice came out as a growl. "Mymate. He could be hurting her.Torturingher."
The thought made me sick to my stomach. The mating bond between us pulsed with a dull ache that had only grown stronger while we'd all been standing here wasting time. Esme was alive—I could feel that much—but I could also feel her pain.
"Brogan's right," Alice said. "I know my plan isn't ideal, but Marcus wants me and Alex. He's made that clear. I can draw him out."
"And what happens when he gets his hands on you?" Dae demanded. "You think he's just going to let Esme go?"
Alice met his eyes steadily. "No. But he'll be distracted enough for you all to make a move."
"I'll go with you," Alex told her with a tone of resignation.
Kenya stepped in front of him. "Alex, no. Please."
“Honey, I can't let my sister go out there on her own."
She opened her mouth to say more, and then shut it again. She knew she would do the same if it were any of us.
Killian pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't like it."
"None of us do," I said. "But unless someone has a better idea in the next thirty seconds, we go with Alice's plan."
The room fell silent again.
"We'll put protective wards on them," Lizzy offered quietly. "Not enough to stop Marcus completely, but it might give us an edge."
Killian nodded.
"And we'll be nearby." Jamal spoke up from the back of the room. "If he shows, we'll hit him with everything we've got until we can all get the hell out of there."
Dae still looked livid, but he'd stopped arguing.
"Fine," Killian finally said. "But we do this smart. Everyone has a position, everyone knows their role. No heroics." He looked pointedly at me. "That means you too, Brogan."
