ASHADEOFVAMPIRE13:ATURNOFTIDES

BELLAFORREST

Contents

AlsobyBellaForrest

Copyright

1. Prologue:Micah

2. Chapter1:Ben3. Chapter2:Ben4. Chapter3:Ben5. Chapter4:Ben6. Chapter5:Ben7. Chapter6:Ben8. Chapter7:Caleb9. Chapter8:Rose10. Chapter9:Rose11. Chapter10:Rose12. Chapter11:Mona

13. Chapter12:Kiev14. Chapter13:Sofia15. Chapter14:Rhys16. Chapter15:Kiev17. Chapter16:Mona

18. Chapter17:Kiev19. Chapter18:Mona

20. Chapter19:Micah

21. Chapter20:Annora22. Chapter21:Rose23. Chapter22:Rose24. Chapter23:Rose25. Chapter24:Annora

26. Chapter25:Rose27. Chapter26:Kiev28. Chapter27:Abby29. Chapter28:Kiev30. Chapter29:Abby31. Chapter30:Rhys32. Chapter31:Abby33. Chapter32:Kiev34. Chapter33:Abby35. Chapter34:Mona

36. Chapter35:Rose37. Chapter36:Rose38. Chapter37:Rose39. Chapter38:Vivienne40. Chapter39:Ben

AnImportantNoteAboutKievNovalic

ReadMorebyBellaForrest!

A L S O B Y B E L L A F O R R E S T

ASHADEOFVAMPIRESERIES

AShadeofVampire(Book1)

AShadeofBlood(Book2)

ACastleofSand(Book3)

AShadowofLight(Book4)

ABlazeofSun(Book5)

AGateofNight(Book6)

ABreakofDay(Book7)

AShadeofNovak(Book8)

ABondofBlood(Book9)

ASpellofTime(Book10)

AChaseofPrey(Book11)

AShadeofDoubt(Book12)

ASHADEOFKIEVTRILOGY

AShadeofKiev1

AShadeofKiev2

AShadeofKiev3

BEAUTIFULMONSTERDUOLOGY

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BeautifulMonster2

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I

P R O L O GU E : M I C A H

didn’tknowwhathadbecomeofRoseandCaleb.Ijusthopedthat,unlikeme,they’dmanagedtogetaway.

Afterthewhitewitchhademergedfromthelowerdeckoftheyacht,Caleb,RoseandIhadmanagedtoleapintothewater.Shortlyafterthat,mylimbsfrozeandIlostsightofthem.Beneaththewaves,unabletoevenkickuptowardthesurface,IwassurethatIwoulddieinthosewaters.

Thewavesbegantosuckmebackward,closerandclosertotheyachtagain,untilmyheadknockedagainsttheundersideofthehull.Nolongerabletoholdmybreath,Iswallowedmyfirstmouthfulofseawater.Eventhoughtheseawaterstungmyeyes,Iforcedthemopen.Staringupatthelighteningskythroughthedarkwaters,IwassosurethatwouldbemylastvisionasIfeltmyselfslidingdeeperanddeepertowardtheseabed.Asecondgulpofseawater.Itwouldn’tbelongnow.

Butthen,inawaveofenergythatrushedfromthetipsofmytoestomyfingertips,whateverspellthatwhitewitchhadcastonmeliftedsuddenly.Iregainedcontrolovermylimbs.Kickingfuriously,Imanagedtoreachthesurfacebeforeswallowingathirdgulp.Chokingandwheezing,Igrabbedholdoftheclosestsolidthingtome—aropehangingnearthebaseoftheboat.Iwasfeelingtooqueasytoconsidertheconsequencesofheavingmyselfontothatvessel.Ijustneededsoliddeckbeneathme.

Haulingmyselfupovertherailing,Irolledoverandlandedonthedeck.

Keepinglowagainstthefloor,Icrawledtowardthestepsleadingdowntothelowerdeckand,tumblingdownthem,climbedintoalong,narrowstoragecupboardbeneaththetubinthebathroomandlockedmyselfinside.Tryingtosteadymybreathing,IhopedthatthedizzinessinmyheadwouldgoawayasIcoughedupyetmoreseawater.

Iremainedstill,clutchingmystomachwithmyhandsasIstaredupatthedarkceilingofthecloset.Itookdeep,steadybreaths,andfinallyasthefaintnessinmyheadbegantoliftIturnedmythoughtstowhatIshoulddonext.

Isniffedtheair,tryingtodetectthescentofthewitch.WhileIdetecteditstill,somethingtoldmethatitwasn’tstrongenoughforhertobeonthisboat.Isniffedtheairagain.Ontheotherhand,IsensedtwonewscentsthatIhadn’texperiencedbefore.Itwashardformetopinpointexactlywhattheywere—certainlynothuman,vampire,orwerewolf.ButsomethingtoldmethatIoughtnotremainonthisboatlongenoughtofindout.

Shiftingontomysideinthenarrowcontainer,Imotionedtoopentheclosetdoorwhenatremorranthroughthevessel.Itsforceknockedmebackward,slammingmyheadagainstthewoodenpanelbehindme.Forwhatfeltlikethenexttenminutes,Iwasthrownbackandforwardagainstthesidesofthecloset.Then,asthoughtheboathadplummetedintoafreefall,thefrontofmybodysmashedagainsttheroof.Mystomachlurched.

Whatthehell…IwasabouttoattempttoopenthedoorevenasIwasbeingthrownaround

whentheboatfinallybecamestillagain.Rubbingmyhead,Igroanedsoftly.Reachingforthelatch,Iopenedtheclosetdoorandrolledoutontothefloor.

Istoodupandwalkedtothedoor.Abouttostepintothecorridoroutside,IfrozeasIheardafemalevoiceabovedeck.

“Youcantellhim.”Therewasadeepsigh.“Allright,”asecondfemalesnapped.“Butyouwill

comewithme.You’rejustasresponsibleforthismessasme.”Asfootstepssoundedoverhead,Icreptbackintotheclosetandclosedthe

door.Holdingmybreath,Iwaiteduntiltheynearedtheedgeofthedeck,andthentheydisappearedentirely.

Iwaitedanotherfiveminutes,justtobesurethattheyhadindeedlefttheboat,andwhenIdetectednofurthermovement,Iclimbedoutoftheclosetandwalkedintothecorridoroutside.Cautiously,Iwalkedtotheendofitandclimbedthestairsleadinguptothedeck.

Goosebumpsranalongmyskinasablastofice-coldwindhitme.Istaredoutatthescenebeforemeinshock.Theboathadbeenmooredinasnowyharborlinedwithtrees,andinthedistancewerewhite-cappedmountains.

Iknewthisplace.LasttimeIwashere,I’dbeenkeptinthedungeonsasRhys’prisoner.I

shudderedatthememory.Icouldn’tletthathappenagain.IfhefoundmeafterI’dbetrayedhim…

Ibackedintothecontrolcabinandgrippedthewheel.Itwaslockedfast.Itriedtostarttheengine,butitwasoutcold.IrealizedevenifIwasabletonavigatetheboatawayfromthejetty,Ididn’tknowifI’dbeabletoleavethisisland’sboundary.TherehadbeenaspelloverthisGodforsakenplacewhenI’dlastbeenhere,keepingeveryonetrappedinside.Ididn’tknowifthatwasstillthecase.

Ilookedoutattheseaandgaugedthedistancebetweentheboatandthesunhittingthewaves,justbeyondtheboundary.

Iclimbedoutoftheyacht.Mybarefeettoucheddownonthesnowyjetty.IscannedtheareaforsubmarinesoranyothervesselthatIcouldusetoatleasttestmyassumption.Therewerenone.Thatleftmewithonlyoneoption.

Takingadeepbreath,Ibracedmyselfbeforedivingintothefreezingocean.Thewaterhitmelikeahundredknivesstabbingmybody.Iwantednothingmorethantoleapbackout,butIbeganswimmingforwardwithasmuchspeedasIcouldmuster.

IcouldnolongerfeelmyhandsandfeetonceIreachedthehalfwaymark,andonceIarrivedattheboundary,myteethwerechatteringandmybodytremblinguncontrollably.Asitturnedout,itwasallinvain.Ihitupagainstaninvisibleforcefield.

Exhalingsharply,IgrimacedasIlookedbackattheharbor.Ihadnochoicebuttoreturntothebeachofthisdarkisland,becauseIwouldn’tsurvivemuch

longerinthesewaters.BythetimeIreachedtheharbor,itwashardtoevenbreatheandIcould

barelyfindstrengthinmylimbstohaulmyselfupontotheboat.Irolledontothedeck,thendescendedbacktothebathroomwhereIstrippedoutofmyrippedclothesandwrappedmyselfintowels.Irubbedmyskin,tryingtostimulatebloodflow.OnceIwasfinallyabletofeelmytoesagain,Iwalkedintotheroomnextdoorandpulledonfreshunderwear,ashirtandpantsIfoundinthecloset.ThenIsatdownonthebedandgazedatthedoor.

Icouldnolongerdenyit:Iwastrappedonthisisland.NowIhadtodecidehowtobestkeepmyselffromgettingcaught.Ididn’t

feelcomfortablestayingonthissmallboat,buttryingtoentertheislandseemedlikesuicide.

Fornow,IhadnochoicebuttostaywhereIwas.Ihadtohopethatthey’dtakethisboatonanexpeditionoutside,andI’dbeabletoleapoffintothesea,andsomehowfindmywaybacktoTheShade.

Iwalkedovertoashadowycorneroftheroom,withaclearviewofthedoor,andsatdown.

Drawingmykneesagainstmychest,IthoughtofKira.Thebeautifulblondewerewolfwhodoubledmyheartbeateverytimeshelaideyesonme.AndIrememberedthepromiseI’dmadeRosejustbeforewewereseparated.I’dpromisedherthatI’dfinallyprofessmyloveforKiraassoonaswereturnedhome.

IjusthopedthatI’dlivetofulfillthatpromise.

I

CH A P T E R 1 :B E N

leftTheShadewithouttheslightestideaofwhereIwouldgo.Ijustneededtogetawayfromtheisland.Awayfromourpeople.

Iputthevesselonautopilotafterwhatfeltlikeacoupleofhoursandsankbackinmychair.HungerrippedthroughmystomachasIsatinthecontrolcabin,staringoutthroughthewindowatthedarkexpanseofwateraheadofme.Ididn’tknowwhereIwasgoing,andIwasn’tpayingattentiontothemap.Iwasjustspeedingforward,hopingtolosemyselfinanoblivionwhereIwouldnolongerfeelhunger.Wheremycravingswouldsubside.

Itriedtodistractmyselfwiththoughtsofmyparents,hopingthatthepainofthinkingofthemmightdistractmefromthephysicalpain,atleastforafewmoments.Isupposedtheywouldhaveseenthenotebynow.TheymightbewonderingwhyIcouldn’thavejuststayed.WhyIcouldn’thavetriedtodrinkthebloodstoredinthechillingchamberswhichvampiresusedwhiletakingthecure.ThatbloodwastingedwithAnna’sblood,afterall.ButIhopedthey’dunderstandthatIsimplycouldn’triskkillingoneofourpeopleagain.Ialsohopedthatthey’ddoasI’drequestedandnotcomelookingforme.They’dalreadylostRose,andnowtohavemeleavesounceremoniously…itwouldcrushthem.Buttheywouldhavetogetoverit.Ourpeopledependedonthem.

Besides,Imightnotneedtostayawaytoolong.Ijusthadtotakeatimeout.Iwasdesperatelyhopingthatmyreactiontobeingfedanimalbloodwastemporary.Thatforsomereason,mybodyhaddemandedhumanbloodon

waking,butgiventime,itwouldadjusttoanimalbloodjustliketherestofthevampiresinTheShade.WhyshouldIbeanydifferent?

AlthoughItriedtoconvincemyselfofthis,Icouldn’tshakethememoryofthelookinmyfather’seyesashe’dwatchedmeexpeltheanimalblood.Evenhe’dsaid,inallhiscenturiesofexperience,he’dneverseenavampirereacttoanimalbloodasIhad.

ButhopewastheonlythingIhad.Iwonderedhowlongavampirecouldstarvehimselfofblood.IrealizedthatIdidn’tevenknowwhetheravampirecoulddiefromlackofblood.

Beingonthesubjectofbloodagain,myconsciousnessbecameawareofthepain.Thefireinmystomachragedon.Iclenchedmyjaw,closingmyeyesandwincing.Myhandswerebeginningtotremble.Igrippedtheedgeofmyseat.

Ididn’tknowexactlyhowmuchtimehadpassedsinceleavingTheShade.Ideliberatelyhadn’tbeenlookingatthetime.Itonlymadethehourspassallthemoreslowly,thesituationmoreunbearable.

Ileftthecontrolcabinandstumbledalongthepassagewayintothevessel’sgalley.Iopenedoneofthecupboardsandscannedtheshelves—long-lifemilkandpackagedfoodsmostly.

Irippedopenacartonofmilkand,withoutthinking,begantochugitdown.Atthispoint,I’ddrinkanythingtofillthevoidinmystomach.IheldmynoseasIdrank,tryingnottotastethemilk,sinceIwaswellawarethathumanfoodtastedfoultovampires.

AtfirstIthoughtthatitmighthaveevenworked.Astheliquidsettledinmystomach,itatleastfeltlesshollow,evenifitdidn’trelievetheburning.ButthenIdoubledoverandretcheditallup.

Itoreopenapacketofbiscuitsandbeganstuffingthemintomymouth,chewingforcefully,asifwillingmybodytoacceptthem.Nochance.Soonthefloorwascoveredinablood-tracedsoupofmilkandbiscuits.

Islammedmyfistagainstthesideofthedoor,dentingthemetal.Cursingbeneathmybreath,Istaggeredtothebathroomandgrippedtheedgesofthesink,breathingdeeplyandstaringatmyselfinthemirror.IlookedpalerthanI’deverseenmyselfbefore.Mygreeneyeslookeddarkersomehow.Iwasusedto

vampires’eyesbeingbrighterandsharperincolor.Notmine.Ifanything,theyhaddulled.Itwasasifahazehadmistedthem.

Iwasfrighteningmyselfwithmyownreflection.Iduckedmyheadoverthesinkandsplashedcoldwaterontomyfacebeforedryingmyselfwithatowel.

I’llfeelbetterifIcanjustholdoutafewdays.Maybethisissomethingtodowithmymixedblood,andIjustneedmoretimetoadjustthanothers.IrepeatedthishopetomyselfinmyheadoverandoverasIresumedmyseatinthecontrolroom.

Aflashingonthenavigationboardcaughtmyeye.Wewereapproachingtheshore.

No.Islowedthesubmarineand,turningitroundintheoppositedirection,

headedbacktowardtheopensea.Itriedtopushasidethoughtsofthehumanswhomighthavebeenwalking

alongthebeach,theirsweetbloodsoeasilyaccessiblebeneaththeirswimsuits…

Ishookmyheadvigorously.Thinkingaboutitonlymadethehungerinmystomachroarlouder.The

memoryofYasminelyinginapoolofbloodonourlivingroomfloorwasstillfreshinmymind.Asmuchasthebeastwithinmewasscreamingtokillagain,Iwasn’tsurethatIcouldtakeanotheraftermathofguilt.AndIfearedthat,ifIallowedmyselftomakeahabitofthis,mybodymightneverlearntoacceptanimalblood.

Iwonderedifitmightbepossibletotrainmybody.IfIstarvedittosuchanextentthatitwouldconsumeliterallyanythingIputinmymouthjusttosurvive…

Ikepttryingtoreassuremyselfthatthingswouldworkout.ThatIwouldn’tspendthelastofmydaysaloneinthissubmarine.ThatIwouldlearntostomachanimalblood.Butasthehourspassed,Ifoundmyselflessandlessincontrolofmythoughts.TheonlythingIcouldthinkaboutwasthehumansIimaginedwalkingalongthenearbybeach.Untilfinallymybodytookonalifeofitsown.Mybrainshutdown,andinstincttookover.Ifeltbarelyevenconsciousasmy

handsreachedforthecontrolsandturnedthevesselbacktowardtheshore.Thenextfewhourswereablur.IwasonlyvaguelyawareofthesunburningintomyskinasIbeachedonthe

shore.Mysensesweretoooverwhelmedbythefeelofsoftskinbeneathmyfangs,andthenthehotrushofbloodgushingdownmythroat.Pure,sweetblood.Thescreamssurroundingme,thehandstryingtopullmeoff,allofitfadedintothebackground.Theonlythingthatexistedintheworldatthatmomentwasthehumantrappedinmyarmsandtheecstasycoursingthroughmyveins.Thefeelingofcompletesatisfaction.OfstrengthsogreatthatImightliftamountain.StrengththatIcouldbarelycontain.

Ididn’tevenrecallhowIbrokeawayfromthecrowdsonthebeachandmadeitbacktothesubmarine.

NordidIrecallspeedingawayfromtheshore.Itwasonlyhourslater,oncetheseahaddarkened,thatthefoginmybrain

begantolift,thedarknessinmyeyesfading.AndIrealizedwhatI’ddone.IrelivedallthehorrorI’dexperiencedwhenI’dkilledYasmine.AndnowIhadtheweightoftwolivesonmyshoulders.Icouldn’tevenremember,inmymadfrenzy,whomI’dkilled.Whetheritwasaman,woman,perhapsevenachild.

IfIcan’teventrustmyselffloatinginasubmarineinthedepthsoftheocean,whatistobecomeofme?

N

CH A P T E R 2 :B E N

owthatIwastemporarilysatiated,Iwasdeterminedtodistractmyselfbeforethenextwaveofhungercameon.OnceIwasmilesawayfromshore,Istoppedtheengineandallowedthesubmarinetofloatinthewaters.

Istalkedaroundthesubmarine,walkingupanddownthepassagewayoutside,tryingtothinkwhatIcouldpossiblydistractmyselfwith.ThenIrememberedthemapI’dbroughtwithme.Mona’smapthatdepictedallthegatesintothisrealm.Isearchedformybackpackandrummagedthroughit.

Isatatatableinthegalley,spreadingitoutbeforeme.Istaredatthemap,pressingafingeragainstthegatethatappearedtobenearesttome.SouthofChile.Ididn’tknowwhatthepurposeofmyvisittherewouldbe,butIhopedthat,ifIwasdistractedwithaspecificgoal,thebloodlustwouldbealittleeasiertocontrol.PerhapsIwouldn’tlosemyselfsoeasilyifmymindwasoccupied.

Ispentthenextfewhoursnavigatingtowardit.ItwasearlymorningbythetimeIarrived,justbeforethesunbeganpeekingabovethehorizon.

Istoppedthesubmarinehalfamilebeforereachingthesandandleftthecontrolcabin.IgrabbedthelargestcloakIcouldfind—withthelongestsleevesandhood—andtuckeditbeneathmyarm.Then,climbingthroughthehatchandlockingitbehindme,Islippedintothewaters,carefultoholdthemapabovethewaveswithonehand.

IbreatheddeeplyasIexitedthewaterandbeganwalkingalongthesand.Ilookedupanddown,relievedthattherewasnosignofhumanlife.What

appearedtobeadenseforestlinedthebeach.Itookacloserlookatthemapagain.I’dhavetobefast.Ididn’twanttobecaughtoutinthesun.ButIwasstillgettingusedtothespeedatwhichIcouldtravel.IhadtobecarefultonotpropelforwardtoosuddenlyincaseIrammedrightintoatree.

Itwasn’tlongbeforeIreachedamainroad.Theproblemwas,thismapwassoancient,itwasn’tliketherewereroadmarkings.Therewasjustablackcross,andnexttoitwaswrittenPilabres.ItcouldbeanentiretownforallIknew.Butitdidn’tmatterrightnow.Iwasjustenjoyinghavingsomethingtodistractmymindwith.

Ilookedupatthesignpost.Noneofthenamesmatchedtheoneonthemap.IranafewmilesupthehighwayuntilIreachedanothersignpost.Stillnosignofthename.

Icouldn’thelpbutthinkIwaswastingmytimeatthispoint.IshouldjustreturntothesubmarinebeforeIbumpintoahuman.

IwasabouttoturnaroundwhenIcaughtsightofabuildingwithalargesignpostaboveit.“PilabresMotel.”Depictionsofmountainswerepaintedontothesidesofthebuilding.

Crossingtheroad,Iapproacheditcautiously.WitheachstepItook,thesmellofhumanbloodgrewstronger.Istoppedinmytracks,holdingmybreath,notdaringtogoastepfurther.

Insidethismotel,IwouldfindmyanswertowhatPilabreswasexactly.Istrainedtoseethroughthetintedglassdoors.Imanagedtomakeoutareceptiondesk.Fromhere,Icouldn’tseeanyoneinside.IfIwasquick,Imightjustbeabletoswipeafewleaflets.

Istartedapproachingthedoorsagain.Slowlyatfirst,beforeIbegantorun.Iflewupthestepsandswungopenthedoor,holdingmynoseinanattempttotakeinlessofthescent.Notevendaringtostaylongenoughtolookatwhattheleafletswere,Igrabbedonefromeachoftheholdersandstumbledbackoutside,gaspingforbreath.Ihurtledforward,backacrosstheroadandintotheforestagain.Ididn’tstopuntilIreachedaclearingseveralmilesawaywhereIfinallyfeltdistantenoughfromthesmellofhumanstostopagain.

Mychestheaving,Ibegantoexaminetheleafletsonebyone.Theyall

seemeduselesstomeatfirst—adsforscuba-divingexcursionsandhikes—butthelastoneIlaidmyeyesonheldtheanswer.

CascadaPilabres.I’dlearntenoughSpanishtoknowthatcascadameantwaterfall.Ilooked

backatMona’smaponceagain.Thenlookedatthemaponthebackofthepamphlet.Ibeganhurtlingthroughthetreesagaintowardit.Icrossedroadafterroadthatcutthroughtheforest,andsoon,Icouldhearcrashingwater.

Iquickenedmypace.ItfeltlikeIwasjusthalfamileawayfromitnow.“Surroundthearea.”Itwasawhisper,perhapsaquartermileaway.Istoppedrunning.Ibeganto

detectthesmellofhumanbloodthroughthetrees.Footstepsrushedthroughtheundergrowth,movinginaroundme.Thescent

ofbloodgrewcloser.Myeyesshotupwardtothetreestoweringaboveme,andwithonemassiveleap,Ispranguptothetopofthenearestonetome.Iclimbedtothetop,peekingoutabovethecanopyofleaves.Iscannedtheareaallarounduntilmyeyesfellonthetipofacliff.Awaterfall—aboutamileaway.CascadaPilabres,nodoubt.

Ilookeddownward.Thesoundsofhumansapproachingweregrowinglouderandlouder,andnowIcouldmakeoutafaintbeepingapproachingalongwiththem.Somesortofdevice.Icouldn’timaginewhatagroupofhumanswouldbedoinginthejungleatsuchanearlyhour,orhowtheycouldhavedetectedmymovementfromsofaraway.ButIremaineddeathlystillinthattreeasIstareddownatagroupofsevenmenbeginningtogatherintheclearingdownbelow.Peeringthroughthegapsoftheleaves,Isawthattheywereallholdingblackguns.Itwashardtomakeouttheirfaces.Theyworehatsthatcastshadowsovertheirfaces,andsomewerewearingtheircollarszippeduphigh.

Astheylookedallaroundtheclearing,theirgunsheldup,Iwasexpectingthemtopassbyandcontinuethroughtheforest.Buttheydidn’t.Thebeepingcontinued,andastheyapproachedclosertomytree,itseemedtobegettinglouder.

Whoarethesepeople?Mybreathhitchedasalltheireyesturnedupward.Ididmybesttokeepstill,

hopingIwouldmergewiththedarknessofthetree,butoneofthempointedandhissed,“Upthere.”

Ihadaboutasecondtoconsiderwhattodonextasallsevenmenraisedtheirgunsandbeganfiring.Ididn’tknowwhothesepeoplewere,butsomethingtoldmethatIdidn’twantoneofthosebulletshittingmyskin.

KickingwithallmystrengthagainstthebranchIwasperchedon,Ileaptthroughtheairandlandedinthenexttreeabouttenfeetaway.Bulletsrippedthroughtheleaves,followingmeasIlanded.IhadbarelyafewsecondstogainbalancebeforeIleaptontothenexttree.Whoeverthesepeoplewere,theywerebentoncatchingme.Theywerefollowingmeontheground.Ihurriedmymovements,leapingfromtreetotreefasterandfaster,untilIhopedthatIwasnothingbutablurtothem.

IkeptleapingfrombranchtobranchuntileventuallytheirsoundsbecamedistantandIfinallyfeltitsafetoslowmypaceagain.Wipingsweatfrommybrow,Istaredupatthebrighteningsky.Thesun’srayswereclosetopeekingoutfromthehorizonnow.

Ifwhatthosemenhadwasatrackingdevice,itwouldn’tbelongbeforetheychasedmedownagain.Ihadtokeepmoving.Ialsohadtoabandonplansoftryingtogettothegate,atleastfornow.Iclimbeddownfromthetreeand,assoonasmyfeethittheground,Ibeganracingthroughthetrees,stoppingeverynowandthentolistenandreorientmyselfincaseIheardthemenagain.Iwasfasterrunningonfootthanswingingthroughthetrees.Itriedtomakeawidecirclearoundthemen,sothatIcouldgetbacktotheroad,makemywaybacktothebeachandreenterthesubbeforedawnbroke.

Asthetreesbegantothin,Ibreathedoutinrelief.Iwasalmostatthefirstroadnow.Iwasabouttomakethelaststepsuptotheconcretewhenthesmelloffreshbloodconsumedme.Itcameonsosuddenly,sounexpectedly,ithitmelikeapunchtothegut.I’dthoughtIwasstillsatisfiedfrommypreviousvictim’sblood,butnowIdoubledoverwithhungeragain.

Whatiswrongwithme?Ididn’tevenfeedthatlongago.Icastmyeyesabouttheforest,strainingtohearanysoundsofhumans

approaching.Iheardnothingforatleastamile,whereIcouldhearthedistant

crunchingofleavesandthatsamemonotonousbeeping.Thesmellwasbeginningtodrivemedelirious.Itseemedthateachsecond

thatpassed,itbecamemoreandmoreintense.AndthenIheardit.Thecreakingofafloorboard.

Myeyesshotupwardtosee,highupinthetrees,atreehouseofsorts.Ididn’tneedtobeageniustoguessthatwhateverthiswas,itwasthebaseofthosemenwho’dbeenchasingme.Holdingmybreath,tryingtonotmakeasound,Ilurchedforwardagain,tryingtogetawayfromthetreehousebeforemydarknesstookoverandIclimbedupthereandmurderedthefirsthumaninsight.

ButbeforeIcouldreachtheroad,asharppainhitthebackofmyrightshoulder.Aneedle-likeobjectstuckrightintoit.Behindme,amaninblackclothesandabalaclavawatched,theneedlegunstillraisedasheobservedme.

Istumbled,reachingforitandyankingitoutofmyshoulder.Grunting,Istaggeredforwardagaintowardtheroadbeforehecouldaimanotheratme.ButIbarelyevenmadeitacrosstheconcretebeforemylegsbegantofeelheavy,myeyelidsweigheddown.

Iforcedmyselfintotheshadowofthetrees,butabouttenfeetlater,mylegsgavewaybeneathme.Myheadhitarockanddarknessfinallyclaimedme.

F

CH A P T E R 3 :B E N

luorescentlightblindedmewhenmyeyelidsliftedagain.Asmyeyesadjustedtothebrightness,myvisioncameintofocus.Iwasstaringatamanwithcroppedhairandarugged,pockmarkedface.Hewassittinginachair,aboutfivefeetawayfromme.

Hissmellfilledmynostrils.Icouldpracticallyfeelthebeatingofhisheart,therushofhisbloodthroughhisveins.Itriedtostandup,butthickchainsheldmeback.Iwasfastenedtoawall.Usingallmystrength,Ipulledagainstthem.Theydidn’tbudgeintheslightest.

Icastmyeyesabouttheroom.Otherthanthemansittinginfrontofme,itwascompletelyempty.Thelightingwasmadeonlyharsherbythewhitewalls.Oppositemewasatintedglasswindow,andnexttoitinthecornerwasadoor.

“Whoareyou?”Ispat,clenchingmyfists.ItwasallIcoulddotoevenspeak.ThehungerIfeltforthishumanwasconsumingme.

Hemaintainedapokerfaceashelookedatmesteadily.Slowly,hebrushedasidethecuffofhisrightsleeveandraisedhisforearmtome.EtchedintohistanskinwasabrandIrecognized.Itwasthesamebrandthatmyfatherhadimprintedonhisback.Thebrandofahawk.Thebrandofthehunters…

Myeyesmusthaveregisteredsurprise,becausehenoddedslowly,givingmeaknowingsmile.

“Youseemtorecognizethis,”hesaidinanasallyvoice,brandishinghisforearm.“Whichcovendoyoubelongto?”

Ibitdownonmylowerlip.Ifthesepeoplewerehunters,thelastthingtheyneededtofindoutwasmyidentity.They’dtrytousemetobreakintoTheShade,orworse.

Ikeptmylipssealed,staringathimdefiantly.Hepulledoutagunfrombeneathhisjacketandclosedthedistancebetweenus,holdingitupagainstmytemple.“Youmightwanttoanswerwhenspokento,vampire.BelievemewhenIsaytheonlythingkeepingyoufromdeathismycuriosity,whichwillbequicklyspent.”

Ifhewasgoingtokillmeanyway,therewasnopointinmecooperating.WhenIstillrefusedtoanswer,heraisedthegunandbroughtitsmetaledgesmashingdownagainstmyskull.Thepainsearedthroughmyhead,blindingmemomentarily.

Hekneltdowninfrontofmeandgrippedmyjaw,forcingmetolookintohiseyes.

“Answerme,”hegrowled.Despitethepaininmyskull,Itriedtoforcemyselftothinkstraight.Clearly,

myidentitywasmoreinterestingtohimthanhewaslettingon.Otherwisewhydidn’thejustkillmealready?

“Onebulletfromthisgun,anditwillburnyouupinside.Doyoureallywanttoriskthat?”Afemalehadjustenteredtheroom.Sheappearedtobeinherlatetwenties,ash-blondehairtiedupinabun.Shelookeddownatmewithcoldgreyeyesassheplacedahandontheshoulderoftheman.

Iglaredather,refusingtoflinchbeneathhergaze.“Itseemsweneedtotryadifferentapproach,”shemutteredtotheman

beneathherbreath.Theman’seyesremainedgluedonmeuntiltheybothopenedthedoorand

exitedtheroom.Ibreathedoutheavily,rubbingmyinjuredheadwithmyhands.Itwasclearthattheywantedsomethingfromme,andtheywanteditenough

tonotkillmeyet.Itwasinmybestinteresttotakemytimeinansweringthem.Isankbackagainstthewall,staringatthetintedglass,throughwhichthey

werelikelynowstaringatme.Hunters.Mygrandfatherhadgoneonamissionalmosttwodecadesagotoshutdowntheorderofthehunters.Butsomany

humankidnappingshadhappenedsince,Isupposedthatitwasonlyamatteroftimebeforetheystarteduptheircauseagain.

Butwhywouldtheybesetupinthemiddleofthisforest?Couldtheybeawareofthegatenearby?Ifso,howwouldtheyhavefoundout?

Theclickofthedoorinterruptedmythoughts.Threemenenteredtheroom,includingthemanI’dwokenupto.Oneofthemcarriedaladder.Hepositioneditinthecenteroftheroomandbeganclimbingupward.Istaredupattheceilingforthefirsttime.Themanloosenedseveralhatchesatallfourcornersofthesquareceiling,thenpushedabuttononthesideofthewall.Thelightsflickeredoffandtheceilingbegantolift.Sunspilleddownintotheroomastheroofliftedhigherandhigher.Eventuallyitfoldedoutofsightcompletely,leavingtheroomcompletelysubmergedinsunshine.Theforestsoundsthatfilledthechambertoldmethatwewerestillamongthetrees,likelyinthegianttreehouseI’dspotted.

Myskineruptedinagony,asthoughsomeonehadthrownboilingoiloverme.Ifeltmyskinbegintoblisterandcrackle.

Icouldbarelyevenseethroughthebrightness.Isquinted,tryingtomakeoutthethreefiguresapproachingme.

“Perhapsnowyou’llbemoreamenable,”thepockmarkedmansaid,resuminghisseatoppositeme.

Igroanedandthrashedinmyseat,tryingtopositionmyselfsothatthesunhitaslittleofmeaspossible.Butitwasimpossible.

“Twosimplequestionstostartwith.Yourname,andyourcoven.”Iwasinsomuchpainitwasastruggletoevenpayattentiontohiswords.I

wasabouttohissoutamade-upnameandplacewhenhalfadozenhoodedfiguresleaptthroughthetopoftheroof.

Andeverythingthathappenednextwasablur.Allthreehuntersleaptbackfrommeandwhippedoutguns.Theypointed

thematthefigures,whoweremovingwithspeedfartoogreatforhumans.Bulletserupted,ricochetingoffthewalls.Ihadtoduckasonecamehurtlingtowardmyhead,andoneonlynarrowlymissedmyshoulder.Iknewnowwhatwouldhappenifevenoneofthosebulletshitme.I’dburnalivewithinseconds.

Istaredasclawsshotoutfromthehoodedfiguresandslashedallthreementhroughthethroat,leavingthembleedingontheground.Hotbloodspilledfromtheirnecks,soakingthefloor.Therewereshoutsoutsidetheroomasmorepeopleattemptedtoenter.Thehoodedfiguresleaptonthemassoonastheyapproached.Icouldn’tseewhatwashappeningontheothersideoftheglasswindow,buttherewereyells,criesofpain,gunsgoingoff.Therewasadeafeningcrackasabulletbrokethroughthetintedwindow.HadIbeenevenafewsecondslateinducking,thebulletwouldhavegonerightthroughmybrain.Whoeverwasontheothersideofthewallhadattemptedtoendme.

Thegunshotsbegantogetlessfrequent,andsoonthesixhoodedfiguresweremarchingbackintotheroom,threeunconsciousmenintheirclutches.Theyturnedtheirgazetowardme,andintheblinkofaneye,fiveleaptuptotheroof.Iwasexpectingthesixthtofollow,buthismaskedfaceremainedturnedtome.

“Whoareyou?”Ichoked,tryingtosteadymyvoiceamidstthepain.Ignoringmyquestion,heapproachedmychairandbentdown,staringinto

myeyes.Thenhebackedawayagain,andIwassurehewasabouttoleavemeheretodiewhen,insteadofjumpingupward,hemovedbackoutthroughthedoor.Iheardthesoundofrummagingandthentheclinkingofkeys.Hereturnedand,slidingthekeyintothelocksoneithersideofmywrists,grippedmebythecollarandpulledmetoastandingposition.Heplacedanarmaroundmywaistforsupport.Igrippedhisshoulderasheleaptupwardwithme.Eveninmyweakenedstate,itwasn’thardformybodytomakethejump.

Wefoundourselvesontheroofofthetreehouse,overlookingadensemassoftrees.Hepaused,pointingdownatthegroundwherehisfivecompanionswaitedwiththethreehunters.

WeleaptdownandIwasrelievedwhenwebeganrunningforward.Thesunwasmuchlessvividdownhere,thedenseleavesblockingoutalmosteverythingbutasmalltrickleofsunshine.Weallkeptstridewithoneanotheraswerushedthroughthetrees.

Thesemustbevampires.Itriednottolookattheblooddrippingfromthehumanbeingcarriedbythe

vampiredirectlyinfrontofme.ItwasallIcoulddotonotstopandstartlickingitofftheground.

Itwasn’tlonguntilwenearedtheshore.Westoppedjustastheoceancameintoview,soastoremainintheshadeofthetreesliningthebeach.

Asweallpulledtoastop,Istaredatthesixmaskedmenagainandrepeatedmyquestion.“Whoareyou?”

Thevampirenearesttomeremovedhismask.Hehadlongbrownhairtiedupinabunatthebackofhishead,asquarejawandsharpblueeyes.

“JeramiahStone.”Helookedmeoverwithsuspicion.“Whoareyou?”“JosephBrunson,”Ireplied,lyingwithaslittlehesitationasIcouldmanage.

Itwasthefirstnamethatpoppedintomyhead—thenameofafriendI’dmetthroughsummercampafewyearsago.

Thevampirestandingtomyleftremovedhismask,revealingcroppedblondhairandbrowneyes.

“MichaelGallow,”hesaid.“Whereareyoufrom,Joseph?Whatgotyoucaughtupwiththehunters?”

AsMichaelremovedhisdisguise,theotherfivefollowedsuit.ThatwaswhenIrealizedthattwoofthemwerefemale.

“Iescapedfromanislandgovernedbytheblackwitches,”Ilied.“IwaspartofCalebAchilles’clan.”

Jeramiah’sandMichael’seyesnarrowedonme.“Howcouldyouescape?”Jeramiahasked.“Wasn’tabindingspellcastupon

youliketherestofthem?”“Indeed,onewas.ButIwastobetransferredfromCaleb’stoStellan’s

island.Itwasliftedtemporarily.Itookthechancetoescapeduringtransit.BecauseonceIreachedtheislandI’dneverhaveanotherchance.”

“Howdidyougethere?”“Ileaptintothewaters,managedeventuallytogetpulledupontoaboat,and

endeduphere.Igotpickedupbythehunters.”“Soyou’rearogue,”Jeramiahconcluded,lookingatmesteadily,alookof

interestinhiseyes.“Yes,”Ireplied.

“Thisforest,”ablack-hairedfemalemuttered.“Whyhereofallplaces?Youknowaboutthegate?”

Istaredatherandnodded.“Istolealookatamapinthewitch’sstudyduringmystaythere.SinceIhadnowhereelsetogoandIwasinthearea,Iwascurioustocheckitout.”

Myvoicetrailedoff.Themap.IinstinctivelyreachedintomypocketwhereIhadputit.Itwasgone.

Damn.“Amap,huh?”Jeramiahsaid,hiseyessparkingwithinterest.“Doyoustill

haveitonyou?”Ishookmyhead,scowling.“Theymusthavetakenitfromme.”Abreezeblewagainstme,carryingastrongwhiffofthehumans’blood.My

stomachlurched.Igrippedholdofatreebranch,tryingtogroundmyselfasIfeltmyselfbeginningtolosecontrolagain.

Ineededsomethingtodistractmyselfwithdesperately.IforcedmyeyesbacktoJeramiah.Eagertodivertquestionsawayfrommyself,Iaskedagain,“Whoareyou?”

Thevampiresexchangedglancesamongthemselves.Jeramiahwastheonetorespond.“We’reroguestoo,sotospeak,”hesaid.

“Whereareyoufrom?”“Wedon’tgogivingoutthatinformationtostrangers.”“Well,whatareyoudoinghere?”Jeramiahnudgedthehumanathisfeet.“Revenge.Thisparticulargroupof

huntershascausedussometroublerecently.Besides,wecanalwaysdowithatop-upofhumanblood.”

“Thankyouforsavingme,”Isaid.Jeramiahnodded.“Wewerethereanyway.Itwasn’talotofextrahassleto

bringyoualong.”Theothervampireswerebeginningtoshuffletheirfeetimpatiently.“Let’sgo,Jeramiah,”Michaelsaid,grippinghisshoulder.“Wait,”Jeramiahsaid,shruggingasidetheblond.Hetookastepcloserto

me,studyingmyfaceintently.Hestaredintomyeyes.“You’renewlyturned,

aren’tyou?”Iwastakenaback.I’dthoughtIwasdoingadecentjobofconcealingmy

bloodlust.Ididn’tknowhowhe’dguessed.Ithoughtitwasbestnottodenyit,sinceheseemedsocertain,soInodded.

Hegavemeaknowingsmile.Helookedbackattheothervampires,whowerenowlookingatmewithinterestandhadstoppedshufflingtheirfeet.

“Andyoureallyarearogue?”Jeramiahsaid,raisingabrow.“Yes,Ialreadytoldyou.Iwouldn’tbehereallaloneinthemiddleofthis

forestifIwasn’t.”“Hm.”Hecrossedhisarmsoverhischest,asifstilldeepinthought.He

turnedhisbackonmeandaddressedtheothersinalanguageI’dneverheardbefore.Ihadnoideawhathewassaying,buttheothersbeganrespondinginthesamelanguage.ThediscussionseemedtogetmoreheatedbytheminuteuntileventuallyJeramiahturnedbacktofaceme.

“Doyouhavesomewheretogo?”Ishookmyhead.“Wouldyoulikeshelter?”Ilookedatthem,studyingeachoftheirfacesonebyone.Ididn’tknowthese

vampires,butthefactwas,Icouldn’tstayinthatsubmarine.I’dalreadytried,butmybloodlusthadforcedmetoshoreforhumanblood.AndnowthatIwasonshore,Icoulddowithsomewheresafetostay,awayfromthesunlightbeatingintomyeyes.

“Thatdependsonwhereitis,”Ireplied.“Somewheresafe.Awayfromthesun.Awayfromthethreatofhunters.

Somewherewithanunlimitedsupplyofblood.Whereyouneverneedtoworryaboutgoingthirsty.”

Mymouthwatering,onthevergeoflosingcontrolandgrabbingoneofthosehumansathisfeet,Icouldn’tdenytheattractionofhiswords.Inodded.“Atleastfornow.”

Tomysurprise,hepickeduptheunconscioushumanandplacedhimdownatmyfeet.“Half-turnthishuman.”

“What?’

“Youheardme.Half-turnhim.”“Half-turn?Whatareyoutalkingabout?”MichaelnudgedJeramiah’sshoulder.“Youcan’texpecteveryonetohave

figuredthisout.”Jeramiahnodded.“Ofcourse.We’veknownaboutitsolongIjustassume

thatit’scommonknowledgeamongvampiresnow…Half-turninghumansmeanstheydon’tturnfully.Newlyturnedvampireshavethecapabilitytodothis.We’vetriedwitholdervampiresbefore,buttheyalwaysendupeitherturningthemorkillingthem.”

Mymindwasreeling.I’dneverheardof“half-turning”ahuman.I’dalwaysthoughtthateitheraturningwouldbesuccessfulandthehumanwouldturnintoavampire,orthehumanwoulddie.

“Howisthatevendone?”“Youexerciseself-controlandonlyinsertasmalldoseofyourvenom.”Iscoffed.Iwassurethatthemomentmyfangstouchedhisskin,I’ddrain

himdry,thewayIhadwithYasmineandtheotherhumanIdidn’tevenrecallbyface.

“Whatusearehalf-vampirestoyouanyway?Whatarethey?”Iasked.“Theymakeuseful,andmorepermanent,servants.Whilethey’renotas

strongasus,theirbloodisn’tatallappealing.It’sbitter.Theylivealongtime.They’represervedjustasvampiresare.Andthey’reofnothreattousbecausetheyhaven’tgottenfarenoughintotheirturningtohavedevelopedfangsorclaws.Nordotheyconsumeonlyblood.Theycaneatregularfoodtoo—sothey’renotaburdentofeed.”

“Howisitthatanewlyturnedvampirecandothisandnotanolderone?”Icouldn’thelpbutask.

“Youngervampires’venomislessstrong.Itisn’tasdevelopedandit’slessfast-acting.That’swhyIbelieveyoumightbeusefultous…Youcantry,atleast.Worstcase—youfailandkillanenemy.”

Istaredatthehunterhe’dplacedbutafewfeetawayfromme.Ihadenoughreasontowanttokillthesehuntersafterwhatthey’djustdonetome.Butthetruthwas,Ididn’thatehunters.Mygrandfatherhadbeenone—hell,myown

fatherhadbeenonebeforehe’dturnedintoavampire.Besides,evenifthishunterdiddeserveit,Iwastryingtofightoffthedarknessdiggingmyfangsintothismanwouldonlyplungemefurtherinto.

Michaelscowled.“Allthisexplanation,Jeramiah,you’remakingoutthatwe’redesperateforhim.He’sgotmuchmoretogainbyhisjoiningusthanwehave.”

“True,”Jeramiahsaid.Helookedatmeseriously,studyingmyface.“So,makeyourdecision.Trytohalf-turnthisman,andifyousucceedyoucancomewithus.Failand,well,you’reinthesamesituationasyouarenow.Icanguideyouhowtodoit.ButIneedtoseeifyouhaveenoughself-control.”

IgulpedasIlaideyesonthehunteragain.IwouldhavetobecrazytothinkthatIcouldpullthisoff.Themomentmyfangsgrazedhisneck,I’dbesuckingouthisblood.Iwouldn’thavetherestrainttoturnsomeone,letalonehalf-turnthem.

AsmuchasIwassuremybodywasgoingtoregretthis,Itookastepback.EverythingaboutJeramiah’srequestfeltwrong.Half-turningsomeonesotheybecameaslavefortherestoftheirlives?AndIdidn’tevenknowthesevampires.Whatdidtheyactuallydowithhalf-vampires?

Ididn’tcareforthishunter,butitwasmoreformyselfthanforhimthatIsteppedawayfromhim.ThisallfeltastepclosertowardthedarknessIwastryingtoescape.

Ishookmyhead.“I’msorry.Ican’t.”Jeramiahraisedabrowinsurprise.“Areyouserious?”“Yes.”Thevampiresexchangedglancesandremainedsilent.“Verywell,”Jeramiah

said.“Let’sgo,”Michaelsaid.“We’vewastedenoughtimealready.Wedon’tneed

anyoneelse,we’llmanageourselves.Worstcase,wejustturnoneofthehumanswehavealreadyandthentrainthemtohalf-turnifwewantmorehalf-bloods.”Michaelturnedonhisheelandbegantowalkaway.Theothervampiresfollowed.ItwasJeramiahwhoremainedbesideme,stillstaringatme.

“Wait,Michael,”hesaid.Michaelstoppedshort,nolongerbotheringtohide

theimpatienceinhisface.“Handmeyourphone.”“Why?”“Justhanditover.”Michaellookedtakenaback,butreluctantlypulledoutasmallblackflip

phonefromhispocketandhandedittoJeramiah,whohelditoutinfrontofme.“What’sthisfor?”Iasked,takingthephoneinmyhandandflippingitopen.“Incaseyouchangeyourmind,”Jeramiahsaid.“Mynumberistheonly

contactonthere.You’llbeabletocontactmewhereveryouare.It’snotanordinaryphone.”

Iwasabouttohandthephonebacktohim—Iwasn’tsureIwantedtoacceptanykindofgiftsfromthesepeople—butIhadsecondthoughtsandkeptit.

Inodded.“Ifyouwanttojoinus,”hesaid,“you’llfindahuman,half-turnthemand

callthenumber.Thenwe’lltalk.Perhapsyou’llbedesperateenoughinafewdaysoftryingtosurvivealonebyyourself…Remember,thetrickistostopbeforeyoufeelyou’vestarted.”

Ilookedathiminconfusion.BeforeIcouldaskhimanythingelse,hebentdown,pickedupthehumanagain,andfollowedtheothers.Istaredafterthemasthegroupdisappearedintothetrees.Ihadnoideawheretheywereheading.AndIhadnoideawhatIwoulddonowthatI’dbeenleftaloneagain.

Ibreathedmorefreelyastheyrushedoff,thescentofhumanbloodbecomingfainterandfainter.ButIwasbeginningtofeeltheburningagain.TheagonyI’denduredinthesunhadtakenalotoutofme.

Oncethey’ddisappeared,Ilookeddownatthephone,thenslippeditintomypocket.Ididn’tknowwhatIwasgoingtodonow.Butsomehow,goingwiththemdidn’tfeelliketherightpath.Iwasgivingintodarknessenoughasitwas.Somethingtoldmethattheircompanymightmakeitsettlepermanentlyovermyeyes.Iwasbetterofftryingtofiguremyselfoutonmyown.Whattheydidtohumansandthewaytheymanagedwhereveritwastheylived—itseemedtobeeverythingmyparentshadcometofightagainst.

Besides,Ididn’tknowthem.TheycouldhavebeenenemiesofTheShadeforallIknew.

AsImademywayacrossthehotsandbacktowardmysubmarine,tryingtorunasquicklyasIcouldbeneaththesun’srays,thecravingforbloodreturningfullforce,IfeltgladthatIhadn’ttoldthemmyrealname.Notjustformyownsafety,butbecauseIdidn’twanttomarthenameofmyparents.

I

CH A P T E R 4 :B E N

nmanyways,returningtothesubmarinewasafoolishmove,especiallysinceI’dalreadydetectedmyhungercomingback.Itwasn’tmorethanafewhoursbeforemyeyesbecamecloudedagainandmybloodlusttookovermybrain.Ifoundmyselfnavigatingbacktowardshoreandarrivedbythetimeitwasevening.IhadreachedsomeSouthAmericancoast.AsIclimbedoutofthehatch,partofmedreadedwhatImightfind,whiletheotherpartofmewastremblingwithanticipation.Fortherushthatwouldonceagainfillmyveinswithecstasy.

ThebeachI’dlandedonseemedquiteempty.Istalkedalongforseveralmiles,butonstillfindingnobody,movedfurtherinland.Iwalkedthroughatree-linedpath,sniffingthenightairforanysignofhumanproximity.IstoppedabruptlyasIreachedamainroad.Theoccasionalcarwhizzedby,butotherwiseitwasquiet.

Butitdidn’ttakelongformetofindasquarefullofpeople.Youngpeople,notmucholderthanmyself,hangingontheswingsandsmoking.AssoonasIlaideyesonthem,Iwasalostcause.Ispedintothecenterofthesquarelikeaflashoflight.Theybarelyknewwhathitthem.Irushedoff,amaninmyarms,myfangsalreadyburyingdeepintohisneckasIran.

ThescreamsoftheothersdrownedoutasIliftedhimupatreeandfinishedsuckingouteverylastdropfromhisveins.ThenIletgoofthebody,lettingitsmashagainsttheconcretebelow.

Thepleasurewasstilllightingupmybrain.Itwasstilltooearlyforthehorrorandguilttokickin.I’dexpectedtofeelfullafterconsumingthatman.ButIdidn’t.Ihadroomforanother.Perhapsitwasthesunthathaddrainedme,orperhapsmybloodlustwasincreasing,Ididn’tknow.Ididn’tcare.IjustknewwhatIwanted.AndItookit—ayoungwomanthistime,fromthesamesquare.

Scoopingherupinmyarms,Iracedwithherbacktowardthebeach.Istoppedoutsidethevessel,finishingthelastofherbloodbeforediscardingherbodyinthewavesandclimbingin.

Iclosedthehatchabovemeandleanedbackagainstthemetalwall,closingmyeyesandrelishingthefreshrushofbloodflowingthroughme,nourishingeverycellofmybody.IfeltsostrongIcouldcrushaballofironwithmyfist.SodrunkonbloodIfeltinvincible.I’dhadnoideathatbloodcouldmakeavampirefeellikethis.Itsatisfiedtheirhunger,theburninginthestomach,thatIunderstood…butthis?Itwaslikeadrugtome.Icouldn’trememberevenmyfatherdescribingbloodlustwiththismuchintensity.

Ipulledmyselftomyfeetandstaggeredtowardthecontrolroom,puttingthevesselintoreverseandmovingawayfromtheshore.Istoppedaboutthreemilesout,lyingbackdownonthefloor,staringupatthedarkceiling.

ItfeltlikeIwasintheearlystagesofanaddiction.ThemoreIkilled,themoreIfelttheurgeforit.ItseemedtobeeasierandeasiereachtimeItried.EachgulpofbloodIdrankcamewithlessguilt.Lesshesitation.

Itwasonlyafterfivehoursofsittingaloneinthesubmarinethattheslightestflickerofguiltresurfacedinmydarkmind.

Ican’tkeepkillinglikethis.AndyetIknewthatIwouldaslongasIremainedaloneinthissubmarine.I

hadnobodytoholdmeback.EvenwhenItriedtostayawayfromtheshore,oncethedarknesscloudedmymindIjustfoundmyselfreturningagain.

Iwalkedovertothebathroomandstaredatmyselfagaininthemirror.Ialmostyelledinshock.Myeyeshadturnedpitchblack.Itwasasiftheyhadneverbeengreen.

Isplashedcoldwateronmyface,dryingitwithatowel,asifthiswouldsomehowchangethecolorofmyeyes.

Istaggeredback,mybackhittingthewallofthebathroom.Whatishappeningtome?

T

CH A P T E R 5 :B E N

hemomentofclaritythathaddescendedonmeinthesubmarinedidn’tlastlong.Isoonwentbacktorelishingthewaymybodyfeltafterconsumingsomuchblood.Isatinthecontrolcabinforhours,staringoutatthedarkwaters.Isatforalmostadaybeforethecravingformorefreshbloodtookholdofmeagain,and,likeaslavetomyownsenses,Ifoundmyselfbeingdraggedbacktoshore.

IbarelyevenfeltthesundiggingintomyskinasIsoughtoutmynextvictims.AllIcouldthinkaboutwastheexquisiteliquidseepingintomymouth.

IbegantolosetrackofhowmanypeopleIkilledinthedaysthatfollowed.Butafterwhatwasperhapsthetenthmurder,theguiltwaspracticallynon-existent.Iwasbarelyself-awareenoughforthistoscareevenmeanymore.Slicingthroughaman’sthroatwasbeginningtofeelnodifferentthanslicingopenanorange—ameansofsustenanceIcouldn’tdowithout.

Itwasn’tuntilthephoneranginmychestpocketthatIgainedsomesenseofwhoIwasagain.

Iscrambledtopickitup.“Hello?”Isaid.“Joseph.”ItwasJeramiah’svoice.“Whatdoyouwant?”Ibreathed.“IthoughtI’dcheckinonyou.Howareyoucoping?”“Fine,”Igrunted.

“Good.Good.Soyou’refindingbloodallright?”“Yes.”“Allright.Iwasjustcurious.Notallnewlyturnedvampiresarecutouttobe

murderers,yousee.Somepreferotherstodothekillingandjustpartakeoftheblood.Butitseemsthatyou’redoingjustfine.”

Withthat,hehungup.Iremovedthephonefrommyear,staringdownatthereceiver.Therewas

somethingaboutthoselastwordsthatdidn’tsitrightwithme,andIwasn’tsurewhy.

Murderer.Thatwaswhathe’dcalledme.I’mamurderer.ThewordfinallytriggeredtheemotionsI’dbeenstrugglingtofeelthepast

fewdays.Regret.Guilt.FrightatwhatIwasbecoming,perhapshadalreadybecome.

No.Ican’tletmyselffalllikethis.Ipulledmyselftomyfeet,stillstaringdownatthephone.I’mnotamurderer.Ikeptrepeatingthewordsoverandoverinmyhead,as

ifjustsayingthemwouldmakeittrue.Iwalkedtotheendofthesubmarineandslammedmyfistsagainstthewall,

makingtwomoredents.Istampedmyfootontheground,makingthevesselrockfromsidetosideandshudder.

No,Ican’tdothis.Itriedtothinkofmyparents,buttheyseemedlikeadistantmemory,asdid

Rose.Ihavenobodybutmyselftosavemenow.Ihavetostopkilling.Mywholebodyshuddered,asthoughitwasalreadystartingtogointo

withdrawalsjustatthethought.Mylastkillwasstillfreshinmymemory,mystomachstillfilled.Ilooked

downatthephoneagain.PerhapsIwouldhavebeenbetteroffjoiningJeramiah.AtleastImightnot

havetodothekillingmyself.Hesaidtheyhadblood.

PerhapsthatwouldgivemethechanceIneededtoclimboutofthispit.

I

CH A P T E R 6 :B E N

fIwasgoingtoseriouslyconsidertakingupJeramiah’soffer,Ineededtoactquickly.Beforethenextwaveofhunger.I’djustfinishedconsumingthreehumans.IdoubtedIcoulddrinkmorebloodnowevenifItried,Iwassofilledtothebrim.

Ifoundmyselfflippingopenthephone,myfingershoveringoverthekeypad.JeramiahhadsaidI’dhaveto“half-turn”ahumanandbringthemwithmeifIwastobeacceptedintotheirgroup.Thatrequiredself-controlbeyondmeasure.Anynormalvampirewouldhavehadtroublewiththat,letaloneme—Icouldbarelylookatahumanwithoutsalivating.

ButIhadtotry.Icouldn’tkeeplivinglikethis.IfIdid,I’dneverbeabletoreturntoTheShade.

Icouldn’timaginegettinganyworsethanIalreadywas,soIwouldhavenothingtolosebyjoiningJeramiah’sclan…whereverthathappenedtobe.

Navigatingtoadifferentshorethanthelast,Iventuredbackontothebeach.Itwasnight,makingiteasierformetoslipinandoutofthecrowdsunnoticed.Thisseemedtobeaholidayresort.Thebeacheswereteemingwithpeople,evenatthistimeofnight.Thatwasbothadvantageousanddisadvantageous.Therewereplentyofpeopletochoosefrom,butmostweretightlypackedingroups.Ididn’twanttocausemorecommotionthanIhadto.

Iwalkedpastthebeachandreachedahighway.Icrossedtotheotherside,wheretherewerelinesofrestaurantsandshops.Ilookedupanddownthe

stretchofroad,wonderingwhichplacewasbesttostart.Thensomethingcaughtmyeye.Asignforahospital.

Eveninmycurrentstate,Iwasn’tfargoneenoughforthattonotmeansomethingtome.

IwasabouttocondemnsomeonetoalifetimeofservitudetoagroupofbloodsuckersIknewnothingabout.IoughttoatleasttrytoputsomethoughtintowhomIchose.

Ahospital,ontheotherhand,wouldhavesickpeople.Perhapseventerminallyillpeople.Peoplewhowoulddoanythingtobegivenanotherchanceatlife.

Istilldidn’tknowallthesymptomsthatwouldcomewithbeingahalf-vampire.ButJeramiahhadsaidthattheirlivesarepreservedasvampires’are.Whetherthatlifewouldbeworthlivingwasanothermatterentirely.ButIfeltastrongsenseofwantingtotakesomeonewhohadalreadygivenuponlife.ItwouldmaketheactIwasabouttocommitfeelatleastalittlelessmonstrous.

SoIbeganheadinginthedirectionthesignwaspointing.Ispeduptoarun,followingsignaftersign,untilIeventuallyfoundmyselfstandingatthefootofatall,glass-windowedbuilding.Thiswasit.

IwasgratefulthatI’dhadthepresenceofmindtochangeintocleanclothesbackinthesubmarine.Goingincoveredinbloodwouldhavemademelookmorelikeapatientoraserialkillerthanavisitor.Takingadeepbreath,Istrodethroughthedoors.

FluorescentlightingbeatdownonmeasIwalkeduptothereceptiondesk.Twodark-skinnedwomensatbehindit,fillingoutmedicalforms.OneofthemlookedupatmeandspokeinSpanish.

“HowcanIhelp?”IfeltgratefulfortheSpanishI’dbeentaughtinschool.“MayIhaveafloorplan,please?”Shereachedintoadrawerandhandedmeone.“Areyouheretovisitsomeone?”sheasked.Inodded,butdidn’tgiveherachancetoaskmewhomIwasherefor.I

steppedbackandbegantostudythemap.Myeyessettledontheplanofthetop

floor—forlong-staypatients,accordingtoahelpfulnote.Ididn’thavetimetofigureouthowtogettherelegitimately.Mybodywas

stillanalientome,andforallIknewitcouldsuddenlydecidethatitwasthirstingforbloodagain.Ihadtomakethisquick.Ituckedtheleafletintomyshirtpocketandwalkedbackoutoftheexit.Staringupward,Ibegantocirclethebuilding.Itwasalmostcompletelysheerexceptfornarrowledgesstickingoutbeneatheachrowofwindows.

Ifinishedscopingthebuildinganddecidedthatclimbingupthebackwouldgarnerlessattention.Tighteningmybeltaroundmywaistandpullingmyhoodovermyhead,Ileaptupandbegantoclimb.

I’dthoughtthatevenasavampireitwouldbeachallenge.SoIwasshockedtoleapfromoneledgetothenextasthoughI’ddoneitathousandtimesbefore.AsIreachedthetoplevel,Idaredlookdownforasecond.Mystomachflipped.Iwasn’tsurethatevenIwouldsurvivethatfallifIdidn’tlandjustright.

Iforcedmyfocusbackonthetaskathand.Sincenoneofthewindowswereopen,Iclimbedontotheroof.Lessattentionwouldbedrawntoadoorbeingforcedopenrightatthetopofthebuildingthanawholewindowsmashingopen.Possiblyintoanoperatingroom…

Iliftedmyselfontotheroofandlookedaround.Therewasindeedadoorinthecenteroftheroof.Iapproacheditandpulledatthehandle.Itwaslocked,asexpected.Grippingthehandle,themetalcrushingbeneathmyfingers,Iyankeditoff.Thatwoulddrawlessattentionthankickingthedoordown.

Ipushedthedooropentofindmyselfatthetopofadarkstaircase.Keepingthehoodofmycloakovermyface,Iclosedthedooragainbeforehurtlingdownthesteps.LightstreamedthroughapairofglassdoorsasIreachedthelevelbeneath.Ipusheditopentofindmyselfinsomekindofstorageroom.Therewereshelvesuponshelvesofmedicalequipment.Icrossedthefloorandreachedthedoor.Openingitledmetoanotherstorageroom.Iwasabouttoopenthedoorwhenmyeyescaughtsightofapileofwhiteoverallsandvisitorcards.Iputanoverallovermeandattachedavisitorcardaroundmyneck.Perfect.

WhenIopenedthedoor,thescentofhumanbloodwasstronger.Nursesanddoctorspassedthroughthecorridor.Iwaiteduntilthey’ddisappearedbefore

steppingout.IkeptmyeyesfixedonthefloorasItriedtowalkatthespeedahumanwould.Ididn’twanttomakeeyecontactwithanyone.

NowthatI’dreachedthelevelIneededtobeon,itwasamatteroffindingtherightpatient.Thescentofhumanbloodwasfillingmynostrils—bothsweet,healthybloodandalsoamoresickly,stalescentofdyingblood.ThelatterwasthetypeIneeded.Onethatwouldn’tbesoappealing.Iwouldhaveabetterchanceofnotkillingthehumanifhisorherbloodtasteddisgusting.

Iwalkedinandoutofrooms,lookingforabedthathadfewpeoplearounditandwasalmostempty.

Asitturnedout,myvictimfoundme.AsIwaswalkingalongaparticularlyempty-lookingward,plasticcurtains

rustledinthebedafewyardstomyright.Iwhirledaroundtoseecuriouseyeslookingatme,anemaciatedhandholdingopenthecurtains.Itwasayoungman.Itwashardtotellhisage—helookedsothinandsickly.ButIguessedhewasnoolderthanhismid-twenties.

“Hey,”hecalledoutinafrailvoice.Iapproachedhimcautiously,raisingabrow.Hisfacecontortedwithpain.“Ineedhelp.”IwassurprisedthathespoketomeinEnglish.“What’swrong?”Isaid,stoppingattheendofhisbed.Hescowled,hisbreathhitchingashereachedforhischest.“Thedrugyou

gavemeearlierisn’tworking.”Ibentclosertohim,lookingatwherehewastouching,andasIdidhiseyes

seemedtocomeintofocus.Heswore.“Itwasn’tyou.Itwassomeoneelse…I’minsomuchfrickin’

painIcanbarelysee.”GivenmywhiteoverallsheobviouslythoughtIwasadoctor.

“That’sallright,”Isaid.“Icanhelpyou.”Hereachedforaclipboardatthesideofhisbedandshovedittowardme.

“Thisismymedicalfile.Readitbeforeyoustartmeddling.”Heglaredatme.“Thisdamnhospital.Theywouldn’tbeabletofigureouthowtoassignmejustonedoctorevenifitwasmylastrequest.”

Iflippedtothefirstpageofhisfileandmyeyesfellonthefirstwordswrittenontheformatthetopofthepage.

“TobiasCole.Bronchialcancer.Stagefour.”That’sgoodenough.Ipretendedtobestudyingthefileforafewmoreminutesbeforetakinga

seatnexttohisbed.Ireachedoverandfelthispulse.Hesquirmedawayfromme.“Christ,you’recold.”“Sorry,”Imurmured,withdrawingmyhand.Iswallowedhard,staringdownattheman.Helookedupatmeexpectantly,

tearsformingatthecornersofhiseyesfromthepain.Jeramiah’slastwordsranginmyears.“Thetrickistostopbeforeyoufeelyou’vestarted.”Whatthehelldoesthatevenmean?Tobiaswasgrowingimpatient.Ididn’thavemuchtimetofigureitout.Ijust

hadtohopethathisbloodwasdisgustingenoughtoaidmeinpullingthisoff.Hecertainlysmeltofdeath.Igrimaced.

“What?”Tobiascroaked.“Nothing.”Iassumedastoicexpressionandstoodup,pushinghimdownflat

onthebed.“Iwillmakethepaingoaway.Butfirst,Iwantyoutocloseyoureyes.Canyoudothat?”

Helookedconfused,buthedidn’targue.Henoddedandshuthiseyes.Drawingthecurtains,Ibentdownand,coveringhismouthwithmyhandto

stiflehisstruggling,dugmyfangsintohisneck.Hewastooweaktomakemuchnoiseanyway.Andthenoisehedidmakewashardlydistinguishablefromtheothermoansofpainechoingthroughthehallsofthislevelofthehospital.Ifeltthebloodbegintorushintomymouthandbreathedoutthroughmynoseinreliefthatittastedasstaleasitsmelt.

Stopbeforeyoufeelyou’vestarted.Again,Ifoundmyselfwonderingwhatthatmeant.Hell,Ididn’tevenknow

howtoinjectvenomintosomeone.Iknewhowtosuckblood,butI’dneverreleasedvenom.Itriedtorecallthewaymyfather’sfangshadlookedwhenhe’dturnedme.Ispreadmylipstogivemyfangsasmuchleewayintohisfleshas

possible.Andthenithappened—aflowofice-coldliquidshotfromthemandinjectedintotheman’sbloodstream.

Ijerkedmyheadawayfromhim.ItfeltlikeImighthavestoppedtoolate.Quiteabitofliquidhadalreadyenteredhisbloodstream.IjusthadtohopethatIhadn’treleasedtoomuch.

Hebeganconvulsingonthebed.Nowthathistransformation—orhopefullysemi-transformation—wasbeginning,Ihadtofigureawaytogethimoutofhereandbacktomysubmarineassoonaspossible.

Wrappinghimuptightlywiththesheetssothathisfacewascoveredandhislimbsrestrainedfromconvulsingtoowildly,Ipickedhimupinmyarmsandracedtowardtheexitoftheward.Therewasnopointtryingtohidemyspeedanymore.SomeonewasgoingtonoticeIwascarryingawrithingpatientawayfromhisbed,soImightaswelltravelsofasttheywouldn’thaveachancetoevenregisterwhatthey’dseenuntilIwasalreadywelloutofreach.

Iwhizzedthroughthehalls,andTobias’strugglingstopped.Myspeedhadlikelyknockedhimbreathless.Icrossedcorridoraftercorridor,ignoringtheshoutsthatwerebecominglouderandlouderbehindme.AsIreachedthefirststorageroom,analarmbeganringingthroughoutthehospital.Ispedacrosstheroomandenteredthenext.Ididn’tletupuntilIreachedthedoubleglassdoorsleadingtothestaircaseleadinguptotheroof.Ispeduptothetop,kickedopenthedoorandranoutontotheroof.Alightdrizzlehadbeguntospraythenightair.

Irushedtotheedgeofthebuildingandlookeddown.Isworebeneathmybreath.Ihadn’treallyconsideredhowI’dgetthetwoof

usdownalive.Tobiaswascertainlyinnopositiontobeholdingontome.Andhewasatallman—notthatmuchshorterthanmyself.Withhimsquirminglikethis,therewasnowayI’dbeabletoholdontohimwhilealsogettingusbothsafelytotheground.

IranaroundthecircumferenceoftheroofandwasrelievedtospotwhatI’dhopedtosee.Anotherroofaboutfifteenfeetaway.Thiswasthemoresensibleoption.Icouldjumpthatwithoutdifficulty.

Isteppedbackawayfromtheedgeafewyardsand,grippingTobiasmore

tightly,gatheredspeedandleaptthroughtheair,landingonbothfeetwitheaseontheroofparalleltothehospital.Thisbuildingwaslower,abouttwostorieslower.Stillhigh,butatleastI’dmadesomeprogressingettingdowntoalevelfromwhichIcouldjustjumptothegroundwithoutriskofinjurytoeithermyselfor,moreimportantly,Tobias.

OnceI’dlandedonthislowerbuilding,Iranaroundtheedgesonceagain.Whilethebuildingnexttoitwasn’tanylower,therewereledgesthatlookedmuchthickerandeasiertohandle.SoIleaptagainontothissecondroofand,takingitslowly,managedtoclimbdowntothegroundontheoverhangingbalconies.

NowthatIwasontheground,Ilostnotimeinlurchingforward.Itookawrongturnafewtimes,butitwasn’tlongbeforeIfoundmyselfbackonthepromenadebeforethebeach.Iranacrossthesandandenteredthewater,holdingTobiasupandkickingwithmylegs,propellingustowardthesubmarineI’danchoredabouthalfamileawayfromtheshore.Idraggedhimuptothesubmarineroof,openedthehatchandslidinwithhim.Breathingheavily,Iplacedhimdownonabedinoneofthecabinsandlockedthedoorbehindme.Wipingsweatfrommybrow,IwalkedintothecontrolcabinandpickedupthephoneJeramiahhadgivenme.

Iflippeditopen,expectingtoneedtogouptotherooftogetasignal,buttherewasclearlysomethingdifferentaboutthisphone.Ithadafullsignalalreadyeveninthethickwallsofthissubmarine.

Islumpeddownintothechair,wipingsweatfrommybrow.Inavigatedtohiscontactnumberandpresseddial.Iputthephonetomyear,listeningtotherings.Thefirst.Thesecond.Thethird.Hepickedupafterthefourth.

“Yes?”Iswallowedhard.“IthinkI’mreadytotakeyouuponyouroffer.”Therewasapauseattheotherendoftheline.“Youweresuccessfulin

creatingahalf-blood?”“He’sintransformationnow.I’llknowinafewhours.”“Callbackthen.”Jeramiahhungupandthelinewentdead.Iplacedthephonedownonthedashboard,staringatitasIchewedonmy

lowerlip.TobiasCole.Ijusthadtohopethathewouldwakeupasahalf-bloodandnot

avampire.Ididn’tneedamadvampireforcompany.Ialreadyhadmyselftocontendwith.

M

CH A P T E R 7 :C A L E B

ybrainwasinafog.IfoundithardtofixmymindonanythingbutthememoryofRose’sbodyburningintoashesbythelake.Itreplayedoverandoverinmymind,anightmareIcouldn’tescapefrom.

Ididn’tknowhowmuchtimehadpassedsinceI’dlastrestedmyeyes.ButevenasAnnorasettleddowntosleep,Ishouldhaveknownbetterthantodriftoffmyself.Ishouldhavesuspectedthatshe’dtrysomething.

IsatboltuprightthemomentItastedit.Warmblood.Annora’sblood.Ihackedandspat,butitwastoolate.Itssweettastetookholdofmysensesandsentthemintooverdrive.

Istaggeredtomyfeet,grippingholdofthesideoftheboatasIglaredatAnnora.Thesightofherbloodspillingfromherpalmonlyservedtohastenmydescent.

Ilurchedtowardher,grippingherwaistandslammingherbackagainstthesideoftheboat.Ituggedroughlyonherhair,pushingitawayandgivingmeclearaccesstoherneck.Shedidn’tflinchasIbrokeherskinanddugmyfangsdeepintoherneck.Shewelcomedit.Wrappingherarmstightlyaroundmywaist,shepulledmecloserasshemoanedmyname.

Atfirst,Ididn’tunderstandwhyshedidn’tscreamorstruggle.Ididn’trealizewhyshemoanedwithpleasurewhenIcouldhavebeenmomentsfromendingherlife.Itwasn’tuntilI’ddownedmyfifthgulpofherbloodthatitdawnedonme.Itwasbecausesheknew.Sheknewwhatwashappening.

SheknewthatwitheachgulpofherbloodItook,thepainoflosingRosewasebbingawayandbeingreplacedwithaburning,blinddesireforAnnora.

I

CH A P T E R 8 :R O S E

wanttogoforawalk.”IplacedmyhandsonmyhipsandlookedsternlyatBella.Theogresssatin

thecorneroftheroom,knittingwhatlookedlikeathickscarf.I’dalreadytriedtoopenthefrontdoorwhileBellahadbeenbusywashing

upinthekitchen,butitwaslockedfast.Andsinceoneglanceoutofthewindowstoldmethatclimbingoutofthemwasn’tanoption,Ihadnochoicebuttoresorttoaskingtheogress.

Bellarolledhereyesandgesturedaroundtheroom.“Youcangoforawalkhere.It’sabigroom.”

“No.Ihaveclaustrophobia.Ineedamoreopenspacetostretchmylegs.Youcanescortme.”

Shestaredatme,thenshookherhead.“Notallowed,”shesaid,smackingherfatlipstogether.

“Whatkindofmaidareyouwhowon’teventakehermistressforawalk?”“Master’sorders.”Iscowledatherandslumpeddownonthebed.Heranswertoeverything

was,“Master’sorders.”ShestillrefusedtotellmeexactlywhereIwas,andwhatexactlythatbastardAnselmortheoldermanI’dcomeacrosshadinstoreforme.

Myeyessettledontheringofkeysfastenedtoherhugewaist.Thentheyraisedtoherface.Ithadgonebacktobeingfullofintenseconcentrationasshe

“

continuedworkingonherknitting.Istoodupslowlyandwalkedovertoher.Ipulledupanottomanandsatdownnexttoher,pretendingtoadoptasuddeninterestinherknitting.Iwastryingtogaugehowdifficultitmightbetounfastenthekeysfromherbeltonceshefinallyfellasleep—assumingshewastostaywithmeinmyquarters.

“Youlikeknitting,don’tyou,Bella?”Isaid,tryingtokeepherdistracted.Shenoddedenthusiastically.“Loveit.”OnceIwassatisfiedthatI’dgottenascloseaviewofthekeysasIwasgoing

togetwithoutactuallyremovingthemfromher,Istoodupandwalkedbackovertothebed.Ilookedoutofthewindow.Theovercastskywasbecomingevendarker.Isupposedthatmeantthatnightwasdescendingonthisplace.

Iletoutayawn,causingBellatoraisehereyestome.“Youaretired?”“Yes,”Isaid,yawningagain.“IthinkIneedtosleep.Aren’tyoutiredtoo?It

seemstobegettinglate.”Ilookedagainoutatthesky,hopingthatitwasindeedgettinglate.

Bellalookedatmethoughtfully.“Maybealittletired.ButIneedtoeatfirst.”“Okay,”Isaid.“Whydon’tyoueatandthenwecanbothgotosleepforthe

night.”Thechaircreakedasshestoodupandsetherknittingdownonthetable.She

ploddedtowardthekitchen.Ilaybackonthebed,listeningtopotsrattlingandafirestartingup.Shereturnedtotheroomabouttenminuteslaterwithahugesaucepanfullofstew.Sheplacedaplateonthefloorsoastopreventstains,brandishedagiantspoonandbeganswallowingdownthestew.

Sothat’swhyshecookedsomuch.Itdidn’ttakeherlongtofinishthewholecontainer.Wipinghermouth,she

letoutathunderingbelch.Thenshemadeherwaybackintothekitchentowashup.

Iwaitedpatientlyforhertoreturntotheroom.Iexpectedhertocurlupinthecorneroftheroomandgotosleep,buttomyhorrorsheheadedstraightforthefrontdoor.

Ileaptfrommybedandstoodinfrontofthedoorbeforeshecouldreachit.

“Wait.Pleasedon’tleavemealoneallnight.Staywithme.Wecangetsomecushionsandablanketandyoucansleepinthecorneronthethickwarmrug.”

Sheshookherhead.“Wantmyownbed,”shemumbled,hereyelidsdrooping.Iguessedthatallthatstewhadknockedherout.

“ButIcouldescapeduringthenight.Masterwouldwantyoutostaywithme.”

Sherolledhereyesandheldupherchainofkeys.“Youwon’tbegoinganywherebecauseI’lllockyouinhere.”

“Please,Bella,”Isaid,reachingoutandgrippingherthickhands.“I’msoscaredtobeonmyown.Pleasestaywithme…Don’tyouhaveasonoradaughter?”

Shepaused,hesitatingasshebitherlip.“Well,ifyouhadone,wouldyouwanthersleepingallaloneinastrange

place?”Ididn’tknowwhatmademetrytouseatacticlikethiswithanogress.ButI

wasdesperateanditwasthefirstthingthatcametomyhead.Shockingly,itseemedtowork.Shestoppedinchingtowardthedoorand

tookastepback.IcouldhaveswornthatIevensawtearsinhereyesasshesaid,“No,Iwouldn’thavewantedthatformydaughter.”

Iwassotakenabackbyherreaction,Iwasn’tquitesurehowtorespondatfirst.Irecoveredquickly.“Soplease,willyoustaywithme?”

Shenoddedandheavedasigh.“Allright.”Icaughtherhandandledhertothecorneroftheroom.Ipointedtothethick

rug.Itwaslargeenoughevenforhertoliedowncomfortablyon.Iliftedsomeofthepillowsfrommybedandplacedthemonthefloorforher.ThenIpulledoffablanketfrommybedandhandedittoher.Shearrangedthemallonthefloorandlaydown,pullingtheblanketoverherandlookingupatme.

Istillfeltalittlebad.“Areyoucomfortableenough?”Iasked.Shesmiledfaintlyandnodded.“Thisismorecomfythanmyownbed.”“Oh,okay.”Iwonderedwhereshesleptnormally,orwhatshecalledher

home.Iclimbedintomyownbedandtuckedthesheetsthatremainedthereover

me.Asilencefellovertheroom,brokenonlybytheheavybreathingoftheogress.

Ilistenedwithbatedbreath,waitingtohearherbreathingsteadyandturnintosnores.Shehadlookedsotired,Ireallyhadn’texpectedittotakelong.I’dthoughtshe’dnodoffalmostassoonasherheadhitthepillow.Butherbreathingpatternsdidn’tchangeevenafterwhatfeltlikefifteenminutes.Iwasabouttositupandcheckonherwhenshespokesuddenly.

“Ididhaveadaughter,youknow.”Hervoicesoundedthick—choked,almost.

“Oh.Isthatso?”“Yeah.Shewasaveryhandsomegirl.You’realmostashandsomeasshe

was.”“Thanks.”“Shediedtwoyearsago.Herfatherbashedherup.”Wow.HowamIsupposedtorespondtothat?“I-I’msosorry.”Isatup,staringatheracrosstheroom.Thelanternsfixedto

thewallscastshadowsoverherform.Hereyesglistenedwithtears.“Herfather…youmeanyouhave,orhad,ahusband?”

“Ihaveahusband.”“Whereishe?”“Dead.”“Oh.Youhaveadeadhusband.”“Yes.”Ipaused,wonderingifmynextquestionmightcomeoffasinsensitive.She

didn’tseemtooaffectedwhenspeakingofhisdeaththough.“Whathappenedtohim?”

“Gotsmashedupinabrawl,”shemumbled.Shepaused,wipinghereyeswithherhandsandblowinghernoseonthebackofhersleeve.“Wasthebestthingthathappenedtome.Hewasmean.”

Mean.Somethingaboutthatwordbroughtonawaveofdéjàvu.Irememberedthe

timeI’dhearditcomingfromthemouthofanotherogre,thattimeI’dvisited

Brettinhiscave.He’dreferredtofemaleogresasmean.Thatwashisexcuseforalwaysbeingabachelor.

Hm.BeforeIcouldthinkmuchmoreofBrett,Bellabrokethroughmythoughts

again.“Mydaughterusedtogetscaredsleepingalone,youknow.Shealwaystried

tocreepintoourroom.Shewasanaughtychild.Andshedidsomethingverybadoneday.Stoleaplateoffoodfromtheroyalkitchens.Myhusbandcrushedherupforit.Didn’twantherbringingshameonourfamily.”

“I’mgladhedied,”Isaid.“Hewasamonster.”Bellaheavedasigh.Iheldmybreath,wonderingifshewasgoingto

continuetalking.AsmuchasIwashorrifiedbywhatBellawastellingmeandmyheartwentouttoher,Icouldn’thelpbutsmilebitterly.BeforewhenIwastryingtodrainherforinformation,shecouldn’ttellmeanything.Nowthewomanwon’tkeepquiet.

Butaftertenminutes,shebegansnoring.Iheavedasighofrelief.Nowtherealworkbegins.Ipushedmyselfoffthebed,makingaslittlenoiseaspossible,andpadded

acrosstheroomtowardBella.Hersnoresgrewlouderbythesecond,andIhopedthatshewasadeepsleeper.Ikneltdownonthefloornexttoherandlookedoverherheavingbody.Iscannedherwaist,lookingforthekey.Itwasn’tonthesideofherthatwasfacingme—herfront—so,walkingaroundherbody,Icroucheddownonherotherside.Thekeysweren’tthereeither.

Whereintheworld…MyheartsankasIcaughtsightofaglimmerofmetalcomingfromherchest

area.Ikneltcloseroverhertospotthetipofthekeychain—lodgedsecurelybeneathhershirt.

Oh,great.I’dbeenhopingthatonceshe’dfallenasleep—dependingonhowdeepa

sleepershewas—I’dbeabletounfastenthekeysfromherwaistandletmyselfout.Iwasn’tsurehowIwouldevermanagetodislodgethemfromtheircurrentpositionwithouthernoticing.

Isatkneelingforseveralminutes,staringatthekeys.Whenshehadn’tstirredatallfortensolidminutes,Ilookedaroundtheroomforanythingthatcouldpossiblyhelpme.Myeyesfellonherknittingneedlesstilllyingonthetable.Icreptovertothemandslidoneofthemoutofherscarf,thenwalkedbackovertoBella.Holdingmybreath,Iextendedtheneedle,loweringitslowlyandsteadilybeneathhershirtuntilitstiphadslidthroughthechain.Myhandssweaty,Ipulledupslightlytogaugejusthowlodgeditwas.Sinceshewaslyingonherside,itwaslodgedwellandgood.Itdidn’tbudgeaninch.

Ineededtogethertoturnoversomehow.Ifshewaslyingonherbackitwouldprobablybeeasiertopullout.ButhowwouldIdothatwithoutwakingher?

Italldependedonjusthowdeepasleepershewas…Iwalkedovertothelargecupboardinthecorner.Iopenedbothdoors,

wincingasthewoodcreaked.Icastaquickglancebacktocheckthatshehadn’tstirredfromthesound.Shehadn’t.Iscannedtheshelves.Myeyesfixedonalightsilkshawl.Ipulleditofftheshelfandcreptbackovertoher.Standingdirectlyoverher,Idangledtheshawldownoverher,lettingtheverytipoftheshawlbrushagainstthetipofhernose.Shewasstillatfirst,butasIappliedalittlemorepressure,hernosewrinkledandshereachedupahandtoscratchitaway.MymouthwentdryasIexpectedhertoopenhereyes.Shedidn’t.Icontinuedticklingherfacegently.Shebrusheditawayafewtimeswithherhands,buteventually,sheshiftedpositionandlayonherback.

Onceshewassafelysnoringagain,Idiscardedtheshawlandpickedtheneedleupagain.Ilowereditbeneathhershirtagainandliftedthekeychain.Itwaslooserthistime.Iincheditupwardslowly,watchingherfaceforanysignofareaction.I’djustmanagedtoremoveitandwasliftingitbackuptowardmewhensheswipedherhand,sendingthekeysclangingtothefloor.

Ifroze,barelydaringtobreathe.Shedidn’treact.Itseemedthatithadn’tbeenloudenoughtopiercethroughhersnores,whichhadresumedagain.

Ipickedupthekeysfromthefloorand,watchingherclosely,movedtowardthefrontdoor.IbreathedoutdeeplyasIreachedit.Iexaminedeachofthekeys.Therewerealmostadozenofthemonthissinglechain.Itriedtofigureout

whichonewouldfitintothislock.Istartedwiththelongestkey.Itdidn’twork.Imademywaythroughthewholekeychain.Iwasbeginningtohaveahorriblefeelingthatperhapsthekeywasn’tevenhere,andwastuckedinsomeotherpartofherbody,whenthesecond-to-lastkeyworked.Thedoorclickedopen.Mybloodpoundinginmyears,IclutchedtheknobandwasabouttoturnitwhenBellaspokesuddenly.

“Hey!”Ifroze,turningaroundslowly.Iwasexpectingtoseeherstanding,having

finallyheardtheclankingofmykeysasI’dtriedtoopenthedoor.ButBellaremainedflatonthefloor.Infact,hereyeswerestillclosed.

“No!No!”shegroaned.Shewastalkinginhersleep.Iletoutasighandturnedmyfocusbacktothe

door.Ipusheditopenjustwideenoughformetoslipout,andclosedthedoorbehindme.

Ilookedupanddownthedimlantern-litcorridorI’djuststeppedoutonto.Ishivered.Thetemperaturewasfreezingoutherecomparedtoinmyroom.Iexaminedthewallsandtheceiling.Whilethefloorseemedtobemadeofasleekmarble,thewallsandceilingweremadeofroughstone.

IremainedbeneaththeshadowofmydoorwayforseveralmomentsbeforeIwassurethattherewasnobodyinthiscorridor.Stickingclosetothewall,IbeganwalkingforwardassoftlyasIcould.SinceIwaswearingthickwoolensocksI’dfoundinthebedroombeforeleaving,thiswasn’ttoodifficult.ThemostsoundIwasmakingwasmyharriedbreathing.Iclaspedapalmovermymouthtostifleit.

IhadnoideawhereIwasgoingasIpaddedalongthatcorridor,butIcouldn’tjuststaywhereIwas.SinceBellawasstillrefusingtogivemeanswersaboutthisplace,Ihadtoatleastattempttofigureitoutmyself.

Imanagedtoreachtheveryendofthecorridorwithoutmeetinganyone.Therewasatallwindowpane,reachingalmostasfarasthecavernousceiling.Ipeekedthroughit.Itwaspitchblackoutside,sotherewasn’tmuchIcouldsee,exceptforthevagueoutlineofthemountainpeakssurroundingus.IlookeddownanewstretchofcorridorI’djustappearedatthebeginningof.

Thewestwing.Thisisthewestwing.Iwasabouttobeginmyjourneydownthisnewcorridorwhendeepvoices

echoedoffthewalls.Istrainedmyeyestoseeagroupofthreelargeogresapproachingmefromtheotherendofthecorridor.Nonehadseenmeyet,itseemed.Ihadtokeepitthatway.

Irushedalongthenewcorridor,outofsight.Iscanneddoorafterdoor,allthewallsIpassedby,lookingforanynookorcrannyIcouldhidemyselfinuntiltheypassed.Therewasnothingofthesort.Itsoundedliketheyweresecondsfromturningthecorner,whenIwouldbeinfullviewofthem.Ilookedarounddesperately,myeyesfallingonthenearestdoortome.Ipressedmyearagainstitand,grippingthehandle,pusheditajar.

Islippedthroughandpushedthedoorclosed.Ibreathedoutinrelieftoseethattheroomwasempty.Iwashalfexpectingtowalkintothebedroomofasleepingogre.

IwaiteduntiltheogresoutsidepassedbeforeIallowedmyselftolookaround.Ileftthedoorandwalkedintothecenteroftheroom.I’djustwalkedintosomekindofkitchen.Therewasawidesinkandcounterslinedwithmassivepotsandpans.Inthecenteroftheroomwasagiantstove.Shelfaftershelfofbookslinedoneofthewalls.Iranmyfingeralongoneofthespinesandheavedoneofftheshelf.Itwastooheavyformetoholdwithoutstrainingmyself,soIplaceditdownonthefloor.Therewasnotitleonthefront.Iopenedthehardcoverandflippedtothefirstpage.

Therewerenowords,onlypictures.AndasIcontinuedflippingthepages,IfoundmyselfmoreandmorehorrifiedbywhatIsaw.

Itlookedlikeabiologytextbookspecializinginthedissectionofhumanbodies.Therewereentirechaptersdedicatedtoeachbodypart—thefacialarea,muscles,organs.IfoundmyselffeelingqueasyasIflippedtothelastpage.

Iheavedthebookbackontotheshelf,thenpickedupthenextoneandspreaditoutonthefloor.Thisonewasnomorecomforting.Therewerescrawlingsundervariousdepictionsofingredientsubstances—butitwasanoddwritingandIcouldn’tunderstandit.Ionlyneededtogetafewpagesintothebooktorealizethatthiswasacookbook.AndasIturnedtotheverylastpage,

mybreathhitched.Iwasstaringdownatadepictionoftwohumanarmsstickingoutofapotofbroth.Theseogresareman-eaters.

I’dsuspectedasmuch,aftertheoldmanI’dmetinthecorridorhadtoldmethatIneededtobefattened.ButnowthatthiswasconfirmedIcouldbarelystopmyselffromshaking.Ireplacedthebookontheshelfandbackedaway.

Myhearthammeringagainstmychest,Ihurriedtotheexitoftheroom.Ihavetogetoutofthisplace.Iopenedthedoorand,aftercheckingthatthecorridorwasclear,Istepped

outandbegantocontinuedownthecorridor.Ineededtofindthatgatethatledbacktothehumanrealm.Ihadnoideaif

Calebwouldstillbeonthatisland,butanywhereonearthwasbetterthanwhereIwascurrently.

Ireachedtheendofthesecondcorridorandarrivedatawidestaircase.Ipeereddownit,strainingtohearanynoisecomingfromthefloorbelow.Onhearingnothing,Ibegandescending.Ireachedthefootofthestairsquicklyandfoundmyselfinyetanothercorridor.Itlookedpracticallyidenticaltothelast.Thesamesleekfloors,thesamestoneceilingsandwalls,thesameheavywoodendoorsoneithersideofthepassageway.

Itookthepathtomyleftfirst.Ilurchedforwardasadoortomyrightcreakedopen.Anarmshotout,grazingmyshoulderasIdodged.Ididn’tdarelookbackastherewasashoutandaquickeningoffootsteps.Ireachedtheendofthecorridorandspeddownanotherflightofstairs.IswungmyselfdownthestairsandstumbledasIreachedthebottom.Forcingmyselfbackup,Icastaglanceovermyshouldertoseethreeogressesstumblingdownafterme.

Ihavetogetoutofhere.Irushedtotheendofthecorridor.MyheartsanktomystomachasIfound

myselfstandingatanotherstaircaseleadingupward.Withtheogresclosingin,Ihadnochoicebuttotaketherisk.

Theywerecatchingup.Theirlegswereabouttwicemylengthastheyhurtledafterme.Irushedmadlyahead,reachingthetopfloor.

Theirshoutsechoedaroundthefloor,andsoonmoredoorsopenedasIrushedpast.

AndthenIstopped.I’dlosttrackofhowmanyhallwaysI’drunalong,andnowIfoundmyselfstandingatyetanotherdeadend.Butthistime,therewasn’tanystaircasetosaveme.Igrippedthehandleofthedoorclosesttomeandtriedtoforceitopen.UnlikethelibraryI’denteredbefore,thisroomwaslocked.Imovedtothedoornexttoit,mypulsequickeningasagroupofogresseswerenowwithinafewfeetofme.Myhopeebbedawayasthatdoordidn’topeneither.

Iletgoofitandstumbledback,climbingupontothewindowledgesoatleastIcouldgainsomekindofheightadvantage.AsthefirstogressreachedmeIkickedoutandcaughthernosewithmyfoot.Shegroaned,andstumbledback,clutchingherface.

Twoogressespushedherasideandwrappedtheirhandsaroundme,pullingmedownroughlyfromthewindowandpinningmetotheground.Iglaredupatoneoftheogressespinningmedown.Herfacewascontortedwithannoyance.Shetwistedmyarmsotightitfeltlikeitmightbreak.

“No!”Ishouted.“Wheredidshecomefrom?”theogressI’dkickedinthefacegrunted.“Don’tknow,”anothersaid.Oneofthembentdownandtookacloserlookatme.“Newrecruit,perhaps,”

shesaid.Threepairsofeyeslookedmeover,agrubbyhandnowclosingaroundmy

mouth.“Weshouldreturnhertotherest.”Ifoundmyselfbeinghoistedupuntilmybodywasleaningagainstanogress’

chest.“Don’ttouchme,”Isaidthroughgrittedteeth.Theogressholdingmeletoutahoarselaughandbeganthunderingdownthe

corridor.“No,let’skeepher.Ifancyamidnightsnack.”Tomyhorror,shestoppedoutsidethekitchenI’dbeeninpreviously.“Thisoneprobablyescapedfromthedungeonsdownstairs,”shesaid,setting

meonmyfeet.Thedoorslammedbehindthelastogress,trappingmeinsidethe

kitchenwiththem.AsItriedtoforcemyselfagainstthedoor,oneoftheogressescaughtmeandthrewmeacrosstheroom.Myheadslammedagainstthewall.Idugmyteethintomylowerlip,forcingmyselftogetup.

Thesemonstersaren’tgoingtomakeavictimoutofme.Notagain.Iwassosickandtiredofbeingthrownaround.JustbecauseIwasan

underdogdidn’tmeanthatIcouldn’tbite.Istaredatthethreeogresseshurryingabouttheroompreparingthe

equipment.Oneofthemheavedahugemetalpotontothestoveandbeganlightingit.Iscannedthecounters.Myeyesfixedonadraweroneoftheogresseshadjustopened—filledtothebrimwithcarvingknives.Adrenalinecoursingthroughmyveins,Isawred.Ilungedforthedrawerandpulledoutaknife.Throwingmyselfatthenearestogresstome,Iplungedthebladeintoherchest.

I’dexpectedittobehardtopiercethroughherleatheryskin,butitwasn’tmuchmoredifficultthanIimaginedstabbingahumanwouldbe.Icouldonlyassumethatthisknifewasextraordinarilysharp.Eitherway,myknifemetitsmark.Hereyeswidenedandsheletoutagaspbeforeshebeganchokingonblood.

Ipulledaway,drawingouttheknifewithme.Clutchingthestabwound,shecollapsedontheground,squirmingasthebloodspurtedoutofher.

Iturnedontheothertwoogresses.Neitherofthemwerearmed—yet.Ilungedfortheclosestonetomeandplungedtheknifedeepintoherstomach.Herhandsgrippedmyneck,butImovedfast,eventhoughmyheadwasscreamingwithpain.TherewasasquelchasIpiercedsomekindoforgan.Bloodoozedout,soakingmyalreadywethands.Herhandsloosenedaroundmyneckasshefellbackagainstthewall.

Ididn’tunderstandwhythiswassoeasy.Perhapstheyweresousedtohumansaroundherebeingdocile,theywereinshock—longenoughformetotakethenextonedowntoo.Istabbedherinasimilarplace—thehighestspotIcouldreach,justabovetheabdomen.IstabbedthedaggerintwicetomakesureI’ddoneenoughdamage.Shestaggeredback,herheadslammingagainstthestonewallasshesliddowntothefloor.

Thethreemonstersnowalllayontheground.

IsearchedmyselfforanyregretthatI’djustclaimedthreelives.Ifeltnothing.IrealizedI’dbeenthroughsomuch,I’dbecomejaded.Iwassosickofbeingaweakhuman,atthemercyofsupernaturals.AsIstaredatthethreecorpses,Ifeltnothingbuttriumph.Satisfaction,almost.Somethinghadsnappedinme,andsomehow,Ifelttherewasnogoingback.

Thedoorhandleshudderedandthedoorcreakedopen.Itookastepback,brandishingmyknifeonceagain.Bellaappearedinthedoorway.Isupposedshemusthaveheardthestruggleinthecorridoraswepassedbymyroom.Herjawdroppedasshetookinthescene.

“MissRose!”Shebustledintotheroomandlockedthedoorbehindher.“Whathaveyoudone?”

“Whatdoesitlooklike?”Isnapped.“Youkilledthem.”Shegapedatthecorpses.“Oh,no,no,no.Youdidavery

badthing,MissRose.Averybadthing.IfMasterfindsoutaboutthis…”Hervoicetrailedoffassheapproachedthenearestbodyanddraggeditintothecenteroftheroom.Shedidthesamewiththeothertwocorpses.Herhandswereshakingassheapproachedacupboardfixedhighuponthewallinthefarcorneroftheroomandpulleddownwhatlookedlikeamachete.Sheapproachedthecorpsesagain,kneltdownonthegroundnexttothemand,tomysurprise,beganhackingthroughtheirlimbs.

“Wehavetohidethem.IfMasterfindsoutyoudidthis,we’llbothbeinbigtrouble.”

Iwasn’tsurewhatBellaplannedtodowiththesehugepieces,butbrandishingmyownknife,IbegantohelpherasbestasIcould.Wemusthaveworkedforalmostanhouruntilthebodieswerechoppedupintosmallpieces.SmallenoughforBella.Wewerebothcoatedwithbloodbytheendofit.

Bellawalkedovertoacorneroftheroomandliftedupthelidtoabin.Except,asIapproached,Irealizedthatitwasn’tabin.Itwasfixedintothefloor,anditwassomekindofchute.

Bellawalkedbackovertothebodiesand,fillingthecauldronwiththem,draggeditovertothechuteandemptieditintoit.Sherepeatedtheprocessuntilallthepiecesweregoneandallthatwasleftwasabloodypoolonthefloor.

Shewalkedovertothesinkandgrabbedapileofcloths,dabbingdownthebloodandrinsingtheclothsinthesinkuntilthefloorwascompletelyclean.Thenshecleanedthepot,theknives,driedthem,andreplacedthem.

Onceshewasfinished,shestaredatme.Ipointedtothewastechute.“Won’tsomeoneseethosebitsandpiecesiftheygothroughthewaste?”Sheshookherhead.“Thatgoesdowntothecompostheapatthebaseofthe

mountain.Someonegoesdownthereonceayeartomakesurethingsareinorder.They’llberottedbeforethen.”

Shegrabbedmyarmandbroughtmeovertothesink.Shewashedherhandsandface,andthenpushedmeagainstit.

“Youneedtocleanyourself.”IdidmybesttowashoffasmuchbloodasIcould,thoughtherewasn’t

muchIcoulddoaboutthestainsonmyclothes.Sheheavedafrustratedsigh.Wewerebothstillcoveredinblood.Weneeded

ashower.Spottingthekeychainattachedtomywaist,sherippeditfromme,thencaughtmyhandagainanddraggedmetothedoor.Openingit,shepeeredthroughthecrack.

ShelurchedforwardsosuddenlyIalmostlostmyfooting.“Hurry,”shehissed.“Weneedtogetbackbeforeanybodyseesus.”

Iendedupclimbingontoherbacksowecouldbefaster.Thankfully,wereachedtheroomwithoutbumpingintoanybody.WehurriedintotheroomandBellalockedthedoorbehindus.Iwentstraightintothebathroom.Itwashuge—tallandwideenoughtoholdatleastfourfull-sizedogres.Theshowerwassohighupitcouldalsoholdanogre.Istrippedandgotintheshower,pullingthecurtainsaroundme.Isoapedmyselfdownandcleanedmyhairthoroughly,fromtherootstothetips.WhenIwasfinished,Ipulledthecurtainasideandreachedforatowel.Wrappingitaroundme,Isteppedout.Mybloodyclotheswerenowhereinsight.Bellasatwaitingformeonabench,stillwearingherownbloodyclothes.

“Youneedtohaveawashnow,”Isaid,lookingatherpointedly.Shenoddedandwalkedintotheshower.Ileftheraloneandwalkedintothebedroomtofind

somecleanclothes.Iwasn’tsurewhatshe’ddonewithmydirtyclothes—disposedofthem

safelysomewhere,Ihoped.Iwalkedovertothecupboardandopenedit.Icouldn’tfindanything

comfortable—likepantsandashirt—soIhadtosettleforasilkdress.ItwastheloosestthingIcouldfind.

Islippeditovermyheadandwalkedovertothebed,sinkingdownonitandstaringatthewall.

Nowthattherushwasover,Iwassuddenlyawareoftheacheinmymuscles.Mywristhurt—IwassurethatI’dstrainedamuscle.Ilaymyheadbackdownonthepillowandclosedmyeyes,breathingsteadilyasIlistenedtothesoundofrunningwater,Bellashoweringnextdoor.

Thebathroomdoorclickedopenafterfiveminutesandshewalkedout,wearingacrispwhitesmock.Shehadthekeychaininherhands,whichsheproceededtotuckintoherbraagain.Sheshotmeaglareandwavedafingeratme.

“Youshouldn’tsteal,MissRose.Ialreadytoldyouwhathappenedtomydaughter.Itwilllandyouintrouble.Youdon’tknowtheseparts.”

Tomysurprise,shewalkedovertomeandpulledmetomyfeet.“Youwantedtogoforawalk?Thencome,I’lltakeyouforashortwalk.”

IhadtoadmitI’dlostmyappetiteforawalknow.MylimbsweregroaningandIfeltIneededatleastafewhours’sleepbeforeventuringoutagain.ButIdidn’tthinkitwisetowait.Bellamightchangehermindbythetimemorningcame,forallIknew.Besides,Iwascuriousastowhereshemighttakeme.Inoddedandstoodup.

“It’sbestthatwegoatnightwhenfewerpeopleareaboutbecause,likeIsaid,Masterwouldn’tapproveofmetakingyouforwalksaboutthecastle.”

Sheunlockedthedoorandledmeoutside.Insteadofleadingmetowardtheendofthecorridor,shestoppedoutsidea

doortoourleft.Itledintoadark,circularroomwithawindingstaircaseinonecorner,leadingtotheupperandlowerfloors.Webegandescendingitandstoppedfivelevelsbelowinanothersmalldarkroom.Sheleftthestaircaseand

openedthedoor.Itledintoanenormoushall.Theceilingwasperhapsahundredfeethigh,andrichdrapeshungfromthewallsdowntothemarblefloors.Therewasalongtablewithaboutfiftyhigh-backedchairsarounditdirectlyinthecenterofthehall,andateitherendofthetablewerechairsofparticularluxury.Onelookedlikeitwasplatedwithsilver,theothergold.Therestofthehallwasempty,saveforthedecorationsonthewalls.Itremindedmeofsomekindoffairytalecourt,ofthecastlesofold.

“Theroyalcourt,”Bellamuttered.RoyalwascertainlythewordIwouldhaveusedtodescribeit.Icouldhaveremainedadmiringthatroomforanotherhour,butBellatugged

onmeandwecontinued.Thecorridorweexitedintowaswiderthistime,lesslikeacorridorthanawidepassageway.Morereddraperylinedthewalls.Bellastoppedoutsideanotherlargeoakdoor.Shepusheditopentorevealakitchen.“Thisbacksontotheroyalhall.It’swherealltheroyals’mealsareprepared.”Sheledmefurtherintotheroom.Istaredatallthesharpcutlery,butcher’sknives,andvariousotherinstrumentsthatlookedspecificallydesignedforhackingintomeat,andmassiveboilingpots,evenlargerthantheoneI’dseeninthekitchenononeofthefloorsabove.

“So,ogres…theyeathumans.”Bellabitherlowerlip,thennodded.“AndI’mtobefattenedbecauseIwillalsobeeaten?”Icontinued.IcouldhaveswornthattearsglistenedinBella’seyes.Shelookeddownat

thefloorandnodded.“That’swhyyou’vebeenorderedtofeedmesowell.Andthisplaceisthe

realmoftheogres.”IrecalledthebooksI’dseeninthekitchenupstairs.Theyseemedtohave

humanbutcherydowntoascience,thewayhumanshadanimals,Isupposed.Wewerenodifferentthananimalshere.

Bellacaughtmyhandagainandledmeoutofthekitchen.Mymindwasbuzzingaswecontinuedwalking.

“Bella,”Icroaked.“Youneedtohelpmeescape.”Istoppedwalking,tuggingonhertostoptoo.

Shelookedatmewithsadeyes.“Ican’tdothat,MissRose.”“Whynot?Youjusthelpedmecoverupthreemurders.Whycan’tyoujust

letmego?”“It’snotpossible.Wewouldbothbecaughtbeforeweeverreachedthe

gate.”ItookineverydetailIcouldaswewalkedforthenexttenminutes,every

passageway,everydoor,tryingtogetanyclueastohowtoescape.Agoodtenminuteshadpassedbeforeshestoppedoutsideanotherdoor.

“Afterthisroom,weheadback,okay?”Inodded,mymouthdryingout.Sheremovedherchainofkeysandopenedupthedoor.Isteppedinside.

Therewasadoublebedinthecorneroftheroomwithsuchathinmattressitmightaswellhavenotbeenthere.Thereweretwogrubbypillowsandapatchworkblanket.Thefloorsweremadeofstone,andtherewerenowindows.Theonlylightcamefromacoupleoflanternsfixedtothewalls.

IlookedatBella,raisinganeyebrow.“Thisisyourroom?”Shenodded.“Mineandmyhusband’s.”“Youmarriedagain?”Sheshookherheadviolently,staringatmeasthoughIwasinsane.Thenshe

ledmeovertotheedgeofthebedandpointedupward.Ifeltlikescreamingandvomitingatthesametime.Igasped,claspingahand

overmymouth.Strungtothehighceilingofherfour-posterbedwiththickropewasthecorpseofamaleogre.

“Myhusband,”Bellamuttered.“Whatthe—”Icouldn’tkeepmyselffromswearing.Thebodywaspale,itseerieeyesbulgingwideopenandstaringdownward.

Itwasnakedbutforaloinclothwrappedaroundthewaist.ItwasthemostvilesightI’deverseeninmylife,butIwassurprisedthattherewasnoodorcomingfromit.Icouldonlyassumeithadundergonesomedrasticpreservativetreatmenttokeepitfromrotting.

“It’swhatallofuswidowsdohere.”Sheshrugged,lookingupatthecorpseoftheatrocitythatwasherhusbandasthoughthescenewasthemostnormalin

theworld.“Ourhusbandsstaywithusafterdeath.”Ibreathedoutsharply,lookingdownatthefloor.IfeltlikeIneededtoscrub

myeyeballswithsandpaper.Iwasn’tsurethatthesightI’djustlaideyesonwouldeverleaveme.“Youmeanyousleepbeneaththiscorpseeverynight?”

Shenodded,lookingsurprisedatmyreaction.“Ofcourse.”“Forhowlong?”Shefrowned,wrinklinghernose.“Whatdoyoumeanhowlong?It’s

forever.”“MyGod.Itwasn’tlikeyouevenlovedhim.Hewasavilebastard.Can’t

youjusttakeitdown?”Again,shelookedatmeasthoughIwasthemadoneforsuchasuggestion.“Heismyhusband.Ican’tputhimaside.It’sthelaw.”Iwalkedtowardthedoor,leaningmyarmagainstit,stillfightingtheurgeto

puke.WhenIturnedaroundtoseeBellastillstandinginthesameposition,hereyescastupwardasshegazedcalmlyuponthecorpse,allIcouldthinkwas:

Weneedtogetyououtofthisplace,Bella.Youdon’tbelonghereeither.

I

CH A P T E R 9 :R O S E

awokethefollowingmorningtothesmellofcooking.Rubbingmyeyes,IwalkedintothekitchentoseeBellahoveringoverapot.Stewagain,bythelooksofit.ShelookeddownatmeasIstoodnexttoher.Iglaredupather.

“YousaidIremindedyouofyourdaughter…albeitlesshandsome.Youdon’twantmeendingupdeadtoo,doyou?”

Sheturnedaround,conflicttwistingherfeatures.Sheshookherbighead.“Thenwhyareyoufatteningmeup?Whyaren’tyoudoinganythingtohelp

meescape?”Sheheavedasigh.“Itoldyou,MissRose.There’snothingIcando.Myjob

isjusttolookafteryou,feedyouandprotectyouuntilMasterisreadyforyoutomoveintohisquarters.”

Moveintohisquarters.Thiswasnewstome.AsmuchasInolongerallowedmyselftobethevictim,thethoughtsentchillsrunningdownmyspine.

“Oh,”shegrunted.“I’mtellingyoutoomuch.YoumustpromisemenottotellhimwhatI’vetoldyou.”

“Iwon’ttellhim.Butyoudorealizethatyou’retakingpartinmymurder?BecauseIdoubtMasterwouldhaveasmuchinterestineatingmeifIwasskinny.You’repreparingmeforhim.”

Sheavertedhereyesbacktothestew,andassumedastoicexpression.“I’mjustdoingmyjob.Idon’thaveachoice.”

Ipickedupasaucepanandslammeditdownagainstthekitchencounterin

frustration.Perhapsshewasrightthattherewasnowaytogetmeoutofherewithoutbeingseen,butthiswasn’ttheanswerIneededtohear.

“I’msorry,”shewhispered.Iranbackintothemainroomandstoppedatthewindow,staringoutonce

againatthebleaksurroundings—thesharpmountains,theovercastsky.“Sowhat’stheplanthen?HowmuchlongeruntilyourMasterwillcomefor

me?”Whenshehesitated,Isaid,“Justtellme.IalreadypromisedyouthatIwon’ttellhimyou’vetoldmeanything.”

Shestillseemedwary,butIsupposedshefeltliketalkingtomewastheleastshecoulddoforme.

“Hegavemethreedaystostartplumpingyouup,andhewillcheckyourprogressonthethirdevening.”

“AndifIrefusetoeat?”Shelookedatmewithsadeyes.“Hewillcomeanyway.Ifyoutaketoolong

tofattenup,hemaystilltakeyouintohisquartersandforce-feedyoutherehimself.Yourlastdayswillbebetterspentwithme,MissRose.”Sheshuddered.“Trustme,youwanttospendaslittletimewithMasteraspossible.”

Lastdays.Ihatedtheresignationinhervoice,asthoughtherewasnopartofherthathadanyflickerofhopethatImightsurvive.

Shepouredoutabowlofstewandwalkedoutofthekitchen,settingitdownonmydressingtable.“Eat,”shesaid.

NowayamIfatteningmyselfupforthatmonster.I’dratherstarvetodeathfirst.

Ishookmyhead.“IfAnselmwantsmetoeat,youcantellhimhe’llhavetofeedmehimself.”

Shelookedatmereluctantly.Iwalkeduptoherandgrippedthehemofhersmock,staringherrightintheeye.“Goon.TellhimI’mwaitinghere.”

Sheshookherhead.“No,MissRose—”“Gonow.”Shestaredatmedisbelievingly,butstoppedresisting.Sheremovedher

apronandhungituponahookonthewall,thenextinguishedthefirebeneaththestew.

Ididn’ttakemyeyesoffheruntilshe’dploddedacrossthefloorandexited,lockingthedoorbehindher.Assoonasshewasoutofsight,Ihurriedtothekitchen.IpickedupthetwosharpestknivesIcouldfindfromthedrawerand,afterreplacingtheirsheaths,fastenedthembeneathmydresstomyinnerthighswithtwosilkscarvesIfoundinthecloset.ThenIsatonthebed,staringatthedoor.

Iwasn’tgoingtowaitherelikeasittingduckforhimtocometome.Iwasgoingtostartcallingtheshotsaboutmyfate.Evenifitdidmeaninvitinganearlydeathtomydoor.

I

CH A P T E R 1 0 :R O S E

wasbothrelievedandfrightenedwhenthedoorfinallyopenedanhourlater.IheldmybreathasAnselmsteppedintotheroomafterBella.

Heworealongdarkcloakoverhisleanshoulders,andhishairwasslickedback.Hisfacewasclean-shaven,revealinghissharpjawline,andhisbrownskinsmeltofafaintmusk.IfIdidn’tabhorhimsomuch,Iwouldhavealmostdescribedhimashandsome.

Hisorangeeyessettledonme.“Arabellatellsmethatyouwantedtoseeme.”Istoodupasheclosedthedistancebetweenusandstoppedafootawayfrom

me.Ihoveredmyhandovertheknifebeneathmydress.Iflinchedasheslidhishandsaroundmywaistandplacedakissonmyneck.ItwasallIcoulddotostopmyselffromspittinginhisfaceashedrewaway,butIhadtobecareful.Fornow,ifIwastohaveanychanceoftakingmyrevengeonthismonster,Ihadtoplayalongergame.

“Yes,”Isaid,focusingonkeepingmyvoicesteady.Hiseyesroamedmybody.HeturnedonBella.“Howmanymealsperday

hasshebeeneating?”“Three,”shelied.“Increaseittofour,andfeedhermorefats.”Heturnedbacktome.“You’re

privileged,girl.Noteveryonewhostaysherereceivesthetreatmentyou’regetting.”

Iforcedasmile.“Iappreciateit,”Isaid,fixingmyeyesonhis.“ButIwashopingthatImightpersuadeyouthatI’mbetteroffalivethanamealonyourplate.”

Hecockedhisheadtooneside.IcastaglanceatBellaandnoddedtowardthedoor.“Leave,”Iorderedher.ShelookedatmeasthoughI’dgonemad.Sheremainedstanding,waiting

forAnselm’sreaction.Whenhenoddedtowardthedoor,sheexited.Curiositysparkedintheman’seyes.Istooduponthebedand,reachingforhishands,replacedthemonmywaist.

“YousaidI’maprincess,didyounot?”Asmilecurvedthecornersofhislips,thoughitlookedmorelikeasneer

thanasmile.“Indeedyouare.”“Andyouareaprince.”Henodded.“Then”—Ileanedclosertohisear,droppingmyvoicetoawhisper

—“wouldn’titmakesenseifweremainedtogether?”Smirking,hepushedmebackonthebed.“I’mnotsureyoucouldearnyour

keep.Whateveritwasyouofferedmewouldhavetobevery,verygoodtoforgothetasteofyourtenderflesh.”

Ishiveredasheleanedoverme,hiseyeslockedonmine.Heloweredhisheadandpressedhisfaceagainstthecrookofmyneck,takingadeepbreathashebreathedinmyscent.

Hisbodywasalmostflatagainstminenow.AsdiscreetlyasIcould,Iraisedakneesothathewouldn’tflattenmecompletelyandImovedonehanddowntowardmyrightthigh.Withtheotherhand,Igrippedhiscollarandpulledhimcloser.

“Perhapsyouunderestimateme,”Isaidsoftly.“Irarelyunderestimatepeople.”Partingmydress,Islippedtheknifefromitssheathandbroughtitslamming

upward.Hechoked,hiseyesgrowingwideashestaredatme,dumbstruck.“Isthatso?”Ilookadvantageofhismomentaryshocktograbthekeysfrom

hisbelt,rollhimoffmeandleapoutofthebed.Ilurchedtowardthedoor.

Throwingaglanceovermyshoulder,Isworebeneathmybreath.IhadthoughtI’drammeditrightintohisstomach,butduetohisproximity,I’dmissedmymark.Insteadhehadastabwoundnearhiship.Clearlynotfatal,ashestaggeredtowardme,furyfillinghiseyes.Nowthathewasalerttome,Idarednotgonearhimagainincasehewrestledtheweaponoutofmyhand.

HeletoutahoarselaughasIfumbledwiththekeys,openedthedoorandbeganracingalongthecorridor.

“Soyoulikethingsrough,Princess?”hecalledafterme,hisvoiceraspingashisfootstepsspedup.“Icanaccommodaterough.”

MybloodwaspoundinginmyearsasIreachedtheendofthecorridorandskiddedroundthecorner.Irippedoutthesecondknifefrombeneathmythigh,holdingbothhandlesupsidedown,thebladesflatagainstmywrists,asIcaughtsightoftwoogresattheotherendofthecorridor.

Anselmwasalmosttwicemyheightandhislegswerefrighteninglypowerfulevenaftertheinjuryhe’djustsustained.Idarednotlookback,butitsoundedlikehewasnomorethanafewfeetawayfromme.OnseeingAnselmandme,thetwoogresstoppeddeadintheirtracksandblockedthecorridorentirelywiththeirhugeframes.

IsupposedtheythoughtthatIwouldslowdown.Ididn’t.Ispedup.Slippingoutthetwoknivesatthelastminute,Idugthemintobothoftheirgutsbeforetheycouldevenregisterwhathadhappened.Bloodspilleddowntheblades,soakingmyhandsandarms.Ipulledthebladesoutagainastheykeeledover,allowingmepassagejustasAnselmgrabbedthestrapofmydress.Iswipedoutwiththeknife,narrowlymissinghiswristashewithdrewhishand.

Ididn’tknowhowlongitwouldbebeforeIcameacrossmoreogresinthepassageway.Eventually,they’dcatchme.Icouldn’tkeeprunningforever.AndthesekniveswouldbenogoodagainstAnselmnowthatheknewmytrick.Hewastoostrong.He’doverpowermeifIlethimcatchupwithme,evenifIwasholdingtwoknives.

I’dthoughtI’dbeabletomakethechaselastabitlonger,butasIturnedthenextcorner,Iwalkedrightintoadeadend.Iwhirledaround,tryingtomakeitoutbeforeAnselmclosedin,butIwasn’tfastenough.Placingbothhands

againstthewalls,hebreatheddeeplyashestaggeredtowardme,darkblooddrippingfromhiswoundandleavingatrailonthefloor.

Itriedthedoorsclosesttome,buttheywerelocked.Ibackedupagainstthewindowattheendofthehallway,swallowinghardasIbrandishedthetwoknives.

Isteeledmyselfasheapproachedwithinthreefeetofme.Ididn’tbelievethatIcouldwinthisfight,butIhadtogodowntrying.Iheldmybreath,expectinghimtolaunchforwardandbegintryingtowrestletheknivesfrommyhands,whenhestoppedsuddenlyandlookeddirectlyovermyshoulder,outofthewindow.Hisbreathhitchedandhislipsparted.Hiseyeswidened.Iwasshockedashesteppedbackawayfromme.

Whatintheworld?Ididn’tevenhavetimetoturnaroundtoseewhatonearthhewasdistracted

bywhentherewasasuddenblowagainstthesideofthemountain.Thegroundshook,andglassshattered.Ifell,duckingmyheadbetweenmyknees,tryingtoprotectmyselffromthesuddenshowerofshardsofglass.Mybackstungasseveralshardspiercedthroughthesheerfabricofmydress.

Therewasadeafeningroar—thatofnomanorcreatureI’deverwitnessedbefore.Itpenetratedmyeardrumsandvibratedaroundmybrain.

“Dragons!”Anselmbellowedtowardtheoppositeendofthecorridor.“Thecastleisunderattack!”

Dragons?BeforeIcouldevenlookuptoseewhathadjustsmashedthroughthe

window,heatengulfedme.Icoweredclosertothewindowframeasablazeoffireshotthroughthecorridor.ThroughtheblazeIcouldjustaboutmakeoutAnselmrunningforhislifeanddisappearingattheotherend.Asthefiredied,Iclutchedmymouthtostifleascream.IbackedupintoacornerandfoldedmyselfassmallasIcouldasasetofsleek-reddishbrownscalesslidintothehallway.

Icastmyeyesupanddownthelengthofthegiganticcreature.Itsheadwasfacingthehallway’sexit,soIcouldn’tseeit,buttherestofitsbodywasformidableenoughtomakemetremble.Itwasperhapsfivetimesthesizeofan

ogre.Smoothbat-likewingsgrewfromitsback.Itslegswerethickastreetrunksandeachfootwasequippedwithfourheavyclaws.Itslongtailwaspointedandsharp,almostlikeastingray’s.

SinceIwasbackedupintoashadowycorner,thebeasthadn’tyetnoticedme.Ijumpedasitroaredagain,itswholebodyheavingasmorefireshotdownthelengthofthehallway.Thenitstartedmovingswiftlytowardtheexit,whereitturnedacorneranddisappearedoutofsight.

Mykneestrembling,Istoodup,onlytobeknockedbackdownasasecondtremorranthroughthefloors.Againglassshattered—inaroomperhapsafewhundredyardsaway,inthecorridorperpendiculartotheoneIwassittingin.

Grippingtheedgesofthewindowpane,Ipulledmyselftoastandingpositionandstaredoutofthesmashedwindow.

Beneaththegreycloudyskywereaspreadofdragons,theirheavywingsbeatingtheairastheyheadeddirectlytowardme.Theirscalyoblongfaceswereclearlyvisible,asweretheirslantedyelloweyes.Ilookedleftandright.Severalhadalreadymadecontactwiththebuilding,andanotherwindowsmashedafewfloorsdown.

“Oh,my,”Ibreathed,backingawayandsprintingdownthehallway.Iwasinadaze.Dragons?Ogres?Whatthehellishappeningtome?IevenconsideredforamomentasIranalongthatcorridor,duckingdownas

anotherwindowsmashedafewyardsawayfromme,whetherIwasindeedinadream.Itwouldhavetobeaverylongdreamifitwas.Adreamthatwasimpossibletowakeupfrom.

Asanogreappearedbeforemeinthehallway,helookedlikehewasabouttothrowhimselfatme,butonseeinganotherdragonclimbingthroughthebrokenwindowandintothehallwaybehindme,hebeganrunningalongsideme.Ithrewmyselfdownaflightofstairsjustintimetoescapethewaveofheatthatgushedfromthedragon’smouth.

IlookedaroundthefloorI’djustdroppeddownon.I’dbeenexpectingmorewindingpassageways,moreendlessdoorwaystorunmyhandsacross,butinsteadIwasinsomemassiveopenhall.Thereweredozensofogresrunningtoandfro,strappingonarmor,brandishingweaponsandrunningtowardthe

windows.Itwaschaos.Ijumpedasaheavyhandclosedaroundmyshoulder.Grippingtheknife,I

wasabouttostrikewhenIrealizedjustintimethatitwasBella.Terrorwaswrittenalloverherfaceasshestareddownatme.

“Weneedtohide!”shehissed.Shegrippedmebymymidriffandbeganmillingthroughthecrowdofogres

preparingforbattle.Bellaworealongcloakandgatheredmeagainstherchest.Ididmybesttoclingtoherassheloweredtheblackcloakoverme,hidingmefromview.

Shewassothickandheavy,itfeltlikeifshefell,she’dcrushmetoapulp.Ihadtojusthopethatwouldn’thappen.

“Whatishappening?”Igasped.Icouldn’tseewhereBellawasrunningsincethefabricwascoveringmyface,andIcouldn’tremoveitforfearoflosinggriponher.

“Theycomesometimes,thedragons.Erisard’slot.Toplunderus…”Herbreathhitched.“Theyeatusogres.”

Thehallwaysechoedwithshoutsandscreeches.IbegantosweatbeneaththefabricasIfeltthetemperaturerising.

“Dragons,”Imurmured.Istillcouldn’tbelieveit.IwasabouttoaskanotherquestionwhenBellaletoutablood-curdling

shriek.Shejoltedupward,andifitweren’tforherclingingtomymidriff,Iwouldhavefallenawayfromher.She…we…werebeingliftedintotheair.

Asmoreglasssmashed,Ithrashedagainsttheclothcoveringmyeyesandstareddownward.Mystomachflipped.We’djustbrokenthroughawindowandwereflyingthroughtheair,awayfromtheogres’mountainabode,oversharpblackpeaks.Heavyleatherywingsthunderedeithersideofus,liftingushigherandhigher.ClawsgrippedBellabytheshoulders,andparalleltous,grippedwithinthedragon’sfrontrightfoot,wasanotherogre.

Severalotherdragonssurroundedus,eachcarryingogresoftheirown.Theyheldthemintheirclawslikehawksholdingrats.Istrainedmynecktolookatthedragon’sface,shinyandscalyandsplatteredwithblood.Upclose,thesecreatureswereevenmoreterrifying.Andtheirscalesgaveoffamusky,bitter

odor.“Wherearetheytakingus?”Iwhispered.Wincing,Bellagrunted.“Somewherenogood,MissRose.”

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CH A P T E R 1 1 :M ON A

sIstoodatthegatesoftheAgeless’celestialpalace,aseaoffamiliarfacessmilingtowelcomemehome,itshouldhavefeltlikeadream.

Butitdidn’t.Itallstillfeltlikeanightmare.EvenasthenewAgelessherself,ThaliaAdrius,descendedthestepstoward

meinallheretherealbeauty,Icouldn’tmanagethefaintestofsmiles.Griefwasclampedaroundmyheartlikeabarbedwire.Icouldbarelybreathe.

Sheslippedherhandintomysweatyrightpalm,leadingmeupthestairstowardmyquarters.Inmyleftpalm,IstillclutchedtheonlypossessionI’dlefttheislandwith—mymother’sjewelrybox.

Icouldn’tpayattentiontotheeleganceofthepalaceasThalia,Brisaliaandtheirthirdsister,Hermia,ledmethroughchamberafterchamber.Ijustwantedtobealone.Thankfully,thesisterswereunderstanding.

OnfirstarrivinginTheSanctuary,I’daskedthefirstwitchIcameacrosstotakemetoBrisalia.I’dexplainedtoherbrieflywhyIwashere,andshehadn’tpressedmeformanydetails.Icouldn’thavebeenmoregratefulforthat.Iwasn’treadytotalk.

Brisaliabroughtmeimmediatelytothecitypalace,whereIwastobehoused.Aswereachedthetopofthebuilding,westoppedoutsideanornaterosewooddoor.Pushingitopen,thesistersledmeintoasprawlingapartment.Fromitspearl-studdedwindowpanestogold-leafedbedframe,therewasn’ta

singlecorneroftheplacethatdidn’toozeextravagance.But,aswiththerestofthepalace,Ididn’tcare.“We’llleaveyounow,”Brisaliasaid,asIenteredthebedroom.“Ifyouneed

anything,thereisamaidstayingintheservantquarters.”Shepointedtowardthehallwaytomyleft.

Inodded,watchingastheybackedawayandclosedthedoorbehindthem.Iwalkedovertothedressingtableand,openingmypalm,lookeddownat

thejewelrybox.TearsthreatenedtospillfrommyeyesagainasIstaredatit.Liftingittomylipsandplacingakissonthegem-encrustedlid,Iplaceditdownonthetabledirectlyinfrontofthemirror.

ThenIlookedupatmyownreflection.Ilookedastate.Myeyelidswerepuffy,myfacedeathlypale.

Ishutmyeyes,wincingasthememoryofSofiaandKievkissingatthePortblastedthroughmyhead.

Myheaddroppeddownagainstthetable,andnowthatIwasalone,Icouldnolongerholdbackthetears.TheystreamedafreshfrommyeyesasthequestionI’daskedmyselfathousandtimesinthepasttwelvehoursreplayedinmymind.

WhywouldKievdothistome?

M

CH A P T E R 1 2 :K I E V

ona’sdeparturehadblazedaholeinmychest.AholeIknewwouldn’tbefilleduntilIonceagainheldherinmyarms.

Afterweextinguishedmyburninghome,Ientereditonceagainandwalkedfromscorchedroomtoscorchedroom,hopingshe’dbethere.Ourbedroomhadbornethebruntoftheflames.Itwaspracticallyunrecognizable.Thebedhaddisintegrated,ashadmostofthefurniture.Iwasabouttowalkintothebathroomwhenasoftvoicespokebehindme.

“Kiev.”IturnedaroundtoseeSofiastandinginthedoorway.Shewaslookingatme

withconcern.“Patriciaandtheothershavefinishedexaminingthebodiesthatwereleft

outsideBrett’scave.”Itookasteptowardher.“And?”“Themurderersquishedtheirbodiesupbadly.Butnotquitebadlyenough.

Oneofthewitches,Leyni,noticedonethingincommonwitheachofthecorpses—theirintestineshadbeencompletelyremoved.Piecingthistogetherwiththestrangevisionssomeofushavebeenhaving,thewitcheshaveconcludedthat,somehow,aghoulwasplacedonthisislandbythosetwowhitewitches…itmightevenstillbehere,forallweknow.”

“Aghoul,”Imuttered,runningahandthroughmyhair.Ididn’tknowmuchaboutsuchcreatures,andIdidn’trecalleverencounteringoneinmyhundredsof

yearsinexistence,butIhadheardrumorsaboutthem.“HowcouldMonanothavesuspectedthatshewasbeinginfluencedbyaghoul?”

“Apparently,onceaghoulhasyouunderanillusion,it’sveryhardtodetectanythingotherthanwhatitwantsyoutosee.”

“Sothosebitches…TheyplacedaghoulonthisislandtotrickMonaintoreturningtoTheSanctuary.”

Sofianodded.“Ican’tthinkofanywhereelseMonawouldbenow.Vampiresandwerewolveshavebeensearchingeverywhereforher.She’snowheretobefoundonthisisland.”

Iswore,slammingmyfistagainstthedoorframe.Then,withoutwaitinganothermoment,Irushedoutoftheroom,downthestairsandoutofthehouse.Sofiaracingalongsideme,Iranfullspeedahead.

“Whatareyoudoing?”sheasked.“Whatdoyouthink?”Ibreathed.“IneedtobringMonaback.”SofiafollowedmetoCorrine’stemplewhereallthewitcheswereconducting

theirexaminations.IranfromchambertochamberlookingforthemuntilIfoundtheminoneoftheinnermostrooms,allgatheredaroundtwotablespushedtogether.Mysiblings,ErikandHelina,alongwithMatteo,Saira,AbbyandDerekstoodtheretoo,deepinconversation.

TheyalllookedupassoonasIentered.“IneedawitchtocomewithmetoTheSanctuarytohelpmefindMona,”I

said.“Whovolunteers?”Therewasasilenceasthewitchesexchangedglances.ThenPatricia,thetall

wirywitchattheendofthetable,raisedherhand.“Outofallofus,I’mthemostskilled.I’llcome.ButI’llneedtoconsultMona’smaptoknowwhichgateintothesupernaturalrealmwouldbebesttouse.”

“Wehavecopiesofitinourhome,”Sofiasaidquickly.“I’llfetchone.”Shehurriedoutoftheroom.

“I’llcometoo.”Eriksteppedforward.Ilookedathimreluctantly.“Whatusewillyoube?You’reavampire.”“Soareyou,”heshotback.“Thefewerofusthereare,thebetter,”Isaid.“Ineedtodrawaslittle

attentionaspossible.”Asifshehadn’theardthewordsI’djustspoken,mysistersteppedforward

too.“IfErikisgoing,I’mgoingtoo.”BeforeIcouldevenrespond,tomysurprise,Matteoreachedforherhand

andpulledherback.“No,Helina,”hesaid.“Kiev’sright.Thefewerpeoplewhogo,thebetter.”

IwouldhaveponderedlongeraboutthelookofaffectionMatteohadonhisfaceashestareddownatmysister,butIwastoopreoccupiedwiththematterathand.

MyeyesfellonceagainonErik.Mybrothercouldbeasstubbornasanoxoncehegotanideaintohishead,andsomethingtoldmethatitwouldbeeasiertojustlethimcomewithme.

Breathingoutinfrustration,Isaid,“Fine.ErikandPatriciacomewithme.Nobodyelse.”

GrippingbothErikandPatriciabythearms,Ipulledthemoutoftheroombeforeanotherwordcouldbesaid.

Aswerandownthecorridortowardtheexit,Derekcalledafterme.“Becareful,Novalic.”Ishotalookbackovermyshouldertoseehissilhouetteattheotherendof

theshadowycorridor.Grimacing,Igavehimacurtnodbeforecontinuingtowardtheexit.

Ididn’tknowhowweweregoingtoactuallypullthisoff—andIwassureneitherPatricianormybrotherhadanyclueeither.Butitdidn’tmatter.TheimageofMonaburningthroughmybraincloudedanyuncertaintyImighthaveotherwiseheldaboutwhatwewereabouttoattempt.

Asweleftthoughthefrontdoorandenteredthemoonlitcourtyard,Istopped.

“WaithereforSofiatoreturnandgiveyouthemap,”Isaid.“I’llbebackinaminute.”

IlurchedbackthroughthewoodsuntilIreachedthebeach.Ididn’tstoprunninguntilIreachedMona’sandmywreckedhomeagain.Whizzingthroughthefrontdoorandupthestairs,Ipassedthroughthebedroomandenteredthe

ensuitebathroom.Ireachedforthescorcheddrawerbeneaththesinkandpulleditopen.The

contentsnearthefrontweremostlyruined,butasIreachedfurtherinside,myfingersbrushedagainstaleatherpouch.Ipulleditoutandexaminedit,relievedtoseethatitwasstillintact.MyeyesremainedfixedonthesmallbulgebeneaththefabricforafewsecondslongerbeforeIslippeditintothebackpocketofmypants.

ThenIhurriedoutofthehouse,backtowardthecourtyard.I’dexpectedtoreturntoonlyPatriciaandErik,buttherewasalsoathirdperson:Abby.IwasrelievedPatriciawasholdingthemapalready.

“Right.Patricia,Erik,let’sgo.”“I’mcomingtoo,”Abbysaid.Iscowledather.“DidyounothearwhatIsaidbackthere?”GrabbingPatriciaandErik,IyankedthemawayfromAbbyandstarted

movingawayfromthecourtyard.ButAbbycaughtupandstoodinfrontofme,blockingmyway.

“I’mcomingwithyou,”sherepeated,handsonherwaist.“I’mfedupofsittingstillonthisisland.Iwanttohelp.”

“Wedon’tneedanyoneelsetaggingalong.Itwillonlybeahindrance—”“Comeon,Kiev,”Eriksaid,grippingmyshoulder.“LetAbbycomeifshe

wantsto.Oneextrapersonwon’tdoanyharm.Itwillonlymakefourofus.”Iwasn’tsuremytempercouldstandbeingheldupforanothermoment,so,

ratherthanriskmaimingsomeone,Iagreed.“Patricia,”Isaid.“TakeustoTheSanctuary.”

W

CH A P T E R 1 3 :S O F I A

e’dbeensotiedupinthecrisisofMonaleavinguscompletelydefenselessagainsttheblackwitches,itwasn’tuntilKievhadlefttheislandthatDerekandIrealizedthatBenwasn’tinhisroom.Panicgrippedbothofus.Wethoughtthatperhapshe’descapedtothehumanareaandwaswreakinghavocthere.Butathoroughsearchforhimtheresoonassuredusthathehadnot.Myfatherhelpedusscourthewholeislandforhimfortherestoftheday,buthewasnowheretobefound.Nobodyseemedtohaveseenhim.

Itwasn’tuntilwereturnedtotheapartmentlatethateveningandDereknoticedthenoteleftonthedeskinhisstudythatwerealizedwhathadhappened.

ItookthenotefromDerek,desperatetoreaditformyself—asifDerekhadsomehowmisinterpretedit.Butthemessagewasclear.OursonhadleftTheShade.

Derekgrippedtheedgesofhisdesksohardthewoodgroanedbeneathhishands.Istaredathim,mymouthagape.IwonderedifBenhadsomehowgottenwindofthesuspicionsomehumansheldthathe’dbeenresponsibleforthemurders.

“Hemusthavetakenoneofthesubs,”Iwhispered,thefullhorrorofthesituationsinkingin.“Howwillheevensurvive?”

“Idon’tknowwhathewasthinking,”Dereksaid.Ireadthenoteonceagain,focusingonthelastfewwordsofhisletter:“Don’tcomelookingforme.”

Ofcourse,myfirstreactionwastowanttoleavetheislandandscourthesevenseasforhim,ifthatwaswhatittooktofindhim.

“Weneedtolookforhim,”Igasped.Iturnedmygazeonmyhusbandagain.Astoicexpressionhadsetinonhis

faceandhewaslookingatmesteadily.Heshookhisheadslowly.“WhenBenleft,”hesaid,hisvoicedeep,“hewasself-awareenoughtoleave

usthisletter.Hewasawareenoughtoknowwhathewasdoing.Hemadeadecision.”

Derek’swordswerethelastthingIwantedtohear,andyetIcouldn’thelpbutfindtruthinthem.WhenIremainedstandingthere,mymouthopen,Derekstoodupandclutchedmyhands.“Oursonisnolongerachild,Sofia.”

“Iknow,but…hecoulddieoutthere,”Ichoked.Derekfurrowedhisbrows,takingadeepbreath.Icouldseethatitwasjust

asdifficultforhimtospeakthewordsasitwasformetohearthem.“Doyourememberwhatyousaidtome,justbeforeIturnedhim?”

Mymindwastooalightwithworry.Icouldn’tthinkofanythingrightnowotherthanBenadriftinthemiddleoftheocean,starvingtodeath.Ishookmyhead,avoidingDerek’sgaze.Hereachedformyfaceandforcedmetolookathim.

“Yousaidthatthere’sonethingevenvampirismcannevertakeawayfromaperson…Choice.”WhenIstilldidn’trespond,hedrewmeclosertohim,cradlingthebackofmyheadashewhisperedintomyear.“AsPrinceofTheShade,Benjaminchosetotakethisrisktoprotecthispeople.That’sachoicethatweshouldn’ttakeawayfromhim.”

MyhandstightenedaroundDerek’swaistashiswordsburnedme.HowcouldIarguewithhimwheneversinceDerek’sandmyfirstmeeting,I’dbeentheonepreachingtheverythinghewasrepeatingtomenow?

Loweringhismouthtomine,hekissedmeslowlyandtenderly.Iwasn’tsurethatI’deverlovedmyhusbandmorewhenhebrushedmycheekswithhisthumbsandwhispered:

“Weneedtohavemorefaithinbothofourtwins.Remember,they’reNovaks…They’llsurvive.”

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CH A P T E R 1 4 :R H Y S

heburdenofmyfailuretorecapturetheNovakgirlweighedheavilyonmyshoulders.

HadmysistersnotbeenalerttotheringsglowingontheirfingersthatdayI’dlaininjuredandtrappedbeneaththedeckofthatship,withallthosecircusanimalsrunningabout,Imighthaveperishedthere.

Despitetheagonyburstingfrommypalmsandwreakinghavoconmynervoussystem,I’dmanagedtoclimbatoponeofthecontainerstostayclearofthestampede.There,I’drubbedthecopperringaroundmyindexfingeruntilitglowedorange.Afterthat,allIcoulddowaswait.Mysisters,JulisseandArielle,hadappearedbesidemeafewhourslaterandbroughtmebacktotheislandCalebAchillesusedtomanage—nowmanagedtemporarilybymyaunt,Isolde.

Aftermysistershadreturnedmetosafety,they’dleftimmediatelytocompletethetaskI’dfailedat.Then,whenthey’dalsoreturnedunsuccessful,itwasallIcoulddotokeepmyselffromscreaming.

Thedaysthatfollowedwereagony—notsomuchfromthephysicalpainofrecovery,butfromtheshameandtheabsenceofmypowers.ItfeltlikeI’dbeenstrippedofmyidentity,renderedsomepatheticshadowofmyformerself.Worstofall,ithadbeenapunyhumangirlI’dallowedtodothistome.Thesituationcouldn’thavebeenmorehumiliating.

Iremainedatthetopofthecastle—Annora’soldquarters—andkeptmyself

lockedthereasIsoldeandmysistersassistedmeinmyrecovery.Wewitchesdidn’thavemanyvulnerabilities,butourpalmswereoneofthem.Theywerebothourgreateststrengthandourgreatestweakness.

Somehow,Calebandthegirlhadfiguredthatout.MybloodboiledasIsuspectedthatitmighthavebeenthewolfwho’dtoldthem.

WhatI’lldotothatdogifIevermeethimagain…I’dpromisedLiliththatIwouldbringthegirlbacktoherwithinafewdays.

Afewdayshadlongpassed.Now,asIlayinthebedstillrecovering,IfelttooashamedtogobeforeLilithandadmittoourfailure.ButIcouldn’tdelayitanylonger,orshewouldstartstressing.Andstressmadeherweaker.Shewasclingingtolifebyathreadasitwas,andsheneededtobestrongerthaneverbeforeforwhatlayaheadofus.

No,Ihadtovisithernow,evenifmyrecoverywasn’tcomplete.Throwingasidemysheets,Igotoutofbedandpulledonmycloak,careful

tonotknockmyfragilepalmsagainstanythingintheprocess.Leavingmyquarters,Isoughtoutmyaunt.Shewasdowninthekitchens,

stirringapotofblood.Assoonasshesawme,shereachedforagobletandofferedmesome.Ishookmyhead,brushingheraway.

“Ineedtoleavenow,”Isaid.Hereyesnarrowedonmypalms.Ithoughtshemightprotestandtryto

convincemetowaitatleastacoupleofdayslonger,butsheseemedtorealizewhyIoughtnotdelaythevisitfurther.

“I’llescortyouthere,”shesaid.“Yes,butIwilldeliverthenews.There’snoneedforyoutoenterthecave.

Thistaskwasmyresponsibility.”“Ofcourse.”Coveringthepotwithalid,shelaiddownthespoonand

removedherapron.Pickinguphercloakfromthecoathangerinthecornerandwrappingitaroundherself,shewalkedbackovertome.Placingahandonmyshoulder,sheasked,“Areyouready?”

“Let’sgo.”Shevanishedusfirsttothedungeonofthecastlewherethegateledtoour

islandinthesupernaturalrealm,andthenoncewe’dtravelledthroughthegate,

shevanishedusonceagaintothesmallislandLilithresidedon.IsoldewaitedoutsidethecaveasImademywaytowardtheAncient’sinner

sanctum.Tomysurprise,Lilith’sheadwasabovethesurfaceofherliquidresting

placeasIentered.Thatworriedme.Iwonderedhowlongshehadbeenpositionedinthatway.Theliquidwaswhathelpedtopreserveher.

Keepingmyhandshiddendeepwithinthepocketsofmycloak,Iwalkedovertotheedgeofthepondandkneltdown.Hershiningblackeyesshotopenandfixedonme.

“Whyareyousolate?”shehissedinancienttongue.“Iapologize,”Irepliedinherlanguage.Deeplinescrisscrossedeverypartof

hershrunkenface.Herskinlookedmuchdrierthanusual.“Howlonghaveyoubeenwaitinglikethis?”Idaredask.

Herlipspursed,eyesnarrowing,toformascowl.“Toolong.”“Please,duckdownforamoment,”Iurged.“Youneedmoisture.”Shehackedandspat.“ThegirliswhatIneed.Whereisshe?”Ibowedmyhead.“Ilosther.”Adeathlysilencefilledthechamber.Ihardlydaredevenlookather.I

expectedhertostartthrowingafitofrage,butwhatshedidterrifiedmefarmorethanifshe’dbecomeviolentandcursedme.

Shewincedandclosedhereyes.Sheappearedtooweaktoevenchastiseme.“Youknowwhatthismeans,”shewheezed.

Inodded,mygazestilldowncast.“Withoutthegirl’sblood,”shecontinued,“Istandlessofachanceof

survivingthefinalritual.AndifIfadeawaybeforeitiscomplete,everythingwehavebeenworkingtowardwillbeinvain.”

Iclenchedmyjaw.“Iknow.”“Yetyoustillmanagedtoletherslipbetweenyourfingers.”Shecluckedher

tonguesoftly.“SometimesIwonderifyouwantwhatyousayyouwant.”Iglaredather,wantingtothrowbackaretort,andyetinthatmomentof

shame,Icouldthinkofnone.“So,fornow,”Lilithcontinuedafterapause,“wewillforgetaboutfinding

thegirl.We’vewastedenoughtimeonheralready.”“Iagree,”Imanaged.“Butallisnotlost.Isuggestthatwecontinuewithour

originalplan—takecontrolofTheShadeanditsinhabitants.Therearemanydifferenttypesofbloodthere—human,vampire,wolf,ogre,anddon’tforgetAnna,theimmune.Herbloodaloneshouldprovideyouwithmuchsustenance,evenifitwon’tmatchwhattheNovakgirl’scouldhavebroughtyou.ClaimTheShade,andweclaimaseaofbloodinonefellswoop.”

Sheraisedahandintheairandclickedherbonyfingers.“Sodoitimmediately.Wecan’taffordtowaitlonger.”Igrimacedbeforefinallypullingoutmyhandsfrommypocketsand

revealingtohermyinjuredpalms.Furysparkedinhereyesasshelookedfromonepalmtotheother.Hissinga

curse,shesentmeflyingbackuntilmybackthuddedagainstthestonewallwithforcethatshookthewholeroom.

Takingthatasmycuetoleave,Ipickedmyselfupfromthefloorandwalkedtothedoor.Beforeexiting,Icalledback.“Isoldeisworkinghardtohealmypalms.Mypowerswillreturninamatterofdays.AndthenIwillseetoitthatyourorderisdone,yourgrace.ThatIswear.”

AsIleftthechamber,Ishouldhavebeenwincingfromthepain.ButIwasn’t.Iwassmiling.She’djustshownmethatshestillhadsomestinginher.Enough,Ihoped,forourfinalbloodritualtobesuccessful.

Becauseifitwas,wewouldnolongerneedtodependonheraswedidnow.Shewouldnolongerbetheonlyoneofherkind.We’dhavemanymore—enoughtomakeupforourlackofnumbers.Enough

toreclaimTheSanctuaryandourdominionoveralllessercreatures.EnoughtoreturntothewayofourAncientsandreinstateourkind’strueglory.

Yes,we’dhaveenoughpowertodoallthis.We’dhaveentiregraveyardsofit.

I

CH A P T E R 1 5 :K I E V

barelypaidattentiontothegatePatriciachosetotakeusthrough.IjusttrustedhertomaketherightdecisionasshevanishedusfromTheShadeandwereappearedontopofasnowymountainpeak.Itdidn’ttakeherlongtolocateacraterinthegroundandafewsecondslater,wewereallleapingthroughit.

Ontheotherend,wefoundourselvesinahumidjunglewithbroadleavesandtreetrunksfivetimesthesizeofanyonEarth.Theatmospherewassoheavyitwasastruggletobreathe.Shrieksandgrowlsofwildanimalssurroundedus.

Ididn’tneedtolookaroundformorethanafewsecondstoknowwherethiswas:Aviary.DarkmemoriesofthetimeI’dspentherecamerushingback.

“Let’skeepmoving,”Isaid,grippingPatricia’sshoulderperhapsharderthannecessary.

ShedidasI’drequestedandafewmomentslater,thejungledisappearedinablurofcolors.Whenmyvisioncameintofocusagain,wewerestandingonaclusterofrocksbeneaththeshelterofanoverhangingrock.Toourrightwasabeachcoveredwithpristinewhitesand.

“Well,”Patriciasaid,“ItriedtovanishuswithinTheSanctuary,butthisisasfarasIcouldget…theboundary.”

“Whathappened?”Iasked.“I’vebeenoutoftheplacetoolong.I’manoutcastnow,notmuchdifferent

fromyou.”Iclimbeddownfromtherocksand,ignoringthesun’sraysasIleftthe

shelterofthecliff,Ibegantorunfullspeedtowardalineoftreesthatmarkedthebeginningofthemainland.Imightaswellhavejustrunupagainstabrickwall.JustbeforeIreachedthetrees,Ismashedintoaninvisiblebarrierandbouncedback.

Iclimbedbackuptowheretheotherswerestillstandingontherocksforshelter.

“Sowhatdoyousuggestwedo?”Ipanted.Patriciasankdownontherockandfurrowedherbrows.“Ithinktheonlywayinistowaitforawitchtocomeout,andthenhijack

them.”“Hijack?”Abbyasked,frowning.“Yes,hijack.Ifyoucanholdontoawitchandenterwiththematthesame

time,youshouldbeabletogainentrance.Atleast,thatusedtobethecase.”“Howoftendoyouthinkwitchesstrayoutsidetheboundary?”Erikasked.“Theydon’thavemuchreasonto.Whentheywanttotraveloutside,they’d

mostlyvanishthemselvesfromwithinTheSanctuaryitself.Mostwitchesactuallyneverleavetheplace.”

“Sohowarewegoingtodothis?”“I’mnotsurethatwehaveanychoicebuttowaitandhopesomeonewill

come.”Waitandhope.ThosewerethelasttwowordsIneededtohearrightnow.

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CH A P T E R 1 6 :M ON A

’dhopedtobeabletoescapethenightmareIwaslivinginbyfallingasleep,butIwasonlymetwithmore.Ifanything,thenightmareswereworseandmorevividwhenIshutmyeyes.Iwokeupshiveringintheearly-morninghours,anddidn’tbothertryingtofallasleepagainafterthat.

Asbreakfasttimeapproached,therewasaknockonmybedroomdoor.I’dexpectedtoseemymaid,butinsteaditwasBrisaliaherselfcarryingasilvertrayoffood.

Shewalkedinsideandsetthetraydownonmybedsidetable,thenreachedformyhandandsqueezedit.Shegavemeasmileandtherewaswarmthinhereyesasshesaid,“I’msorry.”

Inodded,avertingmyeyestothegroundandswallowinghard.“Iknowyouwanttobealonerightnow,buttherearesomethingsThaliaand

ourcouncilwanttodiscusswithyou.”Iraisedmygazetoher.Iwasn’tsurewhattheymightbe,thoughIcouldtake

agoodguess.TheyknewI’dspentyearslivingwiththeblackwitches.Iguessedtheywantedtopickmybrainforinformation.They’dbesorelydisappointed,ofcourse.I’dbetrayedRhystoomanytimesinthepasttobetrustedwithmuchhigh-levelinformation.Iwasusuallyonlytoldthebasicsinordertodomytasks.

AlthoughitwasthelastthingIwanted,Inodded.Icouldn’trefusethisrequestafteralltheirhospitality.

“When?”Icroaked.

“Afterbreakfast.”Inodded.“Doyourememberwherethemeetinghallis?”sheasked.Inoddedagain,darkmemorieswashingoverme.HowcouldIforgetthat

place?ItwastheroomwhereI’dbeensentencedtobanishmentfromTheSanctuary.Theplacewhereallthesefamiliarpeoplewholookedonmenowwithwarmthhadonceglareddaggersandhurledinsultsatme.

“Verywell.I’llmeetyouthereinhalfanhour.”Withthat,shestoodupandvanishedfromthespot.Icastmyeyestowardthebreakfasttray.Icouldn’teventhinkabouteating.I

headedstraightforthebathroomtoshowerandgetdressed.OnceIwasready,Ivanishedmyselfdownstairstothemeetinghall.Thaliasatattheheadofalongtable,withHermiaandBrisaliaoneitherside,whiletherestofthechairsweretakenbyoveradozenotherwitchesandwarlocks.AllmembersofTheSanctuary’scouncil.

ShiversranalongmyspineasIfelttheirgazeonme.Itwasunsettlingthewaytheywerelookingatmenow,asifthepasthadneverhappened.

“Takeaseat,Mona.”Thalia’ssmoothvoiceechoedaroundthehall.ShegesturedtoanemptychairnexttoBrisalia.

Iwalkeduptothetable,curtsiedandsatdown.“Tobeginwith,Ijustwanttorepeathowhappywearethatyouhave

returnedhome.”Iclaspedmyhandstogetheronthetableandfixedmyeyesonthem,

avoidinghereyes.Ofcourse,asifthereweren’talreadyenoughuncomfortablethingsaboutthissituation,allofthemwerestillunawarethatI’dmurderedOdeliainhersleep.

“Thankyou,”Imurmured.“YoumighthavealreadyguessedwhyI’vecalledthismeeting.AsI’msure

you’reaware,theblackwitchesaregainingpowerbytheday.Wehavemanagedtogaininsideinformationonsomeoftheirintentions,butmuchoftheirplanswearestillunawareof.Youspentmanyyearswiththem.Iwouldliketostartthismeetingbyhavingyouexplainwhatyoulearntaboutthemwhilestaying

there,andwhatyoubelievetheirplansare.”Mymindfeltsodistracted,itwasaherculeaneffortjusttofocusonher

words.Iclearedmythroatandranmytongueovermylowerlip.“I…Whatdoyouknowalready?”Thaliaexchangedglanceswithhersisters.ItwasBrisaliawhoansweredme.

“DoyouknowEfrenHansard?”sheasked.Efren.OfcourseIknewEfren.Hissisterhadmademylifealivinghell

whenI’dbeenunderRhys’wing.“Yes,”Ireplied.“Well,wemanagedtocatchhim.He’snowaprisonerhere.Mostofthe

informationwe’vegainedisfromhim,thoughitseemsthathewasn’thighenoughinranktoknoweverything.WhathehastoldusisthatthereisanAncientstillliving.Andsheisthekeytotheirpower.Wedon’tknowwheresheis—evenourspellscouldn’tforcethisinformationfromEfren.Rightnow,wearestilllargeenoughinnumbertooverpowerthem,buttheirstrengthisgrowingeachday.Oncetheyarestrongenough,theywilltakeoverTheSanctuary.”Brisaliapaused,lookingatmeexpectantly.

“I’mafraidthere’sreallynotmuchmorethatIknow,”Isaid.“Rhysandhisauntdidn’ttrustmeasmuchasyoumighthavethought…”Myvoicetrailedoff.Ididknowonething,ofcourse:IknewwhereLilithwas.IknewthelinkshehadwithTheSanctuary.ButifIrevealedthat,IwasjustonestepclosertothemfindingoutthatIhadslitOdelia’sthroat.Ioughttoadmitthistothem,butrightnow,Iwasdrowningenoughasitwas.Ididn’tthinkIcouldhandleit.SoIfellsilent.

Thalialetoutasigh.“Thatisashame,”shesaid.“We’dallhopedthatyou’dbeabletoassistwiththis.”

“I’msorry,”Isaid,lookingatherapologetically.“You’reaChanneler,”Hermiasaid.“Correct?”“Yes.”“ThenyoumusthavemetwiththisAncientinordertogainsuchpowers?”“IndeedIdid.ButIdon’trememberthelocation.Rhysdidn’ttrustme

enoughtorevealthattome.Iwasblindfoldedandescortedbyhimthereand

back.Idon’tevenknowwhethershe’sbeingkeptonearthorinthesupernaturalrealm.”

Anawkwardsilencedescendedonthehall.Ikeptmyeyesfixedonmyhands.

“Well,”Thaliasaideventually,“ifyoureallydon’thaveanymoreinformationtoofferus,then,atleastyoucanhelpustosecureourrealm.”

“Certainly.Icandothat.”“Wealreadyhaveprotectionaroundtheisland,ofcourse,butsinceyou’rea

Channeler,yourmagicisstrongerthanours.We’dlikeyoutoputaprotectivespellaroundthisplace,similarinstrengthtothatwhichyouputaroundTheShade.”

TheShade.Ifeltapangofguiltasshementionedtheisland.Therewerethousandsofpeoplethere,manyofthemdeartome—humans,vampiresandwerewolvesalike—whoweredependentonmeforprotection.NowthatI’dleftthehumanrealm,iftheblackwitchesattacked,therewouldbenowaytheycouldkeepthemout.Patriciaandtheotherwitchestherecouldmaintainthespellofnightandputupsomekindofprotectionaroundthem,butitwouldn’tbenearlystrongenoughforthemightofRhysandhiskind.

ButasthememoryofSofiaandKievbetrayingmeonceagaincametotheforefrontofmymind,fireburnedthroughmyveins,anditstifledanyguiltIwasfeeling.

It’sjusttoobad.TheShade’squeenshouldhavethoughttwiceaboutplayingmeforafool.

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fterwhatfeltlikehoursofwaiting,I’dhadenough.“Ican’ttakethisanymore,”Isaid,shootingtomyfeet.“There’sgottobe

anotherway.”“I’mallearsifyouhaveanysuggestions,”Patriciamuttered,brushingafly

awayfromherface.“Weneedtotrytoluresomeoneout.”IfeltallthreepairsofeyesonmeasI

beganpacingupanddownontherock.“Whatcouldweuseasbait?”Patricialookedatmethoughtfully.“Hmm.”“Whataboutanexplosion?”Erikoffered.“Thatmightdoit,”Patriciasaid.“Whatifitattractsmorethanonewitch?”Abbysaid.“IdoubtPatriciais

capableoftacklingmorethanone.”AlleyesfellonPatricia.“Wehavetheelementofsurpriseonourside,”she

said.“Itreallywoulddependonhowmanywitchescameouttoinvestigate.Ifitwastwoorthree,Imightjustbeabletomanage.Morethanthat,Idoubtit.”

“Sowe’dallhavetobetouchingthewitchinordertogainentrance?”Thewitchnoddedandstoodup.“Wecantryanexplosion,Isuppose,andsee

whathappens.Inthemeantime…”Hervoicetrailedoffasshegrippedeachofourhandsandpulledustowardherwhilemutteringachantunderherbreath.Afewmomentslater,she,AbbyandErikdisappeared.Lookingdownatmyhands,IrealizedIhadtoo.

“Wehaveabetterchanceofsucceedingatthisifwe’reinvisible.”Patricia’svoicecamefrommyleft.

“Allright.Nowwhat?”Isaid.“YouvampsneedtowaithereintheshadewhileIfigureoutthebestplaceto

setofftheexplosion.OnceIsetitoff,we’llwaittoseeifanybodycomes.Iftherearefewerthanthree,assumethatIwillattempttocloseinonthemandstartwalkingtowardthewitches—I’llemergeassoonasIfeelI’vegotcontrolofthesituationandbeckonyouover.”

“Andiftherearemorethanthree?”Erik’svoicecamefrommyleft.“Thenstaywhereyouare,”Patriciareplied.“Iwon’tattemptanythingand

we’llhavetocomeupwithsomeotheridea…I’mleavingnow.”Asthewitch’spresenceleftus,Iwalkedovertotheedgeoftherockswhere

Icouldbestpositionmyselfforscanningthebeach.Iwasalmostknockedforwardassomeonebumpedintomefrombehind.

“Oh,sorry.”Abby’svoicecamequickly.Ireachedbehindmeand,findingherarm,guidedhertoaspotnexttome

whereshewasinnodangerofknockingmeagain.“Erik?”Isaid.“Yeah.”HesoundedlikehewasstandingnexttoAbby.“Okay,”Isaid.“Now,payattention.”Ikeptwatchingthebeach,alerttoeventheslightestbitofmovementasI

triedtodeterminewherePatriciawas.Afterafewminutes,therewasasuddennoisethatsoundedlikethecrackofawhip,andtheninthesky,aballoffireappeared,swirlingandcirclingasitgatheredspeed.Withonedeafeningroar,theballexploded,sendingglowingfragmentsflyingdownintotheseaandontothebeach.

“Somebodymusthaveheardthat,”Abbysaid.“Nowit’sjustaquestionofwhetheranyonecaresenoughtocomeand

investigate,”Eriksaid.Wecouldn’tbesurewherePatriciawasnowthattheexplosionhaddied

down.Isupposedthat,likeus,shewaswatchingtheboundary.“Comeon,”Iwhispered,willingsomeonetoemergefromthelineoftrees.

Minutespassedandnothinghappened.IwasbeginningtothinkthatPatriciaoughttocauseanotherexplosionwhenawomanemergedfromtheforest,afewhundredyardsawayfromus.Onestrapofherlongbluegownhungdownhershoulderandherhairwasdisheveled.Shestoppedjustbeforecrossingtheboundaryandlookedupanddownalongthelengthofthebeach.

“Phinneas,”shecalled.Abare-chestedwarlockwearingdarkpantsemergedbehindher.Hishairwas

alsomussed,andlipstickstainedhisface.“Doyouseeanything?”sheasked.Bothscannedthelengthofthebeach.

“Whatcouldithavebeen?”Thewarlockshrugged.“Itwasprobablyjustyoungonesuptonogood.

Therearenolessonstoday.”Hishandssnakedaroundherwaist.Hedrewherclosertohimandburiedhisfaceinherneck.“Don’tletthisdistractus,Riona,”hewhispered.“Wedon’thavelong.”

Iheldmybreath,readytoletoutacurseashebeganpullingherbackawayfromtheboundary.They’dalmostdisappearedfromviewwhenthewomanstoppedinhertracks.

“Wait,darling,”shesaidbreathlesslythroughhiskisses.“Thoserockslookmorecomfortable.”ShepointedtowardwhereAbby,ErikandIwerestanding.

Catchingthewarlock’shand,thewitchsteppedoutoftheboundarywithhimandcrossedthesandtowardus.

“Weneedtomove,”Ihissed.Althoughthesunhadn’tyetset,wehadnochoicebuttomakewayforthem.

Iwasn’tsurewhereErikandAbbyhadscrambledoffto—fromthesoundsofit,they’dclimbedupthecliff—butIleaptfromtherocksanddroppedintothewatersbelow.HopefullyIwouldn’thavetoendurethesunforlong,buttheseawouldatleasthelptosoothesomeoftheburninginthemeantime.Iswamroundtherockyenclosureandmademywaybacktowardthebeach,scanningitforanysignofPatricia.

Comeon,Patricia.Whereareyou?Itriedtoignorethemoansthatwerebeginningtodriftdownfromtherocks

aboveme,butitwashardwhenIwasstillsoclose.

Bracingmyselfforthefullheatofthesun,IclimbedoutofthewaterinhopesofgettingabetterunderstandingofwherePatriciawasandwhatwasholdingherup.She’dsaidshe’demergeonceshefeltshe’dgottencontrolofthesituation,whateverthatmeant.

Icastmyeyestowardthetwonow-barebodieswrithingontherocks.Igrimaced.Iwasn’tsurehowweweregoingtopullthisoff.Weonlyneededoneofthem,butfromthelooksofit,separatingthosetwowouldbelikeseparatingSiamesetwins.

Ialmostjumpedassomethingbrushedupagainstmyarm.Iwhirledaround,butsawnobody.ThenPatriciaspoke.“Kiev,isthatyou?”

“Yes.Howdidyou—?”Ilookeddownatmyhandstochecktheywerestillinvisible,wonderingforamomentifthespellhadwornoff.

“Yourfootprintsinthesand,”shemurmured.“What’shappening?”“I’mgoingtotrytodistractthewarlock,sendhimovertowardtheotherside

oftherocks,andthencomebackforthewitch.Themomentyouseethewarlockleave,standascloseasyoucantoherwithoutbeingnoticed.InstructAbbyandEriktodothesame.”

BeforeIcouldrespond,sheletgoofmeandInolongerfeltherproximity.Istartedtoclimbclosertowardtherocksagain,tryingtohidehowheavymybreathingwasbecomingduetothepainthesunwasinflictingonme.

PerchedontherocksascloseasIdared,IwasexpectingPatriciatocauseanotherexplosionofsomesortanysecondnow.Butmyfocuswassuddenlydistractedbyfootstepshammeringoverwetsandbehindme.Ilookedbackandwasstunnedtoseeanotherwarlockrunningalongthebeachtowardus.

Hewastall,worefineclothes—anembroideredleatherwaistcoatanddarksilkpants—andhishairwasslickedback.Hisfacewascontortedwithfury.Hischestheavedasheracedtowardtherocks.Swervingdangerouslyclosetotheamorouscouple,Ituckedmyselfinanarrowcornertoavoidthismanbumpingintomeasheapproached.

Leapinguptherocks,hestood,castingatoweringshadowoverPhinneasandRiona.Theyweresoabsorbedineachother,theydidn’tevennoticehispresence

untilhishandclampedaroundRiona’sthroatandhetoreheraway.Well,thishasjustgottenawholelotmorecomplicated.Iwasn’tsurewherePatriciawasnow,butclearlywehadtowaitforthis

scenetounfoldbeforewecoulddoanything.“Zylen,”shegasped,clutchingtheman’shandsaroundherneck.Loweringhisheadtoher,hespatonherface.“Whore,”hegrowled.“How

longdidyouthinkyouwouldgetawaywiththis?”Heslammedherheadagainstthesideofthewall.“Avisittoyoursister’s?Isthatwhatthisis?”

Phinneasleaptupandacurseblastedfromhispalms,separatingZylenfromRiona.HegloweredatZylen.“Don’tyoudaretouchher.”

ZylenjumpedtohisfeetandhurledacursebackatPhinneas,hittinghimsquareinthechest.Phinneasshotbackward,fallingdownintotheoceanbelow.Zylenleaptintotheoceanafterhimandthetwowarlocksbeganbattlinginthewaves.

“No!”Rionascreamed,scramblingtoherfeetandclutchingherdressagainsther.“Don’thurthim.”

AsRionamotionedtohurlacurseatZylen,abeamoflightshotfromhispalmandhitherstomach.Herlegsfoldedbeneathherandshefellontheground,herwholebodyrigid.Herscreamsassuredmethatshewasnotdead,justparalyzed.

Thebattleinthewavesbecamemoreandmorefuriousbythesecondasthewavescarriedthetwomenfurtherawayfromtherocks.

Riona’sbodythenbegantolevitate—orsoitseemeduntilPatriciahissed,“Now.Kiev!Abby!Erik!Comeoverhere!”

IwalkedovertoRionaandreachedoutintothinairuntilIwastouchingwhatfeltlikePatricia’sshoulder.IglanceduptowardthedirectionI’dheardErikandAbbyscrambleawaytoward.Theymighthavebeeninthesunthiswholetime.Ihopedthey’dbeallright.

“Erik?”Icalled.“Abby?”“Here,”mybrothercalledbehindme.“We’rehere.”ThetwoofthembrushedagainstmeastheygrippedPatricia.Afewseconds

later,allfiveofushadvanishedandreappearedoutsidetheboundarybordering

theforestliningthebeach.“Now,”Patriciasaid,“Holdontosomepartofthiswitchaswewalk

through.”Ididasshe’drequested,touchingthegirl’sarm,andIassumedtheothertwo

didthesameaswehurriedthroughwhathadpreviouslybeenassolidasabrickwall.Thistime,asIwalkedthrough,itwaswithease—asthoughtherewasnoboundarythereatall.

Wehurriedfurtherintothetrees,outofdirectviewofthebeach,whereRiona’sbodyloweredtotheground.“Whatishappening?Whoareyou?”shegasped,tearsstillstreamingdownherfaceasshelookedaroundwildly.

Patriciafinallycameintoview,standingdirectlynexttoher,althoughmy,Erik’sandAbby’sformsremainedinvisible.PatriciabentdownoverRionaandlookedatherkindly.

“Don’tworry,dear,”shewhispered,runningapalmoverherforehead.“Whenyouwakeup,youwon’trememberwhatjusthappened.Itwillallseemlikeabaddream…”AsPatricia’spalmcaressedherforehead,Rionastoppedwhimperingandhereyelidsbegandroopinguntiltheydroppedshut.Afewmomentslater,thewomanwassnoring.

Takinginadeepbreath,Patriciastoodupandlookedtowardourdirection.Herformdisappearedfromsightagainasshemuttered,“Nowtherealworkbegins.”

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lthoughmyquarterswerespacious,andmymaid’sroomsweresituatedsofarfrommyownthatIbarelynoticedherpresence,Iwasbeginningtofeelclaustrophobicremaininginside.Iconsideredputtinganinvisibilityspellovermyself,butinsteadjustgrabbedacloakinhopesoftryingtoremainatleastsomewhatinconspicuous.Ileftthepalaceandbeganwalkingalongtheroadsthroughthecity.IavoidedeyecontactwiththewitchesandwarlocksIpassedby,hopingthatmostwouldn’trecognizemeafterallthistime.

IknewthatifIwastoliveherelong-term,Icouldn’tkeepavoidingpeople.I’dhavetobecomemoresociableandreintegratemyselfwiththesociety.

Butmyheartwasstillbleeding.Anycompanybutmyownwastoomuchofaburdentobear.

EachstreetIpassedalongseemedtohaveitsownsetofmemoriesandwalkingdownitunleashedthemafreshinmymind.Hardlyanythinghadchangedhere,evenafterallthistime.I’dneverthoughtI’dseethedaywhenI’dbewelcomedbackhomewithopenarms.NowthatIhadbeen,Icouldn’tdenythatnothingcouldreplaceTheSanctuaryasmyhome—notTheShade,notanywhere.

IwalkedforhoursalongfamiliarstreetsuntilIapproachedtheedgeofthecity.Thebuildingswerebecomingfewerandfewer,whilesparklinglakesandfragrantmeadowssurroundedme.MybreathhitchedasIcaughtsightofawaterfallcrashingdownintoagorge.Iapproachedthehangingbridge

connectingonesidetotheotherandbeganwalkingacrossit,breathinginthecrispair.IstoppedonceIreachedthemiddleofthebridgeandgrippedtherailings.AsIstareddownatthechurningwatersbeneathme,myvisionstartedtobecomehazyagainasmoretearsformedbehindmyeyes.

MemoriesofKievbegantoplayinmymind.FromourfirstmeetinginAviary,tothefirsttimewe’dmadeloveinmylakehouse…allthathadhappenedbetweenuswashedoverme.

IwonderedifKievfeltanyremorseoverwhathe’ddonetome.Orwhetherhewasjustangrywithhimselfforgettingcaughtandcausingmetoleavetheislandunprotected.Iwassurethatitwasthelatter.HewastoobesottedwithSofiaNovak.

IthoughtbackonceagaintothenightI’dseenthembothstandinginthePort.DerekNovakhadbeenwatchingthescenetoo.Ihadn’tbeenabletobearstayingthereamomentlonger,soIdidn’tknowwhathadhappenedafterIleft.ButIwassurethatDerekwouldkickKievofftheisland.PerhapsSofiahadleftwithhim.

Ibrushedmytearsawayangrilywiththebackofmyhand.Ineedtostopwastingmythoughtsandemotionsonamanwhocares

nothingforme.Determinedtodistractmyself,Icontinuedwalkingalongthebridgeand,on

reachingtheotherside,Iclimbeddowntotherushingwater.Discardingmydressandstrippingtomyunderwear,Idovein.Surfacing,Irubbedmyface,washingawaythetearstainsfrommycheeks.Looseningmyhair,Iswamclosertothewaterfall.Iwasabouttoduckdownbehinditwhensomeonecalledmyname.

“Mona.”Adeepmalevoice.Icastmyeyestowardthedirectionofthevoicetoseeawarlockwithlong

blondhairstandingatthebank,armscrossedoverhischest.Iswamclosertohim,staringathisface.Itwasstrangelyfamiliar,but

somehowIcouldn’tquiteputanametoit.“Youdon’trememberme,doyou?”hesaid,removinghislightcottonshirt

andslidingintothewaterwithme.

Ishookmyhead,stillstaringathim.“Coen.”Heheldoutahand.“CoenBrymer.Myfamilylivedoppositeyours,

andwewenttoschooltogether.”“Oh,”Isaid,stunned.“Coen?You…lookdifferent.”TheCoenIrememberedhadbeenawiry,shyboywithshort-croppedhair

andapalecomplexion.Nothinglikethistan,well-builtman.Iprobablywouldn’thaverecognizedhimevenifIspentalldaystaringathim.

Hesmirked.“Iguesswe’vebothgrownupsincewelastsaweachother…”Ishookhishand.“It’sbeautifulhere,isn’tit?”Inodded,backingawayfromhimalittle.“Ihopeyoudon’tmindmeintruding,”hesaid,wettinghishairandflicking

itback.“That’sokay.”“I’vebeencurioustoseeyoueversinceBrisaliamentionedyouwereback.

Lotsofusare…ThoughIseeyou’vebeenkeepingtoyourself.”Iheavedasigh.“It’sbeensolongsinceIwaslasthere…andsomuchhas

happenedsince.IguessI’mstilltryingtogroundmyself.”“That’sunderstandable,”hesaid,eyeingmeclosely.“Iguessitalsomustbe

bizarrebeingwelcomedbythesamepeoplewhoexpelledyouallthoseyearsago.”

Coenclearlywasn’tonetoskirtaroundsubjects.Igavehimasmallsmile.“Yes,thattoo.”

“Ifyouwantedalittlehelpinreintroducingyourselftopeoplehere,I’dbehappytoassist.”

“Thanks.”“Itmightbetoosoonafteryourarrival,butasmallgroupofus—mostlyold

classmates—aregatheringtocelebratemyolderbrother’sbirthdaytonight,afterthesungoesdown.There’llbemusic,food,dancing…”Heswamtowardthebankandclimbedout,grabbinghisshirtandbuttoningitup.Straightening,helookeddownatme.“Ifyoufeellikeit,justcomeknocking.Istillliveinthesameplace…oppositeyourparents’oldhome.”

Inodded,swallowinghard.“Thankyou,Coen.I’llthinkaboutit.”“Youneverknow,itmighthelptotakeyourmindoffthings.”Heflashedme

asmilebeforeturningonhisheelandvanishing.Istaredattheemptyspacehe’djustbeenstandingin.IwonderedifBrisalia

mighthaveputCoenuptoseekingmeout.IhadmentionedKievbrieflytoher.Perhapsithadbeenherideatogivemeadistraction.

Whateverthecase,Icouldn’tdenynowthatIwasdesperatetostartforgettingthevampire.AlthoughthelastthingIfeltlikedoingwasattendingaparty,perhapsIowedittomyselftogo.

Iswambacktotheoppositesideofthegorgeandclimbedout.Dryingmyselfwithmagic,Ipulledonthedressandclimbedbackuptothebridge.Idecidedtowalkthedistancebacktothepalace.ItwouldgivemetimetothinkaboutCoen’sproposal.

Iwasn’tpayingmuchattentiontothestreetsIwaswalkingalongasImademywayback.Iwastooabsorbedwithweighinguptheprosandcons.ButasIreachedaparticularlyelevatedareaofthecity,IsnappedoutofmyreverietorealizeI’darrivedattheendofmyfamily’soldroad.

Ishudderedasmyeyesfixedonmyoldhome.ItwasjustasI’drememberedit—thegentlyslopingroofstuddedwithcrystals,thespaciousverandas,thesquarelawnoutfrontwithasmalltoadpondinthecorner…

IttookallIhadtonotbreakdownagain.Ifoughttosteadymybreathingandforcedmyeyesawayfromthesight,andontothehouseopposite—Coen’shouse.

Ihadn’tintendedtoarrivehere.Hell,Ididn’tfeelI’devenmadeupmymindyet.Butitseemedthatmysubconscioushaddecidedforme:Iwasgoingtotheparty.

Drawinginadeepbreath,IwalkeduptotheBrymers’frontdoorandknocked.Coenanswereditafterafewseconds.Awidegrinspreadacrosshissun-kissedfaceassoonashelaideyesonme.

“Thatwasquick,”hesaid.Ismiledsheepishly.“Soyou’recoming?”

“Yeah…I’llcome.”“I’llpickyouupfromyourquarterslaterthisevening,aroundnineo’clock.

Whichapartmentareyoustayingin?”“I…uh…”Mymindwentblank.Ihadn’tevennoticedanumberonmyfront

door.“I’mnotsure.It’sonthetopfloor.Youcouldjustasksomeonewhenyouarrive—”

“Areyouheadingbacktherenow?”heasked.“Yes.”“ThenImightaswellescortyou,”hesaid.BeforeIcouldevenobject,he’d

steppedoutontotheporchwithmeandclosedthedoorbehindhim.Hegesturedtowardthestreet.“Shallwe?”

Ifollowedhimawayfromhishomeandwecontinuedwalkingtogetherdowntheroad.IlookedsidewaystoseeCoenstealingaglanceatme.Hischeeksflushedslightlyasoureyesmetandheclearedhisthroat.

CoenBrymerwascute.ThatmuchIcouldn’tdeny.Aswemadeourwayalongthepeacefulstreetsbacktowardthepalace,I

couldn’thelpbutwonderifhemightturnouttobethedistractionIneededtotakemymindoffKiev.

LikeI’dbeenthedistractionKievhadneededtotakehismindoffSofia.

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CH A P T E R 1 9 :M I C A H

ittingstillhadneverbeensomethingIwasgoodat.I’dlosttrackofhowmuchtimeI’dspentontheboat,waitingandhopingforsomeonetocomeandnavigateitaway,butnowallIknewwasthatI’dhadenough.

Sincethesilenceandboredomoftheyachtwasslowlydrivingmeinsane,anythingseemedbetterthanthis—evenriskingmylife.

ImanagedtogatherjustenoughpatiencetowaituntilnightfellbeyondtheboundaryoftheislandbeforeIadoptedmywolfform.Leapingfromthedeck,Ilandedonthefrozenjetty.Ithrewmyselfintothenearestclusterofbushes.Strainingallmysenses,Itriedtodetectifanyonewaswithintwomilesofme.Unableto,Ibeganrunningthroughtheforest,stickingtotheundergrowthandtryingtomakeasfewrustlingnoisesaspossible.

Ihurriedtowardthecastleperchedamongthemountainpeaksthatloomedinthedistance.Onreachingthebordersoftheforest,Istopped.Onceagain,Iutilizedmysharpsensestoevaluatetheriskofmovingclosertothecastle.Therewerecertainlyanumberofvampiresandwitchesmovingaboutwithinthecastle,butIcouldn’tdetectanyoneoutsideofitatthislatehour.However,Ihadtobecarefulnottobeseen.Mydarkcoatstuckoutlikeasorethumbamidstthiswhitesnow.Forthatreason,Icouldn’ttaketothestairs.Instead,Ilefttheshelterofthetreesandboundedrighttowardthesteeprockyslopeleadinguptotherighthalfofthebuilding.

AsIbegantoclimb,Ididn’treallyhaveaplan.Ijustwantedtotrytoget

someunderstandingofwhenthenextbatchofinhabitantswouldbeleavinginoneofthevessels.IfIknew,theremightbesomewayIcouldlatchontothevesseluntilitpassedoutsidetheboundaryandthenquietlyslideoffintothesea…Granted,Ididn’tknowwhatI’ddooncestrandedinthesea,buteventhatwasamorehopefulsituationthantheoneIwascurrentlyin.

Fortunately,mybodyasawolfwasuniquelyequippedforthisterrainandthecolddidn’tbotherme.Iwasagile,evenonthemosttreacherousofledges,anditwasn’tlongbeforeIreachedthebaseofthecastle.Ipulledmyselfupontothenarrowpathwaythatranaroundthecircumferenceofthebuilding.

Ipausedandlookedaround,strainingmyearsonceagaintohearsnippetsofconversationsgoingonwithinthecastlethatmightleadtoaclueaboutwhensomeonewouldnextbedepartingfromthisplace.

Thereweredozensofconversationsgoingonatonceandtheywerealloverlappingeachother,soitwashardtofocusonone.Asthenightdrewon,Ihopedthatpeoplewouldturnintobedandtherewouldbefewerconversations,thusmakingiteasierformetoconcentrate.

Ijumpeddownontotherocksbeneaththebaseofthecastleandcurledupinanookbeneathanoverhangingrock,monitoringtheconversationsfromthissafer,lessvisiblespot.Asitturnedout,Iwasrightinmyassumptionthatpeoplewouldstartgoingtosleep.Whatfeltlikeafewhourspassedandfinally,Iwasleftwithonlyfourconversationstodecipher.Onesoundedlikeitwascomingfromthegroundlevel—someargumentabouttheamountofhumanbloodsomeonewastryingtoconsume—whiletheotherthreeweredriftingdownfromthefloorsabove.Astheargumentonthegroundfloorfadedaway,Isoonrealizedthattheconversationonthefloormostdistantfromme,perhapseventhetopfloorofthecastle,wasthemostinteresting.

“Howcouldwehaverunout?”ItwastheangryvoiceofRhys.“ItoldLilithwe’dbereadytoleaveforTheShade!”

Achillcreptdownmyspineatmentionoftheisland.“I’msorry,”aquieterfemalevoicereplied.“Yourpalmsweredamaged

muchworsethanIthought,andIunderestimatedoursupplyofmer-fin.”“Whatabouttheothertwoislands?Stellan’s,andourownbackthroughthe

gate?Therearekitchensfullofingredientsthere,Goddamnit.”“Ialreadycheckedinbothplaces.We’verunout.I’llneedtomakeanother

triptoTheCovetoretrievesomemore.”Glasssmashed.“Andhowlongwillthattake?”heseethed.“Youknowthat’saquestionIcan’taccuratelyanswer.ButwhileI’mgone,

keepdrinkingasmuchwere-bloodasyoucandown.I’llinstructArielletobringyouagobletfivetimesaday.ItwillhelptobuildyourstrengthuntilIcanbrewupmypotionagain…I’llleavethroughthegatenow.And,Rhys,IpromiseI’llbebackassoonaspossible.”

Rhysgruntedangrilyastheconversationcametoanend.MymindwasstillfixedonTheShade.Whatdidtheyplantodoexactly?

Weretheyfinallygoingtoattemptafull-blowninvasion?Atleast,fornow,itseemedthatsometimehadbeenboughtfortheisland.Buthowmuch?

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hadtoadmit,IthoughtthatthenightCalebfinallysankhisfangsintomemighthavebeenmylast.Thehungerinhiseyeswasbothterrifyingandexhilarating.Hedrankdeep.Sodeepmyheadbegantofeelfaint.Butevenasmyvisionbecamefuzzy,Ididn’tstruggle.Istillclungontohimtight,beckoninghimtotakemoreofme—allofme,ifthatwaswhathewanted.

Butthenhestopped.Wipingmybloodfromhismouthwiththebackofhishand,hestaggeredback,asfarawayfrommeashecouldonthedeck.Hischestheaving,heturnedhisbackonmeandforcedhisgazeouttowardtheocean.

Icouldonlytakehisrestraintandself-controlasevidencethathedidn’twanttoendme.I’dbeenrightallalong:hedidstillloveme,andIjusthadtoprovetohimthatIwasstillthegirlhe’dsworntomarry.

IfeltasenseofelationasIstoodthere,watchinghimstruggletocontrolhishungerontheothersideoftheboat.Hisrefusaltoendmewasthefirststeptowardrecoveringwhatwe’doncehad.I’dsurvivedCaleb’sinitialattack,andnowhecravedme.Madly.Deliriously.

Ikeptmydistancefromhimfortherestofthenight,aswellasthefollowingmorning.Inoticedhimputtingmoreeffortintonavigatingustowardashorewherehecoulddropmeoff,thoughIcouldstillseelandnowhereinsight.Inthisoldboat—unlesswecameacrossanothership—wehadnochanceofreachinglandanytimesoon.

Hefastedfortheentireday,butaseveningfellagainandIsettleddownto

sleepinmycorner,heapproachedbehindme,grabbedmywaistandpulledmebackagainsthimasheonceagaingaveintohiscravingforme.Ireachedmyarmaroundthebackofhisneck,onceagainpullinghimcloser,invitinghimtotakemefully,eventhoughpainwasshootingthroughmefromhisbite.

Butashe’ddonethenightbefore,heregainedcontroloverhimself.Istaredintohiseyes—turnedalmostblackwithbloodlust—andbrushedmyfingersagainsthischeek.HeflinchedasIleanedforwardandkissedhisneck,andshotbacktowardtheoppositeendoftheboatagain,cursingandslamminghisfistagainstthewood.

Butasmorningbroke,Iwokeuptoacupfulofbloodnexttomyhead.Alongmetalspearlayafewfeetawayfromme,itstiptingedwithred.Calebwasnowhereinsight—thoughhisbreathingcamefromtheinsideofthecabin.IsmiledknowinglyasIliftedthebloodtomylips.ItwasCaleb’sblood.Hecouldn’taffordformetowasteawaynow,orhe’dnolongerbeabletosatisfyhiscraving.

Hewasaddictedtomyblood.Now,itwasonlyamatteroftimebeforehebecameaddictedtome.

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couldn’tkeepmyheadabovetheclothforlongifIwantedtostandachanceofclingingtoBella’swaist.Ifoundmyselfshivering.Ididn’tknowhowhighupthedragonhadbroughtusnow.Afiercewindwhippedpastusasitflewwithbreathtakingspeed.Thecloakwasdampagainstmyback.Iwasn’tsurewhetheritwasfromsweatorrain.

Idarednotaskmorequestionsnowthatweweresoclosetothedragon.IwonderedifthebeasthadevennoticedthatitwascarryingmealongwithBella.Bellahadsaidtheyateogres.Iwonderediftheyatehumanstoo.

Ilosttrackofhowmuchtimehadpassed.Hours,certainly.Imanagedtopeekoutafewmoretimesandsawnothingbutavastexpanseofoceanbeneathus.Iwasgrowingincreasinglynervousasthetimepassed,becauseBella’sarmsseemedtobelooseningaroundme,andIwasn’tsurehowmuchlongerIcouldkeepholdingontoherwithouthersupport.Iclosedmyeyes,shuttingoutallotherdistraction,andjustfocusedonholdingontoher.

EventhoughImighthaveabetterchanceofsurvivaldroppingintotheoceanthanallowingmyselftobedraggedalongtotherealmofthedragons,droppingintotheoceanfromthisheightwouldbecertaindeath.Therewasclearlynolandformiles,andIhadnoideawhatkindofcreatureslurkedwithinthesestrangewaters.

SoIclosedmyeyesandheldontight.IwasholdingontoBellasohard,Icouldheareverybeatofherheartagainstherchest.

Suddenly,thedragonbegantodescend.Mystomachturned.Therewasnowarningasthedragonswoopedinwhatfeltlikeafreefalldive.Andthefurtherweflew,thehotteritbecame.

Bellagrunted.Iwasabouttopeekoutbehindtheclothagaintoseewhatonearthwashappeningwhenthedragonjolted,pullingoutofthedivesosuddenlynotevenBellacouldholdontomeanylonger.OurgriponeachotherloosenedandthenextthingIknew,Iwasfalling.Ibarelyhadachancetotakeinmysurroundings,muchlessscream,beforemybackhittheground,myheadslammingbackagainstgrass.Iwasluckythatithadn’tbeenarock.

Groaning,Irubbedmyheadandsatup.Althoughmybackached,itdidn’tfeellikeI’ddamagedanythingseriously.ItseemedthatIhadn’tfallenfar.

MyeyeswidenedasItookinmysurroundings.Iwasonthetopofahill.Theskywasaclearblue—notasinglecloudinsight—andabrightsunbeatdownonme.Afewmilesbehindmewasocean,andspreadingoutinallotherdirectionswererangesofhillsandmountains,dippingdownoccasionallyintolushgreenvalleys.

Myeyesfixedonthegroupofdragonscarryingogresintheirclawsastheydisappearedbehindamountain.

Well,crap.WhatdoIdonow?Iwasawayfromtheogres’nightmarishkingdom,butwherewasInow?

Somehow,IdoubtedthatIwasanysaferhere.IfiguredthatthefirstthingIoughttodowasgetoutofsight.Ifeltso

vulnerableonthishilltop.Therecouldbeanotherwaveofdragonspassingthiswayanytime,forallIknew.Althoughmybodywasweak,Iforcedmyselftoscrambledowntheslope,towardthelushvalleybelow.

Itseemedthattheonethingtheogresanddragonssharedincommonwasamountainousrealm.

Dragons.Istillfeltinsanejustthinkingtheword.AsIreachedthedipofthevalleyclosesttome—justafewhundredyards

awayfrommyhill—IrealizedthatthegreensubstanceI’dthoughtwasgrassatthebottomwasactuallyaswamp.Iclimbeddowntowarditandstoppedatits

edge.Ieyeditwarily,tryingtofigureoutiftherewasanyeasywaytocrossitorifI’dhavetowalkaroundit.IhadtoswallowascreamaswhatI’dpresumedtobeamossylogopenedtwogleamingyelloweyesandbeganmovingtowardme.Istumbledback,reachingfortheknifeIstillhadonmeandpullingitoutasagiantreptiliancreaturebegantocrawloutofthewater.Itlookedsimilartoacrocodile,withitslongsharptailandgnashingjaws,exceptthiswasthreetimesaslongandwideasanycrocodileI’dseen.Andmuchfaster,too.

Asitscurriedafterme,itsjawssnappednearmyfeet.Ireachedforthebranchofasmalltreenearesttomeandmanagedtoswingmyselfupjustasitsjawsclosedonwheremyanklewouldhavebeen.IforcedmyselfupashighinthetreeasIcouldandstareddownatthebeast.Itlookedalmostasferociousasthedragonsthemselves.

Istaredatthecreaturewithbatedbreathasitturneditsheadupwardtoeyeme.Foroneterrifyingmoment,Ithoughtthatitwasabouttoclimbupthetreeafterme,but,snorting,itbackedoffandslunkbackintothewater.Itcertainlydidn’tlooklikethekindofcreaturethatwouldbeabletoclimbtrees.

Great.NowI’mstuckupatree.Ican’tevengettothegroundtoexplorewithoutfearingthatthingwillnoticeandcomechasingafterme.

Goddamnit.Whatisitwithmeandcrocodiles?Onlythistime,Ihadtofendformyself.Calebwasn’taroundtosavemy

skin.IcursedbeneathmybreathasItriedtofindamorecomfortableposition

perchedinthetreetop.Itwashardtodo,consideringthatthetipsofthebrancheswerelacedwiththorns.OnceitwasclearIwasn’tgoingtofindamorecomfortableposition,Ileanedmyheadbackagainstthetrunk,breathingoutdeeply.

Mybodywasachingforrest.Everypartofmewasbeat.Iwantednothingmorethantoclosemyeyesandsleep,ifonlyforhalfanhour.IwassurethatI’dbeabletothinkmoreclearlyaboutmynextmoveifIdid.

Grippingthebranchesandlodgingmyelbowsbetweenthemsoitwouldbedifficulttofall,Iclosedmyeyes.

Unsurprisingly,Ididn’tmanagetosleep,thoughrestingmyeyelidsdidseem

todosomegood.WhenIopenedthemagain,Ifeltalittlecalmer.Ishiftedinthebranch,rubbingmyeyes.Ilookedbackattheswamp.The

creaturehadresumeditsplace,playingadeadlogasitwaitedforthenextunfortunatepasserby.

IlookedbackuptowardthetopofthehillI’dclimbeddownfrom.OnceIworkedupthecouragetoclimbdownagain,I’dhavetobacktrackandfindanotherpathtotravelalong—hopefullyalesstreacherousone.

Iwasabouttobeginclimbingdownthetree,myeyesfixedontheswampmonsterforeventhesmallestsignofmovement,whenIheardit.Astrange,monotonouschanting.Itsoundedlikeitwasechoingupfromthebowelsofoneofthemountains,onmysideoftheswamp.Thewordswerespokenbydeepmalevoices.Thewords,thewaytheywerepronounced,andtheintonationsoundedliketheywerebeingchantedbyhumans,orperhapswitches—albeitinsomestrangetongue.

Bewildered,Iloweredmyselfdownslowlyfromthetree.Theswampmonster’seyesdidn’topen,soIjumpedtothegroundandbeganscramblingbackupthehill,castingglancesbackeveryfewpacestocheckthatitwasn’tfollowingme.

IwaspantingbythetimeIreachedthetopofthemountainwhereIthoughtthevoiceswerecomingfrom,andmymouthwasparched.Icroucheddownlowonthegrassyglade,afraidthatmoredragonsmightcomeflyingby.Iscannedthearea,tryingtofigureoutwherethevoicescouldpossiblybeemanatingfrom.AsImovedforward,Ispottedacrater.Icrawledclosertotheedgeofitandpeereddown.

Myeyeswerealmostscorchedasflamesburnedupfromthehole.Icrawledbackward,movingaroundtheothersideoftheholetoseeifIcouldseeanybetter.TheflamesdiedandIfoundmyselfstaringdownatacircleofsevenmen,kneelingwiththeirheadsbowed.Atleast,Ithoughttheyweremen.Butonsecondglance,althoughtheyhadhumanoidfeatures,theywereclearlyanythingbuthuman.Theywerenakedfromthewaistupward.Theirlimbswereconstructedasahuman’s.Icouldseethattheirshoulderbladeswerecappedwithshiningscales,andtheirearsweresharpandpointed.Theyallhaddarkskin,and

theirmuscleslookedinhumanlylarge.Ileanedinfurther,tryingtogetabetterlook.Theywereallgatheredaround

apoolofdarkredliquid,surroundedbyaringofflames.Theyallkneltaroundit,asthoughpayinghomage.Onemanoftheseven,kneelingonaplatformalittlehigherfromtheground,wasleadingthechantastheyallrepeateditafterhim.

Ahisscamefrombehindme.Whirlingaround,Igaspedinhorrortofindmyselfstaringintobrightyelloweyes.Itwastheswampcreature.Ithadfollowedmeupthemountainafterall.Itsjawswerewideopen,withinthreefeetofmylegs.

IlostbalanceandthenextthingIknew,Iwasfallingintothecrater.Sincetheentrancetothecraterwasalmostdirectlyabovethetubofliquid,thankfullyImissedtheflames.

Ifellheadfirstintotheliquid.Hadthevesselnotbeendeepenough,Iwouldhavebrokenmyneck.Butit

wasdeep.Alarminglydeep.Evenwiththeforceofmyfall,Ididn’ttouchthebottom.Ikickedhardandfoughtmywaytothesurface.Gasping,Iwipedtheliquidfrommyeyes—liquidIwasnowcertainwasblood.Adeathlysilencehadfalleninthecave.Ilookedaround,nowonlyafewfeetawayfromeachofthestrangemen.Theystoodtoweringoverme,staringatmewithamixtureofshockandwonder.

Ihauledmyselfoutoftheblood.Balancingontheedgeofthepool,IfumbledfortheknifeI’dfastenedtomywaist.Itwasnolongerinitssheath.Itmusthavebeendislodgedduringthefall.Ilookedupward,shudderingasItookintheheightI’djustdroppedfrom.

WhenIloweredmyeyestothemenagain,theywerestillexaminingmewiththesamemixoffascinationandsurprise,asthoughIweresomekindofalien.MuchliketheexpressionIwassurethatIassumedwhenlookingatthem.

Themannearesttomespokeinacoarse,gutturalvoice.Althoughhewaslookingdirectlyatme,itdidn’tfeelasthoughhewasspeakingtome.

“Dressedinsilkandbornefromsky.Skinsoakedinthebloodofenemies.”Igapedathim.Huh?

Adark-hairedmanbesidehimsteppedforwardclosertome.“Maidenoffire?”hewhispered,hisvoiceassumingthesametoneofreverence.

Iwashalftemptedtoblurtoutthatthey’dmistakenmeforsomeoneelse,but…Maidenoffire?Icouldn’tquitefinditinmyselftoturnthattitledown.

“Coulditbe?”Athirdmannarrowedhisbrighteyesonme.“She’sahuman.”

Themanlurchedforwardandgrippedmyarm.Hepulledmetowardhimandpressedhisnoseagainstmywrist,drawinginadeepbreath.Hislipspartedashelookedatme.“Thisisnoordinaryhuman.HerbloodisnotlikeanyI’veeversmeltbefore…Whatelsecouldthisbebutanomen?”

Hisresponsewasmetwithsilenceastheycontinuedtostareatme.“Shefellaswewerepayinghomagetothefirethatburnsthroughourveins

anddevoursourenemies.Wemusttakeherasagiftfromourancestors.”Iwasn’tsurewhattodoasheheldoutahandtome.Ididn’tsensedangerin

hisgesture,soItookit.Hisskinwashot,almostscorchinghotasheledmebetweentwoflamesandontothestrawthathadbeenhisseat.Hegesturedformetostepupontoit.

Mythroatwassore,anditfeltlikeI’dswallowedsomebloodbasedontheunpleasantcopperytasteatthebackofmymouth.Mywholebodywasstickyfromthesubstanceasitbegantodryonmyskinbeneaththeheatoftheflamesbillowinguparoundthepool.

Themanletgoofmyhandandkneltonthegroundononeknee,theothermenfollowinghislead.

Istoodthereawkwardly,waitingforthemtofacemeagain.Theyexchangedglancesamongthemselves,andthenoneofthemenstepped

forwardsuddenlyandpickedmeup.ShiversranthroughmybodyasIfelthishotskinagainstmine.

Spinesbegantospreadfromhisshouldersuntilhewascompletelycoveredwithscales,andthenhiswholebodybeganexpanding—hishead,hisarms,hislegs,untilthecreatureholdingmewasnolongeraman,butadragon.

Hisheavywingsbeateithersideofhimasheliftedmeuptowardtheholeattheroofofthemountain.Theothermentransformedtooandflewafterus.

Thesearen’tjustdragons.Thesearedragonshifters.

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wasrelievedwhenthedragonfinallytoucheddownonthegroundagain.Hisclawsscratchedmyskin,andIwasbakinghotfromtheheatofhisbody.Ilookedaroundattheclearingwe’dlandedin.Itwaslinedwithtalltreesandinthecenterwaswhatappearedtobeawell.

Theotherdragonstoucheddownshortlyafterusand,remainingintheirgiantforms,formedalineacrosstheclearing,theirfieryeyesfixedonme.Icouldfeeltheheatemanatingfromtheirbodiesevenadozenyardsaway.

Thedragonwho’dbeencarryingmeresumedhishumanformandstrodeovertothewell.Hepulledupabucketand,takingmebythehand,begantotipwateroverme.Iwasgratefulforthecoolness,butitwasbizarrebeingsoakeddownbythisman.Iwouldratherhavedoneitmyself.Hetippedbucketafterbucketoverme,untilmydresswassoakedandthedriedbloodhaddisappeared.

Heplacedthebucketonthefloor.IwasafraidtoevenspeakawordlestIshattertheirillusionandplacemyself

indanger.ButitwashardtokeepuptheimpressionofbeingsomebodyelsewhenIhadnoideawhothatpersonwas.

IlookedassteadilyasIcouldbackattheman,mylipssealed.TheotherdragonsapproachedclosernowthatI’dfinishedmybucketbath.

Theycontinuedtoeyemecuriously.Oneoptionwastojustwaitforthemtoofferupinformation,andinthe

meantime,pretendthatIknewwhatIwasdoing.Buttheywerestandingsostill,

juststaringatme,Irealizedthattheywereexpectingmetodosomething.IfIeverneededcourageandconfidenceinmyself,itwasthen.Andthose

weretwothingsIdidn’tpossessasIstoodthereinthatclearing,surroundedbythemostformidablebeastsI’deverlaideyeson.

Speakingcouldeithersavemylife,orbemydownfall.Ihadnoideawhichoneitwas.Butitfeltlikeremainingsilentwasn’tanoptionanymore.Iwasgoingtohavetotaketherisk.

TheonlyflickerofconfidenceIhadwasthefeelingthattheyweren’tentirelysurewhattoexpectfrommeeither.Theywereclearlysuperstitiouscreatures,andforwhateverstrangereason,they’dlabeledmeassomesortofauspicioussign.Itstruckmethatperhapstheythemselvesdidn’tknowwhattoexpectofme.Hell,I’djustdroppedthroughtheroofoftheircave,itwasn’tlikethey’dbeenexpectingme.Bysomefluke,I’djustfalleninattherightminute.Underanyothercircumstances,Godknewwhattheymighthavedonewithme.

Ihadtobeconfidentandfilltheshoesofthisrole.IfIdidn’t,they’dbemorelikelytosuspectmetobethephonythatIwas.

HikingupthehemofmydresssoIcouldwalkforward,Iapproachedthenearestdragontomeandreachedforhisrighthand.Ipressedmypalmflatagainsthis,assumingalookofconcentrationasthoughIhadanysemblanceofanideaofwhatthehellIwasdoing.ThenIlookedupatthedragon.

“I’dlikeatourofthekingdom.”IfoundmyselfassumingaposhBritishaccent,andIhadnoideawhy.

PerhapsIthoughtIsoundedmoreotherworldly—andlesslikemyself,RoseNovak,theweakhumangirl—ifIdid.

Thedragonwho’dpreviouslybeenleadingthechantingnodded.“Charis,”hesaid,eyeingthemanI’djusttouchedpalmswith.“Youheard

her.Seetoitthatthehumanhaswhatsheasksforandiscontent.Wedon’twanttodispleaseher.”

Castingonelastglanceatme,theleaderbeckonedtotheothermenandtheyalllaunchedoffintotheair,leavingCharisandmealone.

AsCharistransformedbackintoadragonandreachedouthisgianthandformetoclimbonto,IfoundmyselfwonderingwhatotherrequestsImightget

awaywith.HewasabouttoclosehisscratchyfingersaroundmewhenIpattedhisthickwrist.Hisscalesweresotoughtheywerelikearmor,andhedidn’tevensenseit.Ihadtospeak.

“I’drathertravelonyourbackthaninyourpalm,”Isaid,forcingconfidenceintomyvoice.

Therewasnohesitationonhispartasheraisedmeontohisshoulders.Slottingbothmyfeetcarefullyintohissharpscales,Iclungtothebackofhisneckashelaunchedintotheair.

Myhearthammeredinmychestasheclimbedhigherandhigher,untileventuallythewellbeneathuswasjustaspeck—andthegorgeous,lushlandscapewasvisible.Istrainedmyeyesandsawfarinthedistance,arangeofmountainsemittingsteam.Volcanoes?

Allthisgreenerycertainlywasn’tthelandscapeIwouldhaveimagineddragonslivingon.Iwouldhaveexpectedascorchedrealm,devoidofanysignsoflife.Perhapsthedragonssavedtheirfireforattacksonenemies.

Itwascleartomenowwherethedragonsmadetheirhomes—therewerenobuildings,justcavesboredintohillsandmountains,similartotheoneI’dfalleninto.Thereweresparklinglakesinbetweenthevalleys,andacresoflushflowers.

ButIwasn’ttakinginmanyofthedetailsChariswaspointingouttomeasweflew.MymindwaswhirringastohowIwasgoingtousethisadvantageI’dstumbledintobeforeitwastoolate.Ididn’tknowifthey’dfigureoutthattherewasnothingauspiciousaboutme,butIhadtogetoutofherebeforetheydid.

IthoughtsuddenlyofBella.“Andwheredoyoukeepyourenemies?”Iasked,afterhe’dpausedfora

breath.Heslowedandbeganflyingintheoppositedirection.Henoddedtoward

whatlookedlikeagiantpitdugoutinthecenterofavalley.Reachingit,hehovereddirectlyoverit.Ifoundmyselfstaringdownintoagiantdirtpit.Itswallsweresteep,andhigh—itwasdugperhapsafewhundredfeetintotheground,toohighforanyogretoclimboutfrom,andtherewerenonotchesinthewalls.Therewasagroupofperhapsfiftyogresintherenow.Iwonderedif

they’dallbeenfromthefreshcatchtoday.“Pleaselowerusfurther,”Isaid.CharisdidasI’drequestedandloweredus.Iaskedhimtostooplowerand

loweruntilwewerecloseenoughformetobeabletomakeoutthefaces.Bellawasn’tthere.Infact,Icouldn’tseeasinglefemaleogredownthere.

Perhapsshe’dbeenkilledalready.I’dhardlyknownherlong,butIcouldn’thelpbutfeelmorose.I’dwantedtoseeherlivealifebetterthantheoneshe’dbeendealt,eventhoughIwasn’tsurehowI’devergiveittoher.I’dwantedabetterfateforherthaninthebellyofsomedragon.

“Wheretonow?”Charisasked,breakingthroughmythoughts.Howabout…backtothehumanrealm?Iwassotemptedtojustblurtitout,butIwasn’tsureifIwastobeobeyedto

suchanextent.Still,Ihadtotry.IwasatleastinabetterpositionnowthanIhadbeenback

intheogres’kingdom.Iwasn’tcoopedupinsomeroom.“Orwouldyouliketorest?”Chariswasstillhoveringintheair,waitingfor

myanswer.“Yes,”Isaid.“I’dlikethat.”Atleastitwouldgivemesometimetothinkout

howtobroachthesubject.AssoonasIsaidthewords,heswoopeddownintothevalleybelowand

glidedalonguntilwereachedtheentrancetoacaveinthesideofaparticularlywidemountain.Helandedinsideit,foldedhiswings,andraisedhishandformetostepontosohecouldlowermebacktotheground.Istaredintothecave.

“Throughhere.”Thevoicethatspokenowwaslessdeepandraspingthanjustacoupleofminutesago.IturnedaroundtoseethatCharishadresumedhishumanform.

Hemovedinfrontofme,leadingthewaydeeperintothecave.Icouldn’thelpbutadmirethebeautyofhisbody.Hepositivelyglidedevenwhenhewalked,allhislimbsworkinginperfectrhythm,hissmoothmusclesripplingbeneathhistanskin.

Thesunshinebecamefainterandfainterthedeeperwewalkedintothecaveuntilhestoppedandpointedtothebackofthecavern.Iwassurprisedtoseea

bedthere,coveredwithsomekindofdarkanimalskinforblankets,theframemadeofwhatlookedlikecarvedsilver.Otherthanthebed,therewasn’tmuchotherfurnituretobeseeninthiscave.Itwasquiteplain.

“Thedragonwholivedherebeforediedrecentlyinbattle.Thiscanbeyournewhome.Erisardwillissueordersthatnootherdragonsdisturbyou.Soyoucansleeppeacefully.”

Erisard.Iguessedthatwasthedragonwho’dappearedtobetheleaderamongthem.

“Erisardisyourleader?”Iasked,ashemotionedtoleavemealoneinthecave.

Charisnodded.“Ourking.”“Oh…Andyouare?”Helookedatmecuriously.Igrewnervoussuddenly,wonderingwhether,as

a“goodomen,”he’dexpectmetoknowmoreaboutthem.“Iampartofhiscouncil.Therearesevenofusaltogether,includingtheking

himself.Youmetusallduringaritewewereholding.”“Isee…And,sinceyouhaveacceptedmeasagift,whatdoyouintendtodo

withme?”“Youaretoremainwithusandbetreatedwithrespect.”Iswallowedhard,bracingmyselfformynextwords.“SinceErisardalso

statedthatIamnottobedispleased,mayIaskafavorofyou?”“What?”Itwastimetojustspititout.Ihopedthattheworstthingthatcouldhappen

washimrefusing.“Ineedtoreturntothehumanrealm.”Hepaused,thentomyastonishment,henodded.Butmyrelieflastedforbut

asecondwhenhesaid:“Icanescortyouthere,butyoumustunderstandthatImustalsoescortyouback.Becauseagiftistobekept,notgivenaway.Youbelongherewithus.”

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lthoughhiswordschilledme,Iwasn’tabouttobackdownonmyrequest.Ihadnochoice.Ihadtoreturntothehumanrealm,evenifitmeantreturningwithafire-breathingdragon.

Charisquestionedmefurtheraboutthepurposeofmyvisitthere.ItoldhimthatIneededtofindanoldfriendandhelphimoutofastickysituation.Charisdisappearedforawhile,leavingmealoneinthecaveashewenttodiscussmyrequestwithErisard.Iwasrelievedwhenhereturnedandsaidthathiskinghadagreed.

Next,Ihadtoexplainhowexactlyweweretoreturn.Weneededtotravelthroughthegateintherealmoftheogres,becausethatleddirectlytotheislandwhereI’dleftCalebandAnnora.Whethertheywerestillonthatislandremainedtobeseen.Icouldn’timagineCalebleavingwithoutdiscoveringwhathadhappenedtome,butAnnorawasdeviousandshecouldhaveplayedsometricksinordertoconvincehim.Whateverthecase,ourfirststophadtobetheisland.Itwaslarge,butwithCharisroaringandmyselfshouting,Caleb’searsshouldn’thaveaproblempickingupournoises.

TheotherpossibilitywasthatCalebhadlefttheislandontheboathe’dbeenbuilding.EventhenIhopedhewouldn’thavetravelledtoofaronthatprimitivething.Hopefully,CharisandIcouldtrackhimdownintheoceanifwebothmadeenoughnoise.

IfCalebhadn’tbeenavampire,Iwouldhavebeenmuchmoreworriedabout

findinghim.Butifwemanagedtomakeitbacktothehumanrealm,Iwasconvincedthatifwespentenoughtimesearchingforhimwe’dfindhimwithouttoomuchdifficulty.

ItoldthedragonIwantedtoleaveimmediately,andCharisagreed.Climbingontohisbackandholdingtighttothescalesbehindhisneck,Iclenchedmystomachashelaunchedintotheair.I’dtoldhimIwantedtogetthejobdoneassoonaspossibleandhewastakingittoheart.Hisspeedwasbreathtaking.

Wehadalmostreachedthebeachwhenacrycaughtmyattentiondownbelow.Itwasafamiliarvoice.

“Wait,”Isaid,squeezingmylegsagainstthedragon’shideeventhoughitwassorockhard,Iwassurehecouldn’tfeelit.

HesloweddownandIscannedthelandscapeforanyclueastothesourceofthenoise.AndthenIsawit.Adragoninfulltransformationcorneringanogreattheentrancetoacave.

Itwastheogress.“Iwantthatogress,”Isaid.“Iwanttobringherwithme.”AsCharishesitated,IwonderedwhetherImighthavefinallyfoundouthow

farthesecreatureswerewillingtogotosatisfymydemands.Butthenhedippedintheskyandhurtledfullspeedtowardtheentranceofthecave.Landingwithathudthatseemedtoshaketheentiremountain,hemovedinbetweenBellaandthedragonwhowasabouttopounceonher.

“Findyourselfanotherone,”CharismutteredtothedragonashenudgedBellatowardhimwithhisrighthand.

“Bella,”Icalleddown.Hersweatyfacelitupasshesawme,thepanicdrainingfromherexpressionandgivingwaytorelief.“Come.”Icouldseethatshe’dbeeninjuredalready.Herrightarmwassoakedinblood.

Theotherdragondidn’tevenhaveachancetoprotestasCharis—albeitreluctantly—helpedtheogressontohisback.Assheplonkedherselfdownnexttome,Ihadtostandupasherhugeformalmostsqueezedthelifeoutofme.Onceshewassettleddownproperly,Charislaunchedintotheskyoncemore.

Asweleftthatbizarrerealmandheadedbacktowardtheogres’beach,Ijustprayedthatourarrivalwouldn’tcometoolate.

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CH A P T E R 2 4 :A N NO R A

aleb’sthirstformeonlyseemedtobeincreasing—ascouldbeexpected.Asalightraindrizzledovertheboat,webothsatbeneaththeshelter.Hehadonearmaroundmeashesuckedfrommywrist.Ibrushedthehairawayfromhisforeheadwithmyfreehand.Hebarelyflinched.Inoticedthatasthehourspassed,heseemedtorecoillesswhenItouchedhimwithaffection.Hopefullyanothersignthathewasslowlylosinghimselftome.

ButIwasbeginningtogrowimpatient.I’dbeenstarvedofhimforsolong.Iwouldhavegivenanythingforhimtojustlookatmeevenoncewithaffection.Toholdmeinhisarms.Feelhislipsagainstmine.

Ashewithdrewhisfangs,Ireachedforaclothanddabbedthebloodawayfromhismouth.Heleanedbackintheseat,closinghiseyesandgroaning.Beforehecouldprotest,Iliftedmyselfontohislapandlockedmyarmsaroundhisneck.Pressingmycheekagainsthis,Iwhisperedintohisear.“We’regoingtobeokay,Caleb.We’llfindourselvesagain.Wejustneedtime.”

Hedidn’twelcomemyadvance,buthedidn’timmediatelybrushmeawayeither,whichI’dhalfexpectedhimtodo.Idaredpressmylipsagainsthisneck,andbegantotrailthemacrosshisskinuptowardhischeek.Heturnedhisheadtofacetheotherway.Iraisedmybleedingpalmclosertohisface.Hiseyesstillclosed,Idabbedsomeofmybloodovermylipsandleanedforwardtocatchhisinmine.

Heclenchedhisjaw,hiswholebodytensingupasthoughtryingtoresistmy

touch.ButasIpressedmymouthharderagainsthis,hebegantorespond—evenifhewasjustsuckingawaytheblood,itfeltlikehewascaressingme.Andatthatmoment,thatwasallthatmattered.

Hisfangscaughtmybottomlip,causingacut.Hislipscrushedagainstmineashedrewmoreblood,myscentonceagaindrivinghissensesintoafrenzy.Hisgriparoundmetightened.Ileanedbackward,pullinghimdownwithmeontothefloorasIreachedformyskirt.Hewassoabsorbedinmytaste,hebarelyseemedtonoticeasIbaredmyself.Iwrappedmylegsaroundhiswaist,pullinghimclosertome.

TearsbrimmedinmyeyesasIthoughtaboutallthetimesIcouldhavemadehimmine.AllthoseyearsRoseNovakhadn’tbeenaround.Whenithadbeenjusthimandmealoneinthatbigcastle,nointerruptions.Nodistractions.IfonlyIhaddesiredhimthenasmuchasIamburningforhimnow.Iwouldn’tbeinthisposition,whereIhadtotrickhimintowantingme.He’dwantedmewithallhisheart.

Still,asmuchasIlamentedovermyactions,Icouldn’tundothepast.IjusthadtomakethebestofthesituationInowfoundmyselfin.

Heloosenedhisgriponmyliptopauseforabreath.Ismiledfaintlyashisdark,hoodedgazemetmine.Heloweredhimselfagain,thistimediggingintomyneck.

Iarchedmyspine,guidinghishandsdowntorestonthesmallofmyback.“Let’scontinueourstory,”Isaidsoftly,brushingmylipsagainsthisearlobe.

Iwasn’tsureifhewasevenconsciousofthewordsIspokethroughthehazehewasin.Butthenhetensedsuddenly.Ihardlydaredbelievewhatwashappeningashewithdrewhisfangsandplacedalong,lingeringkissonthebaseofmythroat.Myheartsoared.Ibarelyknewhowtocontainthejoythatonegesturehadbroughtme.

Thenhemurmuredsomething.Buthisvoicewassomuffled,Icouldn’tmakeoutwhatitwas.

“Whatdidyousay,mylove?”Iaskedbreathlessly.Herepeateditagain.Ashort,one-syllableword.Clearerthistime,butnot

clearenoughformetobewillingtobelievewhatIthoughtI’dheard.

Thethirdtimeitwasunmistakable.“Rose,”hewhispered,hisvoicehoarse.Mywholebodyfrozebeneathhistouch.Mychestburned.Igrippedhishair,yankinghisheadupward.“No,”Ihissed.“Annora.”Hiseyeswereshuttight.Hewasn’tevenlookingatmenow.Hedippedagainandcaughtmylipsthistime,kissingthemwithpassionand

hungerIhadn’texperiencedsincethefirsttimehe’deverkissedme.Thatkisswouldhavelitmybodyonfire,hadhenotfinisheditoffwiththesameugly,detestedword.“Rose.”

“Stopsayinghername,”Iwheezed,tearsbeginningtospilldownmycheeks.“Stopsayingit.She’sdead.”

Heshookhisheadashebrushedhisthumbsagainstmyface,hisfingersreachingintotherootsofmyhairasheshoweredkissesovermyface.Ashewasabouttotastemylipsagain,hefroze.Hiseyesshotopen.Tomyshock,theywerenolongerblack.Itwasasthoughthedarkmistcoveringthemwasclearingbeforemyveryeyesandtheywerereturningtotheirwarmbrowncolor.Wipinghismouth,heletgoofmeandstaggeredbackward,alookofconfusiononhisface.

“Rose,”hesaid,nolongerinawhisper.“Ihear…”Hisvoicetrailedoffasheclimbedoutfrombeneaththeshelterandbeganstaringupattheearly-morningsky.

“What?”Ihurriedoutafterhim.“Caleb,darling.She’sdead.Youburnedherbody.You’rehallucina—”

Beyondtherainclouds,thesunhadn’tyetrisenabovethehorizon.Buttheskywaslightenoughtosee,eventhroughthedrizzle.MyjawdroppedasIfollowedCaleb’sgaze.Hewasstaringatwhatlookedlikeagiantbird,flyingtowardusinthedistance.

NowevenIcouldhearafaintshoutingacrossthewaves.Suddenly,itwasfollowedbyaspine-tinglingroar.

No.Itcan’tbe…Andyetitwas.

Asthebirddrewnearer,itbecameclearerandclearerthatitwasnosuchcreature.Itwasadragon—abeastI’donlyheardrumorsabout.Thetwofiguresatopthecreature’sbackbecamemorevisiblewitheachbeatofitswings.Alarge,thickformthatlookedmuchlikeanogre,andnexttoit,asmaller,frailerfigurewithlongdarkhair.

RoseNovak.MyeyesshottowardCaleb.Thelookonhisfaceashestaredupather

shatteredmyheartintoathousandpieces.Allmyplanning,allmyeffortstomakeCalebmineagainhadbeenawaste.

I’dtriedtokillRose,yethereshewas,asifreturnedfromthedead.I’dthoughtI’dcomesoclosetoreclaiminghim,butatthatmoment,Iknew

thatI’dbeenlyingtomyself.IknewthetruththatIhadbeendenyingeversincehe’dfirstabandonedmeforherinthecave.

I’dlosthim.Andtherewasnogettinghimback.Icouldbarelybreatheasenvyandgriefconsumedme.Asthedragonapproachedwithinafewdozenfeetfromus,Isawred.IfIcan’thaveCaleb,nobodywill.

I

CH A P T E R 2 5 :R O S E

hadsomethingbetterthanbirdcraptosurpriseAnnorawiththistime.Charishadflownaroundthecircumferenceoftheisland,roaringasBella

andIshoutedCaleb’sname.We’dflownclosetothetrees,sowewouldhaveheardhisresponsehadhebeenontheisland.Wecouldonlyconcludethathe’dleftintheboat—sinceitwasnolongeronthebeachwherehe’dbeenbuildingit.

IwasrightthatAnnoraandCalebhadn’ttravelledtoofarinthatprimitiveboat.Thedragon’sspeedmadeiteasytobegincirclingaroundtheisland,spiralingoutwardsothatwecouldsearchinalldirections.Still,ittookushoursuntilwefinallyspottedthem.

MystomachflippedasCharisbeganhurtlingtowardtheboat.Pleasebeokay,Caleb.I’dbeenhopingthathemighthavediscardedAnnorabynow.SoIcouldn’t

denythatpanicgrippedmeassherushedoutontothedeck,nakedandbleeding,afewsecondsafterCaleb.ButevenifI’dwantedto,Icouldn’tfixmyattentiononAnnoraforlong.IstareddownatCaleb’sstunnedface.

“Caleb!”Iyelled.HelookedatmeasthoughIwasaghostatfirst,butthenreliefwashedover

hisfaceandhepositivelybeamedatme.IwishedthatIwasclosertohimsoIcouldhavebetterseenhiseyeslightup.

MyjoyturnedtohorrorasIglancedbackatAnnora.She’dswoopeddownandpickedupwhatlookedlikeasharpmetalspear.AtfirstIthoughtshewas

abouttoaimitatme,butthenshesteppedbehindCalebandpoisedtodriveitthroughhisback,straightintohisheart.

“No!”Iscreamed.IfCalebhadduckedevenasplitsecondlater,heraimprobablywouldhave

metitsmark.Nowdirectlyabovetheboat,IwastooimpatienttowaitforCharistolowerusdownfurther.IleaptfromhisbackandlandedonthedeckasCalebknockedAnnoratothegroundwithaswipeofhisfoot.Pickingupthespearhimself,hecrawledoverherandpresseditagainstherneck.

Hiseyeswerefilledwithfuryasheglowereddownather.“Ishouldhavedonethismuchsooner,”hegrowled.

“I’mcomin’,MissRose!”Myeyesshotuptowardtheogress.“No,Bella!Don’tjump!”Ididn’tknowinwhatpossiblewaytheogressthoughtthatsendingher

weightcrashingdownonthesmallboatwouldhelpthesituation,butitwastoolate.Themomentherfeetlandedonthedeck,allthreeofus—Caleb,Annoraandmyself—wentflyingofftheboatandintotheocean.

Disappearingbeneaththecoldwaters,Ikickedandfoughttoreachthesurface.Ilookedaround,tryingtoseewhereCalebhadlanded.AsIwasabouttolookbehindme,handsgrippedmyheadandforcedmebeneaththewateragain.

Itdidn’ttakemuchguessingastowhosehandstheywere.IdugmynailsintoAnnora’sfingersuntilIcouldfeelherfleshpeelingaway

beneaththem.ShewasforcedtoletgoandIgaspedforaironreachingthesurface.BeforeIcouldgrabholdofheragain,she’dliftedherselfbackontotheboat.Shegrabbedthespearthathadlodgeditselfinanethangingoffthesideoftheboat.Ibackedawayassheleaptbackintothewater,brandishingtheweapon.

Herfacewascontortedwithrageasshelungedformeagain.Thistime,shemanagedtocatchholdofmyarmandpullmetowardher.Igaspedasthespear’stippiercedtheskinabovemyabdomen.

Iheardaloudsquelch,andtheslicingofflesh.Foramoment,IthoughtthatAnnorahadfinallyendedme.Butthespearshe

washoldingfellaway.Hergriponmeloosened.Hereyeswidenedandbegantorollintheirsockets.

Bloodspilledfromherlipsastheyparted.IlookeduptoseeCharishoveringdirectlyoverus.Thesharptipofhistail

wascoatedwithblood.Annora’sblood.Themonsterletoutadeafeningroarandhisheadshotdownward.Icould

barelybelievemyeyesashismouthclosedaroundAnnora’slimpbody.Withonegulp,heswallowedherwhole.IstaredatthebloodywaterwhereAnnorahadbeenjustsecondsbefore.

Nowgone.Justlikethat.Thebitchisdead.Myheadbeganreeling.Iclutchedmyabdomen.Everythinghadhappenedso

fast,I’dbarelyfeltthepainuntilnow.Ididn’tknowhowdeepthewoundwas,butasthesaltywaterwashedagainstit,Idoubledover.

“Rose!”Calebhadappearedaroundthesideoftheboatandbeganswimmingtoward

me.Helookedrelievedatfirstbutashereachedmeandsawthebloodonmyhands,hisfacedropped.

“Whathappened?”heurged.“Shecutme,”Imanaged.Iswallowedhardashegatheredmetohim.Hecarriedmebacktowardthe

boatandclimbedontoit,placingmedownonthedeck.Heslithispalmwithhisclawsandtippedhisblooddownmythroatbeforeexaminingmywound.

“It’snottoodeep,”hesaid,exhalingsharply.“ThankGod.”Hecuppedmyfaceinhishandsandloweredhishead.Ashismouthclosed

aroundmine,histonguepartingmylips,Iforgotaboutthepaininmystomach.Theacheinmychestoverwhelmeditcompletely.Ifoundmyselfsittingupand,leaningintohim,Ipushedhimbackagainstthesideoftheboat.Ireturnedhiskissasthoughitwastheantidote.Hegroanedsoftly,themusclesinhischesttensingbeneathmyhandsashepulledmeflushagainsthimandkissedmeharder.

Whenwefinallybrokeapart,Iglanceddowntoseethatmywoundhad

healed.“Rose,”Calebbreathed,stillholdingmeinhisstrongarms.“Youhaveno

ideawhatI’ve…IthoughtI’dlostyou.”IfoundmyselfwonderingexactlywhathadhappenedsinceI’dbeengone,

butasthedragonletoutanimpatientsnortaboveus,nowwasclearlynotimetoask.Icouldhavestayedinthatboat,lostinCaleb’sembraceforhours.But,clutchingCaleb’shand,Istoodandpulledhimupwithme.Caleb’seyesraisedtothedragon.

“Whatonearthhappenedtoyou?”heasked.Chariswastooclosetousformetobeabletoexplainanythingmeaningful

toCalebnow.Ishookmyhead.“Well,IthoughtitwasabouttimethatIsavedyouforachange,”Imuttered.Calebfrownedandopenedhismouthtopressmefurther.Beforehecould,I

quicklypulledhisneckdownandpressedmylipsagainsthisagain,silencinghim.ThenIunlockedourlipsandwhisperedintohisear,“Ican’texplaineverythingnow.Youjustneedtotrustme.”Iclearedmythroatandgestureduptothedragon.“ThisisCharis.He’llbecarryingusallawayfromhere.”

“Wheretonow?”thedragonboomeddown.“ToanislandknownasTheShade,”Ireplied,ascalmlyasIcould.“Ourlast

destinationbeforeIreturntoyourrealm,Charis.”Caleb’smouthdroppedopen.Iheldafingertohislips.“Youjustneedto

trustme,”Irepeatedinawhisper.Charishoveredclosertotheboat.Iclimbedontohisbackfirstand

positionedmyselfatthefront,whileCalebclimbedupafterme,hislegsclosingaroundeithersideofmeashewrappedhisarmsaroundmeprotectively.Bellafollowednext.

Aswelaunchedonceagainintothesky,theonlythingIcoulddowaspraythatMonawouldbeabletohelpusfightoffthedragon.

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CH A P T E R 2 6 :K I E V

’dnevervisitedTheSanctuary.NeitherhadErikorAbby.IhadnoideawheretoevenstartlookingforMona.WeweredependentonPatricia’sinstinctsnowmorethanever.ButoncewedidfindMona,somethingtoldmethatI’dbeabletoconvinceherthateverythingshe’dthoughtshe’dseenwasanillusioncausedbyaghoul.Andonceshewasconvinced,shewaspowerfulenoughtobreakusalloutofhere.

Wejustneededtofindher.“IsupposethelogicalplacetostartlookingisMona’soldhomeinthecity,”

Patriciasaid.“WhenIusedtolivehere,Irecallanotherfamilyhadmovedintoit,buttheymighthavebeenmovedout…”

WeheldontoPatriciaasshevanishedfromtheforestandwereappearedonaquaintcobblestonestreetlinedwithflowerbaskets.

“Allthreeofyouneedtokeepholdingontome,”thewitchsaidasImotionedtoletgo.“Wecan’taffordtoloseeachothernowthatwe’reontheinside.”

Iranmyhanddownhercardiganandheldontothehemofitaswemovedforward.Wewalkedthroughanopengatetoourlefttoseetwoyoungboysplayingonalushgreenlawninfrontofapristinewhitetwo-storybuilding,linedwithbalconies.Onelookattheboysandwedidn’tneedtoinvestigatefurther.Clearly,Monanolongerlivedhere.

Weexitedthroughthegateandwalkedbackoutontothestreet.

“Thosetwowitches,”Isaid.“BrisaliaandCsillaAdrius.TheyaretheonesresponsibleforluringMonatothisrealm.Ihaveafeelingtheywon’tbefarawayfromher.”

“ThepalaceoftheAdriuses,”Patriciamuttered.“Thatwouldpresentsomeproblemsindeed…”

“Whatkindofproblems?”Erikasked.Patricialetoutasigh.“Well,sincethedeathofOdelia,Iamcertainthatthey

havetightenedsecurity.Idon’tknowhoweasyit’sgoingtobetogainentrance…ButKievisright.AfterMona’sownhome,that’sthenextmostlikelyplaceshecouldbe.We’lljusthavetotry.”

“Thenlet’sgonow,”Isaid,grippingPatriciabythearm.“Holdontighter,Abby,”thewitchsaidbeforeweallvanishedandappeared

againinanothercobblestonelane.Onlythistime,wewerestandingoutsidetwosetsofgiantgates.

“Iwasn’tabletovanishusbehindthem,”Patriciawhispered.“Damnit,”Isaid.Approachingthegate,Igrippedthebarswithbothhands,

ignoringPatricia’sadvicethatweoughttoremainconnectedthewholetime.Istaredthroughthebarsupatthecelestialpalacethatwasperchedontopof

ahill.WithinthosewallssomewhereisMona,I’msureofit.Thethoughtwasinfuriating.

Patriciagrippedmyarmandreplaceditoverhers.Iglancedatthewarlocksdressedinblackrobespatrollingthegrounds.Guards,Iassumed.Thetrickwe’dmanagedtopulloffdownbythebeachcertainlywouldnotbeeasilyreplicablehere.

“Mona,”Patriciasaidsuddenly.Thestrengthofhervoicealarmedmeconsideringourproximitytotheguardsbehindthegate.

“Huh?”Iwhippedaroundandwasstunnedtoseeafamiliarblondefigurewalkingtowardusinthedistance,amanwithlonghairbyherside.

“Hey!Mo—!”Iattemptedtoyell,butmyvoicecrackedmid-word.WhenItriedtoshoutagain,myvoicehadcompletelyvanished.

Ilaunchedforwardintoasprint,butI’dbarelymovedafewfeetwhenasharppainpiercedmylowerback,asthoughI’djustbeenhitbyabullet,andmy

legscollapsedbeneathme.AsIfell,IlookedaroundinhorrortoseePatricia—nolongerinvisible—

caughtinthearmsofawarlockdrapedinblackclothes.Twomoreguardswereapproachingmeand,lookingdownatmyownbody,Irealizedthattheinvisibilityspellhadliftedfrommetoo.Theybothgrippedmyarmsandpulledmeup,andbeforeIcouldevenlookaroundtheplaceformybrotherandAbby,theguardsvanishedPatriciaandmefromthespot.

I

CH A P T E R 2 7 :A B B Y

tallhappenedsofast.Oneminute,IwasstaringatMonawalkingtowardusontheroadinthedistance,andthenext,Iwhirledaroundtoseeaguardlunginginmid-airandlandingonthefloorwithPatriciafullyvisibleinhisarms.Then,whenKievyelled,theymanagedtohithimwithaspellandhegotcaughttoo.Wehadn’tevennoticedtheguardsapproachingusfrombehind.

Holdingmybreath,Istumbledbackandstareddownatmyownhands.Iwasstillinvisible.Ilookedbackatthespottheguards,KievandPatriciahadbeenafewsecondsbeforeonlytoseethattheyhaddisappeared.

No!“Abby?”Awhisperbehindme,barelylouderthanabreath.Erik.“Yes,”Irepliedjustasquietly.Ifelthishandbrushagainstmyarm,whichhethengrippedandpulledme

backagainstthewall.Monaandhercompanionstillwalkedtowardus,apparentlyobliviousto

whathadjustoccurred.“Whatarewegoingtodo?”Iwhispered.“IthinkourbestchanceisMona,”herepliedafteratensepause.“Ifwecan

getthroughtoher,she’llbeabletohelpusfindKievandPatricia…whereverthey’vejustbeentaken.”Ifelthisbodyshuddernexttome.

“Doyouthinkweshouldtrytojustspeaktoherasshe’sapproaching?”Iasked.

Anotherpause.“No,”hereplied.“Notwhilethatmaniswithher.Weneedtotrytogetheronherown—”

HisvoicetrailedoffasMonaandthewarlockwerenowtoocloseforustospeakeveninwhisperswithouttheriskofbeingdetected.

Erik’sgriponmetightenedastheywalkedrightpastusandreachedthegate.Monapulledoutakeyfromhergownand,unlockingtheheavygate,pusheditopen.IalmostleftmyheadbehindasErikjerkedmeforwardwithspeedthatknockedmebreathless.Itwasjustaswell.Ifwe’ddelayedamomentlater,thegateswouldhaveslammedshutinfrontofus,lockingusout.

Erikcontinuedleadingmeforwardatasafedistancefromthetwoofthem.Aswereachedthefootofthestairsandbeganascendingtowardthepalaceentrance,Ikeptfearingthattheywouldvanishthemselves,leavingusstrandedandwithouttheslightestcluewheretofindMona.But,aswereachedthetopofthestairsandwalkedthroughthefrontdoorintoastunningentrancehall,Ibegantoallowmyselftohopethattheywereenjoyingtheexercise.

Webeganclimbingstaircaseafterstaircaseaswemovedupthefloorsofthepalace.Iwouldhavebeenstunnedbyitsbeautyhadmystomachnotbeeninknots.IwasthankfulthatErikwastakingituponhimselftoregulateourspeedanddistancefromthepairinfrontofus.Onmorethanoneoccasion,IbecameanxiousthatwemightlosethemandIgottooclose,andErikpulledmeback.

Finally,wereachedwhatappearedtobethetoplevelofthepalaceand,walkingalongthecorridor,stoppedoutsideanengravedwoodendoor.Monapusheditopenandsteppedinside.

“Well,Coen,I’llcatchyoulater,”Monasaid.“Ilookforwardtoit.”Coensmiledandbegantowalkbackdownthe

corridor.Eriklurchedforwardwithmeoncemore,butbeforewecouldenterthedoor,

Monacloseditbehindher.“Waituntilthewarlockhasdisappeared,”Erikbreathed.“Thenwe’llknock.”IwashopingCoenwouldhurryupandvanish,but,apparentlystillenjoying

theexercise,heambledalongthelongcorridoruntilhefinallydescendedthestepsdowntothefloorbelow.

“Now,”Eriksaid,movingclosertothedoor.Heknockedquietlyatfirst,thenlouderwhennobodycametoanswerthe

door.Footstepssounded.Erikwasbarelybreathingasthedoorclickedandswungopen.

Iwassurethatduringourwalkthroughthepalace,ErikhadbeenmullingoverwhattosaytoMonaoncewefinallygotheraloneandhewasnowpreparingtospititout.

Butitwasn’tMonastandingbeforeus.Itwasadark-hairedwitchwearinganavybluesmockandawhiteapron.

Iwasabouttoblurtsomethingoutanyway,butErik’shandclosedovermymouthandhepulledmebackawayfromthedoor.Weretreatedfurtherdownthecorridorasthemaidpokedherheadout,lookingupanddownwithaconfusedlookonherface.

Oncethedoorclosedagain,Erikwhispered,“Wecan’trisktrustinganyofthesewitches.WehavetofindawaytospeakdirectlywithMona.We’llhavetowaithereandhopetocatchherthenexttimeshecomesoutalone.”

Exhaustedfromthetension,Isliddownthewallandsatonthefloor.“Okay,”Isaid.“Hopefullyit’sjustamatteroftime.”

Erik’shipbrushedagainstmineashesliddownthewallnexttome.“Andhopefully,thisinvisibilityspellPatriciaputonuswon’tdesertusanytimesoon…”

W

CH A P T E R 2 8 :K I E V

howasthatmanwalkingnexttoMona?Thequestionwascirclinginmymindasmyvisioncameintofocusagain

andIrealizedwewerestandinginsomekindofdark,dampundergroundchamber.Aprison,IsoonrealizedasoneofthewarlocksdressedinblackpushedopenagateandthrewPatriciaandmeinside.

Ithrewmyselfatthegate,butnotfastenough.ItclickedshutandnomatterhowmuchItriedtoripopenorbendthebars,theywouldn’tbudge.Clearlybewitchedtowithstandthestrengthofavampire.

IclutchedPatricia’sshoulders.“Trytogetusoutofhere.”Sheraisedherpalmstowardthegate.Nothinghappened.Hershoulders

sagged.“They’veremovedmypowers.”“No!”Iyelled,slammingmyfistsagainstthewall.Ilookedupanddownthecorridoroutside.Theguardshaddisappearedfrom

sightalready.Myeyestravelledaroundthecellssurroundingus.Afterabriefglance,theyallseemedtobeempty…excepttheoneaboutfourdoorsalong.Ared-headedmansatupagainstthebars,gazingacrossatme.

Efren.Irecognizedhiminstantly.HowcouldInot?He’doncealmostkilledme.

HelookedjustasshockedtoseemeasIwastoseehim.Hewasablackwitch.IhadnoideahowhecouldhavegottenhereinTheSanctuary.

“Whatareyoudoinghere?”hespat.

IignoredthebastardandturnedbacktoPatricia.Shewasstaringthroughthebars,toacellfivedoorstoourleft.

“Corrine?”shewhispered.Iletoutagasp.Shewasright.I’dlookedaroundtooquicklytonotice

before,butnowIcouldsee,rightatthebackofthecell,bothCorrineandIbrahimleaningagainstthewall—apparentlyunconscious.“Corrine!”

“Shewon’tbewakingupanytimesoon.”Efrenchuckled.“Whathappened?”Patriciaasked,clutchingthebarssohardherknuckles

hadturnedwhite.“Theywerecausingtrouble,fromwhatIoverheardoneoftheguards

saying,”hesaid.“Weren’tsettlingintothenewlifetheAdriuseswantedthemtoadopt.Sotheyputthemtosleep.”

Patricialookedatme,horrified.“Theymusthavebeencaught…Thatmeansallthistime,nobodyhasbeenlookingforRose.”

BeforeIcouldrespond,awitchwithflowinglightblondehairappeareddirectlyinfrontofourcell,accompaniedbyoneoftheguardswho’dplacedusinhere.Sheraisedherbrowsasshelookedusover.

“Brisalia,”Patriciagasped.Sothisisthebitch.“Doweknowhowtheygotin?”Brisaliaaskedtheguardinalowvoice,

ignoringPatricia.Thewarlockshookhishead.“Notyet.”“Hm.”Sheapproachedcloser,hercooleyestravelingfromminetoPatricia’s

face,beforeturningbacktotheguardagain.“Well,wecan’tkeepthemhere.”“Whatdoyoupropose?”“Weneedtogetridofthem.”Shewasspeakingasthoughweweren’teven

presentintheroom.“Banishthemfromtheisland?”“Oh,no,”shesaid.Therewasapauseasthewarlockstaredather.“Nowthat

they’vefoundtheirwayinonce,wecan’triskithappeningagain.YouknowtheconsequencesifMonaeverfoundout.We’llneedtofindamore…permanentsolution.”

“What?”Shelookedthoughtfullyatthewarlockbeforereplying,“Sendthemdownto

Hagatha.It’sabouttimeshehadsomevisitors…”

E

CH A P T E R 2 9 :A B B Y

achtimeawitchpassedusalongthecorridor,IkeptfearingthatPatricia’sinvisibilityspellwouldlift.Butthankfully,itwasstilluponus.

Sittingonthefloorbegantogrowuncomfortableafterafewhours.NeitherEriknorIhadspokenmuchduringthistime.We’djustbeenlistening,hopingtohearanysignofMonaleavingtheapartment.Butwehadyettohearit.

“Erik,”Iwhispered,standingup.“Ineedtostretchmylegs.”“Metoo.”Hestoodupwithme,andIfelthimreachingformyhandonce

again.“Wecan’taffordtoloseeachother.”“Andweshouldn’tgotoofareither,”Isaid.Webeganwalkingslowlyalongtheseeminglyendlesscorridor.Something

aboutthewaywewerewalkingtogetherremindedmeofmywalkswithBen.Ben.Ihopedthathe’dbeallright.Ithadbeenfrighteningtoseehowmuchhis

transformationhadconsumedhim.SinceDerekandSofiahadn’twantedanybodyelsevisitinghimuntiltheyunderstoodwhatwaswrongwithhim,thelasttimeI’dseenhimwaswhenhe’descapedfromtheapartmentanddoveintothesea.Thewayhe’dlookedatme…itwasasthoughhehardlyrecognizedme.

Kievdidn’tknowthatthemainreasonI’dwantedtocomeonthismissiontoTheSanctuarywastodistractmyselffromwhatwashappeningtoBen.

IthoughtbacktothelastencounterI’dhadwithhimbeforeheturnedintoavampire.We’dbeentakingourusualwalkwithShadow.Iwasn’tsurewhy,but

withhisturningloomingsoclose,somethinghadmademewanttofinallyadmitmyfeelingstowardhim.PerhapsI’dsensedhemightbedifferentafterhisturningandIjustwantedtogetthemoffmychestwhilehewasstilltheBenIknew.Whateverthecase,aswenearedtheforestonourjourneybacktowardtheresidences,I’dslippedmyhandsintohisandpulledhimtoastop.ButthenwhenI’dopenedmymouthtospeak,aparalyzingfeartookholdofme.MythroatfeltparchedandIjustcouldn’tspitthewordsout.Ihadnochoicebuttoclumsilychangethesubjectandletgoofhimaswecontinuedwalking.

ButeventhoughIhadn’tmanagedtoexpressmyself,somethingaboutthewayBenhadlookedatmetoldmethathesuspectedwhatIwasabouttosay.ThewayI’dtouchedhim,andthewaymycheekshadflushed—itwouldhavebeenobvioustoanyone.

Benwasn’tonetoshyawayfromsubjectswithme,sothefactthathedidn’tstepupandsaysomethingmademebelievehedidn’tfeelwhatIfeltforhim.Hedidn’ttakeitasacuetoadmithisownfeelingsforme,asI’dhopedhemight.Hedidn’tputhisarmaroundmeanddrawmeclosertohim,walkingbackthroughthewoodsasloversmight.

Heallowedustocontinuewalkingbackhomeastheclosefriendswe’dbecome.

BythetimeIarrivedbackatmytreehouse,IfoundmyselffeelinggladIhadn’tspokenthewordsoutloud.BecausenowIwassurethattheywouldhavemadeBenfeeluncomfortable.ItwasjustaswellI’dchokedup.I’dprobablymadehimfeelawkwardenoughasitwas…

“Doyouhearthat?”Erik’svoicebrokethroughmythoughtsashesqueezedmyhand.“Someone’scomingupthestairs.”

Footstepsascendedthestaircaseadozenfeetaway.EriktuggedonmeandwespedbacktoMona’sfrontdoor,carefulnottomakeasound.Iglancedbackatthestaircasetoseeamanemergingfromit—thesameblondwarlockwho’descortedMonauphereearlier.

ErikandIflattenedourselvesagainstthewallashepassedbyusandstoppedoutsideMona’sdoor.Heknockedloudlythreetimes.ThedooropenedandthesamewitchI’dseenearlierappeared—basedonherdress,Icouldonlyassume

shewasamaid.“I’mhereforMona,”thewarlocksaid.Themaiddisappearedbackintotheapartment,calling,“Mona,Coen’sback

foryou.”Monaappearedatthedoorafewmomentslater.Herlongblondehairtrailed

downherbackandsheworeaflowingwhitesummerdressthatperfectlycomplementedhertanskin.Shelookedmorealivethanwhenwe’dseenherafewhoursago.

Thesecondshesteppedoutintothecorridor,Erikpulledmeforwardwithoutwarning.Wemanagedtoslipintotheapartmentjustintimebeforethewitchclosedthedoorbehindher.

Westoodmotionless,barelydaringtobreatheasthefootstepsdisappeareddownthecorridor.Icastmyeyesaroundthelavishapartment,lookingforthemaid.Icouldhearpotsclanginginakitchensomedoorsaway.Fornow,itseemed,shewasoccupied.

“WeshouldfindsomewheretohideuntilMonareturns,”Ibreathed.Wepaddedfromroomtoroomuntilwereachedwhatwasobviouslythe

masterbedroom.Adressinggownlayonthebed,andtherewerevariousitemsscatteredonthedressingtable.

Erikledmeovertothecorneroftheroomwheretherewasalargecloset.Hepulledopenthedoors.Itwasfilledwithgowns,buttherewasstilljustenoughroomforbothErikandmetosit.IsteppedinsidefirstandErikfollowedafterme,closingthedoorssoftlybehindus.Therewasanarrowkeyholethateachofuscouldtaketurnslookingthrough,butforthemostpart,ourhearingwouldbeenoughtosensemovementintheroom.

Iletoutasighandmuttered,“Atleastnowwe’reonestepclosertogettingheralone.”

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CH A P T E R 3 0 :R H Y S

riellewenttopayavisittoLilithonmybehalftoinformherthatourjourneytoTheShadehadtobedelayed.Iwouldhavegonemyself,butmysistersconvincedmethatIwouldserveLilithbetterifIremainedinbedandusedthetimetorecover.

WhenAriellereturnedfromthevisit,shehadawidegashacrosshercheekthatevenJulissehadtroublehealing.Clearly,Lilithhadn’ttakenthenewskindly.

Thewaitformyaunttoreturnwithafreshsupplyofmer-finwasperhapsthemostagonizingofmylife.Everytimemydoorclickedopen,myeyesshotupandIkepthopingitwouldbeIsoldewalkingthroughthedoor,clutchingajarofaquamarinescales.

Whenmyauntfinallyreturned,Iusheredherintoherpotionroom.Iwaitedwithherwhileshebrewedtheantidote,breathingdownherneckandassistingheranywayIcouldtospeeduptheprocess.

Oncethepotionhadturnedamarooncolor,shepouredagobletformeandhandedittome.Idowneditinstantly,eventhoughitscorchedmythroat.

“Pourmeanother,”Isaid.Sheraisedabrow.“Rhys,itcanbedangeroustotakemorethanonedose

withinanhour.”“I’mwillingtotaketherisk,”Isaid,brushingherasideandfillingthegoblet

upasecondtimemyself.

Itooktwodoseseveryhourfortherestofthatday,andbytheevening,Iwasdelightedattheprogressmypalmshadmade.

Itwon’tbelongnow…

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CH A P T E R 3 1 :A B B Y

aitinginthatcrampedclosetforhourswastorturous.IwassurethatErikwassufferingmorethanme—hehadmuchlongerlegs,afterall—buthepersuadedmenottoriskgoingout.WeweresoclosetocatchingMonaalone,wecouldn’taffordtobenoticedbythemaidnow.

“You’reright,”Imuttered,shiftingonmyfeetforwhatfeltlikethehundredthtime.

Ibentdownandlookedthroughthekeyhole.Theroomwasdarknow.Nighthadfallen.

Istraightenedagain,prayingthatMonawouldn’tbegonemuchlonger.“Iwonderwhothatwarlockis…Coen,”Isaid.Erikdidn’trespond.Ireachedoutandtouchedhisshoulder.“I’msorryaboutyourbrother.”Hegulped.“Yeah…Wejusthavetogethimback.”AsIwithdrewmyhand,IrealizedthatIcouldseeit.Ipushedasidethe

gownscoveringErik.Icouldseehistensefacetoo,hischestnut-browneyeswide.

“Thespellisgone!”Igasped.Hegrimaced.“We’reluckywegotinsidethisclosetfirst.”“Doyou…doyouthinkthismeanssomethinghashappenedtoPatricia?”“Idon’tknow.”Comeon,Mona.Hurryup.

Ilookedthroughthekeyholeonceagainasthoughdoingsowouldsomehowhastenherreturn.Theroomwasstillempty.

Westoodinsilenceforthenexthour,andItriedtostoplookingthroughthekeyhole.Itwasonlymakingthewaitworse.Whenthefrontdoorfinallyclickedopen,bothErikandIletoutadeepsighofrelief.

IbentdowntolookthroughthekeyholewhileErikremainedstandingandpressedhisearagainstthedoor.

WarmlightsflickeredoninthebedroomasMonawalkedin,followedbyCoen,whowasholdingherhand.Judgingbythewaytheywerestaggeringslightly,they’dbothhadalittletoomuchtodrink.

“Well,Coen,”shesaid.“Thanksforthisevening.”Heraisedherhandtohislipsandplacedakissoverit.“Anytime,”hemurmured.Theyremainedstanding,juststaringateachotherforseveralmoments

beforeCoenreachedoutslowlyandslidhishandsaroundMona’swaist.Hedrewhimselfclosertoherandbeganplacingkissesonherskin,workinghiswayfromthebaseofherthroatuptowardhercheeks.IwasgladErikwasn’twatchingthis—itwouldhaveonlymadehimfeelworseabouthisbrother.

WhileMonadidn’tseemtobereturningCoen’saffections,shewasn’tresistingthemeither.Itwasonlywhenhislipsnearedhermouththatshedetachedhishandsfromherandtookastepback.Hereyesdowncast,sheshookherhead.

“I…Ican’t.”“I’msorry.”Coenbackedawayapologetically.“Iunderstand.I’mnotsure

whatIwasthinking.I-I’llleave.”Shegavehimafaintsmile.“That’sallright.Goodnight,Coen.”“Goodnight.”Ashevanishedfromtheroom,Monaheavedasigh.Removingherearrings,

sheplacedtheminsideaboxonherdressingtableandheadedstraightforthebathroom.Watergushedasshetookashower.

“Assoonasshecomesout,we’llstepout.”BarelyhadIfinishedmysentencewhenthemaidwalkedintothebedroom

withatraycontaininganornatesilverjugandamatchinggoblet.SheplaceditonMona’sbedsidetablebeforeproceedingtostraightenthebedsheets.

Damnmaid.WhenMonafinallysteppedoutofthebathroomwearinganightgown,her

hairwrappedupinaturban,themaidwasstillfussingaboutinthebedroom.Myhearthammeredeachtimethemaidlookedinourdirection.Iwasterrifiedthatshemightcomeovertothecloset.

Finally,themaiddimmedthelightsasMonaslippedintobedandnestledherheadagainstthesilkpillows.

“Mona’sinbed,”IbreathedtoErik.“Themaidcan’thangaroundmuchlonger…”

ButIwaswrong.Bizarrely,asMonasettledintoslumber,themaidpulledupachairinashadowycorneroftheroom,directlyoppositetheclosetwewerestandingin,yethiddenfromMona’sbed.

“Whatisshedoing?”Iwhispered.IthoughtperhapsthemaidhadmadeitahabittosleepinherewithMona,butshewasshowingnosignsofdriftingoff.Shesatboltuprightinthechairandhereyeswereopen—seeminglyfixedonthedressingtableatthefootofMona’squeen-sizedbed.“Maybeweshouldjustrisksteppingout.”

“No,”Eriksaid.“We’vewaitedthislongtogetMonaalone.Forallweknow,themomentthatmaidlayseyesonusshecouldvanishusaway,justastheydidtomybrother.”

Isupposedhewasright,thoughIwasn’tsurehowmuchlongerIcouldstayinthisclosetbeforemypatiencewasentirelyspent.Themaidwasstillstaringatthedressingtable.Iwasn’tsurewhatshefoundsointerestingaboutit.Perhapsitwasjustacomfortableplacetoresthereyeson.

ItwasonlyonceMona’sbreathingbecameheavierthatIrealized.Apalesmoke-likesubstancebillowedoutfromthesmalljewelryboxresting

infrontofthemirror,andasitrosehighertowardtheceiling,tomyhorror,thesmokebegantotakeshape—theshapeofthemostghastlycreatureI’deverseeninmylife.Itwasaghostlyformwithlong,skeletallimbs,sharpteethandpointedblacknails.Itsglowingambereyessentshiversdownmyspine.

Thismustbetheghoul.IhadtostifleascreamasithoveredoverMona’sbedandreacheddown

towardherhead.Ithoughtthecreaturewasabouttowakeheratfirst,butasitsfingersmadecontactwithherscalp,theybecametransparentanddisappearedintoherhead.

It’scontinuingtopoisonhermindevennow.Mygazewasmomentarilydistractedasthemaidinthecornerfinallystood

upandlefttheroom.Icouldonlyassumeshe’dbeenwaitingfortheghoultoappearallthistime.

“What’shappening?”Erik’schestbrushedagainstmybackasheloweredtomylevelandgrippedmywaist.Imovedmyheadasidesohecouldseeforhimself.Whenhepulledawayfromthekeyhole,hiseyeswerewidewithhorror.

“Wheredidthatthingjustcomefrom?”heasked.“ThejewelryboxonMona’sdressingtable.”Hetookanotherlookthroughtheholebeforeturninghiseyesbacktome.

Hisfacewasashen,hisexpressiondarkashewhispered,“Weneedtokillit.”

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CH A P T E R 3 2 :K I E V

atriciaandIbarelyhadtimetoreactbeforeBrisaliavanishedandseveralguardsappearedinherplace.TheyopenedupourcelldooranddraggedPatriciaandmeout.

Ifoughtbackwithallmystrength,butthey’dplacedsomekindofrestrainingspellonme.Itwasfutile.MylimbswereheldinplaceasIlevitatedoffthegroundalongwithPatricia,readytobetakentowhomeverHagathawas.

Theprisonsurroundingusdisappearedaswevanishedandreappearedinasmall,darkchamber.Mybodywasthrownagainstoneoftheroughwalls.MylimbsseemedtobereleasedasIhittheground,scrambledtomyfeetandlaunchedmyselfatthenearestguard,butIbarelymanagedtogetthreefeetbeforeIwasyankedbackbyachainthathadclosedaroundmyleftarm,fastenedtothewall.Istruggledagainsttherestraint,butjustasthosebarsintheprisonhadseemedtobemagicallyreinforced,sowasthis.Itwouldn’tslideoffnomatterhowhardIpulled.

TomyleftwasPatricia,huddledontheground,herarmalsofastenedtothewall.

“Hagatha,”oneoftheguardsbegantorepeatoverandoverinadeepvoice.Hespokethenamelikeataunt.

Ihadnoideatowhomhewascalling.Theroomwasemptybutforme,Patriciaandthewarlocks.

Aftertheseventhcallingofthename,therewasaviolentbangingtomyfar

left.Ihadn’tnoticeditbefore,butnowIsaw,inashadowycorneroftheroom,therewasanarrowoakdoor.

“She’swokenup.”Thewarlockgrinnedashelookedathiscompanions.“Doyouthinkshe’lldothejobwiththisvampire?”oneofthemmuttered.“Ofcourse,”anotherreplied.“Shehasn’tbeenfedforweeks.”“Nowlet’sgo.Jason,remainoutside.Checkdownhereagaininabouthalf

anhour.Asfortherestofus,Brisaliawantsustoreportback.”Theyretreatedupaflightofstairsadozenfeetawayandexitedthrougha

hatchintheroof.Thesoundofaheavyboltbeingdrawnechoedaroundthechamber.

Patriciawasnowshakingasthebangingagainstthedoortoourleftgrewmoreandmorefurious.JustasIwassurethewoodwasabouttogiveway,therewasasharpclick.Thedoorswungopentorevealapairofglowingredeyessetinanalmostbald,shrunkenskull.Deepblueandpurpleveinswerevisiblebeneaththecreature’spaperyskin,anditslongbonybodylevitatedafewfeetintheair.

Hagatha.Aghoul.Ibarelyhadtimetoshoutbeforetheghoullurchedforward.Patricia,being

nearesttoher,borethebruntoftheattack.Iwatchedinhorrorastheghoul’sdarkknifelikenailstoreintothewitch’sgut.Patricia’sbloodsoakedthefloorasHagatharippedthroughtherestofherstomachwithrazor-sharpteeth.

Ididn’tneedtobeaphysiciantorealizethatPatriciawasalreadybeyondsaving.

Astheghoulbegansuckingoutthewitch’sintestines,Istrainedevenharderagainstmychains,althoughIknewitwashopeless.Istareddownatthemetalclampseeminglyboltedintomyskin.AndIthoughtofMona.

I’dcomeclosetodeathtoomanytimesinmypasttokeepcountof.I’dbeenthroughtoomuchtobeafraidofdeath,orofthephysicalpainthatwouldcomewithit.

Butdyinglikethis,whilethegirlwhoownedeverypartofmewouldthinkillofmeforevermoreifIcouldn’treachher…itwasakindofagonyevenI

couldn’tbear.Anythingwouldbelesspainfulthanthis.Anything.Stillstaringatthechainfixedtomyleftarm,IknewIhadonlyoneoptionif

Iwantedtohaveeventhefaintestchanceofseeingheragain.Extendingtheclawsinmyrighthand,Idugthemintomyownflesh,just

abovethemetalclamp.Bitingmyliphardagainstthepain,Itwisted,snappedandclaweduntilmyleftarmseparatedfrommyshoulder.Thechainclinkedasthelimbdroppedtothefloorwithadullthud.

Myheadbegantospinasbloodgushed.Backingupagainstthewall,IfearedforamomentthatImightpassout.ButIcouldn’t.IforcedmymindtoonceagainfocusonMona.

Theghoulwasstillbusyeatingthewitchanditseemedthatshehadn’tnoticedwhatI’djustdone.Butbythelooksofit,itwouldn’tbelonguntilshe’dfinishedhermealandwouldbereadyformore.Ihadperhapslessthanaminute.

Ilurchedtowardthestairsand,climbinguptotheroof,rippedatthehatchwithasmuchstrengthasmyonearmcouldmuster.Afterthirtysecondsoftrying,itwasclearthatitwasn’tgoingtoopen.Myeyesshottowardtheonlyotherexittothissmallchamber—thedarkroomHagathahadexitedfrom.

Leapingdownfromthestairs,Iracedintotheroomandslammedthedoorshutbehindmejustbeforetheghoulsmashedagainstit.ThisdoorwasfragileenoughasitwasfromHagatha’searlierassault.Iwasn’tsurehowmuchlongeritwouldremainstandingatthisrate.Ifitlastedacoupleofminutes,I’dbelucky.

IfwhatI’dheardaboutghoulswastrue,Hagathashouldhavebeenabletojustgliderightthroughthedoor.Hell,justescapethisdungeonentirely.Icouldonlyassumethewitcheshadcastsomesortofspellonthisprisonthatpreventedherfromtravellingthroughsolidstructures.

Itoreoffmyshirtand,bunchingitup,attemptedtostemthebloodflowasIkeptfightingagainsttheghoul’sattempttopushopenthedoor.ThenIcastmyeyesaroundtheroom.Itwasn’tmuchdifferentthantheoneI’djustbeentrappedin—smallanddark.Exceptinthisroom,therewereseveralskeletonsscattered

aboutthefloor—thoseofhumans,perhapsevenwitches,bythelooksofit.Asoneofthedoorhingesbrokeoffentirely,Iwasbeginningtobelievethat

losingmyarmmighthavebeeninvain.Butthenavoicedrifteddownfromupstairs.Amalevoice.

“Howareyoudoingdownthere,Hagatha?”Itwasthewarlockwho’dstayedbehind.Hemusthaveheardallthiscommotion—morethanIwassurehe’dbeenexpectingtohear.“Almostfinished?”

Theghoulletoutabizarrescreech.“Issomethingwrong?”thewarlockreplied.“GetbackinyourroomandI’ll

comedown.”Theghoulshriekedagain,thenfellsilent.Thebangingstopped.“Areyoubackinyourroom?”TheghoulletoutaquietersoundinresponseandIsensedthecreature

backingawayfromthedoor.Idaredopenitslightlyandpeerthroughthecrack.Shewashoveringinadarkcorneroftheroom,justatthesideofthestairs,yetnotdirectlyinviewofthehatch.

Whatisshedoing?Atheoryformedinmymindaboutwhatcouldbegoingthroughthis

creature’shead,andalthoughitseemedcrazy,itfilledmewithtoomuchhopeformetobeabletoresistplayingalong.

“Hagatha?”thewarlockcalledagain.“Youknowwhathappenswhenyourefusetorespond.”

Ibangedthedoor,asifclosingit.Thatseemedtogivethewarlocktheconfidenceheneeded.Thehatch

clickedopenandhisfootstepsbegantodescendthestaircase.AssoonasIheardhimyell,Iopenedthedooragain.Theghoulhadflownat

himand,beforehecouldevenaimacurseather,shetorethroughhispalmswithhernails,apparentlyrenderinghimashelplessasahuman.Shedraggedhimtoacorneroftheroomwhereshebeganravaginghim,justasshe’ddonetoPatricia.

Perhapsshepreferswitchmeattovampiremeat.Istaredupattheopenhatchandlungedforitlikeadrowningmanglimpsing

land.Flyingupthestairs,Igrabbedholdofaledgeandhauledmyselfupbefore

boltingthehatchshutbehindme.Doingallthiswithonehandwassostrange.Itstillhadn’tfullyregisteredinmybrainthatI’dlostanarm.

Breathingheavily,Icastmyeyesaround,tryingtomakesenseofmysurroundings.Iwasinanarrowrectangularroomwithwhitewallsandblackgranitefloors.Itwasempty,exceptforacoupleofchairsafewfeetawayfromthehatchandonedoorafewfeetaway.Ihurriedovertoitandwasabouttoattempttoopenitwhenmyeyesfellonalongdarkcloakhangingoverachair.IfIwantedtohaveanychanceofblendingin,I’dneedtocovermyselfup.

Ifastenedthecloakaroundmeandpulledthehoodovermyheadsoitcoveredasmuchofmyfaceaspossible,andgrippedthedoorhandle.Itwasn’tlocked,tomyrelief.Isteppedouttofindmyselfinadim,narrowcorridor.

Iwasn’tsurewhichwaytoturn.Itookarightfirst.Ifoundmyselfinamazeofpassages,andallIcoulddowasguesswhichoneIshouldtake.Finally,whenIreachedwhatI’dthoughtwasadeadend,Idiscoveredanarrowsetofwindingstairsleadingupward.Iclimbedthemand,onreachingthetop,Iemergedinacornerofagrandhall.Therewasawidesetofdoubledoorsaboutfiftyfeetawayandornatepillarsconnectedthewhitemarblefloorstothehigh,gem-studdedceiling.

Couldthisbe…thepalace?Ilookedaroundcautiously.OnlyonceIwassurethattherewasnobodyin

sightdidIventureoutofthedoorwayintothehall.Moonlightstreamedthroughthemassivewindowpanes.Itwaslate.HopefullyIwouldn’tbumpintoanyone.

Ihurriedtowardoneofthewindowsandpeeredoutintothenight.Thebuildingwassurroundedbylushgardens.MyheartleaptasIspottedinthedistancethesamegateswe’dattemptedtoenterearlier,wherePatriciaandIhadbeentakenbytheguards.

Yes,thisisthepalace.AsIturnedaroundtofacethehallagain,myjawdroppedinhorror.Iwas

leavingatrailofbloodacrossthepristinefloors.Buttherewasnotimetocovermytracks.Now,myonlyhopewasfindingMonaintimebeforesomeonetrackedmedown.

Isniffedtheair,tryingtodetectanytraceofherintheatmosphere.I

couldn’t.Fromthelooksofit,thispalacewashuge.Shewasprobablystilltoofaraway.Onspottingawidestaircaseleadinguptothefloorabove,Iswepttowarditandascendedit.Iemergedinaspacioushallwaywithdoorsoneitherside.AsIhurriedtowardthenearestonetome,awaveofnauseathreatenedtoovertakeme.Iflattenedmypalmagainstthenearestwall,closingmyeyesandtryingtogroundmyselfonceagain.

Mona.JustthinkofMona.IstaggeredforwarduntilIreachedthedoorandsniffed.Ihadnoideahow

bigtheroom,orperhapsapartment,wasbehindthisdoor,butIwascertainthatitwouldn’tbelargeenoughtopreventmefromdetectingmygirl.Althoughvampires’senseofsmellwasn’tnearlyasacuteaswerewolves’,aslongasIwaswithinareasonabledistance,Ishouldhavenotroublesensingher.

Imovedtothenextdooralongandstoppedtosnifftheair.Stillnothing.Inthisway,Istaggeredfromdoortodoor.BythetimeI’dreachedthelastone,Istillcouldn’tsenseher.Imovedupanotherstaircasetowardthenextlevel.

I’dlonglosttrackofhowmanydoorsI’dstoppedoutsideofbythetimeI’dreachedninelevelsup,andIwaspracticallyblindwithdizziness.ItwasallIcoulddototakeevenonemorestep.Pullingmyselfupthetenthstaircase,IstoppedinmytracksasIsensedsomeoneapproachingaboveme.Istumbledbackdownthestairsandleaptintotheshadowofanearbypillarjustintimetoseeacoupledescending—glassesofwineintheirhands,theirlipsgluedtoeachother.Theyweresowrappedupineachother,theydidn’tseemtoevennoticemybloodstainsonthefloorastheyreachedthebottomofthestairsandmovedawaydownthecorridor.

Isighedinreliefbeforeonceagainattemptingtoclimbthetenthstaircase.IstillhadnoluckdetectingMonaafteradozenmoredoors,butasIreachedtheendofthecorridor,Istopped.Iheardasmashingfourdoorsalongfromme.AndasIneared,anticipationbegantoflowthroughmyveins.Itwasonlyaslighthintatfirst—itcouldhaveeasilybeenmyimagination—butonceIarrivedoutsidetherosewooddoor,thescentwasundeniable.

Monawassomewherebehindthisdoor.Icouldfeelit.NowIhadtodecidewhethertoknock,orattempttobreakdownthedoor.I

placedmyearagainstit.Thesmashinghadstopped,andhadbeenreplacedby…shouts.

“Mona!Wakeup!”Mybrother’svoice?TherewasnowayIhadanypatiencetoknocknow.Fivesharpkicks,andI

brokethedooropen.Istaredaroundtheapartment.Someoneshuffledtowardmedownthe

sprawlingcorridortomyleft.Ispunaroundtoseeawitchhurryingtowardme.Butitwasn’tMona.Shehaddarkhairandworeagreycottonnightgown.Shestaredatmeinalarmbeforemotioningtoraiseherpalms.

I’dhadenoughofbeingknockedaroundbywitchesforoneday.Lungingforward,Iknockedhertothefloorandpinneddownherarmswith

myknees.Then,takingaleafoutofHagatha’sbook,Irippedthroughherpalmsbeforeshecouldexpelacurse.Leavingherbleedingandcradlingherhands,Icontinuedtowardtheshouting.Itledmetoadoorattheveryendofthehallway.AsIpusheditopen,nothingcouldhavepreparedmeforwhatIsaw.

WhileMonalay—apparentlysleeping—inadoublebed,AbbyandErikwerebattlingaghoulthatwasabouttoslicethroughAbby’sheart.

OhGod,notanotheroneofthesethings…

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urattempttokilltheghouldidn’tquitegoaccordingtoplan.AlthoughweneverreallyhadaplansomuchasafewharebrainedideasthrowntogetherduringthefewminutesErikandIhadspentexchanginghurriedwordsinthecloset.

Wedidn’tknowmuchaboutghoulsotherthanwhatwe’dgleanedfromthesnippetsofconversationwe’doverheardinCorrine’squartersbeforewe’dleftTheShade.We’dlearnedthattheyswitchedbetweensubtleandphysicalformsatwill,anditwasonlywhileintheirphysicalformthattheycouldbekilled.Severingaghoul’sheadwasthewaytoendit,accordingtoPatricia,anditsneckwasthemostfragilepartofitsbody.

Theproblemwas,mostghouls’victimswitnessedtheirinsidesspillingfromtheirstomachsbeforetheyevergotwithinfourfeetofthecreature’sthroat.

I’dgottenitintomyheadthat—sincetheghoulhademergedfromthejewelrybox—perhapsclosingthelidwouldhelptogetridofit.Sinceitwastheleastviolentideawehadonthecards,Ithoughtwemightaswelltryitfirst.Erikagreed.

Asitturnedout,themotiononlyservedtodrawitsattentiontowardthetwoofus.ItsfrighteningambereyesshotourwayasitdrewawayfromMonaandfloatedtowardus.

Erikrippedthemirroroffthewallandsmasheditagainsttheghoul.Itletoutalowhissasitmovedbackward,thendisappearedfromsight.

“Wherediditgo?”Istammered,lookingaroundwildly.Erik’sharriedbreathingwasloudinmyearsashereachedformymidriff

andpulledmeclosertohim.“Duck!”heyelled,pushingmedown.Ididn’tevenknowwheretheghoulhadreappeared,orwhichdirectionto

duckin,butIthrewmyselfbeneaththebed,hopingthatwouldsaveme.Whyisn’tMonawakingup?Couldthisbetheghoul’sinfluencemakingher

sleepsoheavily?Iwouldhaveshoutedforher,butIdidn’twanttogivemylocationaway.I

crawledtotheedgeofthebedandlookeduptoseeErikreachingforthecurtainrailandyankingitfromthewall.Theghoulwasnowinitsphysicalformagainasitattemptedtolashoutathim.Erikheldtherailinfrontofhimanddroveitagainstthecreature’sstomach,forcingitbackwardtocreateasaferdistancebetweenhimandthosemenacingblacknails.

Icrawledtotheothersideofthebedandstoodup.IwasabouttoreachforMona’sshoulderstoshakeherwhenErikyelledagain.“Watchout!”

Theghoulhadnoticedmyattemptandcameglidingtowardme.Grabbingthenearestthingtome—abedlamp—Ichuckeditattheghoul’sface.Itdodgedtheobjecteasilyandmyattemptonlyseemedtorileitupfurther.

“Mona!Wakeup!”Erikbellowedastheghoul’ssharphandsgrippedformyankles.Itliftedmeupintheair,hangingmeupsidedownlikeapieceofmeat.Iscreamedandthrashedaboutinitsgraspasitsnailsspedtowardmychest.

WhatfollowedhappenedsofastIcouldbarelycomprehendit.Theghoul’sholdonmyanklesloosenedandIwenttumblingdownontothe

bed.Erikhadleaptupandgrabbeditsfeet,attemptingtopullitdowntotheground—whileacloakedfigurehadjustenteredtheroom.

Kiev?AsErikweighedtheghouldown,Kievleaptontothebedand,springing

ontothebed,extendedaclawedhandfortheghoul’sthroat.Hemissed,butIwasn’tabouttoletErik’sattemptsgoinvain.Beforetheghoulcouldevaporateonceagain,Ijumpedupandlatchedontohislowerlegstoo.Withthetwoofusdraggingthecreaturedownward,wewerefasterinpullingittotheground.By

now,Icouldn’thelpbutwonderwhyithadn’tdisappeared.FromthesurprisedlookonErik’sface,hewaswonderingthesamething.

Perhapsitcan’tmanifestitssubtleformifanotherphysicalbodyisholdingontoit…

Thistime,whenKievlurchedforwardagain,narrowlydodgingtheghoul’snails,hecaughtitsthroatwithintheclawsofhisrighthandanddugindeep.TherewasasickeningsquelchasblackbloodstreameddownKiev’swrist.Inonefinalmotion,Kievrippedofftheghoul’shead.Itsskullrolledontothefloor,itsbodystillshakingasbloodspilledoutofit.

Thethreeofusstaredateachother,panting.ItwasonlynowthatIrealizedsomethingwasoddaboutKiev’sappearance.

Veryodd.Whenhepulledoffhiscloaktowipedownhisrighthand,bothErikandIgasped.

“Y-yourarm!”Erikswore,rushingovertohisbrother.“Whatthehellhappenedtoyou?”

KievtookinaraspingbreathandgaveErikadarklookashestaggeredtowardMonaonthebed.“Let’sjustsaymyhatredofwitcheshasmaturedsomewhatinthelastfewhours.”

A

CH A P T E R 3 4 :M ON A

nunexpectedsensationbrokethroughthenightmareIwastrappedin.Somethingbrushedagainstmylips.Whenmyeyelidsflickeredopen,IthoughtI’djustenteredintoanotherdream.

Iwasstaringintoapairofhoodedgreeneyes…Kiev’seyes.Hiscoldhandwasagainstmycheekashekissedmedeeply.

Ireachedmyhandsupandflattenedmypalmsagainsthischest.Ifthiswasstilladream,itwasthemostvividI’deverhad.Iwassuddenly

scaredtoshatterit.Scaredtowakeup.Scaredtoverifyitwasindeedadream.TheloveofmylifewasholdingmeandkissingmelikeIwastheonly

womanintheworld.Evenifthiswasanillusion,itwasawelcomeescapefromthehellthatwasmyreality.ArealitythatwouldreturnfullforcethemomentIwokeup.

Reachingmyhandsintohisthickdarkhair,Iclosedmyeyesandbeganreturninghiskiss.

“Iloveyou,”hewhispered,hisvoicehusky.Thewordssentpainsearingthroughmychest.YouhavenoideahowmuchIwishyoudid,Kiev.TearswelledinmyeyesandbegantospilldownmycheeksasIsatupand

kneltagainsthim,stillafraidtoopenmyeyes.AsIpressedmyweightharderagainsthim,hegroaned,causingmetoopen

myeyesagain.PainwasetchedacrosshisfaceandasIloweredmygazetohis

shoulders,Igasped.Wherehisleftarmshouldhavebeenwasableedingstump.Ileaptbackonthebed,rubbingmyeyes,andtookinthefullroomforthe

firsttime.AbigailandErikstoodinacorner,watchingus,andonthefloorafewfeetawayfromthemwastheheadlesscorpseof…aghoul.

“Wha-Whathappened?”Icroaked,evenasunderstandingbegantodawnonme.

Kievreachedouttheonlyarmhehadandcaughtmyhand,pullingmebackdowntohislevel.Inoticedforthefirsttimethenjusthowsickhelooked.Hewasshockinglypale—fartoomuchevenforavampire—asheenofsweatcoveredhisskin,andhiswholebodywastrembling.

“Ineverstoppedlovingyou,”hewheezed,“that’swhathappened.”Oh,no.No.Realizationcrasheddownonmelikeatonofbricks,windingmecompletely.Guiltshatteredmeintoathousandpieces.Fallingtomyknees,Ifellapart.“I’msorry,”Ichoked.“I’msosorry.”Kiev’sfirmgripclosedaroundthebackofmyneck,forcingmeuptolookat

him.“Stop,Mona.It’snotyourfault.”Ibitdownhardonmylip,glancingonceagainathishorrificwound.“Whathappenedtoyourarm?”Irasped.“Itdoesn’tmatter,”Kievgrowled.Heforcedmebackdownonthebedand

leantoverme,closinghismoutharoundmineonceagain.“I’dreadilysacrificemyotheroneifitmeantbeingabletoseeyouagain.”

Hiswordsslicedmedeep.AsiftheguiltofdoubtingKievandleavingTheShadewasn’tenoughtobear,nowIwasresponsibleforthisabominationofaninjury.

“No!”Icried,grippingthesidesofhisface.“Why,Kiev?Why?Whydidyouallowyourselftogethurtlikethis!”Angercamouflagedmygrief,andIwantedtoshakehimforputtinghimselfthroughthisforme.

“Shh,”hesaid,tearsbeginningtoglisteninhiseyes.“Ineedtoaskyousomething.”Hecrawledoffme,drawingmeupintoasittingpositiononthebed

ashestooduponshakyfeet.Icriedoutashislegsgavewaybeneathhimandhecrashedtothefloor.Ithrewmyselfathimandcradledhisheadinmylap,mytearsstreaming

downontohisface.ErikandAbbyhurriedtomyside.“He’slosttoomuchblood,”Isaid,myvoicetrembling.PaniccoursedthroughmeasIhoveredmypalmsoverhiswound.IwasabouttostartutteringacharmtostemthebloodflowandcloseupthewoundwhenKievgroaned,forcedhimselfintoasittingpositionandbeganattemptingtostandupagain.Igrippedhisarm,tryingtopullhimbacktowardme.

“Kiev!Youhavetoletmestopthebleeding!”“Wait,”hecoughed,grippingholdofthebedpostandstraightening.“Sit

here.”Hepattedthemattressnexttohim.“Kiev—”“Please.Just…sithere.”Ijumpedupanddidashe’drequested,onceagainattemptingtopullhim

towardmesoIcouldtreathim.Hebrushedmeaway.“Wait,”herepeated.“I-I’vealreadywaitedtoolongforthis…”Furrowing

hisbrows,hereachedintothebackpocketofhispantsandpulledoutasmallleatherpouch.Hisarmwasshakingsobadly,itwasawonderhedidn’tdropit.

MyeyeswidenedasIstaredattheobject.“Kiev?”Loweringhimselftothefloor,hekneltononeknee.Hebreathedheavilyas

heperchedthepouchonhiskneecap.Hefumbledwiththefabricforafewmomentsbeforehisgazeraisedtomyface,hisintenseeyesboringintome.

“This…thisisn’tthewayIwouldhavechosentoaskyou,”hebreathed,“butsometimesthingsjustcan’tbedelayedanylonger.”Knockingthepouchaway,heopenedhispalmtorevealadelicatesapphirering.“Willyoumakemethehappiestmaninallhumanandsupernaturalexistence…andbecomeMonaNovalic?”

Iclaspedahandovermymouth.Streamsoftearsturnedtorivers.Fallingtomykneesonthefloornexttohim,Igrippedhishairandcrushed

mylipsagainsthis.

“Isthatevenaquestion?”Igasped.Hislipscurvedinadarksmile.“Well,nowI’mone-armed,IthoughtIought

tocheckI’mstillgoodenoughforyou…”“Afour-armedgodcouldn’tsatisfymethewayaone-armedKievcould,”I

said,halflaughing,halfcrying.Hishandtravelleddownmyarmandclutchedmyrighthand.Restingiton

hisknee,heslidtheringontomyfinger.Thenhekissedmeagain.Andagain.Andagain.IfIhadn’theldupafingertohislips,Iwassurehecouldhavecontinuedallnight.

“Ifyoudon’tmind,”Isaid,drawingawayfromhim,“I’dliketomakesuremyfuturehusbandwillstillbealiveforhiswedding.”Iplacedanarmaroundhiswaistandhelpedhimliebackdownonthefloor.“Erik,”Icalled.“HoldyourbrotherdownwhileIwork.ThismighthurtabitandIcan’thavehimsquirmingtoomuch.”

Erikwasquicktoassist,andafterseveralminutesofintermittentgroaningfromKiev,I’dmanagedtocloseupthewound.Atleastnomorebloodwasspillingfromhim,buthestilllookedfrighteninglypale.Hewasinjuredtoobadlyforhisbody’snaturalhealingcapabilitiestobeabletohealhimquickenough.IheldoutmyforearmtoErikandordered,“Cutme.”

Eriklookedatmereluctantly.“Areyousure—?““No,don’tcutyourself,”Kievsaid,tryingtositup.“Shush.”IplacedahandoverKiev’smouthandpushedhimbackdown.

“Youdon’thaveanysayinthismatter.”IglaredatErik.“Hurryup,orI’llhavetodoitmyself.”

Heextendedaclawandslicedthroughmyforearm.Ibarelywinced.PlacingmylegseithersideofKiev’swaist,Iloweredmyselfontohimandheldmycutagainsthismouth.

“Drink,mylove,”Iwhispered,plantingakissonhisforehead.Iwasrelievedwhenhestoppedputtingupafightandsuckedmyblood.It

wasn’tdangerousforhimtodrinkfrommeanyway.Witchbloodwasn’tnearlyasaddictiveashumanblood,anditwasn’thardforKievtocontrolhimselfaroundme.

Hestoppedafterfivegulps.“Drinkmore,”Iurged.Heshookhishead.“That’senoughtokeepmegoing.”Iwasn’tconvinced,butashebrushedErikandmeawayandstoodup,itwas

clearthatitwouldbeabattletogethimtodrinkmore,andwehadtomove.Ilookedaroundthewreckedchamberonceagain,myeyessettlingonthe

severedheadoftheghoul.“HowdidyouthreeevenmanagetogettoTheSanctuarybyyourselves?”I

asked.“Wehadanotherwitch’shelp,”Kievmuttered.“Patricia.”“WhereisPatricia?”Erikasked.Kievgrimaced.“She…fellbehind.”Ibarelyhadtimetolethiswordsregisterandmournoverthelossofthe

witchwhenthefrontdoorslammed.“Hurry,”Ihissed,placinganarmaroundKiev’swaist.“Erik,Abby,holdon

tome.Weneedtogetoutofhere.”“Wait,whereareyoutakingus?”Kievasked,justasIwasabouttovanish

us.“CorrineandIbrahimarebeingkeptasprisonershere.Weneedtosave—”Icouldn’tlethimfinishhissentenceasagroupofwitchesstormedintothe

room.Beforeanyofthemcouldutterasinglecurse,wedisappearedfromtheroom.

Iknewwheretheprisonwas.I’dvisitedthereafewtimesinmylife,soitwasn’tdifficulttomakeusreappearthere.

Tomyrelief,thedungeonwasemptyaswemanifested.“Wherearethey?”Iasked.

WefollowedKievashestalkeddownthecorridor.Hestoppedoutsideofadoublecell.

Sureenough,therelayCorrineandIbrahim,apparentlyhalfasleep.Iblastedopenthegateandhurriedinside.Therewasnotimetowakethemup.Grippingbothofthembythearm,IorderedKiev,ErikandAbbytoholdontome.OnceIwasconfidenttheywereallholdingmetightlyenough,itwastimetogobackhome…backtoTheShade.

I

CH A P T E R 3 5 :R O S E

wasworriedaboutthesunburningCalebaswetravelled.IglancedupovermyshoulderatBella.Shewassolarge,shecastalongshadowoverCalebattheanglewewerecurrentlyflying,butthatmightnotbethecaseforlong.Ieyedthethickwaistcoatsheworeoverherdirtysmock.

“Bella,”Isaid.“CanyouremoveyourwaistcoatanduseittoshieldCaleboncethesunstartsreachinghim?”

Shenoddedandgrunted.“Okay,MissRose.”“Thanks.”Thesun’sraysweren’tquitereachinghimyet,butforwhateverreason,she

removedherwaistcoatandhelditoverhimnowlikeanumbrella.Itwasjustaswell,Isupposed.ItgaveCalebandmesomeprivacy,withherwidefacenolongerloomingoverus.

IcaughtCaleb’seye.Hewaslookingtenseasever.Itwastorture,notbeingabletosayanythingmeaningfultohimwhenthereweresomanyquestionsburninginbothofourminds.

Iplacedmyhandsoverhis,whichwereholdingthedragon’sscalesoneithersideofmywaist,andbentmyheadbacksoIcouldreachhisthroat.Iplacedakissagainsthisroughstubble,andheslidhisrighthanduptomynavelwhilehislipsloweredtocaressmycheek.

“Itrustyou,Rose,”hewhispered,hisbreathcoolinmyear.Igulped,feelingguiltythatheshouldtrustmewhenIdidn’teventrust

myself.“Iwantyoutoturnaroundtofaceme,”hesaid.“Justholdontome.I’llkeep

youfromfalling.”Slowlyslidingmyrightfootfromwhereithadbeenwedgedbetweenthe

dragon’sscales,IplacedmyarmsaroundCaleb’sneckasheswiveledmeround.Heranhispalmsalongmybarelegs,positioningthemoverhisthighs,beforeresuminghisgriponthedragon’shide.IgazedintoCaleb’sbeautifuleyes,relishingthefeelingofprivacyBellawasaffordingus.

“NowIcankissyoubetter,”hesaidsoftly.Myspinetingledashedippedhisheadtowardmine.Hecaughtmylower

lip,suckingonitgentlybeforemovingtotastemyupperlip.Iranmyhandsalonghistorso,feelinghistautmusclesbeneathmyfingers.Hetensedsuddenlyandraisedhishead,onceagainlookingmeintheeye.

“Ican’tloseyouagain,”hebreathed.IwantedtotellhimIcouldn’tlosehimagaineither.ButinsteadIjust

nodded,afraidtorespondwiththedragon’searssoclosetous.Hebithislip,asthoughhewasabouttocontinuesayingsomething.“What?”Iasked.Therewasalongpausebeforehefinallydrewinadeepbreath.Thenhe

spokethewordsI’dbeenachingtoheareversincehe’dfirstkissedmeatTheShade’sport.

“Whateverliesahead…Ijustneedtotellyou…Ineedyoutoknow…”Hisvoicecaughtinhisthroat.“Iloveyou,RoseNovak.”

Igapedathim,speechless.Bloodrushedtomycheeks.MyhandsweretremblingasIreachedforhisface.“AndIloveyou,CalebAchilles,”Ichoked.“Witheverybeatofmyheart.”Heexhaledsharplyandhisarmsclosedaroundme,drawingmeintoatight

—almostcrushing—embrace.Iburiedmyfaceinhisneck,tearsofjoyleakingfrommyeyesandmoisteninghisskin.Hiseyeswereglisteningtoobythetimewemeteachother’sgazeagain.Hebegandragginglong,tenderkissesacrossmyfaceandneck,cherishingeverypartofmehecouldreach.

WebrokeawayonlyonceBellaliftedourshelterandpeekeddownatus.Her

eyeswidenedbeforeshequicklyreplacedthewaistcoat.“Oops,sorry,”shemumbled.“Heardweirdsounds.Didn’tknowyouwere

doing…that.”Igiggled.“It’sokay,Bella.”Thedragon’sbodyrumbledashespoketous.“Itseemswehavearrived,”he

said.Calebhelpedmeturnroundtofaceforwardagainsowecouldbothtakea

lookatwherethedragonwasindicating.Ididn’tknowthesewaterswell,especiallynotfromthisaerialview,butCalebappearedtorecognizethearea,sincehe’dnavigatedtotheislandmorethanoncebefore.

“Rose,sinceyou’rewithus,ifweflyrightintothebarrier,willwegetthroughwithoutproblems?”

“Ithinkso,”Imuttered.“There’sonlyonewaytoknowforsure,Iguess.”“Soflyrightahead,dragon,”Calebsaid,hisgriptighteningaroundmywaist.

I

CH A P T E R 3 6 :R O S E

heldmybreathasthedragonspedupandbegandescending.Westilldidn’tknowifBrisalia’swordsaboutTheShadebeingtakenoverbyblackwitchesweretrue.Butaswiththestateoftheboundary,therewasonlyonewaytofindout.

Afewmomentslater,thesunvanished.Bellaremovedthewaistcoat,allowingusfullviewofthesurroundings.TheShade’ssurroundings.Iscannedtheshoreanxiously,strainingtoseeanythingthatmightgiveusaclueastotheisland’scurrentstate.Icouldspotnothingoutoftheordinaryyet.

WedirectedCharistowardThePort,andhisheavywingsbeataroundusashedescendedontothejetty.Assoonaswehittheground,Calebwhispered,“Climbontomyback.”

Iclungontohimandwejumpeddowntotheground.Bellafollowedsoonafter,almostlosingbalanceandtopplingbackwardintotheseabeforeregainingherbalance.

IwantednothingmorethantojustrunoffintotheforestwithCalebtohideandhopethedragonwoulddisappear.Unfortunately,thatwasn’tanoption.

Wewalkedroundthedragon’sbodyuntilwereachedhisheadandIlookedupathim.“Canyouwaithereforjusthalfanhour?Iwillbebackbythen.”

Charisglaredatme.Clearly,Iwasapproachingdangerousterritory.“I’llgiveyouaquarterofanhour.Ifyoudon’treturnbythen,Iwillburnthisplacedownlookingforyou.”

Ishuddered,thennodded.“Ofcourse.”IlookedatBellaandpointedtothebeachonourleftthatledtowardBrett’scave.“Bella,justgoforawalkinthatdirection.CalebandIhavesomebusinesstodo.”

Bellastilllookedbewilderedasshetookinthisstrangenewisland,butshenoddedabsentmindedlyandwentploddingoff.Charisdidn’tseemtohavemuchinterestintheogressafterI’drequestedher—hehadn’tspecifiedthatshewouldhavetoreturnwithus—andIwantedheroutofhisway.

IleaptontoCaleb’sbackagainandpointedtowardtheforest.“Runlikeyou’veneverrunbefore,Caleb,”Imurmured.Helurchedforward

atthespeedofthewind,sofastmyeyeswateredandIcouldbarelyseewhereweweregoing.“Okay,”Igasped.“Runlikeyou’remildlyhungry.”

Heletuphisspeed.MyheartwashammeringinmychestasIbeganyellingout,“Mom!Dad!Ben!”

Ishouteduntilmylungswerehoarse.Aswebegantoneartheresidences,Iwasmetwithasightthatmademypulserace.Itwasmyfather,standinginthemiddleoftheforestpathway,staringatuswithhismouthwideopen.

“Dad!”Iscreamed.IfeltCalebtensebeneathmeashelaideyesonhim.“Don’tworry,”Isaid,

grinningfromeartoearasmyfatherlurchedtowardus.“I’llmakemydadcool.”

Myfather’seyeswerewidewithshockaswecamewithinafewfeetofeachother—asmuchtoseemeastoseemewithCaleb.IleaptoffCaleb’sbackandhurledmyselfintomyfather’sstrongarms.

“Rose,”hechoked,stilllookingatmeasthoughImightbeanillusion.HeheldmeinabearhugasIwepttearsofjoyandreliefontohisshoulder.Ikissedhischeeksashecradledthebackofmyheadinhishand.

“Dad!Oh,God.Iwassoworriedaboutyou.”“Worriedaboutme?DoyouhaveanyideaoftheagonyyourmotherandI

havebeenin?”“Theblackwitchesdidn’tcomeforyou?”“No.Atleast,notyet.But…Whatthehellhappenedtoyou,mydarling?”“Ican’texplainnow.I—”

IstoppedshortasIcaughtsightofmymotherovermyfather’sshoulder.Shehadthesamestunnedlookonherface.

“Rose?”shecroaked.“Mom!”Myfatherletmedownasmymotherapproachedandthrewherselfatme.I

almosttrippedfromtheforceofherembrace.“Rose!Mybaby!”Shebegantosobhystericallyagainstmyshoulder.Myowntearsfellafreshasweshoweredeachother’sfaceswithkisses.Shecuppedmyfaceinherhands,thenranherfingersthroughmyhairasshelookedmeover,asiflookingforanypartofmethatmightbebrokenorinjured.“Whathappenedtoyou?”

Myparents’eyesfixedonCaleb.IsteppedawayfromthemandgrabbedCaleb’shandasIstoodnexttohim.“Mom,Dad…Everythingyouthoughtyouknewaboutthisman,youwere

wrongabout.Idon’thavetimetoexplaineverythingnow—itwouldtakehours—butyoujustneedtotrustmewhenIsayyoubothoweCalebyourverylives,aswellasmylife,severaltimesover.”TheybothbegantospeakatoncebutIcutthemoff.“Youneedtolistentome.Thisislandisinseriousdanger.I’vebroughthomeadragon.”

Thatstunnedthembothintosilence.“What?”myfatherspat.“AdragoniswaitingatthePort.Hethinksheownsme,andwon’tleave

withoutme.IfIwanttostayonthisisland,we’regoingtohavetokillhim.”“How—”mymomgasped.“Again,notime.Wehavelessthanfifteenminutesbeforethebeaststarts

goingonarampageandburnsthiswholeislanddown.IneedyoutotakemetoMona.”

Asilencefollowed.“Monaisn’there,”mydadsaid.“What?”CalebandIexclaimedatonce.“That’salsoalongstory,”mymomsaid,herfacegrowingpalerbythe

moment.“Butsheleft.”“Oh,Lord.”Iclutchedmyforehead.Thespellofnightwasstilluponthe

island,asIassumedwassomekindofprotectivespell.“Sotheotherwitchesarekeepingupsecurity?Westillhavethem,right?”

“Protectionofsorts,”myfathersaidgrimly.“NotnearlyasstrongasMona’s.Andwe’remissingPatricia,IbrahimandCorrine.Otherwise,theothersremainwithus.”

We’rewithoutallofourmostpowerfulwitches.AlthoughIwasburningtoknowwhathadhappenedtothosethreewitches

too,again,therewasnotime.Igulped.Myfathertooktheleadfromhere.“We’llgatherallthewitcheswehave,as

wellasallvampiresandwerewolvesbraveenoughtoattempttofightoffadragon,”hesaidashehelpedmeontohisback.

IcastmyeyesbackatCalebandbeckonedhimtofollowusasweallwentracingintothewoods.

“Doyouknowanythingaboutdragons?”Iaskedasweran.Mymothershookherhead.“Ididn’tevenknowtheyexisted,”shesaid.“I’veneverbeensureiftheywerefactormyth,”myfathersaid,hiseyes

focusedstraightaheadofus.“Caleb?”Ilookedovermyfather’sshouldertowardhim.“I’veneverencounteredonebeforefacetoface,”Calebsaid,lookingatme

seriously.“ButI’veheardathingortwoaboutthem.Theirhideisvirtuallyimpenetrableevenbyawitch’scurse.Theonlyvulnerablepartsoftheirbodyaretheirnostrilsandeyes.Buttheformerarehardtogetto—theirnostrilsclosewhenincombat.Really,theireyesarethewaytoinjurethem.Toendone,thepenetrationintotheeyesocketwouldhavetobeforcefulenoughtoentertheirbrain.”

Mymouthwentdry.Thedragons’eyesweretinycomparedtotherestoftheirbodies.Howdoesoneevenreachtheireyeballswithoutfirstbeingburnedalivebytheirfire?

“Sowe’llkeepinstructionssimple,”myfathergrunted.“Focusontheeyes.”Wepassedthenextfiveminuteshurtlingaroundtheislandandshoutingfor

asmanywitches,vampiresandwerewolveswhowerearound.Familiarfacesstaredatmeinasimilarfashionasmyparentshad,asthoughtheycouldn’t

believetheireyes,butthenreliefwashedoverthem.Aideninparticularinsistedonrunninguptomeandhuggingmebeforepassingmebacktomyfather.Bythetimetenminuteshadpassed,amongtheothervampireswe’dgatheredwereClaudia,Yuri,Zinnia,Gavin,Eli,Matteo,Helina,Landis,Ashley…Wealsohadadozenwitchesandagenerouscrowdofwerewolves—although,sinceitwasdaytimeoutsideTheShade,theyweren’tintheirwolfform.

IwonderedwhereKiev,XavierandViviennewere—whytheyweren’tamongthecrowd.Ialsowonderedhowmybrotherhadbeenkeepingallthistime,butIdidn’twanttodistractmyparentsatthismoment.Weallneededtofocusonthetaskathand.

Mostofourarmystillhadnoideawhyweweregatheringthem,untilmyfatherandmotherbeganshoutinginstructionsasweracedthroughthetrees.WemadeonelaststopbeforearrivingatthePort—TheShade’sarmory.Everyonegatheredweapons—mostlylongspearsandguns.MyforeheadwasdrippingsweatbythetimethelastofthecrowdgrabbedtheirweaponsandweheadedstraightforthePort.Iwassurethatwewerealreadypushingthetimelimit.

Adeafeningroarpiercingthroughtheairconfirmedthatforme.“Weneedtohurry!”Iurged,tuggingonmyfather’scloak.“Sofia,”myfathercalled,loweringmetothegroundasTheShade’swarriors

beganhurryingawaytowardthePort.“StayherewithRose.Wedon’twantheranywherenearthebeast.”

Mymothergrippedmyarmsasmyfatherranintothewoodsafterthearmy.Aspearinhishandandsomekindofsharphookrestingoverhisshoulder,

Calebcastonelast,lingeringglanceatme.“RememberwhatItoldyouearlier,”hesaidsoftlybeforeracingaftermyfather.

IchokedupasIstaredattwoofthemostimportantpeopleinmylife,disappearingintothedarkness.

Imotionedtorunafterthem,butmymomgrippedmymidriffandheldmeback.“Youheardwhatyourfathersaid,”shesaidsternly.

“Mom,”Isaid,clutchinghershoulders,“it’sallmyfaultthatthedragonishereandourpeopleareriskingtheirlivesforit.Iwanttoatleastbetheretowitnesswhathappens.”

Sheranapalmovermyforehead,thensighed.“Okay.We’llwatchfromadistance.”Herlackofresistanceshowedthatherstomachwasalsoinknotsaboutwhatwasabouttohappen.

Iclimbedontoherbackandsheranintotheforest.ShestoppedoncewereachedthebordersoftheclearingjustinfrontofthePortandweduckeddowninthebushes.Sheshudderedaswebothlaideyesonthedragon.

“Ifthatthingcomeswithinahundredfeetofus,”shemurmured,“I’mdraggingyouawayfromhere.”

“Okay…Charisishisname,bytheway.”Sheshotmeabemusedlookbeforefixinghereyesbackonthebeast.Ourarmyhadn’tenteredtheclearingyet,butInoticedtheirshadowsmoving

aroundinthebushessurroundingthePortastheyobservedCharis.Severalharrowingmomentspassedbeforemyfatherdartedoutfromthetrees,aspearinonehand,agunintheother,andtherestofthearmyfollowedcloselyafterhim.

Thedragonletoutadeafeningroar,andtheminutesthatfollowednextweresheerchaos.

Ablazeoffireshotfromhismouthandwouldhaveburnedthewarriorsleadingtheattacktoasheshadthewitchesnotmanifestedawallofwatertoextinguishit.Asthedragoncontinuedtospitfire,itsoonbecameclearthatthiswouldlikelybethemostusefulthingthewitchescoulddo—focusondispellingtheflameswhiletheothersattemptedtogetwithinshootingdistanceofhiseyes.

Bynow,Icouldbarelyseewhatwasgoingonwithallthesmokechokingthearea.

“They’vegottoendhimbeforehelaunchesintothesky,”Isaid,coughing.NosoonerhadIsaidthewordsthantherewasanotherroarandIcouldmake

outtheoutlineofCharis’swingsspreading.Withthreemightybeats,helaunchedintothesky.

“Giveupthegirlnow,”heboomeddownfromabove,“andImightstillspareyourisland.”

Mymombegantoclutchmesohardithurt.Webothstaredupattheskythroughthegapsinthetrees.Iwasexpectingto

bemetwithaterrifyingsight,butwhatIsawnearlygavemeaheartattack.

HangingbeneaththebellyofthedragonwasCaleb.HewasholdingontoahookwedgedintoCharis’hide,whichwassothickthedragonhadn’tevennoticed.

“Oh,my.”Mymothercoveredhermouthwithherhands.IwatchedinhorrorasCalebswunghimselfupthesideofthedragonand,

grippinghisscales,climbedupontohisback.Itwasn’tuntilCalebreachedthebackofhisneckandattemptedtospearthebeastintheeyethatCharisnoticed.IscreamedasCalebmissedhismarkbywhatlookedlikeafraction.Thedragonlurcheddownwardandjerkedaroundwildlyinthesky,tryingtoflingCalebfromhisback.

Caleb’sspearfelltotheground.Nowtheonlyweaponhehadagainstthemonsterwashisclaws.

Charistwistedhisheadbackoverhisshoulderandheavedablazeoffire.IfCalebhadn’tquicklyleaptontopofthecreature’shead,hewouldhavebeenscorched.ButasCharisbeganshakinghisheadviolently,itwasclearthatitwasonlyamatterofsecondsbeforeCaleblosthisgripandhurtleddowntotheground.

Takingadvantageofmymother’sshock,Iburstoutfromthebushesandbellowedupatthedragon.

“Hey,youbrute.Downhere!”Alleyesshottowardme.Myfatheryelledandmymotherscreamed.Yes,itwasastupid,recklessthingtodo—buttheydidn’trealizethatIwas

theonlythingthatwouldcallCharisbacktotheground,whichwaswhatweneededifweweretohaveanychanceofendingit.

AsCharisdovetowardme,adozenvampiresandwerewolveshurtledtowardhimatonce,theirweaponsraised.Stillperchedonthedragon’shead,Calebinchedclosertohiseyes.Nowthatthedragon’sentirefocuswasonme,heseemedtohavemomentarilyforgottenaboutthevampirehangingfromhishead.

Mymother’sarmsclosedaroundme,draggingmebackintothebushesasmyfatheryelled,“Caleb!”

HetossedanotherspeartowardCaleb,whichCalebcaughtatthelastmoment.Drivingthespeardownward,thistime,Calebhithismark.Thesharp

tippiercedthroughCharis’smalleye,causinghimtoletoutapiercingshriekashefellontohisbackandbeganwrithingontheground.

MyeyesshottowardCaleb,wholandedseveralfeetawayontheground.Asthearmyclosedinaroundthedragontoendhimonceandforall,Charis

spreadhiswingsandlaunchedintotheskyagain.Ihalfexpectedhimtolungetowardmydirectionagain,butinstead,hisflightunsteadyinthesky,heflewtowardthesea.

“No,”Calebshouted,runningafterit.Butitwastoolate.Thestaggeringdragonhadreachedthebeachandwas

fasttravelingtowardtheboundary.Weallstaredafterhimashewassoonjustaspeckinthesky.Hecouldhavebeenmistakenforalargebirdinthedistance.

Nowthatthedangerhadpassed,mymotherallowedmetorunoutfromthebushesagain.IleaptintoCaleb’sarms,wrappingmylegsaroundhiswaistandholdinghiminatightembrace.

“Youdidit!”Iwasexpectinghimtolookatleastsomewhattriumphant,butinsteadhewas

justscowling.“Ididn’t.Itgotaway.Ishouldhavekilledit,butclearlyIdidn’tapplyenoughpressure.”

“IdoubtChariswillcomebackwiththatinjury,”Isaid.“MaybenotCharis…butifhemakesitbacktohisrealm,thisislandcould

havejustmadeanotherwholehordeofunwantedenemies.”

A

CH A P T E R 3 7 :R O S E

lthoughCaleb’swordsworriedme,Iwastooexhaustedtothinkaboutthemmuch.Iwasjustrelievedtobebackhereontheislandwithhimandmyfamily.

AcrowdgatheredaroundCalebandme,myparentsattheforefront.IlookedmyfatherstraightintheeyeasCalebloweredmetotheground.

“Ithinkmyboyfriendhasearnedhisplaceonthisislandnow,wouldn’tyouagree?”

Iignoredthewaymyfather’seyeswidenedasIreferredtohimasmyboyfriend.IwastooproudofCalebtofeelshy.

MyfatherstilllookeduncertainasheeyedCaleb,butIwasrelievedwhenhesaid,“I’vebeenwrongaboutpeopleinthepast.Ilookforwardtoafullexplanation.”

IsqueezedCaleb’shandandwasabouttosuggestthatwereturntotheapartmentandgivehimjustthatwhenavoicecalledoutfrombehindus.

“Hey!Wecouldusesomehelp!”Thecrowdpartedaseveryoneturnedaroundtoseewhoitwas.StandingbythePortwasMona,anarmwrappedaroundKiev’swaist,with

Erikontheothersidesupportinghim.Twofigureslayontheground—CorrineandIbrahim—whileAbbywasstandingnearby,callingandwavingusover.Weallhurriedtowardthemandaswedrewnearer,IwasshockedtoseethatKievwasmissinganarm.

HelinareachedthemfirstandthrewherarmsaroundKiev’sneck.“What

happenedtoyou?”Helookedsosickandpale,asthoughhemightcollapseatanymoment.“CorrineandIbrahim…”mymothersaid,asshebentdowntotheir

unconsciousforms.“How?”Monashookherheadwearily.“Later.Mymanneedstoliedown.”“Yourhouseisawreck,”Helinasaid,stilllookingdistraughtatthestateof

herbrother.“Weshouldtakehimtooneofthesparemountaincabins.”Withoutanotherword,MonavanishedfromthespotwithKiev,Helinaand

Erik.MymotherpickedupCorrine,whilemyfatherliftedIbrahim,andthey

hurriedtowardthedirectionoftheSanctuary.CalebandIfollowedthem,alongwithAbbyandmostofthecrowd.

“Where’sPatricia?”myfatheraskedAbbyasweran.“Shedidn’tmakeit,”Abbycroaked.Amournfulsilencefellamongus—asilencethatlasteduntilwereachedthe

witches’temple.MyparentslaidCorrineandIbrahimdownintheirbed.IstillhadnoideawhereMona,Kievandtheothershadevengone,sotohearthatPatriciahadpassedawayleftmeshockedanddoublybewildered.

Ahandfulofwitchesgatheredaroundthebedandbegantreatingthecouple.Afterfiveminutes,theyturnedtoeveryonepresentintheroomandrequestedustoleaveandgivethemsomespace.

IloopedmyarmthroughCaleb’saswewalkedouttheroom,followingcloselybehindmyparents.

IsupposeditwasjustaswellMonahadarrivedwhenshehad.They’dobviouslybeenthroughthemill.IdoubtedtheywouldhaveappreciatedCharisasawelcome-homesurprise.

Myparentspulledusasideasweenteredthecourtyard.Myfather’sintenseblueeyestravelledfrommyfacetoCaleb’s.

“Let’sgohome,”hesaidsoftly.“I’dliketolearnmoreaboutyourboyfriend.”

I

CH A P T E R 3 8 :V I V I E NN E

stareddownatthetwoverticallines,barelydaringtobelievemyeyes.Iranoutofthebathroomandintothebedroomnextdoor.Xavierwasrelaxinginbed,leaningagainsttheheadboardandreadingabook.Helookedupatme.

“C-canyou…takealookatthis?”Heleaptfromthebedandclosedthedistancebetweenus.“That’s…twolines,right?”Istammered,handinghimtheteststick.Abroadsmilesplithisfaceandhiseyeslitup.“Yes,baby.Twolines.”“Ishoulddoanothertesttobesure,”Isaidquickly,afraidtoraisemyhopes

afterjustonetest.Heloweredtohiskneesbeforeme.Raisingmyblouse,hepressedhislips

againstmynavel.“You’vehadbadcrampsthelastfewdays,”hemurmured.“Yes,but—”“Yourperiodislate.”“Well,itcouldjustbe—”“Itcouldjustbethatyou’repregnant.”Hestoodup,ahugegrinstillonhis

faceashelookeddownatme.Iwasstillafraidtoaccepttheidea.Afraidofthedisappointmentthatwould

followifthesignsturnedouttobemisleading.Xavierwasalwaystheoptimistofthetwoofusthough.Icouldn’thaveexpectedhimtorespondanydifferently.

Hecaughtmyhandsandpulledmebackonthemattressontopofhim.He

cuppedmyfaceinhishandsandwhispered,“Godknows,we’vebeentryingenough.”Igiggledasheraisedabrow.

Irolledoffhimontomysideandleanedonmyelbow.Heranhisfingersthroughmyhair,brushingstrandsofitawayfrommyface.

“I’vegotmyhandsfullifwehaveagirl,”hemuttered.“Why?”Iasked,smiling.Hereachedformyhandandkissedthebackofit.“Ifshe’shalfasbeautiful

asyou,I’llbescaredtoletheroutofmysight.”MycheeksflushedasthoughXavierwasmyteenagecrush.“Andifit’saboy?”Ibegantomuse,narrowingmyeyesonmyhusband.“He’llreplaceBenNovakasTheShade’steenageheartthrob,”Xavier

finishedforme,throwingmeawink.Ilaughed,pokinghimintheshoulder.“Don’tletmybrotherhearyousay

that.”Therewasapauseaswebothgazedintoeachother’seyes.Despitemy

attemptstoquietmyhopes,Xavier’senthusiasmwascontagiousanditwasslowlyinfectingme.

“Ofcourse,”Isaid,“there’salwaysasmallchancewecouldbeblessedwithtwins,likeDerekandSofiawere…”

Heshiftedonthebedand,raisinghimselfonallfours,positionedhimselfoverme.Hedippeddownandkissedmylips.“Allthebetter,”hesaid.

AsIeasedintomyhusband’sembrace,myheadjerkedbackagainstthebedasthoughI’djustbeenelectrocuted.

I’dmanagedtopassourhoneymoonwithouteventheslightestofvisions,butnowonetookholdofme.Mybloodpoundedinmyearsasadisquietingsceneunfoldedbeforemymind’seye.

Adark,treelessterrainsprawledoutbeneathme.Thepaleraysofthemoonfelluponfieldafterfieldoffaded,moss-stainedtombstones.Everyfootofthelandscapeseemedtobecoveredwiththem.

WhenIglimpsedtheglisteningoceaninthedistance,Irealizedthiswasanisland.

ButitwasonlyonceIcaughtsightofafamiliarlighthouseperchedamonga

clusterofrocks,thatIrealizedthiswasTheShade.Onceourhome.Nowaseaofgraves.WhenIcametoandXavier,grippingmebytheshoulders,managedtopull

meupright,allIcoulddowasgasp:“IneedtowarnDerek.”

T

CH A P T E R 3 9 :B E N

obiasthecancerpatient’s“half-turning”appearedtobesuccessful,atleastfromwhatIcouldtell.Hisconvulsionsfinallystopped,asdidhisvomiting.Atfirst,whenIopenedhiscabindoortogoinandinspecthim,Ifearedhemightbedead.ButIfelthispulse—hewasalive,justunconscious.

Iwasstruckimmediatelybyhowcoldhefelt—almostascoldasme—andInoticedhewastremblingeversoslightly.Iwrappedablanketaroundhimbeforeleavingthecabinagain.PickinguptheblackphoneJeramiahhadgivenme,Idialedhisnumber.

Hepickedupaftersevenrings.“Joseph?”“Iappeartohavebeensuccessfulinhalf-turningaman.Idon’tnoticeany

clawsorfangs,yethe’sclearlystillalive.”“Ishisskincold?”“Yes.”“That’sagoodsign.Staywhereyouare.I’llbewithyouinfiveminutes.”Fiveminutes?“Wait,howdoyouevenknowwhere—?”JeramiahhungupbeforeIcouldcompletemyquestion.Islippedthephone

backintomypocket.Howcouldhegetheresoquickly?Couldhehavebeenstalkingmeallthistime?

Iclimbeduptothehatchandopenedit,pokingmyheadoutandscanningtheshore.Ididn’tnoticeanyone.Iremainedstandingforthenextfewminutes

andalmostjumpedoutofmyskinwhentherewasasuddenthuddingbeneathmeinthesubmarine.IfearedforamomentTobiashadcometoandwasattemptingtobreakoutofhiscabin.ButasIdescendedtheladder,myeyesfellonJeramiahstandinginthepassageway,hisarmaroundatallyoungwomanwithsleekblackhairandnarroweyes.

“Howdid—?”Jeramiahchuckledatmysurprise.“MeetAmaya,”hesaid,gesturingtoward

thewoman.“Oneofourwitches.”Shegavemeasmileandheldoutathinhandformetoshake.“Sowhereishe?”Jeramiahasked,hissharpblueeyessettlingonmeashe

tightenedhislonghairinabun.IgesturedtowardthecabinwhereIwaskeepingTobias.Jeramiahopenedthe

doorandsteppedinside.Iwalkedinafterhim,leavingAmayastandinginthecorridor.

Jeramiahranhishandsalongtheman’sarmsashelookedhimover.Thenhegrippedhisjawandexaminedhisface.Finallyheturnedbacktomeandnodded.

“Seemsyou’vedoneit.”HenoddedatAmayaandscoopedTobiasupinhisarms.“Let’sgo.”

Iwasn’tevengiventimetoaskwherewewereheadedbeforeAmayagrippedmyandTobias’arms,andmysurroundingsdisappeared.

Asablurofcolorsassaultedmyvision,Icouldn’thelpbutwonderifthiswasyetanothermistake.

IcouldbeheadedtomydeathforallIknew.AllIcoulddowashopethat,whereverthesestrangersweretakingme,it

wouldbeaplacewhereIcouldfindmyself…ratherthanlosemyselffurther.

ReadyforthenextpartofDerek,Sofiaandthetwins’story?AShadeofVampire14:ADawnofStrengthisavailablenowfrom

Amazon!:Clickheretograbyourcopy.

Here’sapreviewoftheawesomecover(youmayneedtoturntothenextpageforittobevisible):

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Seeyouthere…Love,BellaxP.S.JoinmyVIPemaillistandI’llsendyouapersonalreminderassoonasI

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A N I M P O R T A N T N O T E A B O U T K I E V N O V A L I C

earShaddict,Ifyou’recuriousaboutwhathappenedtoKievduringhistimeaway,howhe

metMona,andhowhecameuponAnna,Isuggestyoucheckouthiscompletedtrilogy:AShadeofKiev.

Kiev’sstorywillalsogiveyouadeeperunderstandingoftheShadebooksandthekindofthreatDerek,Sofiaandthetwinsarenowupagainst.

ThetrilogyisavailablefromAmazon.Clickheretograbthefirstbook!Here’sapreviewofthecover:

R E A D M O R E B Y B E L L A F O R R E S T !

A S H A D E O F V AM P I R E S E R I E S

AShadeofVampire(Book1)

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ACastleofSand(Book3)

AShadowofLight(Book4)

ABlazeofSun(Book5)

AGateofNight(Book6)

ABreakofDay(Book7)

AShadeofNovak(Book8)

ABondofBlood(Book9)

ASpellofTime(Book10)

AChaseofPrey(Book11)

AShadeofDoubt(Book12)

ATurnofTides(Book13)

ADawnofStrength(Book14)

ASHADEOFKIEVTRILOGY

AShadeofKiev1

AShadeofKiev2

AShadeofKiev3

BEAUTIFULMONSTERDUOLOGY

BeautifulMonster1

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Foranupdatedlistofmybooks,pleasevisitmywebsite:www.bellaforrest.net

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