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“You might be wondering why such a crowd is here,” Hadrian said as he made his way over to the tank. “These are brothers and sisters who have expressed doubts about the vampire cause. Keep in mind that they haven’t deserted. You are about to become their greatest teacher.”

The door shut behind us, a steel bar falling into place, locking us inside. I was glad Rory wouldn’t be able to watch from the doorway. Whatever I was about to endure, I didn’t want that asshole to have the chance to gloat later.

I looked the tank up and down. “Acid? Chemicals?”

Hadrian furrowed his brows. “No, nothing that intense.”

He tapped a screen that was embedded in the wall, engaging a pulley system that lowered a large, round slab of metal I’d originally mistaken for part of the ceiling.

“I’m assuming that’s copper?”

Hadrian rolled his eyes. “We’re not monsters, Julian.”

I beg to differ.

Another few taps on the panel by the door caused the far wall directly behind the tank to pull out into two staircases that surrounded the tank.

I looked at Hadrian in confusion.

“Come,” Hadrian said, walking to the left staircase and gesturing for me to go up the right one.

I did as he instructed.

The top of the stairs joined together, creating a landing. From this high up, I could see the other side of the flat sheet of metal. Just as Hadrian had said, it wasn’t copper, but a solid steel, which seemed to be a common theme in the fortress. I had never noticed that detail before.

There were no chains, no locking mechanisms. Just a big, round piece of metal.

It was a lid.

Understanding dawned on me like the sun I’d witnessed climbing over the mountains that morning.

“Drowning,” I mumbled through a tight throat.

Hadrian nodded. “Very astute, old friend.”

I considered this. In all my years, I’d never experienced drowning before. A vampire couldn’t actually die from prolonged submersion, but his body still required air. Such an experience would not be pleasant.

“This is Julian Asher,” Hadrian called out, addressing the group of vampires in the room. “He was born in the lateeighteen hundreds and was turned close to the turn of the century. Seven years ago, he deliberately deserted Heritage Prep and the vampire cause, outcasting himself into isolation.”

Murmurs rose among the observers, causing Hadrian to raise his hand. They quieted down instantly.

I swept my eyes over them, realizing these vampires held a spark of rebellion that was about to be put out.And right now, if they would stand together, their strength in numbers would be too much for Hadrian. We could kill him. He’s locked any help out.

The thought was pointless. These vampires were still at the school, which meant they still had loyalties—however weak—to Hadrian. But maybe, given time, I could plant enough seeds to form a rebellion. A group of vampires who were willing to stand up against Hadrian. I committed their faces to memory.

Hadrian continued. “Last night, Julian returned asking for pardon and desiring to re-enter our family. After some discussion, it was agreed that he would be allowed readmission to our cause and forgiven of his desertion after an appropriate punishment had been doled out. Only then will the slate be wiped clean. May this be a lesson for those among you who have concerns about what we are trying to build in this world and how trying togo it alonedoes not work.”

The room went quiet as all eyes stared at me.

“How long?” I asked, the sudden dryness of my throat an irony that wasn’t lost on me.

Hadrian pointed back down to the touchscreen by the door. “After your punishment begins, your countdown timer will appear there.”

I nodded.

Great.

“In you go,” Hadrian said, placing a cold hand on my shoulder.