Page 80

“I don’t have any to give you,” she spat.

“Are you saying you were not approached with the same information?” Theon demanded.

“Of course we were approached,” she retorted. “When we declined aid, they went to others in the clans and tried to convince them. Obviously they succeeded with some.”

“Who? Who went to them?” Theon said.

“I already told you I do not know. They wore dark robes with hoods and pearlescent masks.”

“How many were there?” Axel asked.

“When they stood in the same spot you stand now, there were nine.”

“And none of you offered aid?” Theon asked, glancing among the four clan leaders.

“Is that not what I said?” Bree sneered.

“You said it, yes,” Axel said. “But none of the others offered their answers.”

“You grow too clever, young heir,” Bree gritted out.

“Or you are simply not as cunning as you gain more years.”

“Speak wisely,” Bree warned softly.

Axel gave her a smirk that Theon had to commend. Turning to Cade, he said, “I can assume you said no, and that is why Jagger defected.”

Cade gave a sharp nod but didn’t speak.

Rayell spoke before Axel could question her, her green eyes twinkling. “They made a very convincing argument. I’ll admit I was nearly swayed.”

“What stopped you?” Theon asked.

“Nothing really,” she admitted. “I simply do not care if Devram survives or not.”

Theon blinked at the vampyre's frankness.

“Henry?” Axel said.

The young Night Child glared back at them. “I was outvoted, three-to-one.”

“Rayell said she didn’t vote.”

“Which also means she did not side with me.”

“And what was so convincing that you would side with complete strangers who have not proven themselves to you and your kind?” Axel asked.

“Everything,” Henry sneered. “Everything they claimed would come to pass has. One can only assume that trend will continue, and then you bring anAchazdescendant here.”

“There is no proof that is what she is,” Theon cut in.

“I do not care. We have been waiting to be free of these dark caverns, and still we sit in the dark.”

Axel clicked his tongue. “The sunlight weakens you anyway, Henry.”

“What else did they tell you?” Theon asked before Henry could reply to Axel’s taunt.

The vampyre stood, taking a single step towards them. “They said that if she is not killed, the Arius line would be wiped from this realm.”