Page 24

D’vid nodded and disappeared. Inka’s cries drifted back to me on the wind and hardened my heart against these people. I turned to her parents and held their gaze.

“Inka and Jacques are dead to you. Vam’pir, you call us in hatred and fear. Fine, that name we’ll take as ours. Yet you openly embrace the man who knowingly murdered your daughter. How dare you entertain the monster who killed your so-called beloved child?

“Claudias, even now, in front of you, gloats over the pain he causes, and you disregard him. Well, Vam’pirs will have our revenge.”

I pointed at Claudias, who faltered slightly.

Inka’s parents spun on him in anger.

“Oh yes, Claudias knew the serum would kill us alongside Maurick and kept that quiet. Just so he could kill D’vid. Such is Claudias’s hate for D’vid,” I explained as Inka’s parents paled further.

Claudias and his family began moving away as Inka’s parents stared at them. Ah, Claudias, you hadn’t told them that bit, had you?

“Stay away from my son. Mihal is in custody of my parents during the time we cannot be there. Leave Mihal with loving grandparents because you are not capable of love. Keep your distance from my family.”

“Damn you, you can’t take my grandson!” Inka’s father exclaimed, stepping forward belligerently.

I turned on him and narrowed my eyes. Never had they seen me lose my temper, and now I did. “If you go anywhere near Mihal, I will rip your heart out and eat it. You may have tried todestroy my wife, but you’ll not get your filthy hands on my son. Talk one word to Mihal, and I’ll kill you.

“I’m sure that dear murdering bastard Claudias has told you exactly what we are. You would rather embrace the company of a man who murdered one hundred people so he could murder his sibling. Mihal will have no part of your fucked up thinking. I swear,I will end your life.Is that clear? Stay away.”

Inka’s mother gasped as she took in Claudias and his smug look. Realisation crossed her face, but it was too late. Everyone blanched and stepped back.

Claudias studied me.

“You ever come near me, and I’ll have you for breakfast, or should I say dinner?” I smiled coldly before turning and leaving them in that room.

By my reckoning, we still had two hours before dawn. I rushed to the Centre to find the entire group there. Inka had huddled into a little ball and was ignoring all efforts to comfort her. My heart broke to see her thus, and I swore never to let Inka suffer like this again. My friends had surrounded Inka, so no one could get close.

I smiled grimly at the loyalty we still showed each other. The others watched, but none were willing to approach Inka and her protectors.

“What happened?” Ami questioned curiously, biting a red painted nail.

I looked at my group and saw Kait nod.

D’vid had told them.

“Are we all here?” I asked, slightly raising my voice.

“All except Julius and Eduardo,” Curtan answered.

“Well, we’ll have to take the vote without them,” I replied.

“What?” Ricardus sought, coming forward.

“Listen. I suppose you returned home to your families. How many didn’t get favourable receptions?”

A few of them nodded, while others looked interested.

“Go on,” Li’zel urged.

“Inka didn’t either. In fact, her parents were damn cruel.” I paused and took a breath. “My father has come up with an idea that would benefit everyone. Inka and I were building a home when all this happened. Father has suggested we finish it and enlarge it with a deep underground cellar for everybody to sleep in.

“We’ll build rooms to use as workrooms or studies. We can all live together, and this way, we’ll be safe from people who wish us harm. Believe me, they are out there and will grow.

“We can still live a fairly normal life and still trade and support ourselves. We won’t have to be dependent on anyone. There’ll be no prying eyes watching. If you decide that this is actionable, I want to make one thing clear. Touch my family, and you’re dead. I will stake you out myself, and trust me, I’ll do it. I’m sure Marel could stock a fridge up in the house with blood. When we rise, the bloodlust will be taken care of.”

There were nods of agreement.