Page 55

“What’s the situation?”

He ran his fingers through his hair.

“There are complaints of vampire attacks on humans all over the area. Outside the Capital and inside.”

“In the Capital?” That had not happened for many years.

He nodded. “Some of it is malicious gossip, but I have asked for reports and it does check out. The humans are concerned. Understandably.”

“Turning against us?”

He nodded. “I think they may want us to leave the Capital. Go into some kind of coalition government with the shifters.”

I shook my head. “No, we can’t leave the Capital! We have been here for centuries! It is our home as much as theirs!”

“If the shifters and the humans combine forces we will have an escalation of the war to such an extent that we risk destroying everything,” Harris said. “Vlas won’t have it. He’s said to make peace at all costs. Reduce tension with the humans. Protect our blood stores.”

“How is he?”

Harris pointed to the door. “See for yourself?”

We went up the staircase to the private residence. I noted the upped security everywhere. Guards at every corner, glaring at me. They loved their king, I remembered that, Vlas was popular throughout the empire.

But when I entered the royal bedchamber, it was clear that he did not have long to go.

As we came in, Taheera and some others left, keeping their heads turned away, their voices low.

His eyes were closed, his skin even paler than usual.

“Your highness?”

His eyelids fluttered. “Ah, Luc. You’re here. Good.” The effort to speak seemed to cost him a great deal. “I don’t have long. We must talk… succession.” I glanced at Harris who gave a small nod of the head. “My son, Vermont. What do you think?”

Vermont was Vlas’s biological child with a human mother. He had turned in puberty, on his own wishes, joining the royal army. He’d been posted in the North. I didn’t know much about him but I’d heard that he got on well with humans and had a good reputation with them.

“Or… you?”

I thought I hadn’t heard him properly.

“Me? No!”

I glanced at Harris who looked away. Had he known about this?

“After this war, I’m leaving the capital,” I said. It was a thought that had been brewing in my head over the last few days. I didn’t want to be a part of all of this anymore. I wanted to go back to my land. I wanted to take Ruby there.

Vlas nodded.

Harris said, “So, then Vermont?”

Vlas muttered, “War… must… stop.” He said, each word costing him so much energy.

I knew that a dying king would weaken our cause and could turn the vampire houses against us. They believed in strength over everything.

Vlas grabbed my hand. “You… good friend.”

I felt something like sadness at seeing him fade like this.

Harris and I made our way back down in silence.