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“Do you want us to load her into the truck?” Harlen asked.

I thought about it. “No.” I glared down at Teresa. “No, let her burn.”

The threat was now given as an order. Harlen looked over at me to make sure I meant it. I did. I nodded to Harlen, who took a step forward.

Teresa’s eyes widened, real panic flooding her features. “Zand, please—” she mumbled.

Harlen reached into his pocket and produced a silver lighter, the flame dancing in the pre-dawn breeze. From his other pocket came a small flask that he uncaps with his teeth before pouring its contents over Teresa’s immobilized form. The smell of accelerant filled the air.

“This is for Morgan.” Harlen said and looked over at Morgan. He handed the lighter over to his girl.

“Burn in hell, bitch.” Morgan cursed. She simply flicked the flame on and dropped the lighter on Teresa’s body.

The flames ignited instantly. The fire engulfed Teresa in a blue-white fire that reflected off the dark water of the lake. Her eyes remained open. She was aware as the fire consumed her. The paralytic serum prevented her from thrashing or screaming. The awareness in her gaze told us she felt everything as the flames slowly reduced her body to ash.

Morgan stepped back, watching with grim satisfaction.

Josh approached me. “Boss, we have the other three vamps secured in the trucks.”

“Good. Tell Marco to take them to the Crema. The police and fire department should be here soon.”

I watched Josh walk over to Marco and my remaining men to convey my message. My security staff piled into one of the trucks and peeled off the path that led to the main street.

Josh was back at my side. “Boss, Natasha reports that Lonzo escaped.” He informed me quietly. “He made it to the expressway and disappeared in traffic. They’re still searching, but...”

I nodded, understanding the implication. The city offered countless hiding places for a vampire, especially one with Teresa’s guidance still fresh in his mind. Lonzo is gone, at least for now.

I needed to head back to Chanel, who stood next to the SUV. As I approached, her eyes were transfixed on Teresa’s burning remains.

“Is it over?” She asked as I reached her side.

“Part of it.” I answered honestly, securing my gun in my holster. “Teresa is finished. But Lonzo escaped.”

Chanel stiffened. “He’s a vampire now.”

“Yes.” There’s no point in softening the truth. “A new one, poorly trained, but dangerous nonetheless.”

We stood together, watching as Teresa’s remains collapsed into embers and ash.

“We should go.” I murmured.

Chanel nodded, but made no move to leave. Her eyes were still fixed on the smoldering remains of Teresa. She was gone, reduced to ash that will soon scatter across the lake’s surface. But Lonzo lived or existed as a vamp. Now he carried all ofhis malice and vengeful nature with enhanced with vampire abilities.

“It’s not over.” I admitted.

I realized that my son was missing. “Josh, did Natasha mention Donté? Is he with her?”

“She didn’t mention him. I’ll send her a message.”

“Yes, do that.”

Where was Donté? Did Lonzo take him? Did Lonzo kill him? A slight panic set in. I was sure he was okay, or I hoped that he was. I wanted to call him, but I couldn’t. If Lonzo had him, that meant I couldn’t call and alert Lonzo that Donté had a cell phone on him. All I could do was wait as the fire burned down to nothing.

Behind us, Teresa’s ashes mingled with the stones and sand, her existence reduced to dust. Ahead of us was an uncertain future, with Lonzo’s escape casting a shadow over our victory.

But for now, I allowed myself to feel the weight of one enemy vanquished, one more threat neutralized. Teresa would never again threaten what’s mine. And when Lonzo made his next move, as he inevitably would, we would be ready.

The game had changed, but the stakes remained the same. Chanel’s safety, my kingdom, and our future together, had to be secured. And for those I loved, there was no price too high, no enemy I wouldn’t destroy.