Page 13

The Crimson Veil feels like less bar and more powder keg waiting for a spark. Shadows stretch long across the room, where whispered deals and quiet murmurs twist together in an uneasy symphony. The air is dense, steeped in the tang of copper and faint traces of human desperation as they try to convince their partners to take them to the feeding club. The Crimson Veil is the step before Midnight Delight. It’s where most bring their partners prior to subjecting them to the feeding club—just to see if they can handle it.

The air in here is thick with tension as representatives of all three of our factions settle in—a volatile mix of allies and rivals. Viago, naturally, commands the head of the table, his posture lazy but his gaze sharp. His second-in-command, a gaunt man named Tobias who actually managed to make it to our first meeting, hovers behind him, his hands clasped like a mourner at a graveside.

Across from me, Dorian sits rigid, his jaw tight as he observes the Unbound representatives—Kristoff and Vada, both dressed in stark black, their expressions unreadable. This is a room built on frayed trust, every word a tightrope walk over treachery.

Viago wastes no time establishing himself. “Good evening, gentlemen, lady,” he begins, his voice smooth as silk. “Before we address tonight’s agenda, allow me to share some good news. The shipment of blood packs from the northern territories has arrived. Another temporary fix, yes, but one that should keep your people from tearing each other apart—at least for the next few weeks while you continue to build up your reserves.”

“You act as though you’ve done this out of charity,” Dorian mutters, his voice laced with skepticism. “You’ve merely delayed the problem, so we look at you as a savior.”

“Is that what you think?” Viago replies with a smirk, leaning forward. “I would remind you, Dorian, that without my intervention, your ‘neutral’ little corner of the world would be running dry. Midnight Alliance would be just as feral as the Unbound—no offense, you two,” he says as he motions toward Vada and Kristoff. “Or maybe slight offense.” He glances back to Dorian. “Perhaps a little gratitude is in order.”

“I think we should move on,” I cut in, weary of their sparring. “If this is about the Solstice Society, then get to the point.”

Viago asked we all meet tonight, the representatives from each faction, in order to speak on how to move forward with getting rid of the Solstice Society for good. It isn’t like we’ve never attempted to organize something before, but their dark magic is strong, and the factions have always been on the same page until now—why disrupt what isn’t killing us? Yet, that is. Though it seems we’re running out of time.

Viago’s smirk deepens, as though my impatience amuses him. “Ah, yes. Solstice. The thorn in all our sides. They’ve grown bolder, more dangerous. We can’t afford another year of sitting idly by while they tighten their hold and get closer to ending the curse that began it all—thus, my friends, ending us all.”

“Bolder because they’ve had the luxury of time,” says Vada, the female Unbound representative. Her voice is as sharp as her dark eyes. “Every year we hesitate, their fucked-up magic grows stronger. We should have destroyed them a decade ago.”

“And yet, here we are,” Kristoff interjects, his tone cold. “Do you have a better plan than waiting until they suffocate us entirely?”

Viago raises a hand, a thin smile tugging at his lips. “Patience, Kristoff. I do have the makings of a potential plan. A bold one, but it requires precision—and perhaps a little… creativity.”

“Creativity,” I echo, leaning back in my chair. “You mean desperation.”

Viago ignores me because I’m right. “An ambush,” he says, letting the word hang in the air. “A coordinated strike at their stronghold.”

Vada scoffs. “An ambush? As if they haven’t fortified their territory with every spell in their arsenal? We wouldn’t make it past the front gate.”

“She’s right,” I say, folding my arms and remembering all Henry Quill has told me. “The Society isn’t an ordinary enemy. Their defenses aren’t just physical. They’ve layered their stronghold with enchantments. Spells designed to repel, confuse, and incapacitate. Even if we managed to breach the perimeter, the cost would be catastrophic.”

“That’s why we need someone who can counter their magic,” Viago says, his gaze sliding to me like a blade. “Someone with...dare I say, unique abilities.”

My jaw tightens, knowing where this is going.

“Someone like Sylvie,” he continues, his tone almost casual.

“Absolutely not,” I snap, my voice cutting through the room like a whip. The others turn to me, but I don’t care. “Sylvie is not a weapon to be wielded.”

“She’s more than that, isn’t she?” Viago presses, leaning forward with the precision of a predator. “You’ve seen it. Her potential. Her power. If anyone could pierce their defenses, it’s her. You think I haven’t researched the girl?”

“She doesn’t fully know how to control it,” I argue. “She’s still incredibly new to all of this. And even if she were an expert, I wouldn’t allow her to be dragged into this.”

Vada’s gaze sharpens. “Allow? Is she a child in need of protection, or are you simply afraid she’ll realize she’s stronger than you?”

I fix her with a cold stare, but she doesn’t flinch. Dorian, to his credit, speaks up before I can respond. “Enough. This isn’t the time to argue about Sylvie’s capabilities—or Lucian’s motives. If we’re serious about this ambush, we need a strategy that doesn’t rely on untested power or a young girl who has enough on her plate.”

“And what would you suggest?” Tobias sneers. “Continue to cower in the shadows while Solstice grows stronger?”

Dorian’s calm breaks, his voice hardening. “I suggest we stop pretending this is as simple as ‘storming the gates.’ If it were, why didn’t we do it years ago? If we want to take them down, we need to dismantle them piece by piece. Target their allies, cut off their resources, weaken their magic. An ambush might feel satisfying to you, Viago, but it’s a fool’s errand if we don’t lay the groundwork first.”

For the first time, Viago’s smirk falters. “And how long would this ‘groundwork’ take? Months? Years? By then, we’ll be dead.”

“Then maybe we’re not ready,” I say, my voice low but firm. The room falls silent, every pair of eyes on me. “If we can’t guarantee victory, we’re walking into a massacre.”

“And if we do nothing, we’re already lifeless,” Viago snaps, his voice rising. “This isn’t a debate, Lucian. You’ll either stand with me, or you’ll stand in my way, and I think I’ve made your lingering debt abundantly clear.”

Before the meeting spirals further, Sylvie appears, and all eyes snap to her standing in the entryway. She steps into the room, her face set with determination, though the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes betrays her nerves.

“I was told you needed me, Lucian. Someone came to the apothecary. What’s going on?” she asks, her voice steady despite the tension crackling in the air.

I should’ve known Viago would do anything to get her here. To try and force her into something she doesn’t need to be part of.

Viago’s smirk returns, sharper now. “Perfect timing,” he says smoothly. “We were just discussing how you might help us, Sylvie.”

Before anyone else can speak, I step toward Sylvie and lower my voice. “Come here, love.”

I don’t miss the way Viago’s eyes light up when he hears my term of endearment.

Sylvie hesitates for a moment but then follows me to the edge of the room, away from the others’ prying eyes and ears. The tension between us is palpable, and I keep my voice low enough that only she can hear.

“Sylvie, you need to know what’s happening here,” I begin, my tone urgent. “Viago is trying to use you. He thinks your abilities are the key to taking down Solstice, and he’s not going to care what it costs you in the process.”

Her eyes narrow slightly, a flicker of defiance behind them. “And you don’t think I should be part of it?”

“I don’t,” I say bluntly. “You don’t understand how dangerous this is, or perhaps you do, but even so. They’re asking you to walk into the heart of the most fortified stronghold we’ve ever faced. Their magic is ancient, layered, and deadly. If something goes wrong?—”

She cuts me off. “Why do you always assume things will go wrong?” she asks. “I’ve been dragged into this world, Lucian. I’ve already lost so much. If I can do something to help, I want to. I need to. You can’t just decide for me.”

Her words hit harder than I’d like to admit, but I force myself to meet her gaze. “You’re right. I cannot decide for you. But I can make sure you understand what you’re stepping into. Viago doesn’t care about your well-being, Sylvie. To him, you’re a means to an end. If things go sideways, he won’t think twice about leaving you behind.”

“And you?” she asks, her voice softer now. “What about you, Lucian? Are you going to leave me behind if things go sideways?”

The question makes my chest tighten. “Never,” I say without hesitation. “If you choose to do this, I’ll be there. Every step of the way. Alongside you. But I need you to be certain you even want to hear what the factions have to say, Sylvie. This isn’t just about taking down Solstice. It’s about your life. Your future.”

Her shoulders square, and she nods. “I am certain. I need to hear what they have to say.”

For a moment, I search her face for any sign of doubt, but all I see is resolve. With a heavy sigh, I step back. “Fine. But that doesn’t mean you’re doing it.”

She nods again, and together, we rejoin the group as Viago gestures for Sylvie to join us fully.

“Let’s continue this discussion in private,” he suggests, his tone taking on an air of false camaraderie. “We have maps to review and plans to finalize.”

We move into a dimly lit backroom, where a massive table dominates the space. Its surface is covered with detailed maps of Blackthorn Woods and the surrounding area. Candles flicker along the edges, casting shifting shadows over the plans. The woods look as foreboding on paper as they feel in reality, a labyrinth of winding paths and cursed ground.

Viago spreads his hands over the maps with a flourish. “This is their stronghold,” he says, pointing to a dense area deep within the woods of Blackthorne. “The wards begin here and grow more complex the closer you get to the center. They’ve had decades to fortify their defenses.”

“Most of these wards are designed to mislead or confuse intruders,” Dorian adds, tracing a path with his finger. “But some are lethal. Traps, curses, enchantments designed to kill on sight."

“That’s where Sylvie comes in,” Viago says, looking at her pointedly. “You’ve already proven you can sense and disrupt their magic. With you leading us, we can navigate these defenses and reach the stronghold.”

Sylvie hesitates, her brow furrowing as she studies the maps. “I don’t know if I can handle all of this. What if I make a mistake?”

“Should you decide to do this, you won’t be alone,” I say firmly, stepping closer to her, not wanting her to be swayed either way but also needing her to know I’m here. “I will be with you every step of the way.”

“And once we’re inside?” Kristoff asks, his voice skeptical.

“The Mirror of Thorns is our target. Our goal,” Viago says, tapping a spot on the map at the heart of the stronghold. “It’s the source of their power. Destroy it, and their enchantments collapse. Their leaders will be vulnerable.”

“Honestly, I think it’s kind of shit that you’re making it seem so simple,” Vada says, crossing her arms. “They’ll be waiting for us. We aren’t going to just prance in there and grab the Mirror of Thorns. One of the oldest relics still in existence.” She scoffs.

Sylvie’s breath catches, and all eyes turn to her as she steps closer to the table, her gaze fixed on the marked location. "The Mirror of Thorns," she murmurs, almost to herself. Then louder, she adds, "That’s the relic I was told I need to find and capture—the one that could restore Lara’s humanity."

The room goes silent for a beat, the weight of her words sinking in. Viago’s smirk returns, this time tinged with intrigue. "Well, isn’t that convenient? Two birds, one stone. It seems fate’s taken quite an interest in you, Sylvie."

I feel my chest tighten at his words, and I step closer to Sylvie, my voice calm but firm. "This complicates things. If the Mirror is tied to both Solstice’s power and Lara’s humanity, destroying it might not be an option."

"Then we don’t destroy it," Sylvie says, her voice gaining strength. "We take it. We take it and use it for what it was meant to do and return it to the witches and restore my sister’s humanity. But… how does taking or destroying it weaken the Society? What happens after that?"

Viago’s smirk fades slightly, replaced with a calculating look. "The Mirror of Thorns is their tether to dark magic. It anchors their spells and amplifies their power. Without it, they lose their ability to maintain their wards, their enchantments, and their control over others. They’ll be exposed—vulnerable to an attack."

Dorian adds, "Think of it as cutting the strings on a puppet. Their magic is vast but unstable. The Mirror stabilizes it. Without that anchor, they’ll collapse under their own power."

"And that’s when we strike," Viago says. "With the Mirror in hand, we not only dismantle their defenses but ensure they can’t rebuild."

"But there’s another complication," I interject. "If the Mirror is to be used for Lara, there’s a ritual involved. One that likely requires witches."

Kristoff scoffs. "You want to bring witches into this? They’re as unpredictable as Solstice."

"Not all of them," Sylvie says firmly. "There are some I trust with my life. I will agree to help you because I need the relic anyway. I want them to be taken down. And as long as I have time to save Lara first, I’m in.”

Viago taps his fingers on the table, clearly considering. "Fine. Bring your witches, if you must. But if they even think about turning on us?—"

"They won’t," Sylvie cuts him off. "Because they want this as much as we do. Solstice stole that relic from them ages ago. It’s rightfully theirs. Plus, they know once Solstice accomplishes what they want with the vampires, they are moving on to the witches. They want them dismantled as well."

"Then it’s settled," I say, my voice firm. "The plan remains: breach their defenses, take the Mirror, and neutralize their leadership. The witches will handle the ritual after we secure the relic. Everyone knows their role."

The room falls silent as the enormity of the task sinks in. Finally, Sylvie nods. "If this goes wrong…" She looks at me, her voice faltering for the first time. "I’ll need you to trust me."

I meet her gaze, my voice steady. "You have my trust."

Viago claps his hands together, breaking the tension. "Then it’s settled. One week. What is the point in waiting if we know what we need, have the magic behind us, and can defeat Solstice? Your witches can help with their magic as well. We’re in as good of a spot as we can be. Vampires will work on making sure we go over the lay of the land. Sylvie, you work on your wards, the incantation, and whatever else it is you need prior to going. Your witches will know what we’re up against, and they’ll prepare as well.” He pauses before looking around at all of us. “Rest while you can—it may be the last chance you get."

As the group begins to disperse, I linger near the maps, my thoughts heavy. Sylvie stands beside me, her presence grounding despite the chaos ahead.

"This is incredibly dangerous," I say quietly. "You don’t have to do this."

Sylvie has been hard at work over the last few days since meeting with the Guild, practicing her incantation, meeting with Ravenna, Rebecca, and Nicole. Still, I can’t help but worry. I never want her in harm’s way—especially due to me.

She turns to me, her expression soft but resolute. “I have to. If this mirror really is the key to helping Lara and stopping Solstice, then there’s no question. I’ll see this through.”

Something in her voice makes my chest ache. It’s not just her determination, but the weight she carries, the sacrifices she’s willing to make. And I can’t let her bear it alone.

“Sylvie,” I say, stepping closer, my voice low, “I need you to understand something. Above all else, your safety matters to me. Not Viago’s plans. Not even this war. You.”

Her breath hitches, her lips parting slightly as she meets my gaze. For a moment, the world narrows to just us, the tension from the meeting and the looming battle forgotten. Slowly, I lift my hand to her cheek, my thumb brushing against her skin.

“Lucian,” she whispers, but whatever she was about to say is lost as I bend down, capturing her lips with mine. The kiss is soft at first, an unspoken promise, but it deepens as she leans into me, her hands clutching at my shirt. It’s not just passion—it’s everything I’ve held back, all the words I haven’t said.

When we finally pull apart, her forehead rests against mine, her breathing unsteady. “You always act like you have to carry everything alone,” I tell her. “But you don’t. Let me be there for you, too. We’ll end them and we’ll get your sister’s humanity back. And then the two of us can finally be what we’re meant to be for each other.”

“Promise?” she asks, looking up at me with so much hope in her eyes it makes me want to whisk her away and never allow her to leave my side again. To protect her at all costs. And I will.

“Promise.”