Page 151 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood

“You.”

“No.” Kaia’s voice echoes through the space, and he snaps his head in her direction, the amusement still alive and well in his expression.

“Hello, little warrior. It’s so nice to see you again. I truly miss your skill on the battlefield, shame that I cannot keep you for myself.”

“You weren’t there.” But I hear the doubt in her voice, the confusion over his confession of being present for the last war.

“Was I not?” He simply smiles. “You fought valiantly, I must admit. Many of my kin were slaughtered by your hands. The massacre at the Crimson House was a marvel to behold. Such a shame we could not keep you.”

“That’s not possible…nobody knows about that…”

“And yet, I do.” His voice snakes through the space, slithering like a parasite desperate to claw its way inside.

“It’s some kind of trick. Don’t fall for it.”

She shakes her head.

“It’s not a trick. There’s no way he could know.”

“Don’t be ashamed, my beautiful warrior. You did what any great soldier would do. Even when you slaughtered thosepoorchildren.”

I turn my eyes to her, and the truth lies there. He’s telling the truth. She growls at him and launches herself toward him, but I grab her around the waist, holding her back.

“He’s goading you.”

But it’s like her mind is elsewhere. His words are like a knife to her chest. I pull her back beside me, thankful for Karius’s strength, knowing that she could overpower me if she had possession of her own. I’m surprised to find a tear falling down her cheek as her eyes home in on no one but Julian.

“If I come with you, will you leave them all alone?”

He nods. “You have my word.”

“No, Adina, you can’t trust him. He’s a monster,” Willow begs from her place on the ground. That’s the reason I have to come, because I will be damned if I’m going to leave her alone with him. He squeezes tighter around her throat, and her eyes bulge as a spluttering sound escapes her throat.

“Stop it. I will come. I will come with you, just let her go.”

I see the moment that he loosens his grip as she gasps for air and begins coughing. Seeing her in pain sends a feeling of terror through me. I need to get her away from him. The other figures haven’t moved this entire time, remaining like obedient statues until their master commands them otherwise. They are like puppets.

“Wait for the others,” Kaia whispers.

“There’s no time.”

My eyes burn with unshed tears as I look down at Willow.

“If I come with you, will you release her and let her go with them?”

He thinks on my words for a moment before nodding.

“I can do that.”

Willow looks at me like I’ve lost my mind, but I know what she doesn’t. Soon, my connection to Karius will be restored, and when it is, I’ll be able to fight these monsters, and I want her far away from here when I do. I shift my attention to Kaia, who still seems lost in the memories that Julian conjured up, the pain etched onto every line in her face. I have no idea what she went through, but I slip my hand in hers and squeeze.

“Look after my sister,” I tell her.

I step forward, Julian’s grin widening as though he’s just claimed the greatest prize in the realm. I ignore the churning in my gut, knowing that if I leave—if I go with him—it will likely start a war, and the blame will be mine. But my eyes slip down to Willow again, and I remind myself that everything has been for her. Every choice, every bad decision has been to protect her. I may not have trusted the vampires in the beginning, but I know without a doubt that they will protect her while I fight to make my way back to her.

I keep moving and try to ignore the weight of Julian’s stare on me. Deep inside my gut, I feel the silent churn of Athriel going wild, but I cannot hear him. I can barely even feel him anymore. I know that he would be demanding that I fight, that I kill everyone here, but the truth is, I don’t think I can. And sometimes the best way to fight is to submit.

My step pauses as a deep rumble shakes the ground beneath us. A strong wind fills the area, almost blowing me back to where I was standing beside Kaia. Then, a dark circular mass forms right in the middle of where the impures are all standing, and for the first time, they all move, hurriedly clearing the area as thick black clouds spill from its edges. A sharp double-sided blade cuts through the shadows before flying through the air like a boomerang, the sharp whip of the wind following its path. It happens so fast that I’m not even sure what is happening untilfour of the impures become unsteady on their legs and their heads slide from their shoulders and fall with a thud to the ground. Their lifeless bodies hit the ground moments later, and from the darkness Ivana emerges, a fierce scowl carved into her face. She raises her hand, catching the shadow weapon with ease as her gaze sweeps outward.