Page 32 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood

“Thank you.” My words are a whisper amongst the fading crowd.

She simply nods.

“I’ll catch up with you soon, ok?”

“Ok.”

“What do you mean she said no?” The question has way more venom than I intended, but Tori’s revelation is like a knife to the chest. If Amabel won’t let me take Tori’s donor spot, then I’m screwed, and so is Willow. It would be different if Tori had said no, but now that I know she wants to do this, I’m not going to allow Amabel to take away my final bit of hope.

“She said something aboutprotocoland that once the prince’s team has received the name of his donor, it cannot be changed.”

I find myself pacing back and forth as Tori’s eyes track my every move.

“That’s bullshit, and she knows it. I’ve seen her swap donors at the last minute several times for stupid reasons.”

Tori sits on my bed.

“I know. It almost felt like she said no on purpose. It was like she was trying to spite me.”

“Not you.Me.”

“But wh—” she cuts herself off as a knowing look fills her face. “Jace. This is because you tried to help him.”

“She’s teaching me a lesson.”

“Maybe Cora can talk to her. She might know the right thing to say.”

“No, I don’t want her involved in this.” After Tori and I came back from the bloodring, I told her everything about how I first heard Athriel’s voice, how Cora covered for me, and how she and my mother were best friends. “She’s already helped enough.”

She nods in agreement.

“I could pretend to be sick on the night, then she’d have to choose someone else.”

I move to the small dresser, fiddling with the items scattered across its surface. Willow used to tidy it whenever she came in.She said the mess stressed her out. I smile at the memory before reality wipes it away.

“No. Vampires become too suspicious when a human is sick, and I’m not letting you risk being executed. Besides, she would only choose someone else.”

I’m pretty sure Amabel has always hated me. Since the day I arrived from the orphanage, she has treated me differently from the others. My blood is by far the most potent, yet she offers opportunities that should be mine to the other girls. It’s as though she’s punishing me for something I don’t quite understand. It’s like punishments and threats are the only language she speaks.

Threats.The word rings inside my mind like a morning temple bell.

No,Athriel says.

It’s the best idea I have.

It’s the kind of idea that will get you killed,he warns.

I don’t have a choice. If I’m ever going to see Willow again, I have to kill the prince, and to do that, I need to be his donor.

If your thoughts are correct, then he is a lethal opponent. One you are not ready for.

I’m lethal,I say.

No, you’re arrogant and foolish.

I’m not asking for your permission, Athriel.

“I need to go,” I tell Tori. She stands abruptly, her eyes pinning me suspiciously.