Page 36 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood

“Are you talking about a smuggler?” I whisper. Cora nods, and I inhale. This is insane. I might be crazy enough to kill vampires, but I make sure they’re only sired ones—nobody the nobles would miss. Smugglers, however, steal humans from the vampires and illegally move them across the border into the human settlement, a crime punishable by death. Vampire law forbids interference once a human has crossed, supposedly to prevent another war. Still, smugglers and the people they help are hunted every day; when they’re caught, they never live to tell the tale.

“How the hell do you know a smuggler?” I ask.

Cora kneads her bottom lip with her teeth as her eyes land on the door briefly before returning to me. “That doesn’t matter. What does is that I do.”

My eyes flick to Tori, and I find that the surprise that should be on her face isn’t there.

“You two already discussed this.” It’s not a question.

Cora dips her head, but Tori meets my gaze head-on.

“I told you already, Amabel made it clear that the donor spot wasn’t going to change. Cora warned me this might happen, so we prepared a plan B,” she says.

I look at Cora and find an apology in her eyes.

“So, you what? Came up with a plan that is guaranteed to get you killed.”

“People cross the border all the time.”

I laugh at her naivety.

“Yes, and many get caught and killed, not to mention that the patrols have doubled.” I turn my attention to Cora. “Why would you put this idea in her head?”

“She didn’t put anything in my head. You know, you have a real nerve getting mad at us when all you do is risk your life for everyone else. Do you think that you’re the only one who cares? We all fight for the ones we love.”

“You’ve seen what I can do. It’s safer for me.”

“No, it’s not. This world is crawling with dangers for all of us, but if I’m going to risk my life, then I’ll do it on my own terms. You don’t get to make decisions for everyone, Adina.”

I clench my jaw at her words.

“This isn’t some game, Tori. This is real life.”

“And what part of this life is a game? The only thing I have ever looked forward to in this wretched life is my freedom, and this might be the quickest way to get it.”

I close my eyes for a second before meeting her gaze again.

“It’s dangerous, Tori. You’re my best friend and—”

“I know.” She steps forward until she is standing right in front of me, taking my hands in hers. “I know you’re worried. It’s what I love about you. You care so deeply for people that you will do anything to protect them. It’s why you tried to save that stupid newblood the other day.”

We both laugh at her words, but they’re shrouded in emotion. Tears prick my eyes, and for once, I don’t hold them back.

“I know you’re scared, Adina. Gods, I’m terrified, but this might be the only way to save Willow.” She pauses as though trying to catch her breath. “I will never forgive myself if anything happens to her because I was too scared to face my fears. So please just trust me because we’ve got a far better chance of surviving this if we do it together.”

She’s right,Athriel says.

You don’t even like her.

I feel his smile.You don’t have to like a person to know when they are speaking the truth. If you are to save your sister, then you will need all the help you can get. I am always confident in a fight, but Julian is an opponent I have never crossed. We need to proceed with caution where he is concerned.

You’re right.

Aren’t I always?

Gods, you always ruin a perfectly good moment, don’t you?

Some would call it a skill.