Page 37 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood

I internally scoff. I turn my attention back to Tori.

“Wow, you were just talking to Athie, weren’t you?” Tori says.

What did that insolent child just call me?

Laughter bursts from me.

“I don’t think he likes your nickname,” I say.

She smiles. “Sorry, Athie.”

He growls, and I laugh. It’s nice not having to hide things from her anymore.

“Look, what you were saying was right, but disappearing won’t convince Amabel you’re dead. She’s smarter than that.”

“I can handle that,” Cora says. “There’s enough dead purebloods being readied for the burning pits that will look the part.”

My stomach twists at the thought of the humans slaughtered by vampires too arrogant to care about our lives the way they care for their own. We mean nothing to them. Tori is right, this could be her only shot at freedom, and if we can save Willow in the process, then perhaps this is the right thing to do.

I turn my attention to Cora.

“What’s the plan?”

Her eyes brighten at my words, but then she steps forward and is all business.

“A wagon does a drop to the settlement once a month. My contact receives information on where and when this happens and lets me know.”

My brows raise.

“Lets you know? As in, you do this regularly?”

She tilts her head to the side. “What else would I do with all this freedom I have as a newblood? Amabel may think I stayed behind for her, but I work for the network.”

Tori’s eyes widen.

“What’s the network?” she asks Cora.

“Nothing for you to worry about. All you need to know is that we get one chance to do this. If we miss it, then the wagon will leave without you.”

“I won’t miss it,” Tori says, and there’s a fiery determination behind her words.

“So, when’s the next run?” I ask.

They both exchange a look, and something about it makes me nervous. After a couple of seconds of silence, Cora finally speaks.

“Tomorrow.”

“You can’t be serious?” Tori’s eyes widen in horror as she looks from the ledge to me. She scrambles backwards across the flat surface, her shoes scuffling against the rough stone. It’s been at least five minutes since we snuck out to the rooftop of the bloodhouse, and we have been standing here ever since.

I may have found the entire thing amusing if we weren’t on a time limit.

I take it back about her growing on me. She’s an impotent fool. Why don’t you just push her over the edge so we can be on our way?

You know, sometimes you should just keep things to yourself.

That is physically impossible, I’m afraid. When I think, it is literally projected into your little brain.

Well, I didn’t ask for magic that has a mind of its own, did I?