Page 9 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood

“She needs more venom,” I finish the words she doesn’t want to say out loud.

“No.”

My head whips in Willow’s direction, but she stands straight with her hands on her hips.

“You heard what she said, vampire guards are crawling the streets, it’s too dangerous for you to go out there. To do…what you do.”

“I told you I’m careful.”

Willow laughs. “Yeah, that’s what you said when you convinced me and Tori to sneak out of the orphanage when we were kids. Cora still caught us, didn't she?”

I smile at the memory. Those were the days before feedings and vampires.

“That was one time, and admittedly, if Tori had played her part, we would have gotten away with it.”

“And yet we didn’t.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not some stupid kid anymore, I know what I’m doing.”

“Adina—”

“Please don’t ask me to promise not to go out there, Willow. I don’t want to have to lie to you.”

“Has it ever occurred to you that I don’t want you to die either?”

She kneads her lower lip with her teeth, and I can see the fear in her eyes. She’s right, she has just as much reason to fear for me as I do for her. But I can handle myself.

“You’re going no matter what I say, aren’t you?”

“Yes. How many days of respite do you have left?” I ask.

“Three.”

Damn.That means I only have seventy-two hours to get what we need.

I mask my worry with a smile.

“I promise I won’t go near any vampires unless I have to. I’ll go and see what stock Finn has left. I’ll be in and out before you know it.” A long moment passes before she nods, and a weight lifts off my shoulders. I am going no matter what, but it’s much better to do so without her trying to stop me.

I have no idea what’s wrong with Willow. She’s been sick since the day she was born, but before my mother died, she managed to tell Cora one thing—that vampire venom helps. I still wish I could ask how she knew that Willow would be sick or that sheneeded to pass that information on, but not even Cora has those answers. Either way, venom’s not a cure. It only slows down whatever this is, enough to give me the time to find one. And for as long as it works, I’ll risk anything—and anyone—to get it. Because I’ll be damned if the vampires ever discover she’s sick. The afflicted are never allowed to live, and I’ll burn this gods-forsaken realm to the ground before I let them throw her into the pit like the rest.

The door to the apothecary swings open, and I’m met with Finn’s scowl.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Hello to you too.”

I push past him as I enter the dark space and stand next to the burning candles lining the window frame, relishing in the little heat they give. Silently, I thank the Gods I had time to change out of that flimsy dress. Slipping past the bloodhouse guards is a lot easier in a tunic and pants. The dresses are beautiful, yes, but knowing the vampires only like us trussed up like a prettily packaged meal makes me want to burn every single one I’ve ever worn.

The floorboard creaks beneath Finn's feet as he steps closer, and instinctively, I reach for where my dagger is hidden beneath my belt. I relax when I find it still there. He slips the set of keyshe just used to lock us inside into the pocket of his brown apron and stares at me.

“It’s Sunday,” he says.

I shrug as I remove my cloak, shaking off the cold droplets of rain before flinging it in the direction of the wooden counter. I hold back a laugh when Finn rushes to catch it mid-air before hanging it on the tall cloak rack he has conveniently placed just behind the counter.

“I’m aware of what day it is.”

“Then why are you here? You know the deal, we only meet on our set days. No communication in between.” He uses a cloth to wipe away the water my cloak left behind on the counter and then the floor as though he cannot focus on the conversation until it’s done. Gods, he reminds me of Willow sometimes.