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“I’m at the table with the person you sent to collect us and Mads.”

“Rylee wants to speak to you, but she said it’s super important that only you can hear. Do you have a minute?”

I look up, aware that they can hear what Finn is saying without me saying anything more. “I’ll be right back,” I tell them before I head out to the main area. At least now I can walk around without looking at everyone like I might eat them. “I’m alone now. What’s going on?”

“Just… wanted to ask what Mads might have said about some of the UK vampires who’ve come from the council.

There’s a vampire named Vivian who has just arrived.

Another UK council member called Arrington has informed us that she is the one who gave approval to get him changed into a vampire.

It seems… odd. According to the other members, there was no discussion, she pushed his change through without any other permission. ”

“That you know of,” I say. “There are more members on the council than you’re aware of, Finn.

Abel was the creator of the council, and he did so to take control of the vampires.

From the outside, it appears that Abel is no longer part of the council.

He was supposedly removed a hundred years ago by council vote after he started purging vampires. ”

Marcus speaks up. “How would we not know any of this?”

“Why the hell would the council ever let anyone know that they were the reason that many vampires died?” I ask.

“So Abel created the council?” Marcus asks.

“Yes, to gain control and put himself at the head of the vampires. I don’t know Watson’s position. I’d met him many times when I was young, but he never took a head position.”

“You said you were involved?”

“Involved, yes. Willingly? No. Abel was forcing me to do… things for him. Anyway, after Abel was driven out, I’m confident that he left many of his people spread throughout the council.

Addison was likely one of them. This Vivian could be as well, but I don’t recognize the name.

Can you send me a picture of her? Try to make it one where she’s not the central focus so Mads doesn’t see if I have to open it near him. ”

“Sure, I’ll try to find a discreet one. Do you think Mads is working with Abel?”

“With him? No. Abel was prepared to torture Mads to get what he wanted.”

“You’re sure it wasn’t all a farce to get you to trust him?” Marcus asks.

I don’t know why it irritates me that he’s acting like Mads is the bad guy here when I also didn’t trust Mads at the beginning. “Mads isn’t involved with Abel. I believe he’s just getting caught up in shit he should never have been involved in.”

“But that still doesn’t explain why he’s so important to Abel that he risked the life of many of his own people to get him,” Marcus says. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“The plane will be leaving shortly. Hopefully you can send the picture before we take off. Is there anything else?”

“Ender, I’m aware you need help with this,” Finn says.

“But many of the members of the VRC aren’t overly fond of you and neither is the council.

Everywhere you go, you’ve made enemies. Just…

be careful what you say or do; we can only protect you so much.

It’s hard to forgive what you did to Claude, but I’m also aware you saved my life. ”

“For his own gain,” Marcus grumbles.

“I understand that. But we all really love Rylee, and she seems to think you’re a damn good guy, Ender. Don’t make her out to be a liar.”

“I’ll never claim to be a good guy. But I will do whatever it takes to keep Rylee happy.”

“If you touch Finn or Claude or any of my people again, I will tear your head off your body and then rip you apart piece by piece. Do you understand? I will tear your skin apart. I will?—”

“Hon, I think he gets it. Do you get it, Ender?”

“No, I’m sorry, I got a bit confused there. Why would you remove my head before my limbs? Wouldn’t you want to torture me first? I mean, what fun is ripping skin off a dead body? At that point you seem less heroic and more like a serial killer.”

“The second you’re out of that plane, I’m throwing you so fucking hard back into it,” Marcus snarls.

“You two! Let’s be civil. We can do it! Yay!”

“Fuck you, Ender,” Marcus snaps before ending the call.

I feel like that call went quite well, so I slip my phone in my pocket and head over to find that Katherine is all alone. The last thing I want to do is sit at the table and stare at her, but she notices me and it’s too late to turn the other way.

“Where’s Mads?”

“Right here, right here,” Mads says as he hurries up behind me. “Don’t fret, I didn’t go too far. I just wanted to wash my fingers. I got a little messy.”

“Doing what?” I ask.

Mads just smiles at me as I suspiciously stare at him. “Let’s go to the terminal, eh? I grabbed a book as well. One for you too, if you want it. It’s one of my favorites. I’m sure you’ll love it.”

Katherine follows us to the terminal even though I really wish she wouldn’t, and when we sit down, she chooses the seat next to Mads. I try to choose a seat with a different family, but Mads pulls me down next to him.

“How long are you staying in the States?” Katherine asks Mads.

“I don’t know. As long as I need to, I suppose. What do you think?” he asks as he leans into me. “How long do you want me to stay?”

He sets his hand on my thigh, and I glance down at it. I’m not sure if this is more flirtation or if this is him trying to get her off the idea that he’s up for grabs.

“For the rest of my life,” I say, quite dryly.

Mads laughs and grabs my head before kissing the side of my forehead.

And when they begin loading the plane, he thanks Katherine and hurries me onto the plane with a hand on my back.

“She can’t see us anymore, you can stop being so touchy-feely,” I tell him.

“Well, that’s no fun,” he says, but I notice his hand doesn’t stray and I find myself leaving it there.

We get on the plane, and he waves me toward the window seat.

I’m definitely not going to complain because I’d prefer not to be stuffed next to a stranger.

Mads sits down and hands me a book he insists I’ll love before he opens the book he’d bought for himself.

He gets one page down before he slowly leans toward me.

I glance at him as he tries to pretend he’s asleep when he sets his head on my shoulder.

I stare at him for a moment as I debate what to do with this. But apparently, I take too long to decide because he’s already fast asleep.