Page 98 of The Book of Blood and Roses

“So…” She ignores my interruption, walking towards me. Her chestnut hair sways, waves like silk. “Leave Callisto.”

I stare at her. For a moment, I focus on the itch in my neck. It’s the only thing that can keep me from laughing at what she just said. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Callisto is a genocidal cult,” she says. “And while I’m sure you think you’re different, you still report back to other members of your ‘organisation,’ don’t you?” Her voice is dripping with acid, and I stare at her, tightening my fists. “So, leave.”

“I can’t,” I say in a low voice. “I have to find out who killed my parents.”

“How long have you been hunting for?” she asks.

“Four years,” I say.

“Did vampires kill your parents?” she asks. I nod. “And you can’t find their killer without Callisto’s help?”

I stare at her. I don’t have an answer.

I’ve already made such a huge mess with Penny, whostillhasn’t replied to a single one of my texts. She’s continued to ignore my calls, sending me a very clear message. Her silence can only last so long. Sooner or later she’ll have to forgiveme.

But I can’t imagine myself going back to my old life. I’ve only been here for a little over a month, and yet—“They’ll kill me if I leave,” I say, and it’s only half an excuse. I know that hunters are not allowed to quit. We know too much about Callisto. Or so they say.

Elia sits down beside me. “You can stay here,” she says. “And I’ll help you find whoever killed your parents.”

“I—”

“I’m not expecting you to answer right away. But that’s my deal. Agree to leave Callisto, and I’ll let you into the library.”

I don’t say another word, my insides trembling as I exit her apartment. I walk out into the fading daylight, where vampires can’t reach me, and look down at my phone. There’s no way that I can leave. And I still haven’t heard from her.

Please just tell me you’re alive

I can’t betray Penny. Penny is the one who found me when everything was falling apart. She gave me a reason to live. A future to chase.

I stop next to a bench and stare up at the hills. Penny also made me a killer. A shell of whoever I used to be. And these last four weeks have changed me in ways I can’t even begin to fathom.

But still I can’t leave Callisto.

I can’t leave Penny.

She’s my family.

Ambrose Hall isbusy, vampires walking past our table carrying trays stacked with blood, or the occasional human trying to balance bowls of soup as they run, looking for an empty table. A month has passed since classes started, but aside from Stephan and me, most humans seem to be keeping to themselves, watching vampires from afar.

I stare down at the unanswered texts, then at my call log. Maybe it’s a good thing that Penny never replied. It’ll make doing what Elia wants a lot easier.

But can I really betray Penny? She gave my life meaning after I lost everything. But thatmeaningno longer makes sense. I can’t hate vampires the way she wants me to. Not anymore.

Julia is half asleep, deep shadows beneath her eyes. “Last night was my deadline,” she says, resting her head on the table. “I got fifteen minutes of sleep, but finally finished them.”

“Your murals?” I ask.

“Scenes of Adolescence,” Ife says with a little flair. “Is Traquair Hall open to the public yet?”

“I suppose so?” Julia says, leaning up slightly to look at her friend. “Though I’d much rather my work not be perceived.”

“But you’re an artist,” Stephan argues, and Julia forces herself to have a sip of blood.

“So I’ve heard.”

Despite her protestations, when Ife asks to visit Traquair Hall and see Julia’s murals, the blond vampire doesn’t say no. I tag along, even though I can already feel myself growing restless without Aliz. We reach the staircase where I crossed paths with Julia, not far from the maze, and we make our way up into a red-brick building that stinks of paint and melted plastic.