Altair
You like this one, don’t you, pet?
I swallowed hard. The years of imprisonment—not with the witches but the times Ivan had drained me dry and left me starving—stole everything from me in that moment. I didn’t dare to think, in case he’d hear me, but I wasn’t sure it mattered. The second he’d locked onto me, he was everywhere.
I understand, darling. I didn’t realize my sweet puppy had a brother, but in all the world, you found him, a perfect little copy. That’s how I know you’re still mine. Even now, you imitate me.
“Shit,” Tristan hissed above me, glaring up toward the window for a second.
No way he could see what was going on, but my shuddering gave enough away for him to glean that it wasn’t good.
When he looked back down, he shook me, jostling my head between the tight grip of his hands. “You’re okay,” he insisted.
But I wasn’t. I’d been a fool to ever think I could get away, to imagine that I didn’t have to run and keep running just to escape him.
Altair, you will kill this wolf. Right now.
Without a second’s hesitation, I shoved Tristan off me. It didn’t matter that he’d covered my ears; Ivan was everywhere.
Cursing, he fell back. “What the hell?”
Already, I was on my feet and at the window. It was the fastest way to the ground, to Leo. I could see him right there.
I had to get to him. To—to kill him.
I was going to kill him.
When I punched through the glass, the jagged edges left deep red scores across my knuckles and running up the back of my hand. They stitched together, because Leo’s blood ran through my veins.
Leo.
With a snarl, I gripped the windowsill, even as my body tried to propel itself through it. Glass dug into my palms, but it was no good. Ivan pressed on my mind, and my fingers spread reflexively.
I tumbled down the sloped roof and hit the ground with a grunt. At once, I willed the earth to open up and take me. Dirt rolled back, but before I could sink into it, Ivan clicked his tongue.
“Come here, pet.” I could hear his voice properly now, silky smooth and impossible to deny.
My body shot into the air. I screeched, straining my arms for the ground, for anything to hold onto.
Viktor.
I shouted his name as I flew overhead. He leapt for my outstretched hand, but rather than pull me back down, it took his full weight to fling me onto the ground. He jumped, threw his legs out to the side, and fell.
A second later, he was on me, pinning me down.
Still, my gaze was drawn to Ivan. My . . . master.
And behind him, a little slip of a shadow sneaked closer.
It was Evie, creeping on her tiptoes, as silent as I’d ever seen a werewolf.
A second later, she flung her arm, and glass shattered over Ivan’s skull, some concoction staining the crown of his golden head a red so dark it looked black in the moonlight.
Whatever Evie had thrown at him, it must’ve hurt. He hissed, lips drawing back from his fangs as he snarled. “What is this?”
Steam rose off his skin, a red mist rising.
From Katya’s porch, Prudence scoffed. “You won’t use our magic for your crimes, vampire.”
Magic, then. I didn’t know how she’d done it, but fuck I hoped my blood had something to do with it. If I could exact even a small measure of revenge, I might find peace with the rest.
Ivan reached for Evie and my heart stopped, but she was faster than any creature I’d ever seen. She darted behind Cash, and something about a werewolf in plaid swinging that roaring thing drew Ivan up short.
With him distracted, I was able to drag my attention back to Viktor. His face was paler than I’d ever seen it, lines etched with strain as he struggled to hold me down, and even then, I was wiggling under him.
I latched my hands around his arms, pinning him on top of me. He couldn’t let me go.
Not ever. Now that Ivan’s command was in my head, it was the only thing I could do. I would hurt Leo, and I’d promised never to do that.
To keep him safe meant . . . it meant I had to let him go.
“Viktor,” I said. “I need you to end me.”
Maybe Ivan would use my death as an excuse to go on a rampage in the name of vengeance, but I hoped that, without me there to torment and with a whole werewolf pack set against him, he’d lose interest. He was there for his own amusement, not to risk his life.
“It’s okay,” I whispered, clinging tight to Viktor’s arms like they were my last anchor to this world, unsure if I’d shoot out from under him at any second and become the weapon Ivan wanted me to be. “I won’t hurt him, and this is . . . you have to—”
Viktor’s jaw flexed. Minutely, he shook his head.
My chest throbbed at the idea that he didn’t want this either. I really could’ve had a place here.
That bittersweet potential would have to be enough.
“Please,” I begged. “End this, and—and tell Leo—tell him my days with him were the best I ever had.”
Viktor grimaced. It was the most wrecked expression I’d ever seen on his face.
But he knew, like I did, what was at stake here.
Ivan would use me to hurt the people I loved, and no matter how I struggled, it would happen.
Leo might be able to fight me off for a time, but the distraction of having to do that would cost him.
If I failed, Ivan would find his opportunity while we grappled, and I’d watch Leo die either way.
“I’m sorry,” Viktor whispered. His hand closed over my throat, so I could only nod.
Still, I clung to his arm as his fingers dug in around my trachea. His other hand pressed beneath my ribcage.
I didn’t know the best way to kill a vampire, but he’d see it done. I could trust him with this, and I wouldn’t—
As pain dug into my chest, I swore I wouldn’t scream. I wouldn’t leave him with that, or Leo.
I closed my eyes as a vicious roar shook the trees, and all at once, the world snapped into focus. It pulled not to the command of Ivan’s voice, but to something else: a bond with Leo, and the throbbing in my chest that wasn’t my pain, but his.
Desperately, I dug my fingers into Viktor’s arm. “Wait,” I rasped.
At once, he let up the pressure, but kept me pinned beneath his knees.
“Wait,” I said. “I think I can . . . just don’t let me go. I can fight it.”