Chapter 9 #3
You left, I signed. We thought you were dead.
Pain flickered across her features. She signed back, fumbling slightly: I had to. There wasn’t time to—
I know, I cut her off. I am not blaming you. Just… Gods, Sidney, do you have any idea what it has been like here?
Some, she signed. I can see what they did to you.
The words struck me, causing me to step back. She could see my pale skin, my fangs, the way I moved with inhuman grace. The curse carved its way across every inch of my transformed body.
Drink, she signed, handing me the glass again.
I took a sip and nearly gasped. Rich, warm, intoxicating like liquid sunlight if it could flow through my veins instead of burning them. It slid over my tongue like honey compared to the typical thin gruel of a servant. Every cell in my body sang with gratitude.
Gods. I stared at the now empty glass in wonder. Is this what you people drink every day?
You people? She raised an eyebrow. I am still me. Not a vampire.
You know what I mean. The real vampires. The ones who matter.
Her expression softened. You matter, Finn.
Sidney reached for the pitcher and refilled my glass.
Why are you here? I asked, needing to focus on something other than the pity in her eyes. And do not tell me you just happened to be in the neighborhood. I paused as I realized what else she’d done as Ilyana. How and why did you enter the trials?
Her expression hardened. They took someone from me. Someone… She paused, searching for the right sign. Important. I am here to get him back and make them pay. Her hands betrayed her pain with every jagged flick. Someone important. Someone worth risking everything for.
My heart sank as understanding dawned. You are married?
Betrothed, she corrected. His name is Zane. They turned him, and they are holding him somewhere in this place.
Of course she’d found someone, built a life, fallen in love. What had I expected? That she’d spent the last few years pining for her disabled childhood friend who’d been foolish enough to get himself turned into a monster? I shoved the jealousy down, burying it under years of grim survival.
What happened to the real Lady Ilyana? I signed, my hands suddenly steady despite the chaos in my mind.
Her reply spilled out in a rush—of her grandmother’s death, the temple and its list, the witch, and the disguise unraveling with every relentless tick of the clock.
I took a deep breath and stood. I can help. I know this place better than anyone. The highborn treat me like furniture, so I see everything they do not want others to know.
She studied me for a long moment. It is dangerous, Finn. If you are caught helping me—
They will kill me. I shrugged, trying for nonchalance. Not a fate worse than damnation. Death at least is an end.
Do not say that.
Why not? It is true. I leaned forward, meeting her eyes. Sidney, I have been dead inside since the day they sank their fangs into me. If I can help you burn this place down, if I can do something that actually matters…maybe that is enough of a life for me.
She fell silent for several minutes, her eyes unfocused but far from idle. I could almost see the gears turning: calculating odds, analyzing variables, mapping out contingencies with the precision of someone who’d survived worse.
Old habits ran deep. I didn’t doubt she’d honed her mind into a weapon since I’d seen her last.
She’d always met uncertainty with cold logic, layering strategy over instinct like armor. Watching her now, I saw the same quiet storm gathering behind her gaze.
All right, she finally signed. But you need to understand—this is a war. Many will die.
I understand. And I did, better than she realized.
Yet then another thought occurred to me, and despite everything, I couldn’t help but grin. There is something else you need.
She blinked at me. A small crease formed between her brows. What?
The trials require Beloveds to have Devotions. I gave her a meaningful look. And here you are with no mate. A target.
Crimson crept up her neck. Finn.
I volunteer. I bowed with exaggerated gallantry. For the mission, I am willing to suffer. I will play the part of the charmed devotee. Madly in love with you. Truly heroic of me.
She rolled her eyes, but I caught the hint of a smile. You are… She paused, pressing her lips together then continued. Silly.
Yes. But also your best option. I leaned in slightly, dropping the dramatics just enough to seem halfway serious. They see me as expendable, which makes me invisible. A Turned vampire is tougher than most of the Born.
You would have a target on your back, she pointed out. After we bond, you become fair game for anyone who wants to kill me.
I considered this. It was true; entering into a formal alliance with a trial contestant would elevate my status from invisible to threat.
So we stay smart, I signed. No announcements until the bonding. We have a few days. Vampires can only bind under a half-moon.
I traced a crescent in the air, then brought both hands together from opposite sides, meeting at the center. Love meets you halfway, I continued. Such a romantic sentiment that the vampires rarely seemed to follow. Until then, I will give us a head start by gathering all the information I can.
She circled me slowly, like she was appraising livestock at market, lips quirked in barely contained amusement. So, what is your power? She raised an eyebrow with mock gravity.
I puffed out my chest. I can talk to animals.
She froze mid step and stared at me for a heartbeat before her lips started twitching.
Then a snort escaped, followed by another, until she was laughing so hard she had to grab the back of a chair for support.
Sorry! She wheezed between giggles, wiping tears from her eyes.
I am not laughing at you, I swear. It is just— She dissolved into fresh peals of laughter.
The universe has such a twisted sense of humor!
I waited, trying to look dignified while she collected herself.
She took a shaky breath, still grinning but clearly trying to be more considerate. No, really. I think it is actually wonderful. You cannot communicate with people in the traditional way, but you can talk to every other living creature? There is something almost…poetic about that.
It is not a joke, I signed, though her obvious attempt to be kinder made it harder to stay annoyed.
I know. She held up both hands in mock surrender, lips pressed tightly together as the twitch at the corners betrayed her, but her eyes warmed with genuine affection. I just keep picturing you having deep talks with house cats while the rest of us are clueless about what you are thinking.
Cats actually give excellent life advice. Sleep 16 hours a day, eat when you want, ignore everyone else. Groundbreaking stuff.
Sorry, but you have to have the most… She paused again. I-R-O-N-I-C-A-L-L-Y useless power ever. She began pacing but kept glancing back at me with a mix of amusement and something that looked almost like fondness.
Come on. I grinned despite myself. Her amusement was infectious. Cats can be useful. They know everyone's business in a six-block radius. Better intelligence network than most spies.
A spy network of animals. That is either brilliant or insane. She tapped her finger against her lips. I love it.
I reached into my pocket. “This is Nibbles—Nibs if he likes you,” I said aloud.
Sidney’s eyes widened as the tiny mouse blinked up at her. He is adorable.
Nibs sniffed the air, whiskers twitching, then scrambled up my sleeve to perch on my shoulder.
I smiled. We make a great team. Just us taking on an entire vampire coven.
Us, she repeated, and something warm flickered in her expression. Both of us taking on the House of the Sanguine.
Us, I confirmed. Like old times, except now I am very strong and have an allergy to garlic bread.
Oh! she signed. You used to love garlic bread.
I still do. I chuckled, patting my stomach. I still eat it. The difference is now my gut’s revenge is silent to me but deadly to everyone else.
She laughed. Remember when you swapped the steward’s ink with that D-I-S-A-P-P-E-A-R-I-N-G stuff? He rewrote the same report three times before giving up.
That was O-N-E time, I protested, grinning. And the steward deserved it for accusing me of “losing” his favorite quill when he had it tucked behind his own ear.
One time? She raised an eyebrow. The soap in the laundry room. The jack-in-the-box in the stables. I can go on.
All right, all right. I held up my hands in surrender, then signed something that made her eyes widen.
Did you just call me “Droopy Drawers”?
It never gets old. I shrugged, then signed, Princess Chocolate.
She burst into silent laughter, covering her mouth. I cannot believe you remember those stupid nicknames. Her hands moved to spell out Duke Dungheap in return.
Hey now, that is L-O-R-D Duke Dungheap to you, I signed with mock dignity, which only made her laugh harder.
For a moment, I could see the girl I’d once known beneath the hardened exterior of the woman she’d become.
Her shoulders loosened, dropping the invisible armor she wore like a second skin.
The careful distance in her eyes flickered, then faded entirely.
She nudged my arm with hers, letting her shoulder remain pressed against mine.
The conversation flowed easily after that: memories shared, old jokes revisited, the comfortable rhythm of two people who'd once known each other's every thought. Time seemed to slip away as we caught up on years of separation.
How did it happen? she finally asked, her smile fading. Why did they change you?
One of the nobles thought it would be fun, I signed, the memory leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. Turning a disabled servant. A curiosity for their collection. I couldn’t help but smile when I looked at her, then some of the anger returned. What happened to you?
Before Sidney could respond, she froze. Her head snapped toward the door, and she slipped the bracelet back on. The glamor settled over her like a shroud. Lady Ilyana was back, all cold nobility and sharp edges.
Footsteps vibrated through the floor, stopping in front of her door. I saw the shadow that fell across the threshold. Someone was listening. Sidney’s hand moved toward her bodice, but after a deep breath, she pulled it away.
There is a knock at the door. Hide.
Sidney rose, her face an unreadable mask, and moved to answer it.