Chapter 44
Forty-Four
LUCCA
I’m out of bed before nightfall. Vivi is still asleep, so I slip out of the room and head to the training facility.
I need to break a sweat or I’ll go crazy.
At this hour, I’d usually find Ronan training.
He’s religious about his workouts. The empty gym is a painful reminder that he’s gone, and I don’t know if I will ever see him again.
No. You can’t think like that, Lucca. Ronan will return with Manu, Cheryl, and Karl.
The pep talk doesn’t ease the weight crushing my chest. I’m frustrated as hell that I can’t do anything but wait. I pull off my shirt, lobbing it to the side. I know exactly what to do first. A few swings at the punching bag won’t solve my problems, but it might release some of the tension.
I don’t bother with gloves and start attacking the leather surface, pretending I’m punching my enemies.
I picture every single asshole who hurt me or my loved ones, starting with Queen Maewe.
She’s the bitch I want to end first. Then comes Jacques Tellier.
Vaughn being involved with his daughter presents a complication.
I don’t know how loyal she still is to her father, even though she helped us. Some bonds are hard to break.
Vaughn is in love, so he won’t be able to see a betrayal before it’s too late. Vivi has the tendency to believe in the good in people, thus giving the girl the benefit of the doubt. I don’t have that luxury.
I pound the punching bag, rejoicing in the pain each time my knuckles strike the tough surface. I lose track of how long I keep at it, but when my monopoly of the gym ends, I’m covered in sweat. I don’t need to look to see that Dean and Connor are watching me.
“Lucca, we need to talk,” Dean says.
I punch the bag one more time before I turn to the duo. “Yeah, no kidding.”
“Is Sophie here?” Connor asks.
“Yes, plus her familiar and Igor.”
“I’m shocked that Ronan didn’t try to chop off his head,” Connor jokes.
“Ronan isn’t around.” I head to the shelf where we keep clean towels and grab one to wipe my face.
“Where is he?” Dean asks.
“He returned to Ellnesari.”
Connor crosses his arm, widening his stance. “How? Are all the portals open now?”
I shake my head. “No. Vivi was able to open a temporary portal with Solomon’s help, but I’m afraid that’s the last time any of us will be able to do so from our side.”
Dean and Connor trade a look, making my spine rigid. “What is it?”
“King Raphael had another episode. He destroyed his entire room and almost broke free.”
I twist the towel in my hands until the fabric becomes almost unpliable. “Is he okay?”
“For now. Mauricio was able to subdue him until the king remembered who he was,” Connor replies.
“The episodes are lasting longer, though,” Dean adds. “We either find a cure for his disease, or we’ll have to carry out his wishes.”
My heart tightens. “No,” I grit out. “I’m not ready to let him go yet. I need more time.”
Dean scowls. “Do you think I want to kill my king? But time isn’t a luxury we have.”
I rub my face and look into the distance. “I have an idea that might be able to buy him some time.”
“What is it?”
“We give him Nightingale blood.”
Both widen their eyes. “Do you think that will help?”
“It helped me. I was able to turn Vaughn into a vampire after I drank Vivi’s blood. And Sophie came back from early hibernation after she drank from Vivi too.”
Connor narrows his eyes. “You do realize if that becomes public knowledge, Vivi and Rikkon will be in grave danger. The entire vampire population will want to partake in drinking their blood to avoid hibernation or going insane.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “I know. Hence this information can’t leave this room.”
“Sophie and her bodyguard are already aware, though. What’s stopping them from telling Jacques?” Dean raises a brow.
My gums ache, and I know my eyes must be tinged red. “I’ll kill them before they have the chance.”