“You are saving her grandfather, so be it, but why Tricity also?” A tengu spoke up and asked about the city that was the center of their sworn enemies.
“I feel the hatred everyone here has for my grandfather. That hatred also seems to be aimed at Tricity, but I doubt even one of you have ever been there. How can you judge that something is not worth saving if you have never seen it?” Arianna scanned the crowds, and no one would meet her glare. “Tricity is a place where any night human is welcome. They don’t discriminate against you, even if you choose not to visit. They welcome anyone to their city, and will as long as Lord Winter controls it. Can you even imagine someplace where you can walk around freely, unafraid that a day human that does not know will see your night form? Everyone there, night human or not, knows about this world. It’s the most inviting place for our kind that exists. If you can truly hate such a place, you are stupid, because you have never truly felt the freedom of a place where you can be yourself.” Arianna followed her uncle through the crowd that was now parting for them; he paused beside the family that was going to sacrifice their daughter.
“If you want to repay your father’s debt, then become Arianna’s tengu for the year, and I’ll consider it repaid,” Gabriel said to the dark haired teenager, the older brother of Arianna’s sacrifice. His mother wanted to protest, but he held out his hand.
“Is that a deal?” the teen asked, and Gabriel shook his hand.
As they neared the cars waiting in the driveway, Andrew stepped forward from the shadows to follow them. Gabriel ushered Arianna into the waiting car and turned to the young man.
“Do you need some help?” Andrew asked sincerely. Gabriel paused at the car door and stared at the young man.
“You’d do that to impress a girl?” Gabriel replied.
“I’ve already impressed her. I’m offering to help because it’s something she wishes to do,” Andrew replied.
“And yet you also are still a minor, and I doubt your uncle will allow you to help us,” Gabriel moved to get into the car.
“Actually, technically, I’m not,” Andrew pulled out a paper from his coat. Gabriel looked at it and gave it back.
“Then head over to the airport with Patrick. He will need the most help at Tricity. I’ll go to the Randolph estate and put everything in order there. Turner’s older brother isn’t cut out for leading warriors. Get to their house and help him get the city back under control,” Gabriel ordered, and Andrew nodded. Arianna looked through the open car door to see Andrew nod and disappear as easily as he came.
After a quick ride to the airport, Gabriel ushered Arianna from the car and into the waiting plane. Arianna sat nervously beside Turner as the plane took off. Turner reached over and took her hand to comfort her.
“We will get there in time,” Turner replied. Arianna wondered where the confidence came from, as his father had also been poisoned.
“It might not matter,” Arianna replied, remembering that her grandfather said that one would have to die to save the other.
“Ari,” Gabriel interrupted, as the fasten seat belt sign clicked off. “You need to take some blood after doing everything tonight.” Arianna wanted to protest, but Turner stopped her. Turner began to unbutton the top of his shirt.
“But I don’t use up my blood now,” Arianna complained.
“You still use it up, just not as fast,” Devin explained. “Listen to your uncle.”
“Feed, and then rest.” Gabriel directed. “This might take a while to sort out.” Gabriel tossed two packs of blood to Turner to drink before returning to his seat next to the young tengu from the party. Arianna listened to Gabriel talk to the boy as she bit down on Turner’s neck.
“That doesn’t bother you?” Gabriel asked as the new teenage Thomas stared across the aisle.
“I’ve never seen a dearg-dul feed before,” Thomas replied, still curiously watching the scene. “It’s not like everyone described. He doesn’t fear her at all. In fact it seems as if he is actually enjoying it.”
“Were you waiting for Turner to run in terror?” Gabriel replied with a laugh. Thomas nodded slightly.
“Does it hurt at all?” Thomas wondered.
“Actually, no,” Gabriel replied, and Arianna was happy to hear someone actually say that.
“Not even a prick, like a shot?” Thomas was astonished.
“Not when there’s a connection between two people. It would hurt, let’s say, if she were fighting and bit someone, but as she is now, it does not hurt,” Gabriel replied, still laughing at the young man beside him. “When you choose a partner someday, baku do the same, but they just put you to sleep first.” Thomas nodded and continued to watch until Arianna was finished. She slid her head down to Turner’s chest and dozed off to sleep as he ripped open the packet of blood for himself.