“And… does she know?”
“She suspects it, I believe. But we haven’t had enough time together since getting back for me to be sure.”
“Now that she’s a vampire, you have forever,” I say. I feel an unexpected twang in my heart when I say the words.
April doesn’t have forever.
“It’s not that simple,” Raul says. “Not with Mother leading the coven. There’s also the threat of war.”
“War? What war? What are you talking about?”
“When James went to Father’s coven he got involved with a woman. She came back here with us.”
“I met her,” I say. “The Captain Commander brought her down when he freed me.”
“Call him Smithson. Don’t grant him courtesy of his title.”
I nod. “Okay. I didn’t get the woman’s name, though.”
“It’s Victoria. She’s our prisoner—for now. But something about it doesn’t feel right. If we spring James loose, I don’t know whether he’ll try to free her or not. The woman was part of Father’s Inner Circle. She knows all their secrets. Once Father discovers she’s gone, he’ll send his entire force for her—and it won’t be pretty.”
“Christ,” I mutter. I rub my eyes.
“I warned Mother about it when she sent James on his mission.” Raul looks up the stairs. “She didn’t listen. Let’s hope she does now.”
Chapter Sixteen
RAUL
I bang on the doors of Mother’s uppermost chamber. Phillip is at my side, shoulders pulled back, staring at the imposing doors with stark determination.
There’s not a trace of fear in him. Nor any fragility. Either the things he suffered during his imprisonment changed him…
Or drinking April’s blood did.
Whatever the cause, I’m glad for the transformation. Even though it saddens me that he wasn’t given a choice, it feels good to have my brother beside me. It feels good to know he’s more confident, more assured, more forceful than before.
With James underground and Eleira in the midst of the most tumultuous change of her life, I’ll need him more than ever now.
“I can’t sense her,” Phillip says under his breath. “I don’t think she’s there.”
“Neither can I,” I say. “But she could have easily put up a protective spell.”
Phillip nods. “Good point.”
I raise my fist to knock again. At that precise moment, the doors open.
Mother sweeps into view.
“Raul. Phillip!” She smiles. “How wonderful to have my two sons join me.”
I scowl without meaning to. Her upbeat air is absolutely at odds with the gravity of the situation.
“We’re here to talk about James,” I say. Phillip grunts in agreement.
Mother puts on an expression of absolute wonder. “I’m sorry, who?” she asks. “No, no… I don’t know any James. I’m sorry.”
She starts to close the door.
I kick my foot out and stop her. “This isn’t a game anymore, Mother.” My voice is low and threatening. If you think the other vampires will just step aside while you sentence your oldest son to become one of The Convicted, you’re gravely mistaken. If you think Phillip or I will just stand by and do nothing—”
She laughs. Her eyes take on a cruel glint again. “Is that so? Tell me, son dearest, just what is it you intend to do? The three of us know—” she looks at me, and then at Phillip, “—exactly who is in control here.”
A thick band of tension stretches between us.
“But I suppose I might let you in,” Mother sighs. “As it so happens, I’m already entertaining company. You’re more than welcome to join us.”
She holds the door open wider. Inside, I’m shocked to find Victoria—unbound, uncuffed, and completely free.
Opposite her stands Mother’s newest recruit, Captain Commander Smithson.
“Raul, Phillip,” the Captain Commander of the guard greets us. “It’s good to see you.”
“Save it,” I grunt. I could never trust the vampire. I’ve known him as a wanderer for many years, living amongst humans, rejecting all claims to a single coven or clan. That Mother would bring him into The Haven now speaks either of her desperation or her madness.
The Captain Commander chuckles. “Always so cordial.” He addresses my brother. “And you, Phillip. How does it feel to be a proper vampire?”
Phillip glares at him without answering.
“Oh!” Mother says as she joins the tense assembly. “You should know how proud I am of you, my son.” She puts her hands on Phillip’s shoulders and kisses his cheek. “I heard how you managed to stop before killing that filthy human girl. I didn’t think you’d have it in you. But it fills my heart with much joy that you did. Eleira would be crushed if her little friend died.”