I was hoping he’d be here, that he’d come to me like he did the night before, but it’s too dangerous. He shouldn’t be anywhere near this base, not if there’s any chance Gregor could get wind of it. I press my cheek to my pillow and hope he’s safe, hope he’s helping people, not hurting them.
“Worried for me?” His voice is like the touch of a feather.
I sit up, my skin prickling. “Valen?”
Nothing. No response. I lay back down, that tingle of awareness still rushing through me.
I keep listening, focusing on him. My eyes closing. My thoughts drifting.
“The hour is late, my Blood.”He’s dressed all in black, crouched down on top of a building in the moonlight.
I look down. I’m wearing my gray, base-issued pajamas. What I wore to bed. “I’m dreaming.”
“Something like that.” He glances up.
I yelp as Coal lands right beside me, his wing passing through me. “What the?—”
“They’ve got some anti-aircraft artillery and plenty of guns. Tantun is advancing steadily, but they’re suffering heavy casualties.”
“Good.” Valen’s still looking at me as I gawk at Coal.
I pat my side where his wing seemed to cut through me. Nothing’s there. No wound. And I’m solid.
“What is this?” I ask.
“Projection.”
“Hmm?” Coal looks right through me. “Who are you talking to?”
“My Blood. She’s accessed projection already.”
“She has?” Coal searches the spot where I’m standing. “Humans can do that?”
“Apparently so. My Blood is exceptional.” The pride in his voice sends a pleasant rush through me.
I wave my hand in Coal’s face. He doesn’t so much as blink.
If it’s a dream, it’s an oddly specific one. No, I think it’s real. “I’m asleep, right?”
“Yes.”
I just go with it. It’s not as if I have any other option. “Are you all right? What did Gregor do? Did he hurt you?”
“Nothing to trouble you with.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“He ordered me to raze Atlanta to the ground.” He gestures toward the darkened city. “To stamp out the resistance that’s sprung up here.”
“Some of my best work.” Coal smirks.
“You helped them?” I ask, but of course he can’t hear me.
“We’ve disobeyed as much as possible. Ensuring your people survive. But that’s all. Vampires and humans will still die. The war will continue. Nothing can change or end until Gregor dies.”
“I know.” I tangle my fingers together. “If I could make the poison and somehow get it to him, this would be over. Then we could start rebuilding, find some way forward.”
“Listen, my Blood.” Valen’s expression is stark in the moonlight. “Gregor is fading faster now, but he’s even more erratic. There’s nothing he won’t do; nothing left for him to fear except death.” His eyes sear into me. “I don’t think he’ll have any qualms compelling me from here on out. That’s the only reason I’ve left you at that base with the humans.”
