“Then we’ll go now and report back our findings in two days.” Ryder focused on Kylan as he spoke.
The other royal nodded in understanding.
Clearly, Ryder meant that if he wasn’t in touch by then, Kylan should respond accordingly. Presumably by killing or harming Khalid.
But given how Khalid grinned at the exchange, I doubted he would go down easily.
Damien cleared his throat. “Apparently, I’m going to Dubai.”
“You like palm trees and sand,” Ryder reminded him. “Think of it like a holiday.”
“Maybe I don’t want a holiday right now,” my brother returned. “Maybe I should stay here with my sister.”
Ryder opened his mouth, then closed it as he switched his focus to me. “I didn’t consider that.”
My brother’s eyebrows shot upward. “No shit.”
I rolled my eyes. “Since when do you ever make plans around me?” I demanded of them both. “I’ve been living on my own for a millennium. I’ll be fine.”
Damien gave me a look that suggested he felt otherwise. Which only made me glower at him. Because I didn’t need his pity or his concern right now. I needed his support. And the best way to do that was to report back on Blood City.
Because if what Khalid had just shown us was real… I wanted more details.
Perhaps it was dangerous to put faith in such a dream. But I’d spent the last twelve decades living in a cloud of constant hope, only to have that hope crushed at every turn.
It would be nice for something positive to bloom in this nightmare.
And if it happened to be in the form of a city where vampires and humans had figured out how to live cohesively among one another, then I’d take it.
Because maybe then all this pain and suffering would have accomplished something.
Anything.
A way forward.
A potentially improved life.
Not really for me, but for others. Which had been the entire point of all this sacrifice, right? To find a way for immortals and mortals to build a future together, one where both sides benefited from the other.
That’d been Cam’s supposed goal.
Maybe Khalid would be the one to help us achieve it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
CAM
Damien wrappedhis arms around Ismerelda, his lips at her ear. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “Now go see if Blood City is real.”
His golden eyes lifted to mine, a warning lurking in his gaze. Or maybe it was a threat.
Either way, I ignored him.
Ismerelda could handle herself. She didn’t need a brother to coddle her or do the work for her.
Of course, Ryder sent a similar look my way, one that was absolutely a promise to kill me later. I merely held his gaze, welcoming the challenge.
