“The Aztecs believed that consuming the heart of a valiant opponent would transfer their courage. In Papua New Guinea, certain tribes would eat the brains of their fallen enemies to gain their wisdom.” Lucien rubs a hand across his face. “In the 1600s,” he continues, “there was a countess in Eastern Europe who consumed young witches in an attempt to absorb their youth and power,” Lucien says. “She bathed in their blood.”
“Elizabeth Báthory,” I say automatically, the name coming to me from some history documentary. “The Blood Countess.”
“Precisely.” Lucien nods.
I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly cold. “So, Ella...”
“Is likely gone.” Ash’s face is grim. “And there will be more.”
“Oh my God,” I whisper, feeling sick. I didn’t have any love for Ella, but to think that she was killed like that is horrible.
Ash looks directly at me. “She’ll want more. Stronger magic.”
My hand goes instinctively to the mark on my arm.
“That’s why she wanted to make sure I turned your magic on full after she killed Helena.”
I remember Jasmine’s tongue against my ear, her words. ‘You’re ripe. Not ready, but close.’
“What do we do?” I ask. “We can’t just let her keep eating people. And I don’t exactly want to end up as her dinner.”
“For now, you stay safe,” Ash says firmly. “I’m going to see what else I can find out, but until then, you go nowhere alone.”
“You expect us to trust you?” Lucien sneers. “After everything?”
“I don’t care if you trust me or not. But if you want Rose to survive, you’ll listen. Jasmine Wickersly is insane and insatiable. She won’t stop until someone stops her.”
“And you’re volunteering for the job?” Drake quietly takes my hand in his.
Ash ignores him and addresses me. “We train tonight.” It’s a command, not up for debate.
“How do we know this isn’t just a play?” Soren demands. “Create a threat so you can swoop in and be the hero?”
Ash’s laugh is cold. “I don’t need theatrics.” He turns to go, then pauses at the door. “Midnight.”
After he leaves, the four of us stand in silence, processing everything.
“Do we believe him?” Drake finally asks.
“About Jasmine consuming witches?” Lucien paces. “Yes. The stories have circulated for years, though most of us dismissed them as rumor.”
“And about his intentions?” I’m not sure any of us can really know what Ash is up to.
Lucien’s mouth tightens. “That remains to be seen.”
“I don’t trust him.” Drake turns to look at me. “But I believe the threat is real. And that makes for bizarre alliances.”
I touch the locket at my throat, thinking about betrayal and loyalty, and the complicated threads that have come to bind us all together, so many centuries later.
Twenty-Nine
Rose
Midnight, and I’m trudging through snow to meet the most dangerous man I know. Considering I’m currently hooking up with a ghost, a vampire, and an incubus, that’s saying something. I head to our usual clearing, the moon hanging full and heavy overhead like it’s watching everything. Training with him tonight feels different, urgent. Two people missing, possibly dead, and a deranged witch with a taste for magical flesh running the academy. Yeah, learning to defend myself seems like a priority.
Ash is already waiting when I arrive, a dark silhouette against the snow. He’s bareheaded despite the cold, snowflakes catching in his jet black hair before melting away. When he turns to face me, his green eyes catch the moonlight, reflecting it back.
“You’re on time.” He sounds almost disappointed, like he had been looking forward to chastising me.
