“They are leading by example,” says William. “I implore the rest of you to follow.”
“If that is true,” says Lenny, “let us find out!”
A couple of familiar vampires rush forward to tend to Nate and Cisco, and William knows he has just walked into a trap of his own making. Henry brings a thermos to Cisco’s lips, while Anne does the same for Nate. She glowers at William while feeding the ponytailed vampire, and the Stoker knows that she is not going to be an ally.
She is doing too well in this world to be likely to give it up.
Cisco leaps to his feet, as if he were just awakening from a power nap. Nate takes longer, presumably because he realizes who is tending to him. He gazes into Anne’s eyes as he sits up. “You saved me,” he says.
“Nate,” commands Lenny, and at the sound of the voice, Nate springs to his feet. He and Cisco report to Leonardo the Bloody’s side like soldiers obeying their general. “Tell us what transpired.”
Nate’s gaze settles on William’s, and the latter sees zero compassion or loyalty there. Whatever friendship they had started to build is gone.
“William bled us out,” answers Nate, “when we were just trying to do our duty.”
“Which was what?” prods Lenny.
“Kill his Familiar.”
There is more rustling in the crowd, and the rest of the vampires step forward, forming a loose circle. The gathering of the undead makes the temperature plunge until the air gives away every exploratory breath.
“William has just testified that he received a message from Grandsire, affirming that the spell’s conditions have been met,” Lenny tells Nate, “and in order to bring back our forebears, we must return to death-sleep. Have you seen any evidence of this?”
Nate frowns at William, studying the Stoker closely before speaking. If the ponytailed vampire thinks he can tell when someone is lying, William silently challenges him to do that now by openly staring back at him.
“How is that possible?” asks Nate.
“That is not what I asked.” An edge of impatience invades Lenny’s voice.
“I have not seen any evidence,” says Nate, yet he sounds less assertive than he did with his first answer.
“I have no reason to lie to you,” William says directly to Nate, appealing to the friendship they almost formed. “We cannot forsake the entire species,” William goes on, looking to Anne and Cisco and the other vampires. “The whole point of us staying behind was to keep our kind safe. If we fail our brethren, how are we any better than the Legion?”
William looks at Nate. “I am sorry that I let you down. The truth is, I knew a lot would be expected of me, and I needed to find answers before I could give you any.” He makes eye contact with other vampires as he speaks. “Imagine the loneliness of the past few decades, when you did not know what the future held. Now think of our forebears, and what they must be enduring. How are we worthy of their sacrifice if we abandon them?”
The air feels tight with tension, and William knows this is the true test of his power. It is one thing for them to consider him their leader because he is a Stoker, and another thing to actually follow his lead.
“I’m not going back to sleep,” declares Nate, and William feels a twinge of regret that he never managed to win the vampire over.
“Humans don’t believe in vampires,” says Anne, “and the Legion can’t be all that strong. Now that you’re here, we can regrow our numbers in the shadows, take on whatever is left of the Legion, and reassert ourselves.”
“We are too few, and growing our numbers will take too long.”
It is Fabiana speaking. When William looks at her, he is relieved to find that she is still willing to follow him, even down this path. “Grandsire gave his life for our survival,” she says. “He had a vision—”
“Who says we want to see Grandsire’s vision through?” asks Lenny. William already knew the vampire was not likely to submit. Leonardo the Bloody has no interest in going back to rules and order.
“Our forebears made their choice to follow Grandsire,” says Lenny, “and now it is our turn to choose our own way.”
“So you would betray them all?”
“Youwould speak of betrayal?” Lenny challenges William. “Had Nate not found you, you would have stayed in hiding with your human harlot. The only question up for answering at present is: Are you going to work with us willingly, or will we have to use your Familiar as motivation?”
“You do not speak for everyone.” William’s voice is low and lethal.
The ancient vampire appears pleased to have provoked his ire. “You are right.” He turns around slowly, looking at the others. “Who do you follow? Choose your side.”
The vampires begin to shuffle around, some standing behind Leonardo the Bloody, others behind William. Osorio stays by his boss, while Fabiana stands staunchly at William’s side. Anne moves behind Lenny, as do Nate and Cisco.
