No fucking way am I abandoning them after we’ve come so far.
“The two of us against Geoffrey and his goons isn’t going to do any good,” I say, pointing out the obvious. If we didn’t have the other prisoners to protect, I would take the risk, but theothers would be slaughtered before they could flee to the tree line.
“Six of us,” Tyler says with a frown. Garth stands behind him with his arms crossed and a fierce glower. Bellamy only stares at me like I’m an idiot if I think I’m going anywhere without him. Dante smirks, like it’s amusing that I would ever get rid of him so easily.
I nearly throw my hands up in exasperation. The men think that because they’re big, strapping boys, it makes them the most powerful. Unfortunately, strength doesn’t necessarily mean you’re at the top of the food chain, especially when you’re going up against magic.
“We have two options,” I say, climbing to my feet, too agitated to remain still. “We can heal the shifters, but it will leave you nearly depleted. If we’re going into battle with a warlock and his men, we’ll need you strong.”
“Agreed.” The witch crinkles her nose. “I could create a distraction while you sneak out the back, but?—”
“Geoffrey has his eyes set on me. He won’t let me go without a fight,” I answer, waving away her suggestion. A few of the other prisoners look interested in the idea of handing me over in exchange for their freedom, and I hastily explain why that would be a bad decision. “Even if you tie me up in a nice little bow for him to find, he will continue to harvest other covens and other packs. You’re already weak and injured. It won’t take long for him to recapture any of you, and you will be right back where you started.”
“They would never make it a foot out the door.” Bellamy chuffs behind me, and the shifters immediately cower and huddle together. “None of them would be able to lay a finger on you before I eat them.”
A beat of silence follows his ominous pronouncement. I blink once, again, then a pleased flush heats my chest, flows up my neck, and warms my cheeks.
Who knew mass murder could be so romantic?
The witch nods approvingly, and a speculative gleam brightens her eyes. “Between the two of us, we can create a big enough diversion to get the others out. Once the townspeople see that I’m alive, it will cause enough confusion that your men can slip out with the injured.”
The men immediately argue with that plan. Ignoring them, I peer at the other prisoners hovering in the darkness, and a spark of an idea slowly takes shape. “What if we do both? If we split their forces, it will cause enough confusion that we can get everyone out alive.”
“We send the shifters out first to create a distraction,” the witch murmurs, ignoring the few prisoners who mumble in discontent.
Even though the shifters were willing to sacrifice me moments ago, I do my best to think strategically and not retaliate in kind. “Garth and Dante will shift and take out the guards first. Once they’re gone, the others can shift, and we’ll split them into two teams. Each will head into opposite corners of town and cause a distraction. Anyone too injured to fight will then head toward the tree line.”
“Once Geoffrey figures out what’s happening, he and his men will kill without discrimination,” the witch warns in a dark tone.
“That’s when you and I will draw his attention. The instant Geoffrey spots us, we will become his main target.” Of that, I’m confident. Silence coats the underground dungeon. No one is pleased with the plan, but no one protests either, which is a minor miracle.
“What about us?” A vampire drags himself to his feet, his pale skin making him stand out starkly against the darkbackground. A younger vampire stands next to him, while a female sits slumped against the wall.
It’s obvious they’ve not been fed, and it’s only sheer willpower that keeps them from slipping into bloodlust as a result of starvation.
“It’s still daylight,” I murmur, tilting my head back to stare at the ceiling like I can see the sky. “I fear if we wait until nightfall, it will be too late.”
Though his expression doesn’t shift, I don’t miss the way his pupils dilate at the thought of being left behind. I glance at the high priestess, cocking my head. “Is there a spell you can cast that would protect them from the sunlight?”
“Not one strong enough,” she replies, dismissing my suggestion. “The spell will keep them alive, but the sunlight will still burn, just slower.”
The main vampire purses his lips, then dips his chin. “That is a risk we are willing to take.”
But I’m already shaking my head, peering back into the darkness. “Just how long are these tunnels?”
The witch’s eyes light up, immediately understanding my goal. “They go on for miles. They connect to a few different buildings in town.”
Our grins match when we turn back toward the vampires, and they stiffen. “How would you like to be our secret weapon?”
His head tilts slightly in interest, curiosity swirling in his blue eyes. “What do you have in mind?”
He’s very careful not to agree to anything, and I don’t fault him for his caution. He has no reason to trust us. “The high priestess will place the spell on you and your associates, but it’s still too dangerous for you to fight out in the open. It would be a death sentence.
“I propose that the three of you remain in the tunnels. When anyone comes down here to check on us, you can kill them. Youcan hide in the tunnels, picking them off one by one. When it becomes too dangerous, you can slip into the different buildings and pick off the stragglers. Once darkness falls, you’ll be able to slip away without anyone the wiser.”
None of the vampires react outwardly, the three of them so still when they stare at me that it’s creepy. I don’t even think they’re breathing. I listen carefully, but I can’t pick up even an echo of their heartbeats. The myth that vampires don’t have a heartbeat is bullshit. They’re just very good at slowing it down and muffling the sound, enabling them to sneak up on their prey.
His smile is slow to form, his fangs flashing in my direction, and he dips his head. “It would be our pleasure.”
