“No.” I slid the stool back, ready to leave.
“There was something my convent used to say,” she began.
I sighed at the sound of what seemed like an anecdote and settled back into my seat, turning to her.
“They used to say that in order to achieve immortal life, you had to strive to help as many people as you could, never turning away someone in need, to prevent the least amount of suffering to the most amount of people.” She swirled her glass, watching the liquid swish around the crystal. “Now that I seemingly have a life with no end, I wonder if, when I finally die, if I will be allowed in if I just make up for it. The longer the life, the more people you can help—but I died, already. So how do you go to heaven when you’re stuck?”
“There is no after, onlynow.” I shrugged. “You are doing fine. No need to worry yourself with hypotheticals.”
“I idolized Alina because of her rules. I was at a dark point when she found me, but once I heard their mission, I knew it was inHisplan for me.” She smiled. “She wanted to ease the suffering, do what is best for the masses. I was just happy her plan included Vipera. For once, I saw us differently, not as abominations, but as instruments of something larger. Wouldn’t focusing on turning suffering people not take away the most amount of pain?”
“Not everyone wants to turn, Edith.”
“That is because they do not know what is good for them.”
“Is autonomy not one of the tenets?”
Her hands clenched her glass a little tighter. “Does autonomy matter if it is what is best for everyone involved?”
Edith’s pupils were wide open, more so than if it were just for poor lighting. I wouldn’t insult her by saying she appeared hysterical. The spark in her eyes was hopeful, an exhilaration only known by a new idea. I’ve seen it in many people throughout my life, for better or for worse. Mania is one of the most powerful drugs, taking hold when all seems dim. Even so, she was only on the cusp of understanding what she was saying.
No amount of back and forth would change her mind. Such foolish words from a foolish child. The dangers of first thoughts managed by ill experience.
49
THE CREATURE
Up ahead was an elevated trail of smoke extending out into the overcast sky above. I assumed that it would be our inn. By the time we handed off our horse to the stable boy, my legs were stiff from the long ride. I helped Alina down and offered my arm for support.
The inn was attached to a local tavern. There was a cluster of buildings around the wooded area, but it was the densest town before we would reach the colony. All the buildings were the same shade of wet brown wood, topped with mildewed shingles on the roof.
The inside was much more welcoming than the outside. Despite the low light, there was a fire crackling away to keep the guests comfortable. The flickering of the flames reflected on the rows of bottles behind the bar counter.
I needed a drink.
The room wasn’t dissimilar to the tavern. A rugged wooden room with a small carpet and bed. A feature I didn’t expect was the small burning stove in the corner for extra heat, with a small basket of wood placed beside it. I assumed any extra would be costly.
“Go rest, get comfortable.” I gestured to the bed as I set our bags down.
I tossed some wood in the fire, lighting it with some matches left on top of the burner. The smell of pine crackled and snapped within the chamber, steadily glowing behind the sooty glass window.
Within the closet, there were a few stray hangers and some shelving below. I spotted two extra wool blankets that I gathered and brought over to the bed.
Alina was undoing her coat, gingerly removing it as she stiffened from soreness.
As she removed her top, the corset cover peeked through. The thin fabric was light, comfortable on skin flushed in fever. Something so small, yet I couldn’t help but be one of the lucky few who got to see even a glimpse underneath her staunch exterior in tailoring and personality.
I sat down next to her, wrapping her in one of the blankets. This time was most certainly delicate. A wrong move could mean she distanced herself from me again.
“Let me change your bandages.” I knelt in front of her.
I lifted her skirt and took her leg, slipping off her boots and sliding the wool stockings off her limb carefully. Slowly, I unwrapped the bandages. Her leg was tender, her skin pink around the wound. The bite was mostly healed. I assumed Edith had used one of their many tinctures made from their victims to speed up the process. As cruel as their crusade was, it was kind of brilliant.
“I think we can let it breathe tonight.” I smoothed my hands over her skin, checking each of the scarring marks.
“Quid pro quo,” she said, staring down at me.
“Oh? You still have the energy for games?”
