A tug that echoed louder than the cracked doorway between her and her vampiric Vincire.
A great chasm, long and hollow, stretched between her and the five males she felt constantly wrapped around every fiber of her being.
Luella, you are here,King Vale said into the chasm.
Suddenly, she was wide awake.I was tricked.
I find it hard to believe Bastian would trick you any longer.Vale’s tone did not let on to any knowledge of what she and Bastian had been up to during their solitude; though, she knew they had felt it—all of it.
I know of only one way you can be tricked, lamb, and it’s not with mere words.Tharen’s sharp words filtered down the chasm.
You do not speak to me for a week, and that is what you choose to say?Luella couldn’t help but reply.
She felt a presence, akin to warm sugar and chocolate, and she grew soft in a blink.
Lu, angel, I’ve missed you dearly.
I’ve missed you, Az,she replied, her voice sounding like a sigh even in her mind.
We are not here for niceties.Vale’s words echoed over the rest.We must make a plan. We will be let out come dawn. Luella,he addressed her,I’ve tried to get Bastian to convince you to meet sooner. The others know what must be done, what can or cannot be revealed. But not you…
I would not force her into our link,Bastian intervened.I persuaded her as best as I could.
Indignation rose within her.You did, did you?
She had too much time with her thoughts. She was restless and caged, poised to snap at any moment, and the others felt the heat of her ire, lancing down the threads.
Embers cascaded over her, not from within her mind, but from the thread wrapped tightly around her soul.
When we are free, do not speak, Luella. Follow in our lead. One of us will always stay with you—no matter what transpires,Vale continued.
I will be careful with my words. I’ve had much practice in being ignored. I doubt it will be different here…she mused.
Your doubts are untrue.
And she gasped aloud at the words said in that gravel-like tone—Graves.
She felt herself lock up, too weary to share her thoughts with her shadowed stalker and winged liar.
Make your plans without me, Vale. You’ve danced around me for centuries; you can continue to.
She shut them all out, turning on her side as she watched the flame flicker in the candle, wax steadily dripping to the stone floor.
31
RUMORS OF WAR
LUELLA
Keep your wings hidden underneath your cloak,Bastian whispered into Luella’s mind as she stood before the closed door.
Luella wiped her palms on the fabric, ensuring it was kept tightly around her frame. She felt it snag on her wings, and she grimaced, feeling constricted as the cloak tightened around her shoulders and made her wings press even closer to her back. "I know—you’ve told me twice already."
And I will tell you twice more,said the vampire. There was a pause, and in it, she released a shaky breath, feeling undone from the inside out.Vale said you must remember not to speak. I mean it, Luella, Bastian warned.
"Tell Vale to stop treating me like a babe to be ordered about, and maybe I’ll listen," she countered, as air gusted from nowhere and everywhere, making the candle splutter as her hair ruffled around her. The hood was pushed back.
After she had gone to sleep last night, she had not truly slept, but stared at the shadows and wished to be free of this solitude, counting the breaths she took to pass the dwindling time. Now it was here, and she was not ready to finally face them all.
