“It exists,” I say. I stand to Sebastian’s right, too anxious to remain seated. I look from Milas to the others, scanning each of their expressions.
Beatrice looks skeptical, of course, but the others are intrigued. Excited, even. They should be, though I hold back from saying that. The plan speaks for itself. If Elliot’s right—which after reviewing his notes, I think he is—this sand will be strong enough to conjure a widespread ritual. Within a few weeks, we’ll have every vampire in the Echo walking in sunlight.
“You’re amazing, Cora,” Amelia says. She leans back,slouching against the ivy-covered stone. “I knew you would figure it out.”
“I didn’t,” I say pointedly. I know everyone is suspicious about Elliot, but this should prove exactly who he is. “Elliot did. It will cost him greatly.”
“Who knew you were so good in bed,” Beatrice scoffs.
I smile. If I didn’t know Beatrice as well as I do, I’d feel insulted. Instead, I recognize the envy in her voice, the held-back praise. She’s happy for me, whether she’s willing to admit it or not.
“Enough,” Sebastian barks. “Go over it again.”
My smile doesn’t waver. Sebastian doesn’t need to hear it again. The new ritual isn’t all that different from the one I’ve been using for years. The only difference now is a few minor tweaks and the addition of the black sand. It was an essential ingredient in Madam Lyrie’s curse against the vampires, making it the perfect vessel for setting them free.
“Do all the vampires need to be in the circle?” Grace asks. She snatches one of the parchments off the table, squinting to read the smudged ink. She rolls her eyes and glares at Sebastian. “What do you people have against modern conveniences? You could go buy a few reams of paper and some pens, but no, here’s some paper a kindergartner made out of pulp and glue.”
Sebastian smiles at her, as if she’s the most precious thing in the world.
“No, they don’t need to be in the circle,” I say. “The ash will go around the other ingredients. I’ll stand at the center. I might need some vampire blood or maybe a fang?—”
“Your lover is here,” Milas interrupts. He’s holding the werewolf ear again, absentmindedly tracing the outer shell. It’s disgusting enough it takes a moment to process his words.
“Elliot?” I say. I look over my shoulder, expecting to see him.The courtyard is empty though, and the only movement I see through the manor’s glass wall is a wandering vampire.
“Yeah,” he confirms. “Even with dulled senses, I can fucking smell him. He’s almost as potent as you are.”
I don’t take time to respond or feel offended. I’m already off, running down the corridors until I reach the entryway. The only vampires I’d trust with Elliot are in the courtyard, which means someone else met him at the door. And if they so much as?—
I skitter to a stop. Elliot stands at the front door as a pair of vampires leer at him. They’re standing too close, pupils blown as he stammers through his reason for being here. One of them grabs his shoulder and presses her nose against the side of his throat.
Within a second, I’ve got that vampire across the room. She’d been holding Elliot hard enough to pull him down. I throw the second vampire as Elliot gets to his feet. He stares at me with an intensity I feel straight between my legs.
“That one wasn’t touching me,” he says. He’s breathless, chest heaving as he brushes the dust off his pants.
“Yet,” I say. Then, “What are you doing here?”
He was supposed to stay in the Day Realm for the next couple of days. If he’s here, something happened. Or he changed his mind. He’s realized he can’t let me use the Cursed Grounds’ sand after all. His mama threatened to disown him, and he realized I’m not worth the risk. He’d rather have peace amongst his people than mine.
It’d be more than fair. I won’t blame him. I’ll?—
“I missed you,” he says.
I don’t respond right away, sure he’ll continue, but he doesn’t.
“You missed me,” I repeat finally. I cross the wooden floor, glancing at the two unconscious vampires. One’s neck looksbroken. She’ll be out for at least the day. The other will be up shortly, but if he’s smart, he won’t cause problems.
“Yeah,” Elliot says. He releases a breath, so tight it seems painful. He closes the distance between us, capturing my mouth in a kiss far too passionate to be in the middle of Sebastian’s entryway. Still, I don’t deny him. I lean into it, letting his tongue smooth over mine, gasping when he finally pulls away.
“You were supposed to wait a few days,” I say, as if perhaps he’d forgotten.
“I missed you,” he repeats. He trails his thumb over my jaw and glances over my shoulder. Without looking, I know we’re no longer alone.
“Which one?”
“Sebastian,” he says, looking back to me. “A couple women. I don’t know anyone’s names, Secora.”
“Secora,” a voice echoes. Without looking, I recognize it as Grace’s. “Is her nameSecora? Why am I just learning this?”
