Page 26 of On Burning Paths

"Hey," Nyx says, looking over her shoulder at the vampire, her voice between a whisper and a hiss. "I'm vouching for you. Don't be an ass."

His gaze softens. Which I don’t like.

"Why did you do it?" I ask. "Save her. If it was the smarter play to let her die, why didn't you?"

Talon is quiet for a moment. It's a quieter silence than his earlier easy deflection, and his expression slips, brief and unguarded, before he pulls it back.

"I don't know," he says, and it sounds like the truth. "I knew I shouldn't. I stood there and ran through every reason it was a foolish thing to do." He glances at Nyx, then away. "And then I did it anyway. I couldn't not."

The silence sits for a moment.

Then he straightens, and the lightness returns to his face like a mask sliding back into place. "As for betraying you now… I'm out of the Trials if I don't find a team. My previous companions decided to part ways with me rather aggressively, which leaves me with very little to gain from playing games with yours. I need you as much as you'd need me, arguably more. So."

He spreads his hands. "That makes me the least likely person in this forest to stab you in the back."

“But he seems like a bit of an ass,” I tell Thorian honestly.

That makes Talon laugh, and he shrugs. "If not being an ass is a qualifier for the team, should you two be on this team?"

Nyx sighs and tugs her blanket closer.

“What do you want of the spoils?” I ask, which earns me a glare from Thorian. As much as I don’t like the idea of this vampire, I can’t deny it logically makes sense to have him on our team. He’s fast, strong, and has already survived this long.

“I’m only interested in the wealth and lands,” he says, and when I frown, he adds, “although, it’s not like I need all of it. I’d be more than happy to share. The spoils are enough that a dozen men could share and still be at the top of the food chain.” He pauses, then flashes his teeth at me. “Theoretically, of course.”

“And you have no interest in the courted prize?” Nyx inquires, watching him closely.

"Vampires are not told who to marry," Talon says, a cocky note to his voice as his gaze runs over Nyx. "Weath and lands, that’s what I want. Divine right, sacred titles, the blessing of gods I have very little respect for?" He glances around at each of us. "None of it. I'm not here for any of the other prizes."

Silence descends for a moment, and I worry that Thorian might decide to behead the vampire after all. He is, frankly, a dick. A dick who keeps looking at a barely clothed Nyx like he can’t help himself.

"I don't trust him," Thorian says, a shadow crossing his face. Once again, I get the feeling he's keeping something from us. "He doesn't seem trustworthy."

“While that might be true,” Talon says, rolling his eyes, “what reason would I have to kill you? I can’t win without a team. I need you. What benefit would I gain by betraying you?”

“You could be working for another team,” I point out. “Pretending to join ours so you can dispatch of us easily.”

“I work for nobody,” Talon scoffs. “And—who? I might be reprehensible, but I’m not taking orders from a dog.” He wrinkles his nose, clearly thinking of the shifters. “Or a warlock, for that matter. Especially not those warlocks, ugly bastards.”

As he speaks, I take a quick count, realizing there are far fewer teams now than before. My team, for one, ended when my partner died and I joined this one. The knights are now down to a single member. The Crimson Fangs are the same, with only Talon remaining.

Silence settles, with Talon standing at the edge of the cave, his back a mere inch from the rain falling in a curtain over the entrance. Thorian and I flank Nyx, staring him down.

“He saved my life,” Nyx reiterates, turning to Thorian. “And he’s without a team. I vote that we let him in.” Then she turns to me. “Just like we did for Fenric.”

I suppose it would be hypocritical for me to turn him out into the storm when just a few days ago, Nyx was fighting for my chance to join with her and Thorian.

“Fine,” I relent, sighing. “I vote with Nyx, but I think we should keep a careful eye on him ”

We have the majority, but Thorian is our leader, and he stares Talon down, clearly not liking this turn of events at all. But then, I’m not sure Thorian truly likes anyone, except Nyx. She just has to hope his logic overwhelms his need to stab this bloodsucker through over and over again.

“I’ll be watching you,” Thorian says, rather than a clear yes. Talon relaxes just a little, the corner of his lips quirking.

“As most do,” he quips, before striding into the cave and skirting around the side of the fire. “Don’t be embarrassed… we’re designed to capture you with our beauty.”

Thorian growls, turning and keeping his eyes on him, as promised.

Talon sits down with his back against the side of the cave, keeping his distance from the flame. Nyx settles down in front of the fire, and Thorian and I wordlessly position ourselves on either side of her.