Page 64 of The Donor’s Dilemma

“Abe,” he said and Verity dropped the articles on the counter with a shiver.

“What the fuck does Abe have to do with Cliffhaven?”

Theo set her plate in front of her and took his seat, poking at his food as he searched for words. “There have been problems with the Cliffhaven port. It’s why prices are going through the roof; we’re struggling to get goods in from Occidra.”

What was he talking about? Getting food from the continent to the east was essential.

“What kind of problems?” she asked. “Why haven’t people heard about this?”

“I’m not even supposed to know about it.”

“Then how do you know?”

“My brother told me, when I was finding out why Abe’s here, but it’s under control.”

“How the hell is it under control?” Half the reason Cora was struggling was because of rocketing prices. What happened if Havenshire couldn’t produce enough food or there was too much rain or too little or…

“Hey,” Theo cooed, taking her hand in his as her mind spiralled. “Seriously, it’s going to be fine. Salvation has the biggest port outside Havenshire, we just need to keep him happy, but not that happy,” he added when Verity flinched. “The blessed haven’t been allowed inside Havenshire for a long time. We show them some hospitality, make them feel special, and they’ll open up a new trade route for us. It’ll be fine.”

Verity nodded. “Just be nice to him,” she said, almost to herself.

“That’s it,” Theo smiled, pushing her plate towards her.

Staring at the food, she nodded. Obviously, more important things were going on in the world than her stupid Ostara festival. Theo was doing the real work, making a difference and keeping Havenshire going.

“What’s wrong with the Cliffhaven port?” she asked. At the start of the outbreak, the council stressed that it remained safe to use, that the illness wouldn’t spread.

Again, Theo considered his words before speaking, taking his time to chew. “All of this stays between us,” he said, waiting for Verity to nod before going on. “Some of the humans there feel abandoned.”

“Of course they do. It’s been over a year. How haven’t they found a cure yet?” She took a bite of lasagna, her first, and gods it tasted good. Theo might only know how to reheat things, but Enzo Whats-his-name knew how to cook.

“Well,” Theo went on. “It would seem that a group has declared themselves… New Albion.”

Verity choked. “What?” she wheezed.

“Yeah well, they’ve burnt the docks and they’re attacking vampires.”

Holy fucking Phoenar. “They’ll get banished to the Wilds.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Theo said, getting her some fresh water. “If they’re banished, they’ll just try to find their way to actual Albion and then they’ll help whatever new anti-vampire scheme they’ve got going on. I doubt the Roses would allow it.”

“So what? What will happen to them?”

He shrugged. “I honestly don’t know, but right now we need to find new trade links so they’re being left to their own devices.”

“But…” she started, unable to find the words as her eyes roamed his face.

Left to their own devices? What did that mean? War on the streets? Fighting by moonlight? This group must be significant if they were stopping trade. What about those who didn’t wish to fight: the young, the old, the sick?

Theo’s chair squeaked on wood as he scooted closer, wrapping a cool hand around hers. “I know,” he said, and the look of hollow defeat in his eyes told her he meant it. That he’d asked himself every one of the questions now plaguing her.

He knew her pain. He didn’t know the answers.

They finished their meal in silence. Theo’s hand moved to her back and stayed there as he ate, unwilling to relinquish contact. Verity felt guilty for eating, for learning such news and then enjoying a meal. Were the humans of Cliffhaven enjoying a meal?

By the time they finished, her eyelids were as heavy as her heart, sleep finally demanding her attention.

“I meant it when I said I could wait,” Theo told her, but allowed her to take his hand and guide him over to the sofa.