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The very first rite our father made us travel to attend was thirteen years ago when Adelphi didn’t produce a sacrifice. Another pair of sisters, born on opposite moons. I sometimes wondered if Vandalia’s Sacrifice ever felt the way I do in the time leading up to her death. Did she have doubts? Would she have rather lived? What was her name? Throughout the rite, her smile never wavered. Her eyelids fluttered in admiration and hope as her sister’s moonstone blade slashed her wrists, two deep gashes the color of poppies. Vivvy’s gaze was a twin to hers as she beheld the chosen sister with awe and fascination and… hunger.

That’s going to be us someday, Viv whispered to me, bouncing on the balls of her feet with feverish excitement.

At that moment, everything changed between us.

At ten, I realized Vivvy wouldn’t have second thoughts about killing me.

That was the night I knew I would always be her path to greatness first, her sister second.

“You there!” A man fists my cloak, ripping my hood from my head. “Wait, just a minute!”

“Vivvy,” I gasp, trying to tug the blood-red velvet from his grip.

Viv spins around and withdraws her sword, blade centimeters from the man’s throat. “Release the sacrifice or your head will roll from your fucking shoulders before you have a chance to blink.”

His hand recoils as if he’s touched a burning kettle.

“I-I only wanted a better look at Adelphi’s Sacrifice.” His southern drawl gives away his kingdom before his cerulean ribbon does—Seagrove. He wets his lips, taking a step backward as he holds his hands up. “I didn’t mean to anger you, Lady Vivian.”

“Are you allowed to disgrace the sacrifices in Seagrove, visitor?” Viv snaps, blade still pointed at his jugular. “Or do they take your life there like they do in Adelphi?”

“I—”

A swirl of dark myst manifests on the corner of a rooftop, drawing all our attention skyward. My trembling heart lurches into my throat, knowing what will crawl from that glittering swell of shadows.

Vampires.

My feet lock in place as screams erupt around us. Bodies ram into one another, colors bobbing and blending into a blur of chaos, as the crowd tries their best to escape down alleys and into any shops still open in the East Quarter. Windows shatter. Screams of pain rattle from the ground as those who’ve fallen during the initial stampede are trampled by those still seeking sanctuary.

I remain frozen, eyes on the myst.

I’ll see you again soon.

Has Quill kept his promise?

I can’t help but hope so.

Viv clutches my wrist and tugs, ripping me out of my stupor. Her white-knuckled grip on her sword is steady, her breath frantic, as she weaves us through the surging crowd, ignoring fallen bodies and cries for help.

“I heard this would happen,” she calls over her shoulder. Her long braid sways behind her like a serpent, the crimson of her ribbon a hissing tongue. “The vampires don’t want me to ascend. So they’re coming for you, for your blood.”

Fear sloshes through my veins at her words. She couldn’t mean Quill.

Could she?

“Has that happened before?” I ask, arms and legs aching as she drags me along. “Have vampires tried to kill a sacrifice in other kingdoms?”

“Of course they have.”

The thought had never even crossed my mind. Heaven and stars eternal. I willingly went with Quill, knowing he’s a vampire. Not just a vampire, a vampire assassin. My stomach churns as an uncomfortable realization dawns on me—did someone send him here to kill me?

A woman grabs Viv’s arm. “Lady Vivian, please, help us!”

Viv shoves her away without a second glance and keeps moving.

All these people. Drunken and needlessly dying because vampires are after me?

It isn’t right. They have lives, they have families.