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She greets me with a nod and steps in closer, lowering her voice.

“She’s been down at the paper a few times, combing through the archives, researching the town and the people. She’s smart, Nick. It won’t take her long.” She lets that land. “And when she gets there, somebody has to raise it, and then it’s a vote.”

“She hasn’t got anywhere near⁠—”

“She’s got a notebook. I’ve watched three generations of this town, and the ones who work it out on their own never get a vote that goes their way.” She adjusts her glasses. “Petition it. Get ahead of it.”

“On what grounds? She’s been here six weeks, and she’s leaving in the spring.”

“That’s your answer, isn’t it?” She takes a biscuit off the tray. “And when it comes to a vote without a petition behind it, you know exactly what Constantin will propose. He’ll be very reasonable about it. He’ll call it a kindness.”

Compulsion is what it is. He’ll remove everything she’s learned and wipe it away like she never lived it. The practice makes me sick, and it’s how this town has kept its secrets for two centuries.

“I’ll take care of it.”

She knows I have no idea how, but she lets it go.

“She might surprise you. If you give her a chance.” Roslyn bites into her biscuit and makes her way to the chamber, grabbing another pastry.

Everyone born here grows up knowing. Everyone who marries in gets told, because a spouse is the easiest thing to put in front of the council and call permanent. Buy the hardware store and they’ll tell you. Put down roots and you’re in the circle. But telling someone first, so they know what they’re actually signing up for, is a violation. Ellery rents an apartment by the week from my mother, all her possessions fit into a suitcase, and she’s got a family pressuring her to go home and pick up the life they designed for her.

There’s no way this ends without Constantin or Sigrid taking her memory of this town, me, everything she’s become.

The hall doors swing open, letting in an icy gust. Dominic and Anna enter, followed by Constantin, heading straight for the chamber. Dominic gives me a weak smile as his uncle breezes past like I’m furniture.

The meeting room is dominated by a large circular table. The Renards sit on the far side, next to my great-aunt Sigrid, who pushes a muffin around on a plate that she obviously can’t eat. Hazel Briarwood, coven leader, beside her. She speaks for the magic that keeps us in the sun and the magic that could take it back. I nod at Lloyd, who sits for the village council, and Caleb Alder, doctor and witch. Pete, who works for the Parks Department, and Roslyn, representatives for the settlers. I find a seat between Caleb and Lloyd, and wait for the backlash that will come from Constantin when I bring up the incident at Mom’s house.

Roslyn takes a sip of her coffee and bangs the gavel. “Anything to add to the agenda before we go through winter preparations?”

“Yes.” I lean forward. “A vampire broke into the blood storeroom before the Fall Festival. We have an intruder within the boundary.”

“Why are we only hearing about this now?” Hazel asks, concern etched across her face.

“I brought this information to Constantin days ago.” I say it to him and let the rest of the room watch me do it. “He was not concerned, so I’ve been combing the woods myself. I’ve seen signs, but I haven’t found it yet.”

Everyone turns to the Renards, except Sigrid, who watches me with a slightly amused smirk.

“Perhaps you’re mistaken. Dominic has been patrolling every night since you brought it to my attention and uncovered no evidence of this intruder. It has likely moved on.” Constantin lets that sit and doesn’t blink.

Dominic tries to fade into the background. Anna glares at her father. As sheriff, she’d typically be the one to organize patrols. This is the first she’s hearing of it, too.

“I’d like to be sure it’s gone before declaring the town safe.” I press the edge of my anger into my voice. “Not only is there a risk of it attacking someone if it gets desperate enough, but we can’t afford to lose any more of our blood supply before winter sets in. We won’t get another delivery until after thaw.”

“The Valzera are charged with maintaining the supply. Perhaps if you were more focused on your duties rather than playing house with an outsider?” The same contempt he has for all humans is there, and underneath it, something sharper. “Where’s she from, anyway? Who are her people?”

I’m halfway across the table before the chair hits the ground. Fangs out, in a closed room, in front of the council. Ready to tear Constantin apart.

Caleb rights the chair with one hand and puts me back in it with the other.

Every person here watched me lose it over the woman who works for me. Constantin smooths down his lapel, preparing to address the room.

He got what he came for.

“Though Nikolas might have a point worth considering.” A minute ago, there was no threat. “If there is truly an intruder within the boundary, we’d be negligent not to act, if only as a precaution. I suggest tightening movement in the area for the rest of the winter. A nightly curfew for humans and witches.”

“Curfew?” Roslyn sets down her coffee. “We can’t confine people to their homes during the holidays. And you’d be shutting down every business that operates after dark, which in December is every business in this town.”

“Some inconvenience is unavoidable.”