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While I try to get a hold of my emotions and stop my tears from falling down my cheeks, Henry stares into his glass as if he’s lost. “The men who killed your mother were part of the rogues that helped me defeat Cleveland. Most of the rogues weren’t bad, they simply didn’t want to swear fealty to a master and join a clan, but the ones who went after your mother were different. They were sick, twisted. They were reckless and cruel. They went on a killing spree through the city that was so terrible it nearly outed all underworlders to humankind. I knew the moment I saw your memories that first night it was them.”
I sniff and dry the last of my tears away. A vague memory surfaces of that first time Henry barged his way into my mind. He’d looked horrified after seeing that memory of my mother. I hadn’t thought much of it at the time because the memory was awful, but now I know there was more to Henry’s reaction. He was upset because he knew he was responsible.
Charlie’s quiet voice pulls me from my thoughts. “Why didn’t you stop them?”
We all look at Henry, waiting for his reply. He swallows hard and bores his sad eyes into mine, pleading for understanding and possibly forgiveness. “I couldn’t. I wanted to, but I’d given my word. I’d signed a binding contract. I couldn’t touch them. If I did, I’d lose control of my clan, and I couldn’t have a vampire revolt. It would have meant chaos for the entire city.”
I open my mouth to argue, and Henry silences me with a rueful look. “There’s a reason vampires need clan masters, Nora. We’re dark, dangerous predators. Without someone strong keeping the others in line, we will fall victim to our dark natures. That is why only a master vampire is strong enough to lead a clan. I lead one of the largest clans in the country. I couldn’t afford to let it fall apart over a handful of rogues killing humans.”
I shake my head in denial. What he’s saying makes sense, but something’s still not quite right. “What about the FUA? If these rogues were so out of control, they had to be a threat to the underworld. How come the FUA didn’t know about them?”
To my surprise, Henry scoffs. “Theydidknow. They knew everything that was going on. They purposely didn’t stop it. Those rogues terrorized this city formonthsbefore they stepped in.”
I gasp in horror.“Why?”
Henry smirks bitterly. “According to Gorgeous, they were ‘good for business.’”
“What?”
“The FUA wasn’t official in Detroit at the time. Madison and Gorgeous were in talks with the heads of all the factions, but as you can imagine, we were all hesitant to sign anything agreeing to give the human government any form of control over us. Out of control rogues terrorizing the city was just the motivation they needed to get me to agree to their terms.” He levels me with a hard gaze. “Madison used the rogues as leverage. She made a deal with me to take care of the rogues only if I signed the treaty with the FUA.”
I gasp. He can’t be serious. “No.” I shake my head. There’s just no way. “They wouldn’t do that. Their job is to protect people. They fight for justice.”
The look Henry gives me is full of pity. “They fight forunderworldjustice. A few human casualties were a small price to pay. I’m sorry, Nora, but your friends are as guilty of your mother’s death as I am.”
My stomach rolls. I close my eyes as my emotions start to spiral out of control. What Henry’s claiming is atrocious. That the FUA—that Director West and Nick—would stand back and let monsters tear through this city just to get their way… It’s despicable. And if it’s true, Nick lied to me. Or, he withheld the truth anyway. I asked him about my mother. I asked him to help me find the rogues, and he said nothing. He pretended he didn’t have a clue when he had to have known. The betrayal almost hurts worse than the truth.
A pair of arms wraps around me, and I spin to face my hugger. “Shh, darling,” Charlie coos as I bury myself in his chest. “It’s all right. We’re here.”
He sends waves of peaceful reassurance at me through our bond, trying to calm my turbulent emotions. His embrace is foreign and yet feels so familiar. The longer he holds me, the more I feel a connection to him. Our mate bond is reacting to our closeness, pulling us together. “I’ve got you,” he murmurs.
My guys all surround me, worried and wanting to comfort me, but they allow Charlie this moment as if they know he’s the right man for the job this time. And somehow he is. I hardly know him, but his calm, steady presence is exactly what I need to settle the storm currently raging inside me. I melt against him and take a deep, shuddering breath.
“Nora,” Henry rasps, breaking the bubble of peace Charlie created around us. When I turn my head so that I can see him without leaving the safety of Charlie’s arms, he reaches out but quickly pulls his hand back. “I am sorry,” he murmurs, “for the part I played in your mother’s death. I know I can never make it up to you, but I want you to know that I am sincerely regretful.”
I’m surprised that I believe him. For all that he can be a monster, he does seem to feel guilty. That’s probably just because he believes I will never forgive him, and therefore never accept a relationship with him, but in his own messed up way, heissorry. “Thank you,” I mutter. “I appreciate that.”
He gives me a pained smile. “You deserved the truth.”
I nod my thanks one more time. He’s right that the truth hurt me, but I’m still glad I found out. He only told me to get Illren off his back, but no matter his reasons, he told me the truth. I’m grateful to him for that.
I let Charlie cart me away from the bar and cast one last glance over my shoulder. “Get some sleep, Henry. Your vampires are safe from my clan.”
