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“How many of you are there?”
“Enough,” Cy hissed.
That appeased the vampyre. He gazed up at the ceiling as though he’d lost all interest in looking at Cy any longer. “I suppose you think the Veritas will be successful, then? That one day, all the vampyres will be eradicated, and humans will win back their freedom?”
“Take off my shackles and give me a weapon. I’veeradicatedworse than you.”
At that, Haven threw back his head in a mocking laugh. “You don’t fear us?”
“Of course I do.”
“But not me.” Haven locked Cy in his sights once more, eyes narrowed. “Why? Is it the way I look? My pretty blond hair?” He grinned sardonically, showcasing razor-sharp teeth. “Make no mistake, human. I am no different than the others. I’m more tolerant, perhaps. More patient. Thorne would have killed you already for your insolence. You’ll need to be careful in Castle Alnwyck, slayer. Lest you see the last of your days met with a violent end.”
“You’re warning me. Why?”
“I don’t much care for wanton bloodshed. At least now when he kills you, it won’t weigh on my conscience.”
CHApTER TWO
Cypress
They departed forNew Avalon the following evening under cover of darkness.
Their journey would take place by train, a long, steel vehicle like a living organism with many segments and no windows. Of course, no windows. It was meant to transport vampyres over long distances. Though the sun would no longer kill them, Cy knew it could still sting. Vampyres were so sensitive.
They boarded the train under the moonlit sky, Haven holding tight to Cy’s chain to keep him near. They hadn’t spoken any further about Thorne or anything else for that matter. Cy had done his best to keep his eyes to himself and away from the blond vampyre.
Easier said than done. Despite how Cy hated vampyres, Haven Bathory was a sight to behold.Beautiful and graceful, all long, lean limbs and perfect posture, he seemed aloof and untouchable. Yet also strangely sad, vulnerable. And all those around him seemed to notice it as well.
Haven had traveled to Varney territory with a group of ten other bloodsuckers, all of whom seemed to continuously observe Haven, including the female guard who was always only a hair’s breadth away. But her gaze was different, reverent, protective, while the others watched with narrowed, hungry eyes. They looked at Haven in much the same way that they looked at Cy: like a fresh meal, a plaything they wanted to stick their teeth—or maybe even their cocks—into.
Yet Haven remained impenetrable, callous, cold. Prideful, vain. He spared the other vampyres not even a single meaningful glance, ignoring them as one might ignore a pebble crushed underfoot.
“There’s a car at the back of the train for livestock,” Haven explained as he drew Cy into his personal cabin, away from the other vampyres. His armed guard posted herself just outside the door as it shut behind them. “But you aren’t livestock. So you won’t be staying there.”
Livestock. Cattle.Cy supposed he should be used to those terms, to that reality. But it still pained him to think of the humans crammed into tight cages, drugged to be kept docile. Naked, shivering, afraid. He had to try to think of something, anything else.
Haven’s cabin was expansive and plush. It spanned an entire segment and contained not only a bed, but a small table and chairs, a writing desk, and a bookshelf filled to the brim with all manner of tomes. Some were leather-bound and others made of simple fabric, dust jackets abandoned to time. Cy’s eyes traced those spines, noticing that all seemed well-worn, as though Haven’s nimble fingers had caressed and loved each one. Their titles were unfamiliar. Humans in captivity weren’t allowed to read.
When Cy turned his gaze from the books, he noticed Haven watching him, a strange expression in his eyes. “Admiring my books? I thought humans weren’t taught how to read.”
“I was,” Cy blurted without thinking.
A slim blond brow shot up in surprise. “Were you?”
Cy bristled at Haven’s condescending tone. “Yes. As a child.”
After studying him for a moment, Haven hooked Cy’s chain to a latch next to the bed. Close enough that Cy could climb in if he wanted. But he remained on the floor, in a submissive position while Haven strode to the bookcase and silently perused its contents. After selecting a volume bound in leather, he reached down to hand it to Cy. “Prove it then.”
Cy blinked. “You’re serious?”
“I am.”
Huffing in indignation, Cy glanced down and began to read out loud. “3 May. Bistritz. Left Munich at 8.35pm, on 1 May, arriving at Vienna early next morning; should have arrived at 6.46pm, but train was an hour late.”
Cy glanced up to see a satisfied grin on Haven’s lips. “That’s a neat trick for a human. I’ll bet it comes in handy when scouting for the Veritas, doesn’t it?”
Cy stiffened, unwilling to talk about that part of his life, unwilling to give this vampyre anything to hold against him.
