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But this isn’t about that darker part of me. This isn’t about wanting vengeance, as much as part of me wants that. This is about stopping Roanac to keep ourselves safe and to, well, frankly, save others. I don’t feel like I’m some superhero, and I don’t want to over-inflate my own sense of importance here. I’m not thinking of this as some big save the world plan that will get myself a ton of glory.
Having said that, I’m not the only person that’s going to be at risk because of Roanac! This is bigger than just me! If Roanac gets my blood and the power from it, then who knows who he could hurt and what he would do to them. I can’t let that happen.
We have to convince Donovan to help us. Because if he doesn’t, that’s curtains for us. We don’t have a backup plan. We don’t have another idea of what to do.
Donovan swallows, staring up at Cain. For the first time, he actually looks scared. He can see the hatred in Cain’s eyes, but more than that, he can see the control. Cain’s not going to be manipulated or lose his temper again. And that’s what must be scaring the vampire. He’s realizing that he doesn’t actually have the upper hand in this. He might not actually be stronger than we are. We could really hurt him.
I smirk. It must have been a while since Donovan’s felt like anything but the top dog around here.
“So?” Cain’s voice is impossibly soft, his eyes gleaming. I swear they look like they have fire inside of them. “What do you think, Donovan? Which is the better option here?”
Donovan shrinks from him, and I almost roll my eyes. Of course he’s a coward at heart. I shouldn’t be so surprised.
“Fine,” he snaps, leaning forward, trying to salvage some of his pride. His fangs flash, but it’s my turn to scoff. I know that he can’t use them against us now. He’s trapped, and he knows it. “I’ll agree to your little deal.”
The contempt in his voice is apparent. But I don’t care. So long as he agrees to help us, who cares if he’s happy about it?
“Good.” North pulls a vial out of his pocket. It’s small, filled with a bright green liquid. “Then you won’t have a problem drinking this.”
Donovan eyes it warily. “And how do I know that’s not going to just kill me?”
“You don’t,” Cain says casually.
It’s true, he doesn’t. But what choice does he have, really?
Donovan opens his mouth obediently and North tips the potion in. Donovan swallows it and North pulls his mouth down to make sure, checking none of the liquid is hidden in Donovan’s mouth for him to spit out once we’re gone.
“That’s an oath binder potion,” North explains. “It’ll keep you from betraying us. Had to be sure and all that. Can’t trust a vampire.”
I’ve never seen an oath binder potion in person but they’re pretty basic, though powerful, magic. The person you make a promise to has added their blood to the potion, and then once you digest the potion, you two are bound together by your promise. You can’t go back on your promise to them. Or, well, I think you can certainly try, but it’s not going to be pleasant for you.
Cain straightens up. “Well. Have a good night’s sleep, then.”
Donovan glares at him.
We leave the room, abandoning Donovan to his frustrations. Hopefully a night alone, tied to a chair, will make him more cooperative in the morning. And if not? It doesn’t matter.
He’s helping us, whether he likes it or not.
CHAPTER20
We’ll go to Roanac’s place tomorrow, it’s decided. We can’t afford to waste any more time but we also need some rest before we head out. We also can’t give Donovan too much time to formulate a plan to escape or notify his goons where he is. They have to have figured out by now—or if not now, then they will soon—that their boss is missing and that’s going to create a hell of a mess.
Of course, that does mean that we’re now facing the problem of bedtime.
Our resident prisoner and reluctant ally is in my room. The panic room where I’ve been sleeping. So that means I need to either sleep on the couch or…
I don’t even really have to think about it. I’m past pretending and it’s long past the time when I could turn back on this. I know what I want now.
I climb right into the large bed that the three men share. Obviously they have their own spaces in their apartment but this safe house was not made for extended stays so I guess they’ve figured out how not to kill each other over stealing the blankets. But I’m glad for it right now.
Because it means that when I just climb into one bed, they all get the message. I don’t have to just pick one bed and crawl into it and then explain that I want all three of them with me. They just know.
The men crawl into bed with me, curling around me like they’re simultaneously protecting me and seeking comfort from me. I hold on to them, and it feels like we’re finally a unit. All four of us together.
I don’t know what crazy fate brought me to these three men, but I’m glad that I have them. I never would’ve thought I’d be thanking fate for anything. Not after what happened to my parents. Not after nobody was there for me all these years, and I had to rely on myself.
But here I am, grateful beyond words that I have these three men with me. They’re exactly what I needed even though I didn’t realize it at the time. I can’t ever give them up. I won’t give them up. I’m going to do whatever it takes, including attacking Roanac, to keep us together.
