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“Good. Now let’s go.”
They joined the crowd, already calming down, then went in another direction. She examined the blood bags he carried at his side before searching his face.
“Any good news?”
Matthew’s darkening expression didn’t encourage. “Nate’s gone. So is Nicola. Helena has been crowned the new ruler. She has been addressing the houses about the death and the circumstances.”
Not good news at all. Her stomach heaved, but she kept her silence until they reached the secret room. Inside, he repeated the news and ushered Rohan in.
“Mother’s going back to the castle. She can’t stay out much and needs to keep up appearances.”
“I need to go back, too,” Matthew said, then rolled back his shoulders to deliver more news. Winter braced herself. “There are rumors that Nate has been thrown to the other side.”
“I heard her order that to her guards,” she confirmed.
“No one saw it happen, but there are creatures from the other side on the loose—not enough to overrun Ostrov Krov, but enough to kill humans here and there. Some vampires, too, who were caught unaware.”
Stephanie scowled. “And Nate will be blamed. I guess it’s no secret to the houses anymore that he is the culprit.”
“The news is out of his involvement. All houses are talking about it.”
“It will spread to the humans outside the castle soon,” Rebekah concluded. “And Winter’s role will be out soon, too.”
Maddox entered the room, sweaty but calm. The frustration thrumming inside him was a different matter.
“I can’t find Master Nathaniel. I tried. But there are cracks on the border, and Nicholas has been in and out of the castle.”
Stephanie growled. “I will kill him.”
“We will all get him,” Matthew assured. “But not just by killing him. If we kill him or the queen now—”
“She’s not my queen,” Stephanie snarled.
“Hmm. If we kill him and Helena now,” Matthew corrected himself, “Then we end up as the murderers in the eyes of Ostrov Krov. We don’t have evidence, and someone else will take over for her. We need to find a way to prove Nate’s and Winter’s innocence. We need to get the pirate back here.”
“Isaiah won’t be enough,” Winter declared, her mind latching on to one word repeatedly.Proof.
“What do you mean?” Rebekah asked.
Caught up in the moment, something clicked and had clarity descending over her next—and just like that, Winter knew what she had to do.
“We need concrete evidence, not just word of mouth. Even a blood testament won’t do since it can just be tortured out of anyone.” With all eyes on her, she took a deep breath. “I can get that proof.”
Isaiah arrived on the dock right on schedule, either unaware that things had changed on the island or just not caring. The man held the same swagger as he ordered his men about and shook a human staff’s hand before the two got into conversation and some gesturing towards the stack of boxes on the ship. Maddox and Rebekah crouched beside Winter in between some barrels, the only two who could stay out in the sun like this.
“Are you sure about this?” Rebekah asked, the worry visible on her wrinkled forehead. Other than that, there were bags under her eyes and a hollowness to her cheeks, signaling that the days of waiting were taking its toll on her, too. Winter nodded.
“Yes. There’s no other way. You can’t follow us. The sun’s too strong.”
The woman nodded reluctantly, falling back when Winter and Maddox moved closer to the ship. At their next stop, Maddox spoke.
“There’s an export from House Silva headed for Centro. Usually, it’s done at night, but there have been strict orders from the castle for all imports and exports to be done during the day. The theory is that a few houses are scared and want to flee, so House Hendricks is preventing it.”
“And again, I’m inconsequential,” she mumbled, which suited her just fine. “Tell me when to move.”
“Not yet.” The half-vampire eyed her. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you? I can protect you in case you get in trouble.”
“Your protection is better suited here,” she said, waiting until his disapproval abated. “Protect Hilda’s mother. Protect the others on our side. Protect yourself, too. I have the means to take care of myself.”
