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“Try it again,” he said in a gentle voice. I closed my eyes, focusing on the lovely humming vibration his hand created as I recited the spell. I knew it was working when my magic came to life, not powerful but still present.
Opening my eyes, I lifted Vas’ hand and touched my fingers to the thorns inked into his wrists. Just like my mother had done for me, the ink faded away until nothing remained but unmarked skin.
A wave of light flashed through Vas, his magic hurtling back to him, no longer blocked by the bespelled tattoos. I felt his power immediately as he tore away from me, a convulsion racking his body. Another hit and then another. I had no idea what was happening but it looked painful.
“Vas, are you okay?” I asked, leaning in.
He stilled then, his chest rising and falling with deep inhalations.
“Fuck, that hurt.”
“I hurt you? I didn’t know that would happen. When Mum erased my tattoos I felt only a mild sting.”
“That’s because you haven’t fully come into your powers yet. Mine are deeply formed and they’ve been muted for months. Having them rush back so fast, I should’ve known it wouldn’t be pleasant.”
“I would’ve warned you if I’d known. I promise.”
He cast me a look. “Don’t fret, I believe you.”
Then why couldn’t he believe me about other things? Why couldn’t he see I was honest?
There was a short silence before a smile pulled at the corners of my mouth. I couldn’t help it. Despite the tense situation I was proud of myself. “I can’t believe I managed that spell. It’s such a rush. Thank you for helping me focus.”
“With time you won’t need my help.”
“You really think that?” My mother and a few others had mentioned that I might be a late bloomer when it came to magic, but I never believed them. Perhaps they’d been right about me.
“I know it. I can feel it within you. It might take a few more years, but you’ll be powerful one day.”
I wanted to believe him so badly, but I was also wary of getting my hopes up.
“Come. You look hungry. Let’s find something to eat.”
Vas exited the pod and I followed. I was glad to get out of there because being in such close proximity was nerve wracking. It made me feel things I had no business feeling, not when my breakup with Peter was still so fresh. We began to go down the ladder when I asked, “Can I get Ren first? He’ll be hungry. Oh, and Maya and Demi, too.”
“Maya and Demi?”
“They’re sisters, half vampires like me. They were transported at the same time as us. I’ve taken them under my wing.”
Vas made a gruff noise in the back of his throat. “Of course you have.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You have a hero complex. You want to save people. It’s why you’re here, is it not? Or were you lying about coming to help me and Sven?”
“I wasn’t lying,” I replied, reaching out to grab his hand, causing him to pause his descent. “You might not trust me after I wasn’t honest with you about being undercover at the prison, but I’ve come to consider you a friend, Vas. That’s why I came. I don’t abandon my friends.”
His eyes searched mine. One eyebrow arched ever so slightly. “Friends?”
I swallowed thickly. “Yes. If you’ll have me.”
His expression was thoughtful. “Come on. Let’s get you fed.”
11.
I introduced Vasilios to Ren like they were meeting for the first time, even though they’d already met while Vas was at St. Bastian’s pretending to be Nic. Then I introduced him to Maya and Demi, who mostly hid behind her sister.
“Hi. Sorry if I’m a little nervous. You’re a legend in this city,” Maya said to Vas, before glancing at Sven who’d joined us along the way. “You, too. I’ve heard the story of your great escape.”
“Our great recapture, also?” Vas asked, wryly teasing, and she paled.
I shot him a warning glance that said, Don’t be mean.
He arched an eyebrow in response, like I was in no position to tell him how to act.
“So, someone mentioned food? Because I’m starving,” Ren said, changing the subject to more pressing matters.
“Right. Follow us,” Vas replied. “Stay close. This place is full of junkies who’ll steal the clothes off your backs.”
Demon overseers watched us as we passed but they didn’t interfere with us. I got the sense that they were wary of Vas, which was interesting because they probably knew about the thorn tattoos. Even with his magic muted, they feared him. I wondered how they’d feel if they knew I’d just erased those same tattoos from his skin.
“Vas mentioned Carra is in your mother’s care,” Sven said, falling into step beside me.
“Yes, she’s safe. You don’t need to worry,” I said reassuringly. I knew I should tell him about the coma, but it would only add unnecessary drama to an already tense situation. Besides, for all I knew Carra might’ve woken from the coma by the time we got home.
