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I’d fully embraced my immortality until a few hours ago. Now I was lost all over again. “It’s not so bad.”
“You’re much kinder to me than I deserve, Larisa.” He inhaled a painful breath. “I betrayed the one person who actually gave a shit about me. I grew to love my wife, but she never loved me. I was just an opportunity. I’m the worst king Raventower has ever seen in its history. Everyone is dead…because I couldn’t lead. I stayed locked up in my castle like a coward.”
“Elias, this situation is unprecedented. It can’t be fixed by a single person.”
“You just said you found a cure—so it can.”
I pulled the pack off my shoulders and set it down, being careful with the glass vials. “Let’s deal with the werewolves. Then we can disperse the cure and move to the other kingdoms to do the same.”
“Larisa, a single vampire isn’t going to change this outcome. If you brought an army of Kingsnake Vampires, perhaps that would make a difference—”
“They are coming.”
His eyes narrowed.
Kingsnake would deduce my whereabouts quickly. The second he realized the venom was missing, he would come for me. I didn’t know if he would bring an army, but his brothers would be close behind.
“When will they be here?”
“I’m—I’m not sure. We just need to hold the werewolves off until then.”
* * *
It was the darkest part of the night, an hour before the light started to brighten the sky from midnight black to dark blue. I stood on the ramparts behind the fence and stared into the darkness, seeing their outlines come into view from the torches that we’d erected in the fields.
The one in the lead was dressed in all black, his boots shiny in the torchlight. There were a few men behind him, dressed similarly, some of them wearing hoods as if to block out the nonexistent sunlight.
It was an odd sight, seeing ordinary men approach the gate without weapons or armor, but wearing the smug grin of victory.
I stood on the rampart and looked down below, and then someone joined me.
Dressed in armor that was a few sizes too big was King Elias, his skin sallow like he hadn’t seen the sun in years. His men turned to regard him as well, as if it was the first time they’d seen their king in the flesh.
The werewolf locked eyes on him. “Your Highness, so glad you could join us.”
Elias stood with his hands secured behind his back, doing his best to appear as a strong king rather than a weak man.
“You know why I’m here.” He gestured to the gate directly in front of him. “Let’s get going.”
“We have nothing left to give,” King Elias said. “I’m sure you’ve surmised that by now.”
The werewolf stepped forward. “And I’m sure you’ve surmised what we’ll do if you don’t comply. You think these rickety gates will keep my kind out? We’ll rip this city apart and feast on every one of you.”
“You can try,” I said. “But your death with be delivered by my blade.”
The werewolf shifted his gaze to me.
As did King Elias and everyone else.
The werewolf narrowed his eyes before a smile set in. “You’re a pretty thing, aren’t you?” He cocked his head slightly. “But not too pretty to eat.”
“There will be no donation today,” I said. “We invite you to battle if that’s your wish.”
“This isn’t a poker game, Pretty. Your bluff will cost you a lot more than a hand.”
“Then it’s a good thing I’m not bluffing.”
King Elias spoke under his breath. “Tread carefully.”
