AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Cara thought about what her father told her about Samuel, and about the elders’ history with the vampires. She looked over, finding him in the crowd, and he gave her a smile, but it couldn’t conceal the worry in his eyes. The elders were reluctant to move against Samuel. He was dangerous, powerful and resourceful. Did they think Nick was their best chance at winning this war?
“The terms?” Ana repeated.
“Save the innocents taken by the vampires,” Nick said. “Free my brother.”
“A vampire.”
“Yes.”
“We will not associate our coven with the undead,” she said.
Nick’s eyes narrowed, and the black lines around his hands thickened.
“But you won’t act against him,” Cara said. “He’s just one vampire.”
The elders looked at her. “We will not intervene, one way or the other.”
Nick was quiet for a moment. “Fine.”
“We could offer our assistance against the vampire threat. What do you offer us in return?” Ana asked.
Nick didn’t hesitate. “Samuel.”
The elders smiled, as if they were expecting it. “You will kill him for us.”
“If the opportunity comes up,” Cara said. Nick had already talked about killing Samuel, but this conversation sounded like a transaction, like they were signing a verbal contract to kill a living thing. Well, maybe not living, but he was alive in all the ways that mattered.
“No,” Ana said. “We will offer our help in exchange for Samuel’s death.”
Cara frowned. “You can’t expect Nick to-”
“I’ll do it.”
She looked at him. “What?”
“It has to happen,” Nick said quietly, keeping his voice low enough so that only she could hear him. “He’s responsible for all of this. He gave the orders, he controls the vampires. If we win today, he’ll come for revenge. It’s the only way to protect the people we care about.”
Cara hesitated. “Okay. If you’re sure.”
“Is that your answer?” Ana asked. “Will you destroy the vampire lord?”
“Yes,” Nick said. “I will.”
The elders glanced at each other again, but they didn’t take another silent break to discuss it.
“We have a deal,” Ana said. “Kill the vampire, save the innocents, and we will give you what you need. Together, we will bring peace back to this city.”
Cara didn’t like it, but they didn’t have another choice. She watched the elders, and she wondered if they predicted this might happen. A young, inexperienced void was a much smaller threat than an ancient vampire lord. And they didn’t have to face Samuel themselves.
Nick simply nodded, and Cara tried to keep a confident mask on her face, but her stomach was twisting and turning and her heart was pounding in her chest.
***
Chapter 57 - Nick
Nick sat beside Cara in the back of the car while her father drove. Rose was focused on the papers and maps in front of her, muttering under her breath as she prepared for the spell ahead.
Nick kept his eyes on the world outside the window, but every few moments, he could feel Cara’s father looking at him.
