Page 42 of Fated to the Fang

The chamber beneath the old custom house is small—one iron table, the tunnels breathing cold through the far arch. Small means I see every face when it lies.

Nine vampires gather, two of which are elders. It's not enough, but it's all we have. The rest are refusing to assist humans that once tried to drive stakes through their hearts.

"Three," says Aldric. "You want us to risk exposure—everything—for three measly humans Lucien took precisely because he knew we'd come."

"Yes," I say.

"And the woman." Marta does not look at Avery. "We all know what she is to you, Dorian—that's the problem. You've given her power over us because she knows. The fact a human can experience the bond isn't right. She needs to go."

Celeste shifts at my left, silent, her eyes finding mine. She sends a message to me through her eyes. You are about to defend her like a man, not a leader. Don't.

"Lucien did not take Owen, Nora, and Tracy to bait me," I say. "He took them to prove I cannot protect this harbor—that the old order is rot. He is not threatening three humans. He is threatening our livelihood. He wants the old fear back. Humans beneath us. Vampires above them. A world ruled by hunger and obedience. This isn't power. It is the war all over again, dressed in Lucien's vanity. Power has gone to his head. Look what happened in the war against humans. It was stupid. The way we have kept secrecy of our kind is the better way. You all know it. That's why we live it."

"You and the council enforced that secrecy for centuries," Aldric says. "Buried our own for less than this. You broke your own law the moment you let her see your face for what it is."

"I did." No flinch. "But the law did not stop Lucien. It gave him a way to hide. He counts on us choosing to keep that secret over the dying, because we always have. He wants us to crumble. He wants for everyone to side with him."

"Then why is she still alive then," Marta presses.

"Because her being dead doesn't change a thing. She's assisted us. She's not exposed us like some would. She's my fated mate as you already know. She sees the human world where we've trained ourselves not to anymore. That's not a weakness in me—it's the gap Lucien hasn't accounted for."

A runner brings Helena's word—unsigned, deniable. No more blessings. End Lucien or the council acts. Even Helena has decided Lucien is the larger fire now. I repeat the words to everyone in the room, and their heads turn to each other.

"Are you ready?" I ask.

They all nod together, and stand ready to face my brother.

Celeste watches the chambers above in case anyone moves against us. Bram and Tova take the underground approach—they fight and can be trusted not to enjoy it. Two scouts, who remember the rebellion-era, mark the flooded sections before the turn makes them traps. One holds the human side of town—Greer can't deputize what he can't explain, and I won't leave the streets bare. One takes the western drain, Lucien's cleanest way out.

"Blood before we go. Mask scent at the seam; the air moves toward the market and he keeps people with noses. Comms on the harbor radios Greer pulled—the deep tunnels kill anything else. If the power drops, and it may drop it, we work blind, but don't panic. The tide gives us a one-hour mouth, then it closes whether we're out or not. Fail, and Lucien keeps more than the hostages—he keeps the proof that I can't protect either world, and that he can takeover and rule the humans."

Aldric says the quiet thing. "We could just give him what he wants. The woman. At a place of our choosing, and we take him on open ground."

The air sucks out of me, my voice rises. "Aldric. Your mouth deceives you. Say it again like you mean it."

He says nothing.

"I have been in this Harbor longer than most of your makers drew breath." I let them hear how little I think of him. "I did it by knowing the difference between a weapon and a person. The night I forget that is the night I become Lucien, and on that night you, Aldric, may put me down. Until then you do not offer me people to sacrifice. Clear."

Aldric inclines his head—all the surrender his pride allows, and we leave. A total of twelve of us. Ave. Celeste. Me. And nine vampires out for blood.

The sea breeze is hitting Ave's face, I can't decide if she's petrified or cold.

"You're terrified," I say.

"Obviously." A breath. "Aren't you?"

"Yes, but I've had practice from a rebellion, and a war in my three-hundred and twenty-seven years to be able to hide it better. The one concern I have is how to be able to keep you safe."

"Maybe we won't ever feel safe. But I'm the safest I am right now in a clan of bloodthirsty vampires than I would be at Harbor House. Don't forget that even if it does turn dangerous."

The bond between us intensifies again. I've stopped pretending it is not inside me, her smile indicates she feels it too. I know she's my life. "I used to run if I ever felt anything for anyone. Fear, mostly. Better that way. But with you, the bond is alive, and I've never felt anything quite like it."

"Good," she says. "Neither have I."

A gush of wind hits us as we arrive at the tunnel entrance. We all pause, waiting for someone to say something. Ave releases my hand, walks to the entrance and turns to face everyone.

"It's now or never," she says.