Fifty. There are fewer thanfiftyvampires in New York City. The population of the city is over eight fucking million.
“She’s been doing this more than we realize,” I say as I shake my head. “The Steele family was the big purge, and you took out five vampires for her. But she’s not keeping that number so low without purging a lot more frequently than we realized.”
Ares nods in agreement. “I called Harry right after, and he still won’t leave.”
“What?” I gape. My stomach turns. We’ve been trying to talk Harry into leaving New York since we decided to leave. Sysco has been on him nonstop since he decided to move as well.
But Harry is determined to stay in New York. He says he won’t bow to this woman.
“He’s even more determined that he’s going to find her and take her out,” Ares continues.
“I hate that,” I say, folding my arms over my chest so my hands don’t shake. “Why? Why would he risk his life like this?”
Ares shakes his head. “I think he has things going on here that we don’t know about,” Ares says. “A person. An arrangement. I don’t know. But he’s made it clear—he’s not afraid.”
I can’t stand the thought of leaving someone we care about behind. Harry is my friend. He is a good person. But he is also an adult. He’s very capable. He’s also very powerful. So, I’m going to have to trust that he can keep himself safe.
“I told that bitch we’re leaving,” he loops back to the therapist. “I told her we’ve warned the others. She said… nothing, really. She looked at me, and I felt like she was reading every thought in my head.”
“Did she say she’d stop?” I ask, heart pounding.
“No,” Ares says, his voice hardening. “She didn’t say one way or the other, just pointed out the number of vampires left in New York. And then she wished us fucking luck in the move.” He shakes his head, visibly disturbed. “But being in her presence? That was enough, Vengeance. We’re doing the right thing.”
I nod, my relief immediate and visceral. “Then let’s go.”
He doesn’t hesitate. “Let’s go.”
Billings meets us downstairs, already outside with the car. Our luggage is loaded into the trunk, and then we’re ready to leave. The morning is gray, the sky stretched taut with clouds. It’s like New York knows we’re leaving, and it’s holding its breath.
“You sure you’re good on your end?” Ares asks Billings, clapping him on the shoulder.
Billings nods. “I’ll finish what needs doing here, then I’ll be right behind you. Got a place lined up near the lake already.”
My chest swells a little. Billings has been with Ares for years. Knowing he’s coming with us—it means something. And it’s one more vampire that will be safe from that woman.
At the airport, Sysco greets us at the security entrance, sunglasses on, a duffel bag slung over one shoulder.
“You two look like you’re about to start a new empire,” he says with a grin.
“Maybe we are,” Ares answers, and they fist bump.
Sysco raises a brow at me. “How we feeling, boss lady?”
“Nervous,” I admit. “But in a good way.”
We check our bags. Security is fast. We board early, and I breathe a little sigh of relief as I settle into my first-class seat, Ares a comforting presence beside me. Everything feels seamless, fluid—as if the universe is trying to make our exit as smooth as possible.
The plane hums softly beneath us as we lift into the air. I grip the armrest. Ares takes my other hand and intertwines our fingers. I focus on the rhythm of our breathing.
I’ve only flown a few times in my life, so I’m not experienced. But this feels different. Like I’m not just flying across states—I’m flying into a new version of myself.
A new city.
A new life.
A new beginning.
Ares leans close. “You okay?”
