Chapter 44
ROMAN
Molvon was night and day from Haugor. The region resembled a bowl that trapped heat, dust, and brine, dominated by a relentless sun. This morning, I had traded my heavy furs and leathers for a lighter garb. Now I wore a lightweight linen shirt and pants that made the stifling heat somewhat bearable.
We had approached the city this morning, Estrella’s cute little ass pressed against my groin a constant, pleasant distraction over the past three days. Two of Ylva’s warriors had met us in Ethhad to inform us that Enso was also in position, ready to attack at dawn upon our signal. Razvan had broken off to prepare Enso, leaving Sorin to join us.
“Can you explain why we need to have a meeting with Edward?” Sorin stood shoulder to shoulder with Catina, who had come with him from Enso’s encampment. Their matching scowls and crossed arms spoke volumes about their overwhelming support for my decision.
“Like Razvan said, we need to do this by the book. That means discussing peace before we march in.” I raised an eyebrow at Sorin, who seemed about to protest. “I don’t like it any more than you do, but someone has to be the voice of reason around here.”
“And that’s you?” Estrella quipped between bursts of laughter.
I rolled my eyes, wrapping my arm around her. “I’ll enter the city under a white flag and talk to the scum. When he inevitably declines, we will storm the city in the morning.”
“Wewill enter the city,” Sorin corrected, waving a hand between all of us.
“I don’t need you hotheads in what will already be a tense meeting. And though a welcome one, Estrella would be a distraction that would put everyone in danger.”
Estrella spun to face me, her eyebrows knitting together, her mouth opening to argue, but Catina cut her off.
“I am going. I run this town, I know Edward better than anyone, and you’re the biggest hothead of us all,” Catina snarled, pulling a blade from her bandolier and stabbing it into the soft oak of my war tent’s table. I glared at the blade, then at her.
Her tanned face was set with fierce determination, her arms crossed in a way that warped the black sun tattoo on her bicep. She would argue with me indefinitely, especially regarding Edward. I bared my teeth in distaste. “Fine, Catina can go into the city with me. Sorin and Estrella will stay here.”
“I’m going with you!” Estrella snapped, yanking away from my side.
“No.”
“Roman, I’m not playing this game?—”
“I’m not losing you again!” My fingers dug into my palms as my body tensed against my clothing, my beast form threatening to break free. I choked back the stone lodged in my throat and forced myself to count backward from ten to calm down.
The thought of any of the monsters in that city getting their hands on her sent me into a spiral of hysteria. I exhaled sharply throughclenched teeth. “I’m sorry, Estrella. It isn’t that I don’t think you can handle it. You can handle anything.” I took her trembling hand, my own still shaking. “My warrior. ButIcan’t handle it. I’m not strong enough for you to be that close to these monsters. Please.”
Her jaw worked, clenching and unclenching as she fought against the argument building inside her. “Fine. But I march with you tomorrow.”
That was acceptable. I had already planned to assign several guards to protect her for the impending battle. Not that I would allow her out of my sight anyway. My protective obsession might be a hindrance in battle, but I didn’t care. She wasmineand would stay that way.
Protect her, please.I looked to Sorin, who appeared as unhappy with this arrangement as Estrella. It was selfish, but I didn’t trust anyone outside my circle to keep her safe if I wasn’t around.
He glared at me but relented.Fine. I’ll guard her with my life. Be careful.
“I’ll stay with Estrella and monitor the troops. Don’t want Ylva getting any grand ideas,” Sorin said. Catina and Estrella looked at him with surprise but said nothing.
We left Sorin in charge of informing Ylva of our departure. I didn’t want her attending with us—bringing another House into this discussion would complicate matters. Besides, though Catina and I had our differences, I trusted her implicitly. I couldn’t say the same for the countess. Leaving behind my very tether to this world, the space between us stretching like a taut rubber band with every step, Catina and I approached the sun-scorched city of Molvon.
Unease dripped with the sweat down my spine. Molvon was abustling port town. White-walled houses with red terracotta roofs were practically stacked atop each other along the mighty river that flowed into the sea. Normally, the town reeked of sweat, beer, and piss from the sailors who called this place home. I had been here several times over my life, and the overwhelming crowd had always threatened to suffocate me.
Now the city was nearly empty.
The only signs of life were the few shutters that closed as we passed. Razvan had said Edward had chased off many townspeople and killed many more, but I hadn’t realized the severity of the situation. Catina grimaced beside me, clearly as disturbed as I was. We didn’t speak as we made our way down the sloped streets to the waterfront.
The Javali House headquarters stood at the very edge of the city, abutting the sandy beach next to the full docks. More people lingered here, mostly vampires weaving between the mostly empty ships. None of this was right—not a single ship was moving, no captains shouted from their decks. Eyes were upon us from every direction, yet none of the vampires stalking us dared to draw near. My skin felt tight, my shadows threatened to explode.
We ascended the white steps to the Javali house, a massive structure adorned with gold motifs. A pair of golden boars flanked the double doors, alongside several vampires. Conversation halted as we entered, but their minds buzzed with disdain and menace. I rolled my neck, doing my best to keep my thoughts steady.
The inside reeked of booze and sweat, to the point of choking. The only sources of light came from the slits in the shutters and the candles littering every surface. Their warm glow bounced off the gold surfaces like gilded sunshine. At the central table, flanked by two lieutenants, sat Edward. His posture was casual, one leg crossed over the other, a glass of what smelled like spiced rum in hand, but his eyeswere fixed intently on us.
