But I’m not ready for the next question.
Priya raises a quivering hand. “Have you ever seen a vampire kill someone, Professor Moonfall?”
An icy chill wraps itself around my heart.
“Yes,” I reply, my voice hushed but clear. “I’ve seen many witches killed in battle by vampires. But the most vicious death I witnessed…was when I watched the northern vampires kill my father.”
A collective gasp echoes throughout the large room.
“Marcus Moonfall?” says June with a frown. “But I thought…I thought he was the High Priest?”
“He was,” I answer. “My father, Marcus Moonfall, was the High Priest of the Hecate coven before Lavinia Nox. During the War of the Final Fire, he decided to surrender on behalf of the good witches. He had seen so much death and misery, and he resolved to do anything to stop it. But when he surrendered to the vampires, instead of honouring their agreement, they killed him, in cold blood.
“He was the most powerful witch on the continent, and the vampires tricked him.”
Priya wipes a tear from the corner of her eye. “Professor, will we have to fight the vampires?”
“I don’t know if I’m strong enough yet,” whispers Naomi anxiously, gripping June by the arm.
“I think I could take a vampire or two,” says June haughtily.
She tosses her long hair over her shoulder. It’s a familiar gesture. June’s mother used to have the same long blond hair, the same clear grey eyes. But June would never know that. Her mother died in thelast war with the evil witches.
I’ve lost so many friends over the years. Seen so many young, eager witches struck down in battle.
I can’t bear to watch it again.
What if Lavinia is right? What if Tudor and the vampiresareup to something? Maybe if we can get ahead of it, we can stop conflict from escalating in the first place.
I wasn’t able to stop my friend from being killed in the Wicked Wars, or my father dying in the War of the Final Fire. But if I could do something to stop this next conflict, I have to try.
“No, Priya,” I say, resolve pooling in my chest. “You’re not going to fight any vampires. We’re not going to war again.
“Not if I can do anything about it.”
DO I KNOW YOU?
Amara
“There must be some mistake,” I say anxiously.
My new boss frowns, looking at the clipboard in her hands. We’re standing at the reception desk of the Respite hotel, the massive luxury hotel owned and operated by Tudor Thornblade and his progeny. The hotel is huge, and sleek. Everything is white marble with brass finishings. The main entry hall has high ceilings bejeweled with glittering chandeliers, two long reception desks stretching the length of the long lobby, and ample elevators leading up to the many hotel floors. The chime of the elevator doors plays softly in the background of our conversation.
It doesn’t look like a family of ancient vampires works here. But I suppose they’ve evolved with the times, the same way the Hecate coven has.
“Nope,” my boss says firmly, reading off her clipboard. “Amara Monroe, full-time bartender at the Succumb club, starts this Thursday.”
“That can’t be right,” I say, fiddling with the strap of my bag. I hate having to carry my things in a bag. I’m used to witch capes and dresses with roomy pockets. “I’m supposed to be working in the lounge. I didn’t even know that the Respite hotelhasa club…”
She grins at me. For a moment, her expression is almost mischievous. Then she gets back to business. “Well, do you want the job or not? Because I need a new bartender.”
I sigh. I don’t really have a choice, do I?
“I’ll take it, thanks.”
“Great!” she sticks out her hand. “I’m Xia Chan, the manager of the club. During the day, anyway.”
I shake her hand, praying to Hecate that I’m not making a terrible mistake. “Nice to meet you.”
