But as I say the words, I know in my heart they’re not true. And the answer is written on Callista’s face. She puts her mug down on the table, deep sadness in her green eyes.
“Amara, you can’t be serious. You know how vampires are. They want total control, absolute power. They’re jealous of what we witches have. They want to take it for themselves and they don’t care who they hurt to get it!”
“But they’re not all like that, Callista. Maybe Tudor is more…old-fashioned…but the other vampires, they’re different! Like Amrita! She started Elmwood Academy to bring the vampires and witches together. And Renata and Lexi, they seem more occupied with running the hotel than anything that the witches are doing. And Celine…”
“You might be right about the other vampires, but it doesn’t matter. Tudor is the one with the power, and his progeny will follow him,especiallyhis eldest. Vampire progenyalwaysfollow their Creators, Amara, you know that.”
I sigh, but don’t argue with her. She’s not wrong. Cedric made quite a stir when he betrayed Tudor and joined Lazarus Gray. But even he traded one Creator to follow another. Celine is powerful, but not as powerful as Tudor or Lazarus.
Still…Ihaveto believe that she would make the right decision if she needed to.
How do I explain that to my best friend, though? Her face, usually so bright and cheerful, is drawn and somber. I know what preparing for battle is like. Neither of us ever wanted to do it again. It must beheartbreaking for her to have to teach the young witches at Hemlock Haven how to defend themselves against vampires and shifters, knowing that not all of them will make it.
“I understand, Calli,” I tell her. “And I’ll do everything I can to avoid another conflict.”
“Good,” Callista says. “I have something to give you before I leave.”
She reaches into her embroidered witch robe and pulls out a long, thin instrument. For a moment, I think it’s a wand. Then I see its sharpened end.
My heart sinks in my chest. “Callista, no. I can’t take that.”
“Amara, I wish I didn’t have to give it to you. I know how much you hate killing. But things aren’t looking good. There have been vampire sightings around Hemlock Haven. They’re planning an attack, we know that for sure. If Tudor and Oana attack Hemlock Haven, you need to take out his progeny. Try to get as many as possible, but prioritize the eldest. They’re all too powerful. If they get to us first, they could kill dozens of witches. You have to take them out first.
“It’s the only way.”
With a heavy, sinking feeling, I take the smooth stake from her trembling hand.
I pray to Hecate that I’ll never have to use it.
ELMWOOD ACADEMY
Celine
There are no rhinos, thank god.
And I have to admit, Lexi did very well. The event hall is decorated in deep crimson and gold. Sparkling towers of wineglasses tower to the ceiling. Scantily-clad living humans are stationed throughout the large space, performing sensuous dances and acrobatics. Their quickly-beating hearts whet the appetites of the vampire guests, who quench their thirst on bloodwine, with varying degrees of enthusiasm.
Every vampire from the northern region is here, with the exception of Lazarus Gray, his remaining progeny, and Cedric. They fill the space, mingling hesitantly. Vampires are not social creatures. We tend to stay independent from each other. Our family is unusual in that regard, as we rely on our political and business contacts to fortify our power. I should ensure that I mingle with everyone I need to.
“Celine!”
I turn, and spot the only vampire here with a witch’s familiar, a large barn owl that sits on her shoulder. She wears long purple robes embroidered with pink runes, and an amethyst at her throat. She has large, round eyes and light brown skin.
“Amrita Vyas,” I nod my head to her. “So good to see you again.”
“Wonderful to see you as well,” she says, kissing me once on each cheek.
“Thank you for making the time to attend, I know your schedulemust be very busy.”
“Well, the invitation was very…insistent.”
She glances across the room at Lexi. My younger sister is easy to spot. She wears a slinky dress made of dark red beads, resembling drops of blood. Her hair is tied back in a tight ponytail that swings dangerously behind her like a platinum blond whip. She mingles animatedly, like the extroverted host that she is.
I stifle a smirk. “Yes, my younger sister is very excited to launch her new brand.”
“Clearly,” says the vampire-witch. “Well, good for her. It’s important to keep busy. If I didn’t have Elmwood Academy I would completely lose my mind. Although I enjoy being the High Priestess of the Morgan coven, I need a break from those witches every once in a while. They’reconstantlysquabbling about politics. I thought joining the Triple Council would quiet them down, but it made it even worse. They still feel like Lavinia Cox and the Hecate witches are in charge.”
She rolls her eyes, fingering the amethyst at her throat absentmindedly. Amrita is one of the only vampires I know who fidgets. She must have a lot on her mind.
