I understand it,” Malik says. He turns to his brother and says, “And you should too.”
“What she did was wrong,” I say.
“Yes, it was. Amicia should have consulted your sire. But Jasik hasn’t been able to control you either, so Amicia stepped in.”
“Control me?” Why does everyone want to control me?
“Ava, these witches have given you every chance to walk away,” Malik says. “They cast you out and betray you just about every time you rush over to save them. Your ties to them are rooted so deeply, you can’t even see how blinded you are by your devotion to them.”
“I know you feel I’m trying to control you by performing the blood oath, but really, I was trying to free you from the hold they have on you,” Amicia says. “I knew my decision not to help your missing friend wouldn’t sit well, so I tried to make it easier for you. I promise, I had no ulterior motives.”
“I don’t believe you,” I say.
“You don’t have to,” Amicia says, “though it is the truth.”
“What Amicia did was wrong—and will never happen again—but I do believe her,” Jasik says. “You didn’t drink from each other, and your promise to her wasn’t anything life-changing.”
“Seriously? I’m not sure Liv would agree with that,” I say. I can’t believe Jasik is siding with the very person he was so angry with only moments ago. How does she have this effect on everyone in her life? Is it simply their sire bond, or does she have some magical powers I have yet to learn myself?
“You said you promised not to search for the witch yourself. To me, that does sound like she was trying to protect you,” Jasik says. “I know you feel you can trust these witches, but something doesn’t feel right about this. The rogue vampires literally just threatened the same thing. How can you trust this isn’t yet another trap?”
I shake my head, frustrated. I know he’s right. It might be a trap, but I didn’t want to risk Liv’s life. That’s why I asked for their help. And if I am truly tied to them as severely as they say, this would be a good opportunity to sever the ties that bind us. Separating myself from the coven shouldn’t mean someone’s death.
“Will said he can help me find her,” I say softly.
The room falls silent. The vampires exchange sideways glances, not even bothering to hide them. I wait for someone to speak, hoping they will see the error of their ways and offer me the help I—and Liv—so rightfully deserve.
“And you believe him?” Amicia asks.
“I do. I think he wants to prove to me that he’s an ally, and what better way to do that than by helping me when my own nestmates refuse to?”
I know my comment is pointed and harsh and a bit childish, but I don’t care. I think about my promise to Amicia and Jasik’s explanation of what the oath means. I have to abide by it. It’s unbreakable, but if she truly meant no harm, then she was just trying to protect me. If she truly believes the witches are a threat, then she wouldn’t want me to go alone. She doesn’t trust them, yet she believes I still harbor a familial bond. So she would expect me to break my promise to her.
Ever since Liv went missing, I haven’t thought much about rescuing her. In fact, the only time I considered looking for her was when I discussed her disappearance with Will.
“That’s the secret, isn’t it?” I say, pretending the vampires were following my train of thought.
“Excuse me?” Amicia says, her confusion evident.
“The oath cannot be broken, but you only made me promise not to look for Liv on my own. I promised not to search for her by myself. You never made me promise not to look for her with someone else.”
“Ava,” Amicia says, her tone a clear warning. I shouldn’t be testing her like this, I know that, but she should have been clearer when we made our oath. It’s almost as if she intentionally provided me with a loophole just to see what I’d do. Sadly, I am going to fail this test.
“This is my way out,” I say. “If I search for her with someone, I’m not breaking your oath.”
“Do you really believe you can trust him?” Amicia asks.
“I do.”
“I certainly hope you can, Ava, because you’re risking your life if you can’t,” Amicia says.
Realizing that the vampires and I