Dark Promise (Darkhaven Saga #3) - Danielle Rose Page 0,6

don’t want to help them because of everything that’s happened.”

“They are our enemy.”

“We’ve all made mistakes, but we must break this cycle,” I say. “We can have a better life here.”

“You make empty promises of eternal peace. This will never happen, Ava. Don’t you see that? The witches will never be our allies.”

I scoff. “Don’t you think you’re being a little hypocritical?”

“Excuse me?” Her eyes narrow.

“When you needed assistance to learn more about my magic, you turned to a witch. You asked Holland to come here, to help me control my magic. How is that any different?” I cross my arms over my chest, and the top of my shirt crinkles. My cross necklace is exposed. The silver metal glistens in the light, catching Amicia’s eye.

“Holland has proven his devotion to us. Never has he endangered my vampires. You gave your witches every opportunity to work with us, and each time, they disappointed you. Why do you allow them to continue hurting you?”

I exhale loudly and drop my hands into my lap. “They’re scared. That’s all. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but mortals tend to lash out at what they don’t understand.”

Amicia snorts. “Oh, I’ve noticed.”

I never forget how many years she’s been walking this earth, and it never ceases to amaze me. If she didn’t give me the complete wiggins, I would ask Amicia about her time here. Where was she born? How did she die? Did she know what was happening to her? Does she miss her family? I’m guessing she doesn’t. If she did, she’d give me the opportunity to salvage my relationships with my remaining blood relatives.

“Eventually they’ll understand that we’re the good guys,” I say. “They just need more time to see past their prejudice.”

Amicia holds up her hand, silencing me. “Enough. I have an eternity on this planet, Ava, and I still wouldn’t offer the witches even one moment of it. They don’t deserve my leniency, and they certainly don’t deserve your loyalty.”

I sigh, defeated. Amicia and I will never agree on this. She’s seen far too many horrendous acts to forgive the witches of their misdeeds, and the witches are too stubborn to believe a vampire can truly be good. This is a vicious cycle that won’t end even in our lifetime.

“So what happens now?” I ask.

“You will tell the witches that we will not aid them, and you will make it clear that another unannounced visit is unacceptable. I will agree to only one pact: they stay off our property, and we’ll stay away from theirs.”

“And if they don’t listen?”

Amicia doesn’t answer, but her eyes say everything my ears don’t hear. If the witches come here again, she will be their end. The coven might be powerful, but Amicia is an experienced fighter. I’m certain she will outsmart even the most ruthless coven.

She glances down at my neckline, but my cross is covered by my shirt. In the morning rush, I didn’t have time to show her my new ability, but I’m sure someone else mentioned it while I was outside with the witches. I wait for the proper time to pull out a cross—one of the few things that can cause everlasting physical pain to a vampire—and shove it in her face as a declaration of my strength. Fidgeting in my seat, I’m uneasy with the idea.

“Ava, I’m going to ask you to do something that might make you uncomfortable.”

I swallow hard. “What is it?” Inside, I’m screaming, begging her not to make me hurt the witches. I’ve already turned my back on them—and my former best friend. Isn’t that enough? Can’t we end this here, now?

“Vampires make blood promises to each other. I want you to make this promise to me now,” Amicia says. As she speaks, everything about her—from her voice to her eyes to her face—is void of emotion. She blinks, waiting for my response.

“What am I promising?” I ask, confused.

“You must promise not to search for the witch on your own. Promise that you will respect my decision.” She sits back, resting against the bench’s armrest, and folds her hands in her lap. With her fingers laced together, her back straight, her head high, she’s awfully threatening.

“And what do I have to do?” I ask softly. I’m cowering under her gaze, finding it difficult to simply look her in the eyes when she speaks.

“You must make a blood oath to me, to this family. You are one of us, Ava, regardless of who sired you.”

“A blood