she tells me to walk away and never lay eyes on her again.
This is what it means to live. To choose a path and face the consequences.
“I’m sorry, Uncle,” I say, letting my posture fall to one of resignation. “I have taken the gift you gave me for granted. My ingratitude is shameful. Tell me what must be done, and I will do it.”
Surprise flashes across Nicodemus’ face. He releases me. Settles back on his heels and nods. He is about to reply, but then his eyes swirl to black, a vicious hiss emanating from his mouth.
I turn, a familiar scent curling into my nostrils. Acrid, like overripe fruit.
Michael Grimaldi stands at the top of the stairs. Though he is not a wolf, the smell of his blood is tainted with magic. He glares at me, an unfathomable expression on his face. “I had to see it again for myself,” he says. “I . . . thought you had died, Sébastien. Everyone said you had died.”
I smile without showing my teeth. “And were you gladdened to hear it?”
“No.” His lips form a tight line. “But I was not surprised.”
“If I had died, Michael,” I drawl, “I would expect nothing less than the most overblown funeral parade this city has ever seen.”
“No one has heard from you in weeks.” Michael shakes his head, still in disbelief.
“And it would have remained that way, had you not been foolish enough to bring Celine Rousseau to this establishment,” Nicodemus interjects.
“You clearly do not understand the first thing about Celine,” Michael says to my uncle in a cool tone. “Once she settles her mind on something, there is little anyone can do to dissuade her.” He looks back at me, his eyes narrowing. “Did you honestly think becoming a vampire was a solution?”
I raise a flippant shoulder. “It wasn’t my solution.”
“Then allow me to propose another one,” Michael says. “Stay away from Celine. She wanted nothing to do with this world. She asked to forget. For once in your life, be selfless and listen.”
My laughter is brittle. “You mistake me for someone who gives a shit what you think.”
“It’s not a request, leech.”
Jae blurs before him. “Flee, little cub. While you still have legs to carry you.” Menace radiates from his every syllable.
“If you lay a finger on me, the Brotherhood will return the insult, tenfold.” To his credit, Michael Grimaldi does not shrink away from Jae’s threat.
“Not if there’s nothing left of you to avenge.” Jae’s response is more breath than sound.
Michael turns to Nicodemus. “You realize what this means, don’t you?”
My uncle says nothing.
“You promised the Brotherhood you would not break faith,” Michael says. “Ten years ago, you swore never to bring another vampire into New Orleans.”
Nicodemus whirls away without a word and vanishes into the darkness.
“Perhaps your uncle doesn’t care about keeping his promises,” Michael says to me. “But there is no reason for me to hide the truth of what you’ve become from my family. You shattered this peace, Bastien.” His hands fist at his sides. “What happens next is on you.”
“And what happens if we choose to share your secrets with the girl you love?” Odette says softly. “What happens if Celine discovers you are not the hero you’ve cast yourself to be? That you, too, are part of this world she wishes to forget?”
Michael does not blink, though his jaw clenches. “I lay the consequences at your feet, Miss Valmont.” His lip curls. “But if you cause Celine any pain, you will answer to me.”
Hisses ripple around me. I hold up a hand, staying my brothers and sisters before they take it upon themselves to attack. No one threatens Odette in our presence. No one.
“Celine is yours to protect, then,” I say with a malicious smile.
He nods.
“Then have at it,” I continue in a mild tone. “It’s sure to be an easy task.” I lean forward, my hands in my pockets. “Tell her Bastien says hello.”
Anger descends on his face like a storm cloud. He opens his mouth to issue a reply. Reconsiders it. Then races down the stairs.
Madeleine comes to stand beside me. Every muscle in my body is stretched like the surface of a drum. I do not move. I do not speak.
“Her memories are returning,” she murmurs. “How is this possible?”
I say nothing. For I am wondering the same thing.
BASTIEN
The following evening, Arjun waits until the precise moment the last rays of the sun dip below the horizon to knock on my chamber door.