A Shade of Vampire 81 A Bringer of Night - Bella Forrest Page 0,77

it, okay?”

“What if they’re right, and you have to kill me? I’m not ready to die,” Valaine mumbled, shaking like a leaf.

It broke me to see her like this. Kneeling before her, I covered her hands in her lap with mine. “No one’s dying over this. Not anymore,” I said. “We’re better than this. If we were able to figure out a way to stop an elemental apocalypse, I’m certain we can figure out a way to save you, as well, and without any more Aeternae dying in the process.”

Tears glazed her eyes, but she didn’t let them flow. Taking a deep breath, she got up and pulled her hair back into a bun, then gave Amal and Amane a soft smile.

“You’re right. You need time. Please, continue your study,” Valaine said. “In the meantime, Tristan and I will go to the Visentis mansion and catch up with Kalon and Esme.”

“That’s a good idea,” I replied, eager to do whatever possible to get her mind off this unpleasant and confusing new revelation. “I need to speak to my sister, anyway. She had suspicions about Kalon being involved with the Darklings, but we got cut off. I’ve tried reaching out to her earlier, but I can’t get through. I’m worried.”

“Tristan, I still stand by what I said. Kalon wouldn’t hurt Esme,” Valaine murmured.

Our interrupted conversation earlier was still nagging me, along with an unpleasant sensation in the pit of my stomach. What if something had gone wrong?

Derek nodded his agreement. “Okay. You two head out and find out what’s going on with Esme, but try to get some rest before tomorrow. It’s been a long journey, and I need you both to be sharp and safe,” he said. “Let us know about your sister and if you need our help, Tristan.”

I appreciated how Derek spoke to Valaine. It was as if she was already a part of our team. It seemed to make her feel good, as well, as she smiled and nodded enthusiastically. I wasn’t sure how we’d be able to help her if there really was a strong connection between her and the Black Fever, but I was certain I wouldn’t let anyone hurt Valaine—let alone kill her. No, that was out of the question.

Esme

Atlas the ghoul looked awfully hungry whenever he looked at me. Petra said he wouldn’t harm me, but how certain was she? I quivered at the mere sight of this thing. I didn’t even want to imagine what he might do.

Kalon pulled me closer, nervously eyeing his mother and brothers. Pain emanated from him like pure heat, and I couldn’t blame him. His little brothers were Darklings. Children who’d been indoctrinated with their beliefs. Innocent souls who had no true understanding of what they were participating in.

“This isn’t going to be easy,” Kalon muttered.

Petra smirked. “It will be easy if Esme just agrees to do as she’s told.”

Veliko grunted from under her heel, but Petra applied more pressure, making him choke. She retrieved a key from his chest pocket. “You won’t be needing this anymore,” she muttered. I didn’t see a fair ending in sight for him, though I felt no sympathy for his impending demise.

Atlas towered behind us. He reached out to grab me, and I slashed at him with my claws before jumping back against the wall. Kalon didn’t take him on directly. Instead he grabbed one of the fallen scythes and came after the creature with the Reaper blade.

Petra screamed, “Kalon, no! You don’t know what Atlas is capable of!”

Growling upon hearing his name, the ghoul stopped right in front of me, glancing over his bulging shoulder. He caught Kalon by the head, his huge hand and lanky fingers large enough to wrap around it easily.

“Atlas, no!” Petra commanded him. “You cannot hurt my son!”

“Figured you’d say that,” came Kalon’s muffled voice. “Esme, catch!”

He tossed the scythe my way, and I caught it. A split second later, I used it to slice off Atlas’s other hand. I didn’t have any death magic knowledge, but the scythe could still serve as a basic weapon. The creature screamed in agony and immediately dropped Kalon.

Atlas gripped his left stump, ashes puffing out of where his hand used to be, his distorted face even uglier as he tried to express his physical pain. Kalon snuck around the creature as his brothers bolted toward us.

“Esme, give me the scythe!” Kalon said.

As soon as he reached me, I handed it back to him, my fingers still trembling from