"No." Roane was void of any emotion. "He doesn't know what she is, but he fears it anyways. He knows something has happened. He's stirred something in them, made them fear for their lives if she lives. I don't know if it's from words or magic, but I can feel him among them."
"He's powerful. Maybe he's seen into her already?"
The sword felt heavy slung across his back, but it was where Roane wanted it. Close at hand and ready for when it would be used to kill. He just wasn't ready to kill thousands of what used to be his army.
"Lucas."
Wren surprised him when she spoke his first name. He felt into her, an ability that he'd developed from being intimate with Davy. The vampiress was also scared, but she was in longing. "Go to Tracey. I want her on my side."
"I don't think she'll be converted."
"She will. Tell her that Talia is trying to communicate with the new thread-holder. Tracey will come then."
He felt her shock.
He added, "If she knows that her sister is with us, she'll know that she fights for the wrong side. She can help us."
"And if she doesn't? If she turns on me?"
"She won't with you. If she chooses the Roane Family, she'll send you away, but she'll make sure you're safe."
Wren nodded and left. She moved with a grace that made her invisible and one of the best warriors he had trained. There'd been a moment when he had thought she would've chosen to be at Tracey's side, not his, but now as he watched her vanish into the forest, he was grateful for her loyalty. She was one of his best warriors.
She hadn't been gone long before he felt another's approach. Before Gavin spoke, Roane knew he'd seen Kates.
Gavin spoke in a rough voice. "You could've warned me. I didn't know Davy's best friend was a slayer."
Roane grinned, but the night hid it. "Why would that be important to you?"
"Don't be an ass."
"I thought you were over Isabella."
Gavin let out a ragged breath. "I thought I was too."
Roane waited and knew he'd need a few moments. Gavin would either talk about her or forget the mention of her. He had his answer in the next second.
"Their army is close. What are you planning?"
"I don't want to fight them now. I've sent Wren ahead to convert Tracey to our side."
"But what about the army? They're too close and our numbers aren't enough. We need more vampires." Gavin shifted on his feet. He wanted to fight, purge the memories. Killing would do that.
"Release their scout. He will lead them in the opposite direction."
"And how'd you get him to do that?"
"Jacith isn't the only one who can use magic."
Gavin grinned with a hard look in his eyes. "So you changed his memories."
"It's nice to have a few friendly witches on our side."
"So we wait and make sure they leave?"
Roane stretched his legs out before him. They both sat on the darkened hill. Then Gavin murmured, "What are you going to do about the Bright witch?"
He hesitated for a moment. Roane had felt her when he came to town. He followed Davy to Benshire, but the young witch's presence had been overpowering. She was strong, even with her magic still locked inside of her. The determination he'd seen in her when he had checked on Davy at the library had surprised him. She would unlock her magic and Roane knew Davy, as her friend, would help the witch. It was in her nature. Davy didn't like anything locked away or kept hidden. He just hoped the witch would stand on their side. If she chose their allegiance, she would be more powerful than either she or Davy knew.