Neil smiled my way. “No, I needed you and Sarah’s tough love and these enchiladas. Some things never change.” He looked back to Daniel. “I was sick in the beginning. I was very weak. That was why I stayed in wolf form for as long as I did. Over time, the sickness went away, and then it was loneliness that kept me from turning the way I should have. But I never got as bad as Zack has been. I don’t think Zack’s sickness is all about not having access to the king’s blood. I think it started years ago. When Myrddin took over the Council building, Zack fought. He fought hard.” Neil sighed. “How much do you know about that day? Am I about to be the bearer of really shitty news?”
“We know very little.” Dev sat next to where Daniel would sit had he not had so much nervous energy. “Last night was about getting the lay of the land. This evening we’re scheduled to have a full debrief on everything Sasha and the academics know about that day.”
“So I have to tell you because I don’t want Zack to have to do it.” Neil put his fork down, a sure sign that whatever he was going to say would be bad. “When Trent fled with the kids, Myrddin decided to lock the Council headquarters down. He called everyone together and told us the royals were dead and the academics had done it. He blamed Marcus.”
“Yes, we know that, though I still don’t understand his logic. Why would Marcus and the academics want to take me out?” Daniel asked.
“Because they wanted the throne. Everyone knows the academics have always been active in politics. It’s easy for some people to believe they decided it was their time to rule. Especially among some of the vampire factions. According to Myrddin, Kelsey was in on it. Having a Hunter helped them decide this was the right time to move on the throne, as Hunters are connected to academics. She would be their Nex Apparatus when Marcus took the crown,” Neil explained. “None of us close to the throne believed it, of course, and when Myrddin realized we didn’t, he attacked. I believe he wanted to take out those closest to the royal family. They targeted me, Sarah, Zack, and some of the vampires in Daniel’s circle. You have to understand. That day was chaotic. Sarah and I split up because we both had to protect our families. Most of the vampires were sleeping. Hugo helped me hide Chad’s body until we could get out. By the time night fell, most of the damage was done.”
“Who did we lose?” Daniel asked the question flatly, but I knew how much the answer would hurt him.
“We lost most of the vampires who were in the building at the time. The academics were able to hide because they’re daywalkers. Hugo and Henri and Casey did what they could, but we still lost several,” Neil said. “Including Justin. It’s why Zack and Lisa named their surprise kid after him. We all loved Justin. Myrddin’s group busted through the doors to their apartments and staked the vampires in their beds. Zack tried to save the rest. I was with him when Myrddin’s group caught us trying to smuggle out a group of shifters. Zack held the line while I got them out. Myrddin hit him with something, a ball of darkness from his hands. I don’t know. I only know Zack was never the same. I got him out, but he was sick after that. We managed to take the stash of king’s blood we had. Casey snagged it when he realized Liv wasn’t coming with us. We had enough for a couple of months, and that helped. I think if Casey hadn’t saved it, Zack would have died.”
“You got Chad out?” Daniel asked.
Neil nodded. “Yes, we used the tunnel under Ether.”
Dev’s brows rose. “What tunnel?”
“The one we didn’t tell you about because it was obvious Myrddin had some kind of control over you.” Neil frowned and turned to me. “Sarah and I decided when Myrddin showed up that we might need a secret way out. We didn’t tell you, Z, because it was better you didn’t know. I didn’t want you keeping more secrets from them. I understand if this is considered treason…”
“It’s considered smart because Myrddin had compromised us.” Danny finally sat down. “I’m grateful you took precautions.”
“There’s a tunnel under Ether?” Dev seemed shocked at the idea.
“Yes. The kids didn’t use it because they were already teleporting. We didn’t want to risk giving it away if we didn’t have to. And it’s warded. Sarah protected it with her heart’s blood. We weren’t sure one of us wouldn’t have to go with them. I know she allowed Zoey and I safe passage through.” Neil’s appetite seemed to pick back up.