“I understand that you’re all waiting for this, and I want you to know I’m not afraid.” I spoke the words because they were true. “Whatever happens now, I know who you are, and you can kill me, but I’m not the same person I was when this all started.”
I met Bethany’s gaze, and she nodded. I’d done it. They’d wanted me to seem fierce. This was the best I could do. I hoped it was enough for them to remember me well, if it came to that. My knees might give out. It had been too many hours since someone had fed off me.
“Is she done?” Rowan asked his father. “Or am I supposed to let her make some kind of speech?”
The last best bit of hope I had died. It burned in the flames. Rowan’s voice was different. Sinister. Sneering. So much like Fredrick’s, they could have been the same person.
“I think she’s done. I told your foolish human self you wouldn’t care about this. That she wouldn’t matter to you, but I keep my word. She’s here. What will you do with her?”
Rowan nodded. “Yes, you did. I only wish I had understood then what I understand now. I was always a vampire.” He turned toward the crowd. “Those of us born this way are always creatures of the night, even when we are in our young, human bodies. Amazing how I can see all of that now. My father has put me in charge of what we will do for the next bit of this battle, and I’ve decided that first and foremost, we will leave this place. We’ve been here too many years. The Betrayer and his foolish followers know it too well. We are moving to a new location.”
Low whispers sounded. That wasn’t what anyone had expected him to say. I swallowed. Did he remember I was even there?
He continued, “In this vein…” There was actual laughter when he said that.What a stupid fucking joke. I rolled my eyes. “We will proceed forward. We will leave that which was here behind. A few of you will stay for a few years, to make sure things here are closed down properly. The rest of us will move on. Maci…” Finally, his attention returned to me. “I was always a vampire, and vampires don’t lie. I promised you something. I intend to deliver on that vow. You’re to leave here. Now. No one will see you again. Ever. If you speak of us or your time here, those who are left have permission to kill you. Otherwise, you will never be viewed by a vampire again. You are something we are done with.”
What?I widened my eyes. That wasn’t at all what I’d expected. The realization dawned on me.No, they can’t do that.I needed to be bit. Yes, I wanted freedom, but I couldn’t live without the vampire bites. It would kill me. Fredrick smiled slowly. He understood. He had known. All of them looked away then. Caesar. Tanner. Ace. Griffin. Their gazes moved from me like Rowan, proclaiming it meant they couldn’t even view me anymore.
They were done with me.
“Rowan, please…”
They never let me finish. In one quick movement, Tanner’s father ripped me from the circle and hauled me to the street, through the door I had myself tried to exit once, when I had collapsed in the woods.
With a shove, I was on the ground. “Go. If anyone sees you again, we’ll take that as a sign you’re talking out of turn. Not that you’ll be able to do that, will you? How long can you survive? Days? We’re done with you. We won.”
I shook my head. “It was never a contest. I’m just a human girl. I didn’t do anything. I wasn’t in some kind of competition.”
“Small human, you were a gnat to us. But let me give you a piece of advice. If you happen to live through this, it’s always a competition and we will always win. It’s best if we all know our place in the world.”
He disappeared then, back into the vampire compound that I’d just been banned from. My hands shook. It was seconds since the proclamation, and already, I was withdrawing. What was I going to do? Tears leaked from my eyes.
“Maci.” A woman I didn’t expect to hear from walked out from behind Rowan’s garage. “Do you remember me? I’m Wanda. I own the bar that you went to once so long ago.”
I blinked. “Um. Sure. Yes. I…”
She put out her hand. “We have a mutual friend who asked me to help you. Ace’s father. He said if this happened, I should come get you. That you would need help. Come with me. Now. I need to get you away.” She looked over her shoulder. “Please.”
I took her hand.
What other choice did I have?
* * *