I ran.
Or at least my body tried to.
My legs felt heavy, my thoughts slipping in and out of focus as the venom still burned quietly through my veins. The world tilted every few steps, the streets stretching and bending like they didn’t quite belong to reality anymore.
I couldn’t think straight.
But I knew where I needed to go.
The church.
My feet carried me there almost without permission, stumbling down the familiar path, my breath coming in ragged pulls as the building finally appeared through the evening shadows.
The doors were still open.
They were meeting tonight.
Of course they were.
Panic surged through my chest as I pushed inside.
The room was filled with soft voices and candlelight, people sitting in small rows with heads bowed or hands clasped together. It looked peaceful.
Safe.
For half a second I almost believed everything might still be okay.
Then the words tore out of me.
“You have to run.”
My hand flew to my neck where the bite still throbbed.
Conversations stopped instantly.
Chairs scraped against the floor as people turned toward me, confusion spreading through the room like a ripple.
Eric stood from the front row.
His face went pale the moment he saw me.
“What happened?”
“You have to go,” I said again, my voice breaking. “Right now.”
People began murmuring.
Fear rising.
Eric crossed the room quickly and grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the back hallway.
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“What the hell happened?” he demanded quietly.
“He wanted your name,” I whispered.
Eric froze.
“I wouldn’t give it.”
His face twisted in frustration.
“Foolish girl.”
I frowned, confused.
“I don’t—”
But I did understand.
Just a moment later.
Because someone screamed.
The sound ripped through the church like a blade.
I rushed back toward the main room.
And stopped dead.
The doors stood open.
In the doorway were vampires.
Five of them.
Xavian stood slightly to the side, calm as ever.
Three others flanked him.
And in the center—
Cazaro.
My stomach dropped so violently I thought I might collapse.
He stepped forward slowly.
His voice carried through the room with cold authority.
“You have all been found guilty of treason.”
Silence fell over the church.
“By order of me,” he continued calmly, “your leader…”
My chest tightened painfully.
“…you will be arrested and hung for your crimes.”
I couldn’t breathe.
I led them here.
The realization hit like a hammer.
They followed me.
I brought them straight to the people I was trying to protect.
“No,” I whispered.
Eric stepped forward suddenly.
His back straightened.
“Do not worry, my friends,” he said clearly.
The others turned toward him.
“We will be with God soon.”
His voice was calm.
Peaceful.
“May he have mercy on us.”
“May he lead us home,” several voices answered.
My vision blurred with tears.
There were only eight of them tonight.
Not even half the group.
But it didn’t matter.
Once the arrests started, families would be questioned. Homes searched. Anyone connected to them would be pulled in.
The damage was already done.
The vampires moved forward.
One by one they were grabbed, hands bound, pulled toward the doors.
No one fought.
No one screamed.
They simply went.
Heads high.
Whispering prayers.
Until only Eric and I remained.
“Eric I—”
He pulled me into a quick embrace.
“I am sorry I wronged you,” he said softly.
My throat tightened.
“But you must remember something.”
His hands gripped my shoulders gently.
“I am doing as I was told.”
I stared at him.
“And I understand their decision to take us to our punishment,” he continued.
“They are doing as the law dictates.”
His eyes softened.
“Do not be angry.”
Tears streamed down my face.
“Eric—”
“Anger will lead you down a long road of darkness.”
The words hit me like a memory.
He had said them years ago.
The day my brother left.
When I had stood crying in this same building.
“I will not die in fear,” Eric whispered.
His expression became strangely peaceful.
“But in glory.”
Then Xavian grabbed him.
Eric was pulled away without resistance.
And suddenly it was just me.
And Cazaro.
The church felt enormous now.
Empty.
Silent.
“Am I next?” I asked weakly.
Cazaro studied me.
“No.”
The word hit me like a slap.
“I will not kill you.”
My stomach twisted.
“No one will mention your name.”
His voice was calm again.
“You are mine.”
I felt something inside my chest snap.
“I do not wish to be yours anymore.”
His expression didn’t change.
“It doesn’t matter.”
He stepped closer.
“It never mattered, Allysia.”
His eyes were cold now.
“Vampires are at the top of the food chain.”
My hands shook.
“I’m sorry you forgot.”
His voice dropped slightly.
“But I am going to remind you.”
He leaned closer.
“You are nothing but a pawn.”
The rage finally broke through the grief.
“Fuck you,” I spat.
For the first time that night, Cazaro smiled.
“Oh trust me,” he said quietly.
“I plan on it.”
