Immortal Secrets: A Blackstone Vampire Clan Novel by L.A. McGinnis

Author:L.A. McGinnis [McGinnis, L.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fools Journey Press
Published: 2022-12-18T16:00:00+00:00

31

NYX

Just before dark, I double-checked our perimeter. A cool, fetid breeze blew out from the forest with no hint of spring, which was just around the corner. The low clouds would obscure the half-moon that was predicted for tonight, making the forest even deadlier.

That was good.

Lennix would be coming—in fact, I didn't know why he wasn't already here.

Everyone on guard duty had taken Amira's elixir to protect us from Lennix's mind control, and those that hadn't were ordered to stay inside. Amira had secured more of the psilocybin, then locked herself in her workroom to make a second batch, but it wouldn't be ready soon enough.

I'd sent a missive to Aviemore offering an apology, but had not received a response.

The Blackstone king would have heard all about the debacle, and his silence was message enough. You are monsters, and you are on your own.

He probably hoped we'd destroy each other and he could wash his hands of our fucked-up royal house for good.

I studied the deepening shadows in the woods, the deathly quiet emanating from the wood, when the trees should have been filled with small animal noises, the rustling of branches.

Tenebris would become a gauntlet of death tonight.

We might not be able to stop Lennix and Kristoph, but the forest would slow them down. Just after dusk, Darius had coaxed the hungry shadows to obey him, but we'd need layers of defenses for them to claw their way through.

I approached the nearest sentry. Only those immune from Lennix's glamour had been posted outside tonight, because I didn't want any of these females to be used against us

as living shields—or, if Kristoph was with Lennix, to display his cruelty.

"Loose your shadows and send them into the forest," I told the wide-eyed female. "Let them roam free, and then instruct the others to do the same. When your magic is gone, take refuge in the house."

She gave a brisk nod and released her magic, and a nest of serpents slithered into the shadows, disappearing with a dry hiss.

If I had my magic, these females wouldn't have to be part of this, but despite my attempts, I couldn't conjure more than a puff of smoke.

She darted off to where the next guard was posted, and within minutes, I watched the tight knot of females disappear inside the house.

"I feel the need to say again—"

I jumped out of my skin when Darius materialized beside me.

"—I do not agree with this plan. It puts you at risk."

"If it spares the others from Lennix's wrath, it will be worth it. You know, as well as I, he will kill every last one of them to get to me, and they would all die fighting." I shook my head. "Those are unacceptable odds to me."

"To me as well," he agreed. The ground around us turned to black as shadows slithered like oil out of the forest, pooling at his feet. "But there are alternatives."

"No," I told him flatly. "We are not revisiting that."

We'd discussed options ad nauseum, and Darius dying in my stead was not one of them.

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