Despite the many recent times I’d feared Fiona wouldn’t reach this moment, the future remained true. I stood in the shadows at the back of the stage with the other coaches, watching the last of the True North compasses being given out. There would be no more after this ceremony, which was a stark reminder of our impending future—humanity’s dark future.

Once Barry received his compass, Vladimir walked back to the center of the stage, held his broadsword straight up, and blew out the green flames. As powerful as my kind was, angels had mysterious powers even I didn’t fully understand. Perhaps they weren’t meant to be understood, much like the creation of my kind. I knew we were a curse, but why did such a thing even exist?

Vladimir shook President Janice Bolt’s hand, then walked off the stage from where he’d come.

Janice stepped away from the rest of the Assembly and brought the microphone to her lips. “I know it will feel a little strange at first, but the True North compass will become a comforting part of you. It will talk to you in its own special way, and you will come to appreciate its guidance and warnings.

“Now, I want you to follow these directions. Outstretch your left arms just like you were instructed to do when you received the marks.”

Douglas Fiennes came to stand beside Janice and rolled up his shirtsleeve to reveal his tattoo. Then he demonstrated what Janice was asking the initiates to do.

“Very good,” Janice continued. “Now ball your left hand into the tightest fist you can make. While you’re squeezing your hand tight, place your right palm over the compass and squeeze your left forearm. Watch what happens.”

The initiates were mesmerized as they watched their compasses disappear right before their very eyes. I knew the trick, which came in quite handy for other members of the Society, helping them blend into whatever roles they were expected to play. Everyone except for me—the sole vampire bearing the True North compass. Mine didn’t disappear. The angel blood woven into the design was my constant source of pain, a torment other vampires contracted out by the Society were unwilling to endure.

“Your True North compass will always be with you, but you have the ability to call for it at will. There will be many times in the outside world where anonymity will be important,” Janice said. “It’s often a good idea to keep it hidden in your daily lives, but you’ll be required to present it when you wish to enter the Southern California compound, or any of the other bases we control around the globe, which you’ll learn more about in the coming months.”

Janice then led the Assembly of Seven to the newly initiated, all going down the line, shaking their hands and officially welcoming them. And when they were done, Janice spoke into the microphone. “Please welcome the newest and last members of the True North Society.”

The auditorium erupted in applause as the entire audience rose to its feet. It was so loud the stage shook beneath me, and I was clapping right along with them.

Fiona glanced back; I couldn’t tell if she could see me in the shadows, but her face was beaming despite the tracks of tears streaking her cheeks.

Janice didn’t try to stifle the applause but simply waited for it to die down. When it finally did, she again spoke into the microphone. “You should all be incredibly proud of yourselves. You are part of a very elite group, of which there will be no more. You are the last. There is much work to be done to usher us into the new age. Mallory, Fiona, Zelda, and Barry—each of you was chosen, and for good reason. Now it’s time to show the world what you can really do. We’re all behind you. Bound in blood. Bound as one.”

“Bound in blood! Bound as one!” the audience roared.

“Bound in blood! Bound as one!” the Assembly shouted.

“Bound in blood! Bound as one!” the audience repeated.

“Humanity will survive,” Janice said. “Together, we will make sure of it.”

And as she finished her declaration, the spotlights went out. A haunting hymn rose up from the orchestra as the Assembly secretly exited the stage and the curtains closed. When the music faded to stillness, the stage lights came back on, with the new initiates standing alone on the stage, facing the crimson curtain.

I went to Fiona and we stopped inches apart. There were still tears in her eyes and I had no idea what she was crying about, so pulled her into me, wrapping my arms around her warm body. I slid my fingers into her hair and held her head to my chest.

“It’s done,” I said.

“It’s just beginning,” she replied, her voice as unsteady as her shaking legs.

“That’s true too,” I laughed, then kissed the top of her head.

After a moment, she backed off from my embrace and gazed up expectantly at me. “What happens next?”

I wondered if she was talking about the Society or us—and perhaps if she was being purposefully vague. “That’s up to you,” I said. “It depends on what you want to do—the role you want to play.” But I already knew what role she would be forced to play, and it broke my heart to think about it—the sacrifice she would undoubtedly make—for the greater good, much like her father. “What do you really want?”

Fiona raised her arm to show off her compass, now pointing directly at me.

When she didn’t answer, I asked, “How does it feel?”

“My whole arm tingles,” she said, sliding the fingers of her right hand over the palpable design.

“Yeah; it’ll do that in the presence of pure evil,” I smirked.

“I guess it’ll be harder for you to sneak up on me now. You better watch out.”

“I don’t believe you’re packing in that dress.”

“I could be.”

“Aren’t you the stereotypical femme fatale.”

She’d started to smile, but it quickly faded to a haunting presence behind her eyes. She then used the maneuver Janice had shown the group to hide her compass tattoo, the skin of her arm once again a flawless blank canvas.

“Are there any other official events taking place tonight?” she asked.

“Just celebrations,” I said.

“Then I should probably be getting home.”

I nodded. “If that’s what you want.”

She looked unsure, but didn’t offer an alternative. I had a feeling she was waiting for me to make a suggestion, to sweep her off her feet and carry her into the night.

She was still upset with me—our awkwardness throughout the evening made that clear—though she seemed willing to suspend that anger for the night, with the allure of celebration in the air. But I knew I shouldn’t keep pulling her closer. Now was the perfect chance to put distance between us—the best way to make the events ahead easier—so I didn’t play into her vulnerable state. Instead, I used all my willpower in the moment not to give into those beautiful, smoky and expectant eyes.

“Come. I’ll take you home,” I said.