“What are you doing here?” I was painfully aware of how I looked. Blood-covered, winded, probably glowing with exhilaration.

Serena’s eyes widened, but she maintained her composure. “We became aware that you’d created a new vampire. Now, it all makes sense.”

I should’ve known they would sense it somehow. They knew everything we did. There was no such thing as privacy.

“My daughter…” Isobel reached for Janna, then thought better of it.

Anyone with eyes could see how badly she wanted to hold her daughter.

“You’re my mother?”

“What happened to you?” Rage twisted her beautiful features as she glared at me. “What did you do to my daughter?”

A nightmare was unfolding.

“We should get out of here, don’t you think? Not everyone inside is dead.”

“You’re right.” Maeve stepped forward and took one of my hands, then one of Janna’s. “Come. We’ll discuss this elsewhere.”

And I knew where “elsewhere” was. I wished I had the chance to warn Janna about what she was about to see before Maeve ported us to The Fold.

The alley dissolved, replaced by the interior of the High Council’s chambers. Had it only been a handful of days since I stood in that room, hearing the details of my assignment?

I saw life through different eyes. I knew what it was to love something more than myself, to care for another’s well-being over my own. The Vale who left The Fold in search of a self-destructive artist didn’t exist anymore.

Isobel, Esme, and Serena joined us a moment later.

While I didn’t exactly feel relaxed, since I knew I was in for a world of pain, it was easier to face them here than in that alley with the threat of discovery.

I looked down at myself and grimaced at the amount of blood caking my shirt.

“Take that off, please.” Serena’s nose wrinkled. “This is what we sent you to Manhattan to do?”

“Where are we?” Janna looked around with wide eyes, mouth hanging open. “It’s beautiful.”

“This is The Fold,” I explained before I peeled the shirt off and over my head. “This is where we wait for our assignments.”

“We traveled all the way here just like that?” She snapped her fingers.

“Just like that.” Isobel sounded as troubled as she looked.

“I’m sorry for this,” I said, jumping in without being asked to. “I know this wasn’t part of my assignment.”

“That’s an interesting way to describe it,” Serena spat. “You’ve gone against everything. All the rules we operate by!”

“I realize that, but you must know it wasn’t for my sake that I did it. I wasn’t acting selfishly. It was on her behalf.”

“You turned her into a vampire for her benefit?” Isobel shrieked.

Janna shrank back.

I caught her against me and held her there.

Another mother was rejecting her.

She trembled against my chest.

“She would’ve died. She was only moments away,” I explained, looking at all of them.

Pleading for them to understand. Witches, especially the High Council, weren’t renowned for open mindedness.

“That was why we went to the club tonight,” Janna whispered. “The head vampire almost killed me. It’s a long story, and I know it was my fault for living so dangerously. You have to believe me. I didn’t know they were real vampires until Vale explained everything. By then, it was too late.”

“I had already killed one of them when she tried to attack Janna,” I added.

I couldn’t believe how desperate I was for them to believe me. For the first time in five centuries, I wanted to live.

“He saved me then, and he saved me when the lead vampire nearly killed me.” Janna chose Isobel to focus attention on.

When the older witch averted her eyes, my heart sank for the both of them.

“And you went back tonight? You took such a chance?” Esme sneered at me. “You allowed her to do this?”

“She needed to even the score for herself. I couldn’t stop her. She would’ve gone without me. You know how strong young vampires are. I couldn’t restrain her. It was better for me to back her up. Would you rather I have let her walk in alone?”

“I don’t know what I would rather,” Isobel admitted. She looked at the other witches. “What he says is true. It was his feels which first alerted me to there being a problem. That was what brought me to you.”

“I see,” I muttered. “You sensed what happened to her because of how it affected me.”

“Correct. Though I hadn’t guessed it was anything this... severe.” She looked at Janna again. “You’re just as lovely as you were in your pictures.”

“The pictures taken without my consent or knowledge,” Janna murmured. Typical of her, not letting her mother play the injured party.

Isobel blanched. “I was looking for you. I looked for you for such a long time.”

“Maybe if you hadn’t given me up, none of this would’ve happened,” Janna suggested with a shrug. “I would’ve known there were real vampires in the world, and real witches. I wouldn’t have spent my life feeling like a freak compared to everybody around me.”

“You would still have stood apart from the rest of us,” Serena murmured, not unkindly.

“Right. Because I wasn’t good enough to be a proper witch, either. No powers.” She shook her head. “At any rate, I’m glad you found me when you did.”

“Are you sure about that?” I looked down at her. “Look where it got you.”

She looked up at me with a sigh. “I’m looking. I meant what I said. I would be dead twice over by now. This isn’t ideal, but…”

“You mean you’re glad to be a vampire?” Esme asked, one eyebrow quirking up.

I bristled but held my tongue. The disdain witches held for vampires wasn’t a surprise.

“I’m glad to be alive,” Janna replied in a cool tone. “No, I can’t pretend it’s ideal. I wouldn’t choose this life for myself if presented with a range of choices. But I didn’t have a range of choices. It was either suffocate on my own blood or stay alive.”

Isobel let out a strangled whimper, but Janna didn’t react.

I admired her matter-of-factness.

Evidently, so did Serena. She was always a straight shooter, as much as any witch could be. “You realize your new lease on life is only a temporary state, I’m sure. Because according to our laws, we can’t allow Vale to live after committing such a serious crime.”

The announcement ricocheted around my skull.

It wasn’t a surprise—I had expected it—but hearing it from Serena’s lips was another thing entirely.

The other two didn’t even flinch, so clearly, they agreed.

Isobel, on the other hand, let out a cry of surprise. “No! You can’t do that!”

I couldn’t have been more surprised.

She had barely been able to make eye contact with Janna, so I had assumed she was just as disgusted as the others.

Serena shook her head, looking mournful. “Isobel, you know the law. No Nightwarden can create another vampire. It’s an offense punishable by death and always has been.”

“But he wasn’t acting as a Nightwarden while he was protecting Janna,” she argued. “We released him, remember? He wasn’t my Nightwarden, and he isn’t now. He’s not serving a witch. The law shouldn’t apply in this case.”

Serena’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t like being contradicted. “But he’s one of the vampires Ralf sired. He falls under the category of Nightwarden.”

“I refuse to accept this,” Isobel protested. She drew herself up to her full height and looked down her nose at the council. “You sent him out there to protect my daughter at my request. He did the best he could, to the point where he risked his existence to preserve hers. Can we really punish him for that?”

“I don’t think you understand the severity of the offense,” Esme murmured, trying to position herself between the two witches.

The energy in the room fairly crackled, and I wondered which one would be the first to throw magic at the other as I positioned Janna slightly behind me in case I had to shield her.

“You’re the one who doesn’t understand,” Isobel insisted. She wouldn’t back down. Her daughter was at stake, even if her daughter was a vampire. “It would be one thing if Vale had created her for his benefit. To build an army, something along those lines. Or if he had done it to turn her into his minion. He didn’t. He did it to prevent her from dying.” Her voice cracked before a single tear trickled down her smooth cheek. “Isn’t there an exception we can fall back on? He knew what he was doing could get him killed, but he did it because he only thought of her.”

“You don’t know that,” Serena reminded her.

“You forget, I sensed his feelings. The imprint is still there.” Isobel looked at me with those eyes so much like her daughter’s. They were nearly the other’s mirror image. “It was more than protectiveness. It was more than duty. I sensed the intensity, and I felt you fighting with yourself. You couldn’t let her die. You would never forgive yourself. You wouldn’t wish your life on her, but you didn’t want to live without her.”

The memories of those critical moments surrounded and threatened to crush me.

Janna wrapped an arm around my waist and rested the side of her face against my shoulder.

She was worth it. “I would do it again,” I announced.

Maeve stepped forward with a soft smile. “There’s a way to settle this,” she murmured, holding her hands out. “If you’ll allow me.”

“What are you going to do?” I asked.

Janna’s arm tightened protectively.

“I won’t hurt him,” Maeve assured her. “But I can see what happened, if he’ll let me in. I don’t like to pry into memories unless it’s absolutely necessary, yet it seems like this is an example of such a time.”

I looked at Janna and nodded for her to let go.

Maeve placed her hands on either side of my head and closed her eyes.

I closed my eyes and opened the door to that night. Finding Janna in the alley, torn and crushed and bloodied. Climbing the wall. Looking down at her, broken in a dozen places and choking on her blood. Listening to her wheezing, labored gasps, torn between duty and the rules and my need for her to stay alive. That raw, unshakeable certainty that life wouldn’t be worth living without her.

Maeve lowered her hands, and I took a deep breath before opening my eyes.

Tears shone in hers as she turned to Janna. “My dear, you had a very close call. I am so sorry that happened to you.”

Janna murmured something that sounded like thanks.

“Well?” Serena prompted.

“It’s as Isobel described it—and much worse,” Maeve replied. “I felt his conflict and understand why he chose the way he did. It was a terrible thing he witnessed. His protective instincts wouldn’t allow her to die. He acted on instinct, as well as the strong feelings he had for her.” She blushed a little and left it there.

I was glad for it, since having her inside my head was unnerving enough.

“Serena, please. Let them go,” Isobel pleaded in a quiet voice. “They don’t deserve punishment.”

“You think he deserves to be freed after this? Even if we leave him with his life, shouldn’t he be imprisoned for acting rashly?” Serena looked around.

I could tell she knew her argument was weakening.

“I don’t think he should,” Maeve announced. “Sister, maybe it’s time for us to loosen our laws a bit when it comes to situations such as these. It was Beatrice’s decision to cast her curse over Ralf and his progeny, and we’ve been tasked with upholding the laws she put in place. But that was five hundred years ago. Times have changed.”

“I agree,” Esme added. She wasn’t the type to step up on her own, but she was more than happy to second someone else’s bravery. “We’ve done the best we can, and our witches have benefitted from Nightwarden protection. But we cannot punish those who have nothing to do with the original reason for the curse. Neither Vale nor Janna had anything to do with what happened back then. It was Ralf’s crime.”

Serena was smart enough to know when it was a waste of breath to argue. “This is something we can discuss at further length in private,” she announced. “For now, suffice it to say that I don’t agree—but am willing to step back and accept the advice of others.”

“You mean… we’re free?” Janna whispered.

“You are,” Serena confirmed. “And you’re welcome to leave at the earliest convenience.”

She was a rather sore loser, but as long as she let us go I didn’t care. And I knew well enough not to push my luck.

“Come on,” I said, still a little stunned by the way things had gone. It seemed too good to be true.

“I’ll go with you.” Isobel led us out of the chamber and down the tunnel leading away from it.

She moved quickly, like she understood the urgency of getting out of there before anyone changed their mind.

Janna followed without saying a word as Isobel led us to the mouth of the cave, which led out to the woods.

“Wait a moment.” She turned to us before we could leave and looked at Janna. “You need Ra-Protection.”

“Oh. Right.” She let go of my hand and stood with her arms at her sides. “What should I do?”

“Nothing,” Isobel smiled. “It’s up to me. Just stay still.” She held her hands over Janna’s shoulders—hovering without touching—and chanted the ancient words which would provide protection from the sun’s rays.

The ritual didn’t last long, but the way the two women looked at each other when it was complete made me think something indescribable had passed between them.

They would never have a typical mother/daughter relationship. This was as close as they would ever come.

“Thank you,” Janna murmured with a shy smile.

“You’re welcome.” She cleared her throat. “Come. I’ll take you back to your apartment.” She took our hands and ported us before I could say a word.

In the blink of an eye, we were back in Brooklyn.

“Why couldn’t you do that from the chambers?” I asked, blinking against the abrupt change in light.

The tunnel had been dark, while sunlight streamed through the apartment windows. Another hot day.

“I’m not a member of the High Council. I can’t port there, or from inside The Fold.” Her attention fell on the stack of sketches next to the easel. “Is this your work?”

Janna hesitated, looking at me before replying. “Yes. Some of my more recent work.” She was used to mother figures disapproving of her and waited for more of the same.

Only she didn’t get it. “You’re so talented,” Isobel murmured, flipping through the sketches. “You are truly gifted. I’m humbled by this. I could never create anything this remarkable.”

“…really?” Janna joined her, watching her mother’s face as she examined the work more closely. She was so eager for approval, as much as she pretended not to be.

“Really. I would love to see more of your work someday. If you would allow me.”

“I—I don’t see why you shouldn’t,” Janna sputtered. “I don’t know how my new life will affect what I do. I don’t know where we’ll go or any of that. But I would love for you to see more of what I do.”

Isobel looked around again. “As much as I respect you for working hard and living within your means, perhaps I could help you find something more comfortable.”

Janna bristled. “I like this apartment.”

“You were ready to leave it last night,” I reminded her.

She shot me a dirty look.

Isobel snorted. “Please. I only want to help you live more comfortably. And, frankly, to get you away from any remaining vampires who might be aware of you. Killing the leader only works on their progeny. He might have others who he didn’t turn, still looking for vengeance.”

That got through to Janna. “What should we do?”

“The coven provides for my needs. I would be happy to help you. I live on Long Island—there’s a converted barn on my property. I would be happy to host you both there until you decide where to settle.”

“You would do that?” Janna whispered, eyes wide.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because… you don’t owe us anything. We’re not like you. I thought you didn’t get along with—”

Isobel held up her hands. “Stop. I don’t want to hear anything more about it. You’re my daughter. I would never have let Serena punish you for who you are.” She turned to me. “I know you feel how sincerely I mean it.”

“I do.” And I knew she was still uneasy, too.

She wasn’t the only one. But she was willing to take the first step toward building a relationship, even if it meant going against the grain.

“Maybe the High Council’s laws aren’t the only things that need a little loosening up,” she decided. “This animosity between witches and vampires should end, too. At least, between our two groups. We know each other. We’re not strangers. There’s no sense in disliking each other out of hand.”

“Very progressive,” I observed.

“As long as it won’t put you in any uncomfortable spots,” Janna fretted.

“It won’t. Besides, I can get you all the synthetic blood you need. And you’ll need a lot of it in these early days, I guess.”

“Oh, you had to go and say that, didn’t you?” Janna’s eyes went red, and Isobel took a step away from her.

“I left the supply at the hotel,” I realized, dismayed.

“No, no, I already collected it for you.” Isobel pulled the backpack from the closet with a sheepish look. “I wanted to be prepared. I have my ways.”

I didn’t want to ask what those ways were, and I didn’t have the time.

Janna fed greedily, gulping down blood as fast as she could.

Her mother turned away, frowning. She was still troubled. I could imagine why, especially since it was her blood being sucked down.

“I’m sorry,” Janna gasped when she finished.

“You don’t have to apologize,” I murmured.

“He’s right,” Isobel agreed. “And, as you can see, you’re going to need some help. I can get you everything you need. And, as long as I’m being honest, it will be nice to have you nearby. I would like to get to know you, if possible.”

Janna offered a tentative smile. “I would like that.”

Isobel reached out slowly to slide her fingers over Janna’s hair. “You really are beautiful. I’m so proud to have such a beautiful daughter. And so talented, too.”

Janna’s smile lit up the room. She finally had everything she never knew she wanted, which gave me everything I had never considered before meeting her.

Seeing her happiness was enough to make me happier than I ever thought possible.

“I’ll give you two a minute to get yourselves together, but we really should get moving. I know I’ll feel better once you’re away from here.” She stepped out into the hall, leaving the door cracked slightly. A typical mother.

Janna turned to me. “What do you think? You’ve been awfully quiet. It’s not like you to let things go without an opinion.”

“My opinion?” I placed my hands on her waist. “I would go anywhere with you. Even if it means living on Long Island for a while.”

“Oh, Vale.” She took my face in her hands. “Don’t you know I was already falling for you before you turned me? And when you pushed me away, I couldn’t believe how much it hurt. I barely knew you, but you already had the power to hurt me. I think… I think we were meant to be from the beginning. I know it sounds silly and romantic, but it’s true.”

“It’s not silly.” I stroked her hair, then took the back of her head in my hand to pull her in for a deep kiss.

It wasn’t silly at all. I was the one who had turned her based solely on the short amount of time we’d spent together.

I knew even then that I couldn’t live in a world without her, even when I didn’t know if she would ever feel the same about me. It was enough to know she would live. If that wasn’t love, I didn’t know what was.

“I’m afraid you’re stuck with me for… eternity,” she whispered with a shaky laugh when we pulled away, both of us breathless.

“I’m willing to take a chance,” I whispered back before kissing her again.