What little color Daci had drained from her face. “No, of course not.” She struggled to get out of Lilith’s grip.

Tatiana jumped up. “Lilith, she’s not a traitor. Please let her go.”

“Please?” Lilith sneered. “That does not seem like the word of a feared vampire.”

“Let her go now,” Tatiana commanded.

Lilith laughed. “That’s better.” She dropped Daci’s arm.

Daci slumped against the sofa, trembling. Tatiana relaxed, feeling like she’d just stepped back from the edge of a precipice.

Lilith’s eyes narrowed as she spoke to Tatiana. “You care for her too much. I do not like it.” With that, she drove her hand forward, plunged it into Daci’s chest, and yanked out her heart.

Daci’s eyes rounded a second before she went to ash, the heart in Lilith’s hand dissolving at the same time.

Tatiana’s jaw dropped as a pit opened up in her belly. She teetered toward numbness, unable to believe what had just happened. “What-what have you done?”

Lilith stood, wriggling her fingers to shed the last bit of ash. “She was unnecessary for your plan.”

“My plan?” Pain wracked Tatiana’s body and darkness edged her vision. Daci was gone. Her last remaining friend. A sob choked her throat and she fisted her hands to keep from striking Lilith, because she knew without question Lilith would kill her too. The creature before her was exactly what Daci had said she was. A monster. A monster Tatiana should destroy. Anger mixed with grief. Would destroy. But how? There was no one left to help her. No one vicious enough to face this hell-spawned beast. The word triggered a memory. There might be one person who could kill Lilith.

“Your plan for us to rule together.” Lilith smiled. “Isn’t that what you wanted, Mother?”

Tatiana forced herself to return the smile, but wasn’t sure if the movement of her lips was a smile or a grimace. She hurt too much to care. “Yes,” she whispered. The effort of speaking under the weight of such pain was almost impossible. “That’s what I wanted.” She looked for a way out and found her savior in the lightening horizon. “The sun is almost up and I need to sleep.” She stumbled toward the door. “You return to the ancients now and I’ll call you when I need you again.”

The happiness in Lilith’s voice faded. “Why can’t I stay with you?”

Nerves frayed, Tatiana snapped. Enough was bloody enough. “Because I said so and I’m your mother. Now go.”

“Fine.” With a huff, Lilith crossed her arms and disappeared in a small whirl of shadow.

Alone, Tatiana reached for the door handle, but missed, her vision blurry. Frustration and grief engulfed her. “Daci,” she moaned. The sound of her friend’s name sheared away the last of her composure. Unable to bear more, she crumpled to the floor and wept.

Chapter Fifteen

Creek was prepared for Chrysabelle to have blocked his entrance to Mephisto Island, but the guard at the gatehouse let him through. He didn’t know what to make of the fact that she hadn’t pulled him from the approved visitors list, but decided not to overthink it. He parked his V-Rod and jogged to the front door, glad for the chance to speak to her. The way they’d left things hadn’t been good. He owed her an apology and an explanation.

Velimai answered his knock, giving him the same surly look she’d once reserved for Mal. Maybe the wysper still blamed him for Mal’s death. Or Chrysabelle’s unhappiness. Or the lack of world peace. “Chrysabelle here? I came to apologize, not cause her more trouble. Those days are over.”

Velimai raised a brow.

Creek held his hands up. “I promise.”

With a sigh, she moved out of the way. He followed her inside. A silver hard-shell roller bag sat by the door. She pointed to the living room, so he went and sat. She gave him a look that said stay, then she headed upstairs. He assumed to get Chrysabelle.

A few minutes later, Damian came down. Creek stood, wondering how the man would respond to him based on his sister’s feelings toward Creek at the moment. “Good to see you back.” He nodded toward the roller bag. “You finally moving in?”

“Good to see you too. That’s Chrysabelle’s bag.” Damian stopped at the entrance to the living room. “She’s upstairs and she told me to tell you she’s not coming down if this is Kubai Mata business.” He lifted one shoulder like he was sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

So much for convincing Velimai of his intentions. “It’s not. I’m just here as me. I owe her some explanations and an apology.”

If that surprised Damian, he hid it well. “Okay.” He jogged back up the steps, returning a few minutes later with Chrysabelle in tow.

She eyed Creek warily, tugging at her tunic and smoothing a few loose hairs back into her braid. She was flushed and shiny with sweat.

“Didn’t mean to interrupt your workout.”

She shrugged and wiped her face with the towel around her neck before sitting across from him. “Damian said you’re not here on KM business. That’s the only reason I’m talking to you.”

Creek sat. “I know. Thanks.”

Damian walked toward the door. “I’ll see you for dinner, Chrys.”

She sat forward. “Don’t go yet. Join us.”

He glanced at Creek before answering her. “You got it.” He took one of the club chairs at the end of the two big sofas, settling in like he was preparing to referee.