I couldn't sleep despite wishing it very badly. I wanted my eyes to close, and when I woke, I'd find this was all just a terrible dream. I attempted to think of Roman and our time together, but the memories only brought crushing pain to my chest. The memories would have to wait.

After some time, footsteps approached. “Aris? Are you awake?"

I opened the heavy lid. Emma didn't say a word as she climbed in next to me and snuggled against my chest. I lowered the top and embraced her tightly while she softly cried. Her presence is exactly what I needed to calm my thoughts, and it wasn’t long before we both fell asleep.

Nighttime had arrived. Its darkness caressed my bones, urging me to go to it. I lifted the coffin lid careful not to disturb Emma.

I had slept some, thanks to her, but it had been difficult, as my mind raced with everything I needed to accomplish. An elaborate plan had carefully formed in my mind, and at the top of the long list was the most important item: avenge Roman's death. It would take a long time, possibly even years, but one way or another, I would take down the Principes Noctis and kill Bastian. That was the only way I could redeem myself.

I slipped out of the coffin and picked up my phone from off the table. Next to it was the small vial Richard had given me, the cure. I left it alone, not giving it a second glance. For my plan to work, I couldn’t be human.

With my phone in hand, I snuck deep into the tunnels to call Samira. She answered right away.

"Aris," she said, her voice holding a note of sadness. She must've heard about Roman.

I didn't know what to say. How could I tell her that it was my fault he died? If only I had trusted him. If only I had listened.

"I'm sorry about Roman.” When I still didn’t speak, she asked, "Are you all right?"

Another question I didn't know how to answer. I was anything but all right. I inhaled a breath, and on my exhale, I blurted, "I'm hungry for blood all of the time. I can't control it."

Again, she was silent before saying, "You must have unlocked Elizabeth's DNA within your blood. Are you also stronger?"

"Incredibly."

"You must fight it," she said. "Think of the people you love. Roman, Oz and his sister, and the other woman. Emma is her name, right?"

She must've been talking to Rebecca. What else did she know?

"I've been trying," I answered.

"Try harder. You owe this to the people you love and to yourself. Do not let them see you become a monster. You're better than that."

I swallowed hard thinking of the last images Roman saw of me. He had seen me become a monster, drunken with human blood.

"The weapons you wanted are almost ready," she blurted as if that might make me feel better.

When I didn't say anything, she asked, "Do you think it would be best if you returned here for more training?"

"I can't yet, but I will soon. Maybe sooner than you think."

"What do you have planned?"

I considered telling her, but I didn't know if she would agree or not. What I was about to do was risky but would serve many purposes. "I'm doing what has to be done."

"Will it cause harm to others?"

"No one who doesn't deserve it."

It was her turn to be silent. "Just don't do anything Roman wouldn't do, and you'll be making the right choice."

I squirmed uncomfortably, as a knot tightened in my throat. "I have to go."

“Remember," she said before I could hang up. "You're not a monster."

I said goodbye, gripping the phone tightly. If she'd seen me last night, she would think otherwise.

I returned to Ironwood, drank several bags of much-needed blood, then found Oz and Amy sitting together in command. They were staring at the screens but more like looking right through them. I cleared my throat. They swiveled their chairs my direction. Amy's eyes were dark and puffy. Oz was pale. The scent of their blood permeated the room. I needed to eat again.

"Dude, so sorry about Roman.” Oz shook his head in disbelief. “I've been sick about it all day."

Amy's eyes welled with tears, and they spilled onto her cheeks. "I'm going to miss him."

My lips tightened. "We all will."

Oz ran his fingers through his hair. "Rebecca said there would probably be a funeral in a few days out in Louisiana. We would like to go, but we won't leave you."

"I plan on being there too." I tilted my head and sniffed the air. "Where's Victor?"

"He left a while ago but said he would be back. I can't tell you how psycho it is to have him down here."

"Things will be different after tonight."

"What's happening tonight?" He rubbed his sisters back, as she sniffed and wiped at her eyes.

"You'll find out soon enough. Both of you need to pack. We are leaving Ironwood."

He nodded grimly and lowered his chin to the top of Amy's head. "I still can't believe it."

I left them alone for their private moment and walked to the center of Ironwood to look around. This has been my home with Roman all my life. Now it just felt empty.

I lowered to a bench to wait for Victor. There was a chance he wouldn't show up. It would make sense if he skipped town. He knew where I was taking him tonight and believed he wouldn’t survive.

Emma staggered out of my home and stretched her arms high. She smiled through a yawn and joined me on the bench, resting her head on my shoulder. She reached out and slid her fingers into mine. "I'm here for you if you ever want to talk."

I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I will be leaving soon to Louisiana for Roman’s funeral. I’d like you to come."

"I'd like that. Can we leave tonight?"

"There's something important I need to do first, but I can’t do it without Victor. I'm waiting for him to return."

She sat up straight and looked at me, her eyes pleading. "Whatever it is, just forget about it. It's not important."

I reached up and stroked her cheek with my thumb. "I wish there was another way, but there isn't. The Principes Noctis has to be stopped, and what I have to do tonight is a crucial step to making that happen."

She gazed into my eyes as if looking for any doubt beyond their glossy surface. She would find none.

My shoulders relaxed when I caught Victor’s sent. "He’s here." I tilted my head at the sound of something else. I came to my feet. "He's not alone."

I positioned Emma behind me and prepared to attack should Victor arrive with anyone dangerous. I sniffed the air. The scent was familiar. Where had I smelled it before?

Victor appeared around the corner. Alex strolled next to him.

"What's he doing here?" I demanded. Enough people knew about Ironwood as it was.

"Relax,” Victor said. “The Principes Noctis is after him too. I just want him to stay here for the night, and then I'll sneak him out of the city tomorrow."

Alex walked up to me. "Sorry, man. Not trying to cramp your style or anything. I just want to live. Besides, I can't wait to get out of Coast City. It's gone to pot."

At the sound of voices, Amy and Oz joined us on the street. I introduced everyone.

While they chatted, I kept a steady eye on Victor. It was good he showed up when he didn’t have to. He owed me nothing. Roman had said I could trust him, but I hadn't believed him. Victor scrutinized me back just as intensely, probably wondering what I had in store for him tonight.

Emma leaned against me, her body warming mine. Oz began sharing a funny story about the time he had tried to scare Roman. When he was finished, the others shared their own stories. It was especially interesting to hear Victor talk about Roman, who had known him long before any of us had.

It hurt like hell to hear stories about the man Roman used to be, things I'd never heard before like how he had been engaged to a woman for two years before Moretti’s men killed her. Life changed for him after that. That’s probably when he decided to take V proteins, like my father had and Victor, too. They may have all injected it at different times, but their reasons were the same—someone had hurt a person they loved.

Victor lightened the mood a bit by sharing funny stories about Roman, my father and mother, and him. They had all been good friends at one point. Now, three of them were dead.

I came to my feet and met the eyes of everyone there. My gaze settled on Victor.

"It’s time."