Page 39 of Veiled Yearning

Frederick sighs. “I asked her months ago. And she… She didn’t react well. I haven’t wanted to push since then.” His expression clouds. “But maybe it’s time.”

“I think it’s obvious,” I retort. “He wants Chiara as a tool to help the Custodians. We all know how powerful she is. Nicolas would love to have a vampire like Chiara in his arsenal.”

Larkin leaps on my statement. “Exactly. Chiara is very powerful. More than we initially realized. With what she did out on the road, to those Custodians? It’s a huge advantage for us. Especially if Nicolas doesn’t realize the extent of what she can actually do.”

“We’ve been through this,” I snap. I lean forward, pinning him with my gaze. “Chiara doesn’t want to use her ability like that. So she isn’t. That’s all there is to it.”

“I’m not suggesting we force her. Just ask again.” Larkin's voice is conciliatory. “It could make such a big difference for us. Now that she understands, maybe she’ll have a change of heart. And if you ask her, Gavril…”

I’m defensive. “What does that mean?”

“Just that you’ve gotten close to Chiara. And she might be more willing to reconsider, if you ask.”

“No.” I bite out the word. “I promised Chiara. She doesn’t want to do it. It makes her sick. I won’t upset her by asking again.”

Frederick nods at me, then turns to Larkin. “I agree with Gavril. We aren’t the Custodians. We don’t force people into following our will.”

Larkin glares at Frederick. “I’m not saying to force her. Who do you think I am? Have you forgotten I was there? When Nicolas began all of this? I saw what he did back then, when he was out in the open. I would never force someone—”

“Sorry.” Frederick grimaces apologetically. “I know you wouldn’t. It’s just… Chiara’s a friend. And I don’t want to cause her any more pain.”

“Neither do I,” Larkin retorts. “But sometimes a small amount of pain is necessary for the greater good. If it can potentially save lives…”

“You don’t know that.” I jump up from my seat, my pent up tension close to breaking. I walk over to the window and look out over the expanse of lawn, still mostly white, but with a few brownish-green patches showing through. Turning back to my allies, I add, “We don’t know what happens after Chiara draws the energy out of a vampire. And we don’t know how often she can do it without killing herself in the process.”

“I’m not suggesting we throw Chiara into battle. Just ask her to try it, Gavril. We would take every precaution.”

“No.” His eyes flare with surprise. Meeting my old friend’s gaze steadily, I explain, “I’m sorry, Larkin. But I promised Chiara. And I will not go back on that. We’ll have to find another way.”

14

How it Began

CHIARA

I’ve never felt more like a coward.

Not that I’d call myself brave—hiding out in the woods for decades is proof of that—but I stupidly thought I was making an effort. Coming to Manchester with Gavril, imbuing dozens of talismans and tokens and even experimenting with new creations that could help the Sentinels.

It seems so silly now, but I was kind of proud of myself. I felt like I was actually contributing in my own way. Each time Frederick or Gavril or even Larkin would look at my growing piles of imbued items and thank me, saying how much I was helping, it felt good.

But now? I feel like a fraud.

It’s not like I was trying to overhear their conversation. But I was passing through the living room and their raised voices drew my attention. Larkin’s pitched up in frustration, Gavril’s sharp and biting, and Frederick in the middle, the calm in the storm.

I’m not used to hearing Gavril like that; since that first day at my cabin, he’s always been gentle with me. But this time, he sounded angry.

Still, I would have hurried on—pointedly trying not to hear what they were saying—if I hadn’t heard my name. And that’s when I knew I had to listen in.

The sick feeling was settling in even as I approached the office door, which was open just a sliver. But it was open just enough for me to stand a safe distance from the door and shamelessly eavesdrop on their conversation.

At first, I felt a little guilty, like I was spying on them. Then again, they were talking about me. So isn’t it fair that I get to hear what they’re saying? Especially when I had a pretty good idea what the topic was going to be.

And I was right. It was all about me and this cursed ability. First, they were talking about what Nicolas wants with me. Discussing why he kept me captive instead of stealing my power and killing me. Larkin wanted to know what the Custodians tried to make me do while I was in that awful factory.

I never told Frederick, and I was glad that he stopped asking. I didn’t want to think about that time, let alone talk about it. But that makes me a coward, too.

Then Larkin brought up asking me to test my ability again; trying to draw out another vampire’s energy like I did to the Custodians. At first, I was upset, shaking with fear and anger, feeling affronted that he’d bring it up again. And when Gavril refused to ask me, firmly shutting Larkin down, I was relieved.

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