Page 75 of Veiled Yearning

Gently, I tell him, “No, of course she wouldn’t.”

“I’ve kept it, all these years.” Gavril unclasps the latch of the necklace. “But now… I want you to have it. This is my most valued possession, and you’re the most important person in the world to me.”

Tears well up, spilling over before I can stop them. “Gav.”

“Will you wear it? I’d be honored if you would. I think… my mother would really love you. And what my father used to tell her? It’s true for you. This necklace is beautiful. But nowhere close to as beautiful as you.”

“Yes.” My voice cracks. “Yes. I would be so honored to wear it.”

As he fastens it around my neck, he says quietly, “Thank you, Chiara. For wearing this, and agreeing to live with me, and… for loving me.”

Oh.

I touch his face, cupping his jaw, rubbing my fingers across his bristly skin. “I love you. Forever. And thank you for bringing me to life again.”

23

The Final Battle

GAVRIL

It’s almost impossible to believe this moment is finally here.

It’s taken centuries of watching; hoping Nicolas wouldn’t come back, but almost certain he eventually would.

Decades of chasing after rogue Custodians, trying to stop their pointless cruelties.

Years of careful observation and planning, preparing for the inevitable clash with Nicolas.

And now it’s here.

All of us—Sentinels, friends, allies—gathered in the woods near an old farmhouse in northern New York, readying ourselves for the most important battle of our lives.

Thanks to the hallucinations Lucas cast, it appears we’ve made it here undetected. Yesterday, he traveled to an abandoned estate a few miles west of Albany and created the illusion of us all relocating there. It was a challenging process, keeping the hallucination active for so long, but with Chiara and I enhancing his ability, Lucas was able to make it happen.

Afterwards, we held our breath, hoping the Custodians would take the bait.

When Frederick spotted several Custodians moving from their guard near Manchester several hours later, it seemed likely that our plan worked. By early this morning, there was a new contingent of vampires guarding an empty building in Albany, giving us the perfect opportunity to leave.

All of us shielded by enhanced talismans, we split up into small groups and headed northwest to Potsdam; the site of our showdown with Nicolas.

Once everyone arrived—all twenty-two of us—we gathered in a dilapidated barn several miles from the farmhouse where Nicolas and his allies are staying. We hurriedly shielded the building and set up imbued tokens to warn us if anyone comes near. Lucas and Titus double checked everyone was fully equipped for battle, handing out extra weapons and healing items if anyone needed them.

Frederick, Larkin, and I reviewed the plan of attack for at least the twentieth time, trying to figure out if there was any possibility we missed. Unexpected backup teleporting in, the building riddled with traps, a Custodian having an ability we’ve never heard of… there are hundreds of ways this battle could go, and we can’t afford to be unprepared for any of them.

And now, just as the sun is hitting its peak in the sky, we’re gathering everyone for last-minute instructions. No late-night assault; that’s the more predictable approach. Attacking in broad daylight is something I’m fairly sure Nicolas won’t be expecting.

At least, I hope. But expected or not, it’s happening. And for the first time in over two-hundred years of battles, I’m afraid.

I never feared the outcome of a fight before. Not that I was always confident before—I wasn’t, not during some of the most treacherous ones—but I never had as much to lose.

All the people I care about. My oldest friends.

And Chiara. My everything.

She and I are supposed to get out of this. Find a little cabin with a pond nearby, and room for some of the pets Chiara has wanted for so long. Room for all her books, and for our friends to come visit. A place for us to spend our lives together.

This has to go right. It has to.

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