Page 23 of The Shadows of the Dawn

Katsuki swept in, lacing their hands behind their back. “Ah, that’s where we come in. We won’t need to go anywhere. We will stay here and cast a veil of invisibility and amnesia over the city of Grander. In small parts, if we must, given the drop in vampiric numbers. As for the other cities, I am afraid we will have to let things play out as they may—but the population of vampires in places other than Grander is miniscule. Nikola is correct. The key to survival is letting the humans think they successfully exterminated us. This will also include enacting an ordinance with those still under your rank to prohibit procreation for the time being and...”

Katsuki glanced uncomfortably at Nikola. He grimaced, forcing out the next sentence. “And utilizing those who were once on border patrols by having them, erm, discipline anyone who dares to break the new law alongside their creations.”

Morrigan’s lips pressed. “A unique proposal. You certainly thought it through. I will pray on it tonight. And when you say ‘we,’ you speak of the newborns and...?” She looked between Asher and Nikola. Asher felt a flutter of panic. Oh, shit. Was she going to force them to stay? Or even worse, did Nikola want to stay? Did the patrons want them to stay? How in the hell would he keep his promise to Veronica?

“Can we talk about it first?” Moss said. Quickly, they tacked on, “We’re not saying no... yet.”

Trish gave a bitter laugh. “I’m not saying no, either, but what if we did? Would you hunt us down and assassinate us? Or would you imprison us in some sort of secret dungeon until we are forced to do your bidding?” Liam grew visibly paler with every word she said.

Morrigan smiled thinly, considering the young woman. “You are no threat to me. You have no allegiances sworn to my enemies. You were chosen by my God and his divine twin, so I would effectively be digging my own grave by killing you. But tell me, where are you to go? Do you have families who will not turn you out or report you? Even if you did, how long do you think you would survive on your own during a Purging? If you wish to leave, do so... but understand you will no longer have my protection. Katsuki, what of you?”

Kat shot the trio of newborns an apologetic look before saying to Morrigan, “I intend to stay for as long as I need to. But for no longer than.”

“You are not a creature who stays in one place for too long, I understand. I thank you for your help.” She regarded the newborns. “Here, you have two ancient vampires, one of Blood and one of the Moon, both of whom can guide you with your newfound abilities and trials. You will protect the city, and we will protect you. I swear it to you, and I swear to the Blood God. You need only accept my offer or be on your way.”

The hybrid trio glanced between each other, frowning. Liam nodded once, giving his vote. Trish reached over and gripped his hand, a silent promise of solidarity. Moss gazed off into the distance, grinding their teeth with tears welling in their eyes. “There’s no way I can just ditch you guys,” they said with gravel in their voice. “I won’t talk to them, but can I check in on my fathers, make sure they’re alright?”

Morrigan nodded. “I will ensure that none of my ranks hunt anyone of your choosing.”

Christ, that was fucking grim, having the power to pick and choose who could live and who could still end up becoming Blood food. But to the Queen of Blood Followers, that was considered the ultimate generosity.

Moss swallowed hard. The trio looked between each other once more before Moss said, louder and clearer, “We will help.”

Morrigan’s attention swept over Asher and Nikola. “And you two will not be staying.” She said it not as a question but matter-of-factly, picking up on their mutual hesitation. “I offer to you the same protection. Nikola Kingston, you were my greatest asset, and beside you stands the legendary Asher Black. If you ruled beneath me, you two would be the highest-ranking officials. There would not be a vampire in this city today, tomorrow, or a century from now who would not answer to you.” She opened her hands, as if to physically present her gift.

Nikola’s fear punched Asher in the chest, mirroring his own. “Is that what you want, my love?” Nikola said it softly, terrified of Asher’s answer.

“I want to be wherever you go,” Asher answered truthfully. “But do you want to stay with...?” He jerked his head in the hybrid trio’s direction but referred exclusively to the newborn Nikola had Changed.

“I will worry of their well-being, yes. But you are my priority.” Nikola took Asher’s face in his hands, pressing his forehead to his. The company around them melted away, as if only the two of them were in the room. “The life for me is the one where you are next to me—safe, breathing, happy. I do not choose the Moon or the Blood God. I do not choose Grander or a cabin in the woods. I choose you. To the ends of the Earth.”

Asher thought his heart was gonna burst in his chest. He tried to laugh, but it came out warbled and broken. He cleared his throat before he could do something embarrassing like cry tears of joy. “I mean, Vee and Frankie are expecting us to return.”

Nikola kissed Asher deeply, grinning widely against his lips. Christ, if not for the audience, Asher would already be shoving Nikola onto the conference table and stripping him bare. “Then to Veronica and Francis we will return,” Nikola breathed.

Asher frightfully waited for the God’s scathing protest or the Goddess’s disapproval, but the divine twins were distant and silent. Nikola and Asher had fulfilled their duty by getting the next generation to the supposed vampiric holy city safely.

They were free.

The realization was like a sigh of relief. Asher felt like he could sprout wings and fly high. Nikola hugged Asher tightly, as if to keep him grounded in place. When they split apart, their arms remained locked.

Christ, Asher loved him.

Trish broke the silence before it could get awkward, speaking to Morrigan. “There is one more condition. Once Katsuki leaves, we leave, too. We are not yours forever.”

“And I will get it in writing. We will sign it in blood.”

Trish made a face at Morrigan’s declaration, while Liam mumbled, “Is she being literal?”

Nikola laced his fingers through Asher’s. “Asher and I will be leaving shortly. But if I catch wind at all of mistreatment, I will return with the Blood God’s axe in my hand.” Nikola bit it out as a threat and a promise. Morrigan arched an eyebrow, but what Nikola had singlehandedly done to the High King was too fresh of a memory for her to argue.

“Very well. I assure you such measures need not be taken.”

A thought struck Asher as he glanced between the silver eyes of the newborns and Katsuki. He glared at Morrigan, grabbing her attention. “That Moon drug, what happened to it?”

“As far as I know, Malkolm had the last existing strains. I’d previously been under the impression it had been eradicated, driven to extinction from the Romans over-farming it. I’m unsure where he grew it, but it had to be somewhere that was exposed to direct moonlight. Once things quiet down, I intended to search through his yards.”

Asher eyed her, not bothering to hide his suspicions. “And then what?”

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