Blake’s eyes flicker to Isabella’s body, then back to me, disappointment clear on his face. “How many times do we have to remind you that they are just food?” he yells. “I knew it. Hanging with them has corrupted you.”

“She is useless,” Levi says. “Let’s go.”

I swallow hard, afraid of what they’re planning. “Go where?” I choke out.

Levi fixes me with a cold, calculating gaze. “To get rid of the Night family once and for all,” he says matter-of-factly.

My breath catches in my throat, and I feel a surge of panic rising within me. “No.” I shake my head in denial.

“Why not? They mean nothing. Are you going to cooperate with us?”

“If I say yes, will you leave them alone.”

Blake scoffs loudly. “Would you say yes? If so, Isabella’s body is still warm. Feed on her.”

I look at her. She was so young. She had so much to live for, and it was all taken away from her. “I ca- I can’t. I won’t do it.”

Levi’s eyes flash with rage, and before I can react, he produces a syringe from somewhere and plunges it into my arm. Pain shoots through my veins, and I cry out.

“Stop!” I gasp, struggling to form coherent words through the haze of pain. “Please...”

But my pleas fall on deaf ears as Levi and Blake continue to talk, their voices a distant buzz in my ears.

“I don’t ‘know what you’re worrying about, Selene.” Levi sneers. “Your roommate is dead, and in the next few hours, the Night family will be also.”

I want to say something but I’m having trouble focusing, and my arms and legs feel heavy.

Blake’s laughter cuts through my thoughts, chilling me to the bone. “Maybe you need some motivation. How about we bring back Liam’s head?” he sniggers.

“I think you are right, brother. In time, she will have to learn to forgive us. When we’re all she has left and no people waiting for her, she’ll let go of her anger. Let’s get the witch and go,” Levi responds.

“Stop…” I gasp.

“This is for your own good, Selene,” Blake says. “This is for our family.”

I try to move, but whatever he injected me with is coursing through my veins, rendering me helpless.

They killed Annie.

Darkness clouds my vision, and the last thing I see is Isabella’s lifeless eyes staring back at me.

They are going to kill Liam, and there is nothing I can do to stop it.

As unconsciousness claims me, I wonder if this is the end, if I’ll ever see the light again, or if I’m destined to drown in darkness forever.

Maybe I should stop fighting it. Maybe I should surrender once and for all.

Chapter 57

Liam

We’re huddled in the shadows, praying the vampires don’t spot us. Suddenly, they emerge from the Hargrave mansion—Blake, Levi, and... a woman. My heart stops when I recognize her: Willow, Colt’s girlfriend. Colt’s frozen in shock, his eyes wide as he stares at her. I grab his arm, trying to keep him quiet.

“Colt? Hey, stay calm,” I whisper urgently.

“What is she doing here with them?” he says.

”It looks like she’s in on this with them. Do you think she would do that?”