Page 48 of Winterfall Destiny

Dorian chokes a laugh. "Right."

"Out of everything you've said, that's the most unbelievable," says Andrei. "Look what you've done to me."

"It's what you wanted," the First mocks, then sits back on the dais, legs stretched out tapping her toes together. "Now, the other matter. The Winterfall."

"Don't you touch Maeve," snarls Andrei.

"Or what? You'll hurt me?" the creature sneers. "You're only a small part of me; I can still squash you."

"What's the problem with Maeve?" I ask cautiously. "You've established she's no danger to you now that Andrei will suffer if we trap you. Maeve wouldn't change her mind on that."

"But one day Maeve will die, and I don't want any other little Winterfalls pattering around the world." She nods at Dorian. "Bad enough you have a child, Dorian Blackwood."

In a flash, Dorian's in the First's face, looking down at the girl she is. "Don't touch Mia."

They lock gazes, and I question Dorian's sanity as he challenges this godlike creature. But haven't I always questioned his sanity?

"I will have this conversation with you later," the First says stiffly.

"Don't touch my daughter," he repeats.

"And don't tell me what I can and can't do." The First waves a dismissive hand. "I won't kill her. Is that enough for you to settle down? Because I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself by upsetting me."

"Maeve," I interrupt. "What do you intend to do?"

"The job needs finishing, Tobias." I frown. "The Winterfall line needs ending."

Andrei's on the First in a second, also lacking in sanity as he grabs the creature around the throat. A heartbeat later, he's thrown against the solid mausoleum wall, sliding to the ground.

"Dumb move, Andrei. But that's your forte, isn't it?" the creature snarls. "I need Maeve alive to prevent any current Winterfall and Blackwood attempt against me. But I need her to be the last Winterfall. The magic needs to end, not be passed to another."

The world disappears as I retreat into the horrific realisation this creature could kill Maeve. The First could leave us here, walk away, and I'd never see Maeve again.

The First must know about Astrid? How could she not? Astrid and Lex are literally Winterfall and Blackwood. They can produce another child.

"I heard that." She taps the side of her head. "Of course, I know. Alexei and Astrid wouldn't do anything either. Not if it would affect their precious daughter. If they meet again, the pair have aged and have little time left to reproduce. If that does happen, I'll deal with the result."

"You want to ensure Maeve can never have children," I say quietly.

"You think I'd curse her? No. I need her under my control, too." She pivots to face Andrei. "Turn Maeve."

My ears whine as the world becomes further and further out of my grasp. No. We agreed. Maeve's clearly told us she doesn't want immortality, let alone this. Andrei looks as distant from reality as I am as he drags a hand through his hair.

"Or I will kill these originals and, therefore, kill all the people standing in this room." She pats Andrei on the head. "Apart from you. You made a sacrifice for Maeve, now she can return the favour." She glances at Dorian. "I need every Blackwood binding to me, too."

"No," he whispers.

"Isn't that what you've wished for, Dorian Blackwood? My blood? You're extremely confusing."

"No," he repeats. "You can't."

"Oh!" she says in mock surprise. "You're worrying about your daughter again. Don't fret, we can come to an arrangement."

However cruel this makes me, I don't care. I don't care about Dorian and his family. I'm terrified for Maeve. Her future. I held Andrei as the First's blood half-killed him—Andrei, a pure hemia created from the blood of the silent men in front of me.

Maeve is a witch.

Vampire blood can kill witches, so what the fuck would Andrei's enhanced blood do? Maeve hates the creature taunting us now; she'd resist the change more.

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