Page 67 of Chains of Blood and Darkness

“Serenity, I…” I faltered, my breath hitching in my throat as a wave of emotion crashed over me. I took a moment to find the words that were buried deep in my heart. “I never meant to hurt you. I never wanted you to feel like a pawn in some game. But the truth is, I need you. My family needs you. And I honestly don’t know what I would do if I lost you.”

The admission hung heavy in the air, a fragile bridge between us. Serenity stared at me, her expression unreadable, and for a moment, I feared I had shattered the trust between us beyond repair. I could see it in her eyes. She thought I was a monster.

Serenity’s gaze shifted from me to the stone. “And if I don’t use my power on the stone…what happens?”

What indeed? I fought to control the surge of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me. I had always prided myself on my strength, on my ability to face any challenge with unwavering, stoic resolve. But in this moment, I felt more vulnerable than I ever had before. My very existence hung in the balance.

I squared my shoulders. “Since I’m the head of the Santi family, Dracula will kill me.” The admission felt like sandpaper in my throat, each word scraping against my vocal cords, leaving them raw, and my chest tightened from finally admitting the truth out loud.

I held my breath, waiting for her answer. For centuries, I had held the fate of my family in my hands. Now, it was in hers.

Chapter Thirty-One

Serenity

I stared mutely at the Aeternum Stone, feeling as though I stood at a terrible crossroads, both paths leading to an uncertain and perhaps perilous future. If I refused to use my power, Dracula would undoubtedly come for Angelo, possibly his entire family. Their lives hung in the balance. But if I did heal the stone, thereby restoring its power, then I would be helping the Santi family to continue their murderous reign, to keep taking human lives to sustain their own.

I swallowed hard, my throat tight with emotion. “How many people does your family kill?” My voice trembled but was insistent.

Angelo’s expression grew somber, and his eyes flickered with a hint of shame. “Probably not as many as you’dsuspect,” he said softly. “The older we get, the less blood we need to survive. Sometimes we feed on willing hosts who offer themselves up freely. Others, we kill those who deserve it…people like Freddie.”

I flinched slightly when I heard Freddie’s name, my stomach churning with revulsion. It was true—he had been a monster, a sadistic creature who delighted in the suffering of others. But did that justify his death? Did that make it right for the Santi family to play judge, jury, and executioner?

If Dracula did come out of the woodwork to kill Angelo—god forbid—then what would happen to me? I already had a target on my back. All the other families wanted me for their own purposes, it seemed. At least here I was protected. I knew Angelo would never allow anyone to hurt me. That might not be true for the other families. The thought turned my blood cold.

Angelo, sensing my inner turmoil, placed the Aeternum Stone on his desk, his movements slow and deliberate. “I’m not going to force you, Serenity,” he said, his voice low and earnest. “You gave yourself to me freely, and that was precious to me beyond measure. You’re more special to me than any woman I’ve ever met in all my centuries of existence.”

His words washed over me like a balm, soothing the ragged edges of my soul. I wanted to believe him, wanted to trust in the sincerity of his feelings for me. But doubt still gnawed my insides like a hungry rat, sending shooting pains through my gut and stealing the air from my lungs.

I closed my eyes, my mind racing with a thousandconflicting thoughts and emotions. I had seen the darkness that lurked within the Santi family, their casual disregard for human life. And yet I had also seen the fierce, deep-seated love, loyalty, and devotion that bound them together.

I hadn’t experienced an unwavering connection like that since Mom had died. The DuPonts were extremely close, like a surrogate family to me, but I was still always an outsider. Here, I had been cherished and protected. I knew no one within these walls would hurt me.

Could I really condemn them all to death, knowing that my own inaction would be the cause? Could I live with the guilt of knowing I had let Angelo die, that I had stood by and watched as Dracula tore apart the man that had changed my life? My chest ached at the idea of losing him. And if Dracula killed Angelo, how would I even find Joy, never mind save her? I would be at a loss there.

At the same time, could I really condone their actions, could I let them keep killing, keep feeding on the innocent and the guilty alike? Wasn’t there a middle ground, a way to save Angelo and his family without compromising my own morals and beliefs?

I didn’t know the answer. I didn’t know if there even was one. All I knew was that this decision was the most important one I would ever make; the consequences of my choice would change the course of countless lives.

I opened my eyes, my gaze locking with Angelo’s. In his eyes, I saw a reflection of my own fear and uncertainty, but also a glimmer of hope.

“I don’t know what to do,” I whispered, my voice cracking with emotion. “I don’t want to lose you, Angelo.But I don’t know if I can be responsible for the deaths of innocent people either.”

Angelo reached out, his fingers brushing against my cheek in a featherlight caress. “I know, Serenity.” He drew in a deep, shuddering breath. “I am who I am. I’m the head of the Santi family. We’re a Mafia family just like any other, except we’re also vampires. The same holds true for the wolf and dark Fae Mafia families. We all do what we have to in order to survive.”

I looked at him, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension swirling in my gut. “You said you’re like the other Mafia families. What exactly does that mean? What are your lines of business, besides the casino?”

“I acquire magical artifacts and sell them on the black market. Some of them I keep for my own purposes.”

I bowed my head. “Including me?”

He gave me a hard look. “Yes.”

“Have you murdered people for hire?”

He shrugged, lifting his shoulders in a casual way that belied the gravity of the question. “Surely you know my reputation.”

I thought about Freddie. How many times had he lied to me? Steven hadn’t always told the truth, either, especially when it came to his illegal activities, first in the street gang and now with the Barone family.

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