Page 156 of A Debt of Darkness

“We can talk about it later, lea,” Henry says. “Matt can tell you all about your father, and I’m sure Ryan will be delighted to explain exactly how he and I fell out.”

“You were a twat, Henry. That’s all there is to it.”

Henry growls and the pair of them smirk, enjoying whatever joke they’re having at Henry’s expense. We relax and laugh, enjoying ourselves as if it were any other afternoon and this was a conversation between four friends. Close friends who occasionally fuck in the presence of each other and whose bonds were formed over more lifetimes than I dare to imagine.

The spell’s broken when Emmanuel coughs and Damon frowns, irritated the moment’s taken from me. There’ll be others and I have time to discover the answers to the questions rushing through my head, each as pressing as the others, all leaving my head struggling to keep up.

Damon stands and walks toward the center of the room, taking his place as if he were addressing a court. His eyes glance over the paintings lining the wall, briefly admiring Henry’s collection as he bides his time, picking his moment.

As if he’s about to make the world shift on its axis.

“When Ivy killed Rowan and Marcus, she upended centuries of alliances, and the weaker covens are about to declare war. It’ll spill into an all-out conflict unless something is done. Unless someone seizes power.” Damon’s dark brown eyes meet the fury in Henry’s pale blue ones, and neither gives an inch.

“No.”

“Ivy killed Rowan and Marcus, and now she’s made you King. She’s returned you to your rightful place, Henry, and you’ll claim the throne that you should have taken when you killed your sire. Order will be restored and the prophecy fulfilled.” Damon arches his eyebrow. “Emmanuel will take the throne unless you do, Henry. It’s why he’s here. To seize power without shedding blood.”

Henry shakes his head and gets to his feet, pacing furiously to find a way out. It’s him or Emmanuel, and he doesn’t like the thought of either. The lines of his face deepen and his features sharpen as he finds himself facing a decision he didn’t see coming and one he doesn’t want.

“Accept the throne, Henry. With Ivy at your side and the priesthood beneath you.”

“I’m not an emperor.”

“You are now,” Damon says, smiling with the confidenceof a man who’s certain of his convictions. “It fulfills the prophecy, but more importantly, it keeps your mate safe. If you won’t do it for your coven or the other vampires, you’ll do it for her.”

He looks at me and smiles, softening his expression while Henry seethes. His eyes blaze with indignation, beyond furious he’s being forced into a position he doesn’t want and can’t abide. It’s been an eternity since Henry was outmaneuvered and the only thing stopping him from lashing out at Damon is his need to protect me.

Because despite it all, Henry recognizes that Damon’s on my side. He’s still protecting me now, and although Henry doesn’t like it, he respects it. They’re staring at each other, both lions in their prime, both silently marking their territory and making their boundaries clear. Their roars are silent and their muscles flex, both backing down before they injure the other in a fight for supremacy.

“He adores you, Ivy. Worships you. It’s nice to see you happy. I’ll leave you to settle with Henry and then we’ll talk about what, if any, involvement the pair of you want me to have in your future.” He steps back and glares at Emmanuel. “If any of you fuckers so much as think about trying anything on, you’ll answer to me.”

“Where are you going?” I ask.

Damon flicks his eyes to mine. “Away. I’ve spent a lifetime serving one Master and I think I’ve earned a fucking holiday before I serve another. I’ll pop back in when I’m done, and we can talk about anything you’d like. I’m not quite done with you yet.”

My mouth falls open as he turns and walks away, leaving me speechless and the room in stunned silence. Time restarts itself as I turn to Henry, unsure what decision he’s reached. I can sense the turmoil inside him and he stares at me, finding clarity as our souls connect and our emotions align.

“I’m afraid you can’t have those blades back, Ivy. You’ll do far too much damage with them, and I’ve already spent too much time sorting out your messes. It’s Henry’s turn to stand guard, and I wish him luck.”

Damon stops in the doorway, glancing over his shoulder before he leaves. His gaze is warm and I wonder what advice he’s going to give me, hoping it’ll be something useful. Something warm. Something a parent gives a child before they finally fly the nest.

His grin widens and the mischievous glint returns to his eyes.

“He’ll need it.”

44

BEATEN BUT UNBROKEN

IVY

Flashes of orange warnings and rivers of blood trail through my mind, drowning my consciousness in an ocean of death from which there’s no escape. I’ve sunk beneath its surface and now I’m plunging to its depth, pulled further into the darkness and away from the fading light of life.

There’s no hope, no reprieve.

Nothing left to do but accept what cannot change.

And this cannot alter. It can only be endured.

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