Page 51 of Always Eros

“It’s too much of a coincidence that they were hunting vampires who had a mortal with them connected to their cult,” Eros says. “You have to see that, Hale.”

His face falls. “But why?”

“That’s what we have to find out,” Eros says. “This whole thing could be much bigger than any of us understand.”

“What if…” I begin, letting my thoughts come together as everyone’s attention turns to me. I clear my throat. “Since leaving, I’ve learned that most of what I was taught is complete bullshit, but the one thing that’s always been consistent is the goal of taking over the world. It was presented to us as a peaceful spreading of truth, but if Nightsky is run by vampires, and I can’t believe I just said that sentence, then maybe their goal isn’t as benign as it sounds. What if the blood king isn’t dead? What if he’s only in hiding because someone wants him dead? We’ve never seen him. For all we know, the Supreme Being and the blood king are the same person.”

“Fuck,” Hale whispers. “They killed my entire coven. They killed Nathan, and they tried to kill me. They don’t want to dominate vampires. They want to eradicate us.”

Yves narrows his eyes, his expression hardening. “Well then, they’re about to find out they picked a fight with the wrong crowd.”

The question of why Yves wants to protect vampires tugs at me, but I bite it back. Maybe there’s a self-protecting part of me that doesn’t want to know the answer. This whole world is strange and new, and there’s only so much a person can take. If I’m to believe everyone, I’m in the same room with a real-life vampire, and I may have been surrounded by them my entire life without even knowing it.

Yep. Best not to ask too many questions I might not be ready to hear the answers to.

“Are you okay?” Eros asks softly as he rubs my lower back.

“I’m not really sure. This is a lot to take in.”

“Just remember you aren’t alone.”

I nod, searching his eyes. I want so desperately to see safety and comfort in them, and I do, but there’s something else there too. Something dark and dangerous.

“We need to get inside Nightsky,” Yves announces. “Can you take us there, Justice?”

My jaw drops. “If they find me, they’ll force me to come back.”

“Don’t you worry about that,” Thorn says, cracking his knuckles. “No one is taking anyone while we’re around.”

Eros is up and out of his seat in a flash. He stands close to Yves, the two of them speaking so quietly I can’t hear anything, but then Eros seems satisfied.

“If you can take us there, I assure you, you will be safe,” Eros says. “You have our word.”

Swallowing, I glance at everyone watching me. Maybe this is the purpose I always wanted to have. If Nightsky is hurting people, then I have a responsibility to help. Maybe I could even get my family out.

“Okay. I’ll do it.”

Chapter Seventeen

EROS

After Yves sends a quick text, the remainder of my brothers file out of their units, dressed and ready to face whatever is coming. Just a few minutes later, Vivienne joins us, looking groggy from sleep, her normally tidy appearance in disarray.

“Vampires,” she mumbles as she passes me. “Always keeping late hours.”

“Thank you, love,” Yves says, gently pinching her cheek. “I wouldn’t bother you if it wasn’t important.”

“I know.” She hands him two vials. “The green one is for Hale. The red one is for the new kid. It’ll work until he drinks…” She leans in, whispering to Yves, but I can hear her quickly say he needs a drop of vampire blood in a drink to erase the glamour potion.

“You are a lifesaver, Vivienne,” Yves says.

“I know.” She turns to face Justice, smiling warmly. “Hi. I’m Vivienne or Viv. Whichever. You must be Justice?”

“Yes.” He stands, shaking her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” Vivienne studies his face for a moment, then exhales, blowing her breath across his face.

Justice’s eyelids flutter, and all the tension he was holding melts away. Mighty Hades, Viv is talented. Now she has calming spells in her breath? Justice sways slightly, and I wrap my arm around his waist for support, whispering, “Thank you,” to Viv.

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