A Gate of Night (A Shade of Vampire #6)(39)

“I don’t care what Derek comes back to.” Xavier broke the tense silence. “This is our home. We’ve all known Derek for hundreds of years. We know that he won’t care that The Shade was ruined. It will break his heart, yes, but he will understand. What he won’t understand is if we do nothing to pick ourselves up after all these tragedies.”

“He’s right,” Yuri agreed, his eyes on Claudia, who seemed curious to hear what he had to say. “If we’re going to rebuild, we’re doing it for ourselves, for our own healing. You all know how loyal I am to Derek, but we need to stop doing everything for him and learn to start doing things for ourselves, for our home, for this kingdom. Derek is our ruler, but he isn’t The Shade.”

“That sounds patriotic and inspiring and all,” Aiden said, “but the dilemma still remains. How are we going to rebuild?”

“I wish Eli were here.” Never more had any of us felt the absence of Eli than we did at that moment. “If there’s anyone who could think of a way, it’s him.”

Yuri winced at the mention of his brother. Kiev had come without explanation and just demanded Eli go with him. There hadn’t been much we could do to stop him. Yuri had tried to fight back, but nothing came of it.

I blew out a sigh. Rebuilding The Shade without either Derek or Eli seemed impossible.

“Can we really do this?” Claudia voiced what we were all thinking. “Without Eli’s brain and Derek’s brawn?”

“Yes. We can. They would want us to.” Yuri pushed. “The way I see it, this is a way for us to start anew. If we’re going to rebuild, we might as well forget what it once was and dream of what we want it to be. That’s where we are going to start. What do we want to see in the island?”

His suggestion awakened something in me—something inside that was already on the brink of death. Hope.

“That’s a step toward the right direction,” Aiden approved. “But if you’re going to create a vision of what the island ought to be, I think it’s time we hear what the humans have to say, because for all we know, when Derek arrives, the question of who will take the cure will be back in play. You might as well start thinking of living on the island as humans, and not as vampires.”

A tense silence filled the room. In the chaos of everything happening, the cure had completely left my mind. I had been so preoccupied by running the island that my own dreams of living a normal life—maybe with Xavier, should he choose to take the cure—had taken a backseat to everything that was happening around us.

“Aiden is right. If we’re going to do this, we have to do it with our human allies.”

Claudia rolled her eyes. She opened her mouth and I was expecting to hear an objection, but was pleasantly surprised to hear her say, “I’ll go find Gavin. Expect the annoying blue-haired hunter to be with them. She’s like their pet or something.”

The way Aiden grinned at the mention of Zinnia didn’t escape my notice. I hated the little minx. She was like a pest I couldn’t get rid of, but for some reason, Gavin seemed to be able to tolerate her.

While Claudia and Yuri left to get The Shade’s human leaders, we went about discussing plans for The Shade. When they returned, Gavin and Zinnia weren’t with them. Instead, Clara stepped into the quarters, followed by a posse of the Elder’s vampires.

I tensed. This can’t be good.

Clara looked around. “I’m thinking these are the best quarters you have available since we destroyed everything else?”

No one responded. Instead, she was met with hateful, questioning glares.

She seemed unfazed. “I want this place cleared out. In fact, I want this whole level cleared out. Whoever is staying here”—she gave me a quick look over from head to foot then back—“I’m assuming it’s you… you’ll have to move to another level. Make sure this is done by the end of the day, princess.”

“May I ask why?” The words came out low and clipped, escaping through gritted teeth.

“Just do it. All you need to know is that this time tomorrow, the real vampires take over.” Fear flashed in her expression. “They will want food and drinks. Or their version of it. And, of course, plenty of entertainment.”

My heart fell. All hope I had of creating a new vision for our home melted away. Her words were clear enough.

The Elders were coming to take over The Shade and the horrifying reality sank into me, as well as my companions.

We were their food.

We were their drinks.

We were their entertainment.

Chapter 23: Sofia

I lay flat on my back on the queen-sized bed. It was late into the night, as evidenced by the chimes of the antique clock on one wall of my room. I fluffed up the pillows in order to prop myself up on the bed. I stared at the pendulum swinging from left to right. Almost hypnotic.

Twins. I smiled. A bittersweet one. A son and a daughter. I couldn’t wait to hold them in my arms and be to them the mother I’d never had. I stroked my tummy gently, trying to hold back my own tears.

An image of my children crossed my mind. Wishful and almost nostalgic. I could almost hear their laughter. For some reason, I saw them building sandcastles on a beach, the sunlight kissing their skins, their bright eyes hopeful and trusting. I imagined Derek’s hand on mine, squeezing so tightly, I could practically feel it.