Chapter 18

"Kalygor lives with you? Does he want to wipe out these mentors and ordinary ones?"

"Who?"

"Damn it, Caliban. Answer me!"

"The cave is united. And I... I will be important."

He passed out completely, and not even pushing on his shoulder brought him back. His skin was burning, his sweat oily. I was afraid he would hibernate, and then he wouldn’t say anything else.

I needed to give him blood, just enough to keep him awake, but not strong enough to manipulate the guards and escape.

I left the corral through the side door that led to the other animals’ shelter, pushing aside the guilt for what I was about to do.

When I shifted into my wolf form, I sometimes went hunting. In lupine form, it was normal for us. I had learned from my father and mother; my beast loved raw meat and fresh blood. But in my human form, I preferred regular food. The idea of killing another living being didn’t excite me unless it was necessary.

Feeling tense, I entered the chicken coop and grabbed the first hen I saw. It squawked, flapped its wings, and panicked. I pretended to myself that I was going to make chicken stew for dinner.

As soon as I returned to the corral, I broke its neck, and it fell lifeless. Kneeling next to Caliban, I shook him and rubbed the still-warm body of the hen against his nose. The smell or maybe the instinct, possibly the hunger, woke him up.

I didn’t wait to see what he’d do next. He struggled against the ropes, his sharp teeth appearing suddenly as they sank into the animal’s throat, indifferent to the feathers or its recent death. He sucked greedily, his eyes meeting mine and turning red.

He only stopped when there was nothing left. I pulled the hen away, and he licked his fangs, muttering, "More..."

"Who is Kalygor?"

"What?" He looked confused.

"You mentioned him, a cave, the mentors, and..."

"I didn’t say anything."

He turned away, closed off, tense. Frustrated, I dropped the hen on the ground as I stood.

"What’s your plan? Why do you need me?" He said nothing, his expression serious. It was like talking to a brick wall. "Talk to me, and I’ll get you more blood."

I thought he would agree, given how terrible he still looked. But he closed his eyes, silent.

I clenched my fists, tempted to beat the answers out of him.

But torturing someone defenseless wasn’t right—it wasn’t me.

I left, frustrated, with more questions than answers.

***

POV Balthazar

"Are you sure you need to go?" Caliope didn’t hide her disappointment. "You stayed so little this time!"

"I’ll be back with more time. I promise."

Thorn smiled at her in a brotherly way. Perhaps not in the way my sister would have liked, but as he always did. Then he turned to me.

"Do come back. Things feel lighter around here when you’re present," I said honestly.

Usually, we each took care of our own lives, sometimes going days or weeks without crossing paths in the palace. When Thorn visited, it was more common for me and my sister to draw closer, doing things together with him.

It was strange because, typically, the three of us didn’t have close friends, weren’t emotional, and didn’t need others around like most pureblood vampires. Yet, from a young age, we’d developed a bond as though we somehow complemented each other when together.

"When things settle in Ravencrest, I hope to see you both there."

"I’ll go. I’m a little tired of this place," she said, hugging him briefly, smiling. "I hope you’ll be okay, Thorn."

Then she went back inside the palace. He watched her until she disappeared, then turned to me, curious.

"Caliope seems different, quieter. Is something wrong with the engagement?"

"Not that I know of."

We walked along the front terrace toward the gates, where the Oregon vampires accompanying him on the trip were waiting.

"You seem quieter too. Still mad about being bitten by the wild she-wolf?"

I gave him a sharp look, catching the irony in his tone.

"I don’t even think about her."

It was a big lie, and it only heightened my irritation. Lioara Constantini seemed to have taken over the worst side of me, the part that was hard to control. Not a day went by that she didn’t invade my thoughts, either to torment me with the desire for revenge or to confront me with the attraction that still existed and shouldn’t have been there.

"And Caliban? Has your father thought of another role for him? Did he take the job at the synthetic blood factory?"

"He’s incorrigible. I was told he didn’t show up yesterday. He’s probably off somewhere on another night out with the useless sanguine crowd he hangs around with."

I changed the subject, not wanting to dwell on my brother. "How are things in Oregon? Any news?"

"No." His expression became completely closed off. "My parents, brother, and wife are still missing. As you know, once the tragedy reaches its one-year mark, their deaths will be officially declared."

"I’m sorry."

I meant it, knowing the agony he was going through. Until now, he’d held onto hope that they were alive, but it was strange to have no word for so long.

We were not easy to kill. Some speculated they might be in desiccation somewhere, as vampires could survive up to two centuries without blood, conserving their strength. But since the accident happened in the middle of the sea, it seemed almost impossible. We couldn’t last long in saltwater, unable to breathe for such an extended time. They had likely drowned.

"I’ve thought about leaving Oregon, maybe settling somewhere nearby. After all, my brother is taking over the leadership of our clan. There’s nothing left holding me there."

He stopped as we neared the open double gates, with his guards waiting for him. His serious gaze met mine.

"But Krause has a lot to handle alone and still needs my help. I’ll stay with him until everything is sorted—for better or worse."

"You know we have properties nearby? You’re welcome to use any of them anytime."

"I know, Balthazar. And I appreciate the hospitality, the kindness you and Caliope have always shown me."

We weren’t very physical people, but I wanted to confirm my words. I extended my hand, and Thorn shook it firmly.

We said our goodbyes, and I returned to the palace, glancing at the dark sky with its dense clouds completely covering the sun. On days like this, I delayed taking the medication for skin protection. The gray morning felt safe.

I had a lot to deal with that day: online meetings, work late into the night. I just hoped my father wouldn’t bother me about Caliban’s disappearance and his absence from the factory. I was tired of being his babysitter.

I crossed the grand entrance door and walked through the hall when his voice suddenly appeared in my mind, as if he knew what I was thinking:

"Balthazar, come get me."

I stopped abruptly, surprised—and irritated.

We rarely communicated telepathically unless it was necessary or we were forced to resolve something. Caliban almost never called on me unless he had gotten himself into serious trouble he couldn’t handle alone.

"What do you want?"

"I need help."

Of course. I started walking again, determined to ignore him. But something caught my attention.

The voice sounded faint, distant—which wasn’t typical, given our mental powers, which we’d developed even further since childhood. That only happened if we were far apart, like in another country or continent, or if one of us was weakened.

I stopped again, just before heading upstairs. A bad feeling crept in as I remembered our last conversation, when he said he would handle the problem with Lio.

"Where are you?"

There was no answer, the connection cut off. I focused on sensing his energy, his thoughts. Then, his trembling voice returned:

"I need to feed. I’m injured."

"Where?"

"In Constantini."

I wasn’t even as surprised as I should have been. My anger burst uncontrollably within me. I should have known he wouldn’t be satisfied without doing something incredibly stupid.

"What did you go there for?"

"To convince Lio. But she... almost killed me. I’m about to pass out. I managed to hold on a bit, but... don’t take too long."

He should just die there and leave me in peace. That’s what I would let happen so he could learn his lesson. Because as soon as I rescued him, he’d find another idiotic mess to get into.

"Tell me what you did."

There was no further response, though I kept trying to reach him mentally. It seemed he was worse off than I’d thought.