Chapter 66

The French Quarter greeted me like it already knew my name.

The iron gates opened before I could even knock, and the moment my car rolled to a stop, a man in a dark tailored suit stepped forward, polite and unreadable. "Miss Elizabeth," he said smoothly, as if we'd met before. "We've been expecting you."

That sentence alone made my spine stiffen.

Of course they had. Damon had probably known the second the idea crossed my mind that I would come. I hated that most of all—not the mansion, not the bargain, not even the sacrifice. I hated that he'd been right about me.

I stepped out of the car, lifting my chin. "You can show me where I'm staying."

The man inclined his head and led me inside.

The mansion smelled like old money and secrets—polished wood, faint spice, something metallic beneath it all. Every step echoed, reminding me how small I was in a place like this. And yet, part of me felt... steady. I was here for a reason. Chloe. Vanessa. Family wasn't always blood.

He stopped before a set of tall double doors and pushed them open.

My breath caught.

The room was enormous. High ceilings with dark wooden beams. Tall arched windows draped in heavy cream curtains that softened the afternoon light. A four-poster bed stood at the center, carved with intricate details, the fabric deep emerald. Antique furniture filled the space—a vanity with a gold-rimmed mirror, a chaise lounge near the window, shelves lined with old books that smelled like history.

It was nothing like my room at Vanessa's. That room had been warm, familiar, cluttered with laughter and late-night secrets. This one was elegant. Quiet. Almost reverent.

"It's beautiful," I murmured despite myself.

"I'll leave you to settle in," the servant said, closing the doors softly behind him.

I set my bag down slowly, absorbing the silence. This was real now. No turning back.

The door creaked.

I hadn't closed it completely.

"You made the right choice," Damon's voice drawled from behind me.

I turned, heart jumping despite myself.

He leaned casually against the doorframe, dark sweater impeccable, expression infuriatingly relaxed. Like this wasn't the most life-altering decision I'd ever made. I hated how attractive he was if only his heart was the same.

"I didn't have a choice," I snapped. "And don't flatter yourself thinking this was about you."

He smirked. "It never is. Until it is."

I crossed my arms, forcing myself not to retreat. "Your turn. You promised."

His eyes flicked over me—slow, assessing, far too intense for comfort. Then he reached into his pocket and produced a delicate chain, emerald green stone set at its center. It shimmered faintly, like it was alive.

The  amulet.

I grabbed it from his hand, anger flooding through me. "How can you be so... cold? You hold something like this while my friend suffers, and you act like it's a game."

Damon stepped back, hands lifting in mock surrender. "Careful, Elizabeth. You'll hurt my feelings."

"You don't have any," I shot back.

He laughed quietly, the sound low and dangerous, before turning and walking down the corridor without another word. I watched him disappear, my chest tight with emotions I refused to name.

I didn't wait.

I bolted downstairs, heart racing, keys already in my hand. I needed to get to Chloe. Now.

I rounded a corner and crashed straight into someone solid.

Strong arms steadied me instantly.

"Careful," a calm voice said. "That kind of speed could be fatal in this house."

I looked up.

Elijah.

He smiled lightly, eyes warm yet sharp, studying me like I was a puzzle. "One might think you're in a hurry."

"I—sorry," I said quickly, stepping back. "I really need to go."

"Of course you do," he replied gently.

Something about that made my stomach flip.

I hurried past him, not missing the way his gaze lingered, curious, knowing.

Outside, as I reached my car, I noticed a black SUV pulling in behind me.

A man stepped out.

"Why are you following me?" I demanded.

"Orders," he said simply.

"I don't need a babysitter."

"Not my call."

I didn't argue. I just got in and drove.

Chloe was waiting.

——-

Chloe's front door opened before I could knock.

She stood there hidden a little behind her door in the shadows wrapped in a pink hoodie, oversized sunglasses hiding most of her face, her dark hair pulled into a messy bun like she'd given up halfway through fixing it. Seeing her like that—dimmed, muted, hiding—made my chest ache.

"Liz!" she said brightly, then paused, eyes flicking past me. "Why is there a man watching your car?"

"Long story," I said quickly, pulling her into a tight hug. She smelled the same—vanilla and something floral—but there was something sharper beneath it now. "Can I come in?"

She nodded, shutting the door behind us.

Inside, the house was dimmer than usual. Curtains drawn. Lamps on even though the sun outside was blindingly bright. Chloe leaned against the wall, studying me with a suspicious smile.

"You look... intense," she said. "What did you do?"

"Trust me for five minutes," I said softly. "Just five."

She rolled her eyes but laughed. "Okay, mysterious. What's going on?"

"Turn around," I said.

"What?"

"Close your eyes. Turn around."

She squinted at me. "Elizabeth—"

"Please."

Something in my voice must've convinced her, because she sighed dramatically, turned her back to me, and closed her eyes. "If this is a prank, I swear—"

"It's not."

My fingers trembled as I unclasped the chain. The green stone felt warm now, almost pulsing, like it knew where it was meant to be. I stepped closer and gently fastened it around her neck.

"Okay," I whispered. "You can open your eyes."

She reached up immediately, fingertips brushing the amulet. Her breath caught.

"Liz..." she murmured. "This is beautiful. But why are you giving me this? It's not my birthday."

"Just trust me," I said again, my throat tight.

She turned toward the door, then froze. Sunlight spilled in through the glass panels, bright and unforgiving. Her body stiffened.

"No," she said instantly, backing up. "Nope. Not funny. Have you lost your mind?"

"Chloe," I said gently. "Please."

She stared at me like I'd betrayed her. "You know what happens if I—"

"I wouldn't ask if I wasn't sure."

Her jaw clenched. She shook her head. "Liz, I'm not ready. I can't—"

"Just your hand," I said quietly. "That's all."

Silence stretched between us.

Finally, shaking, she inched closer to the door. Slowly, like she was approaching a bomb, she extended her hand into the sunlight.

Nothing happened.

She blinked.

Pulled it back. Looked at it. Then pushed it out again, farther this time. Still nothing.

Her breath hitched.

"Elizabeth," she whispered. "What did you do?"

"Go on," I urged, tears already burning my eyes.

She took one step. Then another.

The sunlight washed over her completely—and she didn't burn. Didn't scream. Didn't collapse.

Instead, she gasped.

Then she laughed.

A sound so pure and bright it shattered something inside me.

"Oh my God!" she cried, ripping off her sunglasses. "Oh my God, I can feel it! The sun—Liz, the sun!"

She burst through the door, spinning wildly on the porch, her face lifted to the sky. She laughed and cried at the same time, arms outstretched, hair glowing in the light.

"I missed this," she sobbed. "I missed this so much!"

I stepped outside, watching her, my chest aching with joy and grief tangled together. She ran to me and threw her arms around my neck.

"You did this," she said breathlessly. "You saved me."

I hugged her tightly, blinking back tears. "You deserve this. You deserve more than darkness."

She pulled back, studying the amulet again. "This is... old. Powerful. Where did you get it?"

I smiled softly. "That's a story for another day."

She narrowed her eyes. "Elizabeth."

"Later," I said quickly, brushing her hair from her face. "Right now, just be happy. Please."

She hesitated, then nodded, grinning like the girl I remembered. "Okay. One day. But I'm not letting this go."

I knew that.

I also knew that when she found out what I'd traded for this moment, she would lose her mind.

But watching her dance barefoot in the sunlight, laughing like the world hadn't nearly broken her, I knew one thing for certain—

Every sacrifice was worth it.

Even this one.

Somewhere down the street, the black SUV idled quietly.