“Bad?” I asked.
“Uncomfortable. Miserable. It’s beautiful and all, but there is a certain kind of rot beneath the surface, and I worry it’ll affect us all if we don’t leave soon. At least within a fortnight.”
It saddened me to hear him say such things, but I could certainly understand where he was coming from. He’d been so excited upon arriving here, only to have his joy snapped in two along with Nethissis’s neck.
The door opened, startling me. I’d been so deep in my thoughts, I hadn’t even heard the footsteps outside. Acheron came in, accompanied by Petra Visentis. The gold guards stayed outside, as the door remained wide open for them to look in, if needed.
“How are you coming along with your work?” Acheron asked. His voice was soft, as if he was treading lightly, cautious about upsetting us. At least he was tactful and diplomatic—not all leaders of such predatory species could boast such qualities.
“Slowly, but surely,” Amal replied, her tone dry. She kept her focus on the microscope lens.
“Any news from Esme regarding your friend’s death?” Petra replied. She seemed genuine in her concern, though there was something about her voice that bothered me. Her eyes said one thing, but the tone…
I shook my head. “Not yet,” I said. “I’m sure she’ll have more by the end of the day.”
“I still think it was just an unfortunate incident,” Acheron replied. “I’ve lost two of my favorite hounds to those wretched foxes.”
Derek and I exchanged glances, knowing that there was more to this visit than them wanting updates on our investigation into Nethissis’s death. “What brings you here?” Derek asked.
Acheron let a deep sigh out before he spoke. “I spoke to Valaine earlier this morning about the Black Fever’s return and the possibility of your support,” he said. “I was hoping I could ask for it, on behalf of Visio. We’re not prepared for another outbreak. It’s too early. We have quarantine measures to put in place, but… it’s not enough, and our population has yet to replenish after the last round. I’m afraid we’ll be decimated if the Black Fever spreads now. Our empire risks a total collapse.”
As cruel as it might’ve made me sound, I didn’t find the prospect to be without a silver lining. The fall of the Aeternae empire would’ve meant the freedom of the Rimians and the Naloreans. Maybe it was time for a change. I didn’t like how the Aeternae exploited these other species, even though they marketed themselves as reasonable, yet strict. I had a hard time accepting that the Rimians and the Naloreans were perfectly okay with this. I knew, however, that if they were shown another way, they would all gladly welcome a future without the Aeternae’s supremacy.
I said nothing, because this wasn’t my world. But they couldn’t stop me from having my own opinions about this.
“We were expecting the request,” Derek said. “After all, we’ve talked about this before. It’s a shame that the Black Fever is coming back so quickly, but my colleagues and I have already discussed our involvement. If you need help, we’ll gladly assist.”
“That being said, we cannot guarantee success,” Amal added, moving away from her microscope. “I’ll need to study those who’ve already been infected, first and foremost. I’ll need blood and tissue samples. I may have to request additional materials from my home planet, as well.”
Acheron smiled, his shoulders dropping with a sense of relief. “Whatever you need,” he said. “You shall have it.”
“I may need my sister here with me,” Amal replied, searching his face for a reaction. “We’re two halves of a whole, as I told you during our last dinner. I can move faster with her by my side.”
Acheron and Petra looked at each other. The high priestess didn’t seem happy at all. “The Lady Supreme won’t like this,” she said.
“Does the Lady Supreme want the Black Fever cured before or after it wipes out a few million Aeternae?” I asked, my tone clipped and my blood boiling. Their imposed limits annoyed the hell out of me, especially in these circumstances. I would’ve loved nothing more than to bring a whole army to Visio just to speed things up in Nethissis’s investigation, but I’d accepted, albeit begrudgingly, that it wasn’t an option. But they could at least let us bring Amane over, given that the twins could work faster and better to find a cure to save the Aeternae’s asses.
Petra narrowed her eyes at me, as if she wanted to say something, but it was Acheron who spoke. “Danika and I feel the same way. The fewer outsiders, the better. However, given this unexpected issue with the Black Fever, I’m sure she’ll support me in my concession. You may bring your sister over,” he said to Amal. “But only your sister. No one else.”
“It’ll be hard for Ridan to stay back,” Derek muttered. When Acheron and Petra gave him questioning looks, he exhaled sharply. “Her soulmate. They go everywhere together.”
“Didn’t you say a few nights ago that absence makes the heart grow fonder?” Petra replied, smiling coldly. “Perhaps it’s time to test that expression.”
“Only the sister,” Acheron insisted. “Danika will give me an earful anyway. I’d rather it be for just one person and not an entire fleet of outsiders.”
“It’s not a fleet; it’s just Ridan,” Derek insisted.
“No,” Acheron said, his eyes burning angry and green.
“Why are you scared of us?” I asked, finding it difficult to stay quiet on this topic.
Acheron looked at me, close to bursting into heavy laughter. “You think we’re afraid? Please. Do not insult us.”
“The Aeternae have not given us a reason to doubt them,” Derek interjected, giving me a faint nod, quietly asking me to stand down. “They’ve been kind and hospitable, and despite what happened with Nethissis and last night’s Darkling incident, they’ve given us their full support and whatever resources we might need. We will make an effort and respect their request. Only Amane will come to Visio.”
“Thank you,” Amal mumbled, watching Acheron and Petra with renewed interest. “I would like to get a head start and take some samples from your patients, if possible.”
“Of course,” Petra replied. “I can escort you to the infirmary right now.”
Amal looked at Derek and me, then got up, grabbed several swabs, vials, and sterile gloves, and joined Petra. They both walked out, leaving Acheron behind. Awkward silence settled over the room as the Lord Supreme stared at me.
“You’re very brave, Sofia. Perhaps even a little reckless,” he said.
“I did not mean to cause offense,” I replied, and he smiled.
“I know you didn’t. We’ve already discussed the rules here. I promised your people would not be harmed, a promise which wasn’t meant as a condition for you to keep your troops away. That specific request stands on its own. I’m hoping you can still respect the boundaries, despite what happened, especially since we had absolutely nothing to do with Nethissis’s death. But let me be perfectly clear,” Acheron declared. “We’re not afraid. We have nothing to be afraid of.”
He didn’t know us very well, then. I hoped, for his sake, that he’d never have to, either. GASP had grown over the years. We had enough power and supernaturals to take down an entire galaxy, if necessary. I didn’t want this journey to end in such a way.
“We lost someone very dear to us,” Derek said. “I’m sure you understand why our patience might sometimes run thin.”
“And you have my sympathy and full support in investigating the girl’s death, no matter where it leads,” Acheron replied. “Thank you for your assistance on the Black Fever issue, as well. Whatever you need, please, do not hesitate to ask, Derek. Sofia.”
He bowed politely and left, closing the door behind him. I heard the guards move, this time, their boots on the marble, their armor jingling rhythmically as they walked away with their Lord Supreme. Something was still foul with this picture, but without any evidence, I had no one to blame. Just lots of questions.
“Sofia, you should know… I think I’ve changed my mind, given recent events,” Derek said after a while. “I may have told Acheron and GASP that we would not bring the troops in to interfere with Vision in any way. But that can change. GASP could come in at full force if we have no other choice in our defense. And you know that, should anything happen to me, or you, or anyone else left in our team… should they attack or hurt us in any way, I will bring GASP down on Visio. All the fire and the fury and the magic necessary, if push comes to shove. I didn’t want things to get to this, but…”
“Nethissis is dead,” I said, standing next to her body. Acheron and Petra hadn’t even looked at the poor girl the whole time they’d been in this room.
“Yes… But for now, we have no culprit. Once we know who is responsible, we’ll discuss an appropriate course of action. I mentioned GASP in case they think of hurting the whole team. That being said, I don’t want anyone else dying here. My quest for the day-walking protein does not have to include you and the rest of the crew, my love. I’ve been thinking about this, too…”
“I know you have. It’s written all over your face.” I sighed as I made my way back to him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “But what would you want us to do?”
“Maybe it’s better if you take Esme and Tristan and Amal away from here. I’ve got enough material and knowledge to work on the protein by myself. At best, the Faulty twins can guide me from afar. We’ve got cameras and comms links.”
“What? And leave you alone here?” I gasped.
Derek nodded slowly. “The protein isn’t worth losing any more lives. But you understand how important it is to me… I want to bring this full circle. After all my struggles, after what happened with Ta’Zan… I need to do this, Sofia, not for myself, but for every other vampire.”
“We’ve lived most of our lives in the night,” I said. “We learned to appreciate what we have. I agree with you, Derek, that none of this is worth dying for. But that doesn’t mean I’m okay with skipping out and leaving you here on Visio to finish this alone.”
I knew how he felt. We’d both found ourselves in the pits of darkness, fighting against our own vampiric conditions. The Shade had been a home and a sanctuary for so long, that most members of our species had grown accustomed to the eternal night. I also knew that others were longing for the sunlight again, especially since Derek’s daywalking ability had come to light. I absolutely understood why Derek wanted to do this.
“I’m sorry. I’m on edge,” I added, peering into his blue eyes.
“We all are. Which is why I think you and the others should get back to The Shade. Whatever this was with Nethissis, I don’t want it happening to anyone else.”
“But we can’t let them outsmart us on this,” I said. “And we certainly can’t leave—not until we find out what happened to Nethissis, anyway. I get what you’re saying, my love, but I don’t see myself leaving you here to your own devices, and I have a feeling the others will feel the same way.”
