Chapter 81

“No,” the woman said evenly. “She’s been turned.”

The guards came in after the Blue Moon team had left, but I sat, wrapped in a robe, in the living room, trying to think through all the information that they’d told me. Claire was alive. She was with Francium. She was now a vampire.

Claire was a vampire. She was our enemy, but was it possible that she was still Claire? We could kill her, but would that be the right thing to do? It wasn’t her fault.

Or was it? No one knew how vampires turned people. We didn’t even know that a werewolf could be turned into a vampire!

It was all so confusing. I didn’t know what to do next. I wanted to call Candido, but I held back. Telling him anything might blow my cover as Pandora, and the leader trusted me with this mission because of my judgment.

They searched the whole place before coming back to me and asking me what had happened. I didn’t know if it was my silent that made the whole situation seem more serious than it was or if it was just protocol, but I couldn’t heed it.

I didn’t even know what to say. I shook my head.

“Sorry, I… I forgot it was armed and opened the balcony,” I lied. “I slipped and fell in the bathroom after the sirens started going off. I’m fine.”

He eyed me, but he nodded and called into his radio. They did one last sweep of everything and left. I was impressed that the Blue Moon team that had come managed not to leave a single trace.

When they left, I tried to get dressed and just calm down. I decided to open my laptop and try to check-in. I wasn’t clear-headed enough to try and search for anything related to Claire and where she might be. I wanted to. The need to know was burning through me, but I was also thinking of Allen and his wife and the rest of Claire’s family.

What would they do? How would they react if they found out? Would they find out that she was alive? Did it even count that she was alive? We’d always been taught that vampires were evil, the exact opposite of us, but I had been learning so much about how much more similar they were.

They were still our enemy, still Candido’s enemy, but Claire was my best friend. Could there be good vampires?

I didn’t know. How could I know?

Are you okay? Armageddon asked through the chat. I felt a disturbance of some sort.

I frowned at that. You can feel my emotions?

Sometimes, but they have to be really strong. It’s part of the mating bond. Haven’t you learned about it? What’s your father doing?

I hesitated and considered my answer. I could lie, but I didn’t want to. At least, whomever Armageddon wasn’t trying to evade this. He wasn’t pressuring me, but he was letting me know how much he cared about me, and I couldn’t be upset about that.

I was missing that with Candido. I missed the ease of his care. I missed him even though I couldn’t have him and this was the best thing to do.

My father hates me. He’s more interested in his other child and his wife.

If you tell me who he is, I’ll kill him. No questions asked.

I laughed. That would give everything away, wouldn’t it?

I would never be accused of not being an opportunist. Do you want to talk about it?... More than that, does that mean there won’t be anyone fighting me for you?

I laughed again. Not exactly. I live with an uncle… well, I lived with an uncle. Right now, I’m living alone because I’m angry with him.

You’re a rebellious teenager, hm?

I scoffed. I am not a teenager.

Liar.

I rolled my eyes. Fine. I won’t be a teenager for much longer.

What did this uncle do to make you upset?

I hesitated and sighed, leaning back. I don’t even know anymore… It feels like he’s lied to me for years, or at least let me believe something that could never be true, but I don’t know if that’s fair.

I poured my heart out, trying to keep the details secret as I told Armageddon a cleaned-up version of everything that was going on.

He’s not going to marry that horrible woman, is he?

No. That’s done, but he could have told me.

Maybe he was trying to protect you… Trying to keep you from getting involved.

But I am involved! I growled. Why can’t either of you get that?

You care about him, he said. He knows that, but he’s supposed to be taking care of you. No parent wants to let their kid or ward of any kind see them as anything less than in control.

I glowered at the words. I’m not a child.

No, but you’re his responsibility until you’re not legally a child. And it isn’t as though you ever told him directly that she was a problem.

It’s not as though he would have listened. If you believe that, then you really don’t understand him.

I paused, frowning at those words. I understand him better than anyone.

Then you should have known that he would have listened to you.

I sat back and wondered. If I had told Candido how Sibyl treated me from the beginning, would anything have changed? She would have never been charged with assaulting me and banished, sure, but would all of this have changed in anyway? I didn’t know. It felt like it wouldn’t have, but I wanted to believe that Armageddon knew what he was talking about.

Since you’re old, can I ask you something?

He sent an angry emoji. I am not old.

You are. Old. I sent an old man emoji and grinned. I bet you’re greying.

He said nothing and my eyes widened. Are you greying?

I wouldn’t know.

I frowned at that and wondered what his hair color was. If he was a brunette, he would definitely know, but if he was blonde, it probably just looked like a natural platinum highlight… or he covered it up somehow.

Do you dye your hair?

Is that what you wanted to ask me?

No, but I’m asking.

No, I don’t.

I pouted. Shame. So, you’re blonde.

No comment. Your question?

I sat back and considered it. Who is this girl you’re in love with to you?

… my ward.

I gasped, sitting forward, amazed and shocked.

Does she know?

No, and I don’t intend to tell her. She’s… pretty upset with me right now, but I stand on my decision.

To keep your distance?

As much as possible. I still care about her, of course. But being too close to her would just make things harder for both of us.

He sounded like Candido and I felt bad for the girl. Was she like me and living apart from him?

What would she do that would piss you off and make you reconsider it?

Nothing.

Don’t be coy. You love her. You think seeing her with another man wouldn’t affect you.

I didn’t say it wouldn’t, but it wouldn’t make me reconsider it. Even if she slept with them?

She’s too young for that.

I scoffed. You’re an idiot if you think people don’t have sex before they’re twenty. Is she in college?

… I have to go. Let’s talk later.

I didn’t know if that was a response or he was pulled way for an emergency, but an idea came to mind.

I couldn’t sleep that night. I went to class a little wired, annoyed that I had to be here and see all the memorials of Claire around. Francium was missing, but as I went to his room, I realized that he hadn’t been moved out as the door still bore his family’s sigil on the door like always.

“You’re Hedy, right?” Someone asked. I turned as he drew closer and pulled out a key. “Franc’s not here if you’re here to talk to him.”

“Oh? Where is he?”

“He said he was going home to see his mother. “

His mother?

My phone buzzed. I checked the screen and saw Candido’s name and number. I shoved it back into my bag. I still wasn’t sure what to do about him or what to say to him. I didn’t think there was anything to say right now.

I had to focus on finding Claire.

“His mom?” I asked trying to play coy. “The alpha’s wife?”

He wrinkled his nose and shook his head. “That woman isn’t Franc’s mother. His mom is from New Moon, but not from the capital city.”

I worried my lip. “Would you… happen to know how to get there? He’s not picking up my calls… I thought he’d want to come to Claire’s funeral…”

His eyes softened and he nodded. “Yeah… Yeah, he would. I told him he should go home after the news broke that she was dead. You have a pen? I’ll give you directions.”