When I opened my eyes, I caught Dorian’s watching me and Aiden.

“Don’t let them get to you, my Gwen,” Aiden whispered into my ear.

“Easier said than done,” I mumbled.

“Okay, so the plan is for you, Gwen, to contact Ian and try to set up a meeting. It’ll have to be somewhere that won’t make him suspicious,” Aaron started.

“I don’t know how to contact him. He penetrates my mind, but I haven’t tried to send him a message first,” I told them. “Plus, he can manipulate my dreams and physically harm me. Fiona and Ethan tried casting a spell to protect me, but it only lasted a couple days before he found a way around it. He’s very proficient in magic.” The last thing I needed was for Ian to catch onto our plan and try to kill me through my dreams.

“Fiona and Ethan knew about your bond with Ian?” Holly questioned, her tone angry and bewildered. “Am I the only one who didn’t know?” I didn’t answer her. I decided the question was more rhetorical than anything. Plus, I didn’t want to be referred to as an immature child again by Aaron should Holly and I get into another arguing match. I wanted to set up a plan as much as he did. The sooner the better, although I was the bait for the lunatic vampire we were trying to capture.

“The bond works both ways, Gwen. Just because you haven’t tried doesn’t mean you can’t. All you have to do is focus on Ian and think something. The thought will find him.”

Peachy. I hated that the thing that separated my thoughts from getting to him was concentration. Could he hear my random thoughts? Did he spend his time intruding my mind just to learn my inner feelings? Being linked to someone like him made my skin crawl. Every time I heard his name, I thought about Bridget, the girl he’d murdered who’d haunted me until I found out the truth. I also remembered Amy Harper, the first body the FPD found and how young she was when Ian or his goons killed her. The word Ian was a foul and dirty word in my mind that was associated with ugliness. I didn’t care what his motivations were or his plans for me; the only thing I cared about was killing him, ridding the world of a heartless monster. With his death lives would be saved and mine could go back to normal. All of a sudden playing the bait didn’t seem so bad. I would have my chance to run a stake through his heart and have a first row seat to his demise. The VC had their plans, and I had mine. I would go along with whatever they cooked up, and when Ian met me, I would be prepared to kill him whether the VC wanted me to or not. It was the only way I could be sure our bond was broken for good without having to gift my blood to the VC. The more I learned about the vampire council, the more I didn’t want their mouths on my body.

“What about Flora?” Aiden asked.

I tucked my secret plan into the back of my mind and focused on the conversation.

“Gwen could return to Flora and ask Ian to meet her. She can pretend her training with the NAWC is done, and the war ended before it started. Gwen can use the ruse that she wants to meet him about breaking their bond. Ian will never suspect the VC will be there waiting for him. The best way to capture a man like him is when he’s off guard.”

Just at the mention of returning to Flora was enough to make me smile.

“Should we be discussing this in front of Gwen?” Patrick questioned. “If she knows the plan, can’t Ian just pluck it from her mind?”

It was a good question. Now that I knew just how connected we were, I wasn’t sure of how much privacy I had—even in my own brain. I thought Ian could project thoughts at me and intrude in my dreams from the magic he learned, but Aaron made it sound like we shared a mind, and all either one of us had to door was open the door. Not very comforting. If they wanted me to leave, I would. I wanted their plan to work out more than anyone because if it didn’t, then mine wouldn’t either.

“As long as she doesn’t focus on the details all the time, we should be safe. A bond doesn’t necessarily mean the pair can read each other’s minds. But Ian can pick up on Gwen’s moods should she act nervous or suspicious around him.” Aaron spoke with an air of superiority.

“You guys come up with a plan you can all agree on, I need some air.” Stepping out of the room, I made my way out of the castle. The rain had slowed and was now just a light drizzle. The coolness of the breeze and rain felt amazing against my heated skin. Taking a deep breath, I filled my lungs with clean air. The room was stifling and suffocating as the councils debated. Being outside was a lot more relaxing. I could feel my muscles loosen, and my magic recede as I calmed down.

I sat on the stone steps in front of the castle and thought about everything. I learned a lot about myself, and my abilities in a short period of time. Dorian was a new and interesting person who’d stepped into my life. I still had plans to find out more about him, but they’d have to wait. I thought about Fiona and how our friendship was veering down different roads. I thought about Aura, and how I’d never feel that safety in our connection again. I wondered where she was and if she was happy. I thought about Aiden and how we could be riding in a gondola right now if I would have just run away with him. Of course that decision would have just opened up new problems, none of which would have solved my current ones. And I thought about Ian. What was his deal? Is he just your average everyday bad guy or was there a method to his madness? I snorted. Yeah, he’s a psychopath. They always have a well thought out plan. My sarcasm didn’t ease my mind. There was something about Ian I wasn’t catching onto. He’d said things that triggered my curiosity, things that had meaning I wasn’t seeing. I couldn’t remember his exact words, but he said something along the lines of “you’ll be more than she ever was”. What the hell did that mean, and who was she? He mentioned how he was concerned for my wellbeing, but was that because I was a commodity he didn’t want to lose, or was it because somewhere, through the ugly layers, he had feelings for me? If that was the case, which I severely doubted, why would he have feelings for me? We didn’t know each other, not really, and our meetings were less than cordial.

The soft click of the door shutting made me look over my shoulder. Aiden stepped down the stairs and sat beside me. His arm wrapped around my back, and I leaned my head on his shoulder. Sometimes a girl just needed a hug. Wrapping his other arm around my front, he clasped his hands together, and we sat in silence for a few moments.

“What do you know about Ian?” I kept my voice low.

“Just what you know, why?”

“I was hoping you might be able to enlighten me on who he is.”

“You know who he is. He’s a murderous prick who kills anyone who stands in his way.”

That was a given, but I couldn’t shake the feeling there was something else motivating his rampage. How had Ian deciphered the secret of our blood?

“What’s all this about, my Gwen?” Aiden placed his finger under my chin and tilted my head up.

“Something just doesn’t add up. I think he has a plan for me, something he’s tried before.” I paused. “I know that sounds bizarre and cryptic, but that’s what I’ve gathered from our conversations.”

Aiden’s body tensed against mine. “What has he said?”

I shook my head. “It’s probably nothing. Has the councils come to an agreement?” I didn’t want Aiden to worry over my inner thoughts. I still thought something was going on with Ian, but it also might have been my mind running wild. No point in dragging Aiden into my chaos.

“We can talk about it if you want,” Aiden said.

“No, it’s okay.”

“I think the council will send you back to Flora.”

That was a relief. My plan wouldn’t work if I stayed in Moon.

The door creaked again and Aiden and I to turned. Dorian stood on the top step, his gray eyes covered with sunglasses, and his face serious.

“May I speak with Gwen for a moment,” he asked Aiden. Aiden looked between me and Dorian and gave me a quick kiss before standing.

“Sure,” he said, and then looked down at me. “It shouldn’t be long before the councils let you know the plans.” Aiden and Dorian sized each other up as they passed one another. It was just a matter of time before the ruler and dicks came out. Men!

16

“Your vampire doesn’t look like he likes competition,” Dorian snorted.

“He doesn’t have any competition,” I retorted.

“Uh-huh, keep telling yourself that.”

I rolled my eyes. Dorian nodded with his head to follow him. We walked down the lane in silence, sparing quick glances at one another. He claimed he didn’t want to discuss things in front of the castle.

We stopped just outside town. The buildings were silhouettes against the dark sky, their chimneys sending puffs of white smoke into the night. The rain slowed to a mere drizzle, sprinkling my face with its cool droplets. Dorian stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a white crumpled piece of paper.

“What’s that?”

“I found this in Holly’s office.” Dorian handed me the paper.

I straightened it out as best I could and realized it was an email printed from Holly’s computer. My eyes scanned the top; it was between Holly and Ian Despereaux. I looked up at Dorian, my eyes to wide and my jaw hanging open. “They’ve been in contact with him the entire time?”

“So it seems,” Dorian mumbled and leaned against the trunk of a large oak tree, crossing his arms in front of him.

I’m writing to alert you if you do not cease your killings of the witches, a war will be upon your people. How do you expect to gain a following when you’re responsible for the vampires’ destruction? Be smart and turn yourself in.

The first message was sent from Holly. Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I read Ian’s response.

What a formal email. Should I feel flattered or hurt? Do not pretend to send threats when I hold a very dangerous secret of yours, Holly. Is capturing me worth the price of your head? How do you expect to gain followers when you’re responsible for the witches’ demise?