"That's easy enough to verify. We can go to the tomb and check," Sylvan said. “But maybe another day. I say we should suit up, and get ready for battle.”

“If you're right, we're not dealing with the crazy megalomaniac we thought we were, though.” Chloe frowned. “Maybe we can talk to her. Explain we don't mean her harm."

"She was buried alive,” Eirikr growled. "She's past talking."

If anyone understood that, it was him. Yet here he was, not murderous or insane, not seeking retribution. Calm. Loving, to his daughter. Indifferent to everyone else, of course, but who could blame the guy?

Eirikr turned to the witches huddled together. “Those of you who wish to see sunrise should either leave or start preparing for war however you can.”

Blair took Gwen’s hand. “Let’s go.”

To prepare spells, or hop in a car? Mikar supposed they’d soon know.

“Huntsmen, defending Oldcrest isn’t your place,” Eirikr told Jack Hunter, shocking Mikar. “Nor is it your mission.”

Jack, still supporting Tris, shrugged. “I don’t see why not. We hunt rogues. If what Seth says is right, every vampire who’s ever set a foot on the queen’s island is a rogue. They slaughter humans for fun. Besides, this is our home, too.”

Eirikr nodded slowly. “Then, you’re with us. Good.” He turned to Chloe, finally. “Are you strong enough?”

She hopped out of Levi’s arms. “I’m ready.”

“Good.” Mikar wouldn't have thought the man capable of smiling, but he did. "I believe I have a few hours before the witch locks me back in. We will have our first hunt together, little daughter."

Elder Blood

Diana was mentally drained like she’d never been before. As it turned out, summoning one of the most powerful entities in the universe took its toll.

Still, the buzz of energy around her was electrifying. Never had she felt part of something like this—the gathering of a clan, a family, that didn't rely on a patriarch dictating everything.

The eldest among them, Eirikr, shared his perspective and opinion, but didn't try to quieten their voices. And there was Chloe, first among all, but not because she bullied her way to the top. She spoke for them, not over them, like a true leader.

They made their way to the Institute, Mikar still close, though she was done leaning on him. It had felt pretty nice, and she was mentally exhausted, but she had her pride. They walked side by side in comfortable silence.

Levi detached himself from Chloe to join them. “I think you should go.”

Diana blinked, the jolt of surprise rendering her speechless. Go? He was banishing her? Did he think she had something to do with…

“Both of you,” Levi added, looking between Mikar and her.

This was getting more and more bewildering.

“What?”

“Diana, this isn’t your battle. You’re in the middle of it because you’re kind and my mate is irresistible. But if you stay, you’ll have to fight—either for or against us. It could be some of your friends coming at us. Not to mention, you’re drained. In your state, what you need is rest.”

She let that sink in.

“And Mikar…you don’t belong here. You never have.”

She couldn’t stay silent any longer. “Now wait a minute—”

Levi ignored her. “You should have left Oldcrest and created your own domain a long time ago. Or at the very least, you should have claimed your place on the hill, built the house of Ash.”

Diana looked up at Mikar, confused.

“She doesn’t know?” Levi asked.

Mikar shrugged. “We don’t know each other.”

That was true, and completely wrong all at the same time. They’d barely exchanged a few words, none of them deep. Hell, she’d done her best to remain at a distance, where he was concerned. But she knew him. She knew he was loyal, and funny, and a born protector, always ready to put himself in the line of fire for those he loved.

Just like he’d volunteered his life to save Chloe. Just like he’d pushed her down the moment he’d seen a threat coming.

“Mikar isn’t a child of Ariadne like the rest of us. He was turned by a god. Risking his life here would destroy his legacy before he’s ever had the chance to build it.” Levi looked straight at Diana. “Take him away. Somewhere safe. He’s too loyal, but he’ll go if you ask him to.”

Levi was insane if he thought that she had that much sway over Mikar.

And he was insane if he thought she’d so much as try.

“Let’s get one thing straight, De Villier. I don’t take orders. Not from you, not from anyone. And neither does he.” She pointed to Mikar. “If he’s here, it’s because he wants to be. It’s because this place is his home, and you, thickheaded as you are, are his family.”

“What the lady said.” Mikar grinned, placing a hand on Levi’s shoulder. “I’m where I want to be. To the end, if that’s where it’s going. Others would agree, if you gave them a chance. Luke would come back and fight with us. So would many of our old acquaintances, friends or even foes.”

“Luke is no fighter. He has other skills.” Levi didn’t address the rest of Mikar’s suggestion. “But fine. Stay and risk dying here, if that’s what you want. Do you want to help me get Seth out of Oldcrest, at least?”

“Don’t even think it, dickhead,” Seth bellowed from somewhere behind them.

“You're supposed to play a part, be on their side.” Levi groaned, marching to the Stormhales. “You can't come with us when we move against Aveka's pawn. It'd blow your cover.”

“Dead men tell no tales.”

“We can't guarantee we'll kill everyone who enters Oldcrest.”

"Oh, we'll kill them,” Eirikr said smoothly.

Levi rubbed his temples. "We can't take the chance. We need you on the island."

Seth gritted his teeth. "There's nothing happening there but sex and blood parties. They aren't letting me close enough to the queen to be of any help, as tonight showed."

"You're our only voice inside," Levi persisted.

At the back of the crowd approaching the castle at a leisurely pace, the huntsmen held a similar debate. Most wanted to be on the front line. Jack was categorical. “You can't keep up with vampire speed, not against however many will reach our walls. You should protect the Institute. The students and Adairford inhabitants can retreat to its walls.”

"I can keep up," Tris protested.

"You were made half an hour ago. You're literally a baby vampire. You're staying around the Institute.”

“I’m not. I’ll guard your six at the borders.”

Diana tuned them all out. She wasn't asking for permission; she'd be at the borders.

They'd almost reached the gates of the school when Chloe took her aside, leading her away from Mikar. Her eyes checked for eavesdroppers.

Low, she asked, "Do you think...do you think I’m all good? You know."

Diana did know. She wet her lips. "I don't know." She wasn't a specialist in vampire pregnancies. She'd seen a few pregnant women in her life on Night Hill, but her knowledge was too basic. "You should get checked out. Maybe Alexius can help?"

Chloe had tears in her eyes. She sniffled and nodded. "Yeah. I…you know, I wasn't sure about this for weeks, but now…I hope it's okay. I hope it more than anything in the world." She cried, wiping her eyes. "I'm so, so grateful, Diana. If you hadn't done whatever you did, I wouldn't be here, and there would be no other chance. I never thought I'd die. Not now. I'm twenty-six today. Just twenty-six. Even if I wasn't supposed to live forever, it would be too soon. I had to make sure Greer was safe for everyone here. She’s the most important person in Oldcrest. But without you…"

Diana hadn't expected the hug. She hadn't expected it to be so strong and desperate, like Chloe held on to her like a lifeline.

And then, she knew. She realized something that had evaded her until this very moment. Why she so vehemently rejected the idea of leaving. Why she’d fight. Like Mikar, she belonged in Oldcrest. She belonged right here, with her family, with her new friends. She belonged to this strange clan made up of witches, werewolves, vampires, and Eirikrsons. She wanted to stay. Not just past tonight: she wanted a life here. She wanted her home and…

Forcing any other thought back down, Diana hugged Chloe right back, and kept holding her hand as she walked through the gates of the Institute.

It was Diana's first time within the walls of the inner courtyard. The witches had held their ceremonies outside of their gates, never quite trusting vampires enough to let them in. The sanded court was empty except for a few ravens playing high up in the trees and a young boy reading a book in the moonlight. He glanced at them, and his eyes widened, taking in the procession. Inside, the halls were quiet. There were classes at night, but Diana was convinced almost everyone had skipped them in favor of the Samhain party.

Levi led them to a hidden room behind a fireplace, right in the entryway.

"I never knew this was here," Blair mused, looking around.

The vast room's brushed steel walls were covered with weapons, and Diana spotted old, precious artifacts, some for protection, others for the opposite. There were glass shelves with enough ingredients to make any witch flutter with happiness.

"You." Eirikr tilted his chin to Gwen, who looked stunned and terrified.

"Me?" she croaked.

He tossed her an amulet that looked vaguely familiar. "Activate this."

There was a blue stone at the center of the pendant. Gwen concentrated on it, pushing magic through, till it started to vibrate in her hands. "Done."

Eirikr shot her a wicked smile, showing too many teeth. Gwen’s heart thundered hard enough for Diana to hear it without trying. "You're strong," he stated. “I’ve known water witches who would have taken hours, not seconds.”