Please, I thought. I didn’t dare say the word. But as I Please, I thought. I didn’t dare say the word. But as I thought it, the woman’s eyes flickered.
“I’m aware of what we’re risking, Lavinia,” Lady Alice said gently to the old woman. “But I’m also aware of the dangers in not binding ourselves to these vampires.
Samuel wil kil Mary Jane, and if he does, he could have al of London under his control. I won’t take that chance. Mary Jane’s one of our own. And we protect our own. Or have you forgotten that in your old age? What does the rest of the coven think?” she asked, not bothering to wait for Lavinia’s response.
“I say kil the bloody bastard by any means necessary!” a portly, red-faced old man blustered. The men in the group murmured their agreement.
“I agree. Whatever we can do to save Mary Jane,” the young blond woman in the front said shyly. I sneaked a glance at Mary Jane. She was staring at a point far in front of her. Her face was pale. Just because the witches were helping didn’t mean she was out of danger, and she knew it.
“I don’t think so.” Lavinia shook her head vehemently.
“These strangers come here in front of us, say they’re vampires, and say that one of their own needs the heart of a purebred witch. Now, I know they seem to be tel ing the truth, but vampires are crafty. And before we go any further, we need the girl,” she said, beckoning toward Cora.
“M-m-me?” Cora asked, stuttering in fear.
“No, the other human girl who was brought in front of our coven,” Lavinia growled sarcastical y. “Yes, you.” Cora stepped forward, and I could see her shoulders trembling underneath her frayed dress.
“Now, Cora,” Lavinia said, staring straight into her eyes.
“Wil you tel me the truth?” Her intensity reminded me of the way I focused before compel ing. Cora’s gaze flickered toward me.
“Cora!” Lavinia said, causing her gaze to snap forward.
“Yes?” Cora asked.
“When you open your mouth, wil you speak the truth?” she asked again.
“Yes,” Cora said. There was no question in her voice.
Lavinia placed one hand, then the other on her shoulders.
She nodded toward the coven.
“What wil these vampires do once they’ve defeated Samuel?”
“I don’t know,” Cora said in confusion, breaking her gaze away.
Lavinia shook Cora’s shoulders. “Wel , think! Two vampires, able to compel themselves into any situation or station would want to do something, wouldn’t they? Maybe gain power? Riches? Rule the city of London?”
“Damon wouldn’t. He wants an easy life. Whatever luxuries he can have, he’l get, but he won’t cause trouble here. Not like Samuel. And Stefan…” She paused, and a smal smile crossed her face. “I think that if Stefan kil s Samuel, then he’l final y stop feeling ashamed of who he truly is. He needs to do something good. Something heroic.
But he won’t cause trouble. I know that.” These were clearly Cora’s unedited thoughts. I felt she’d accurately pegged Damon, but I couldn’t help but feel betrayed at what she’d said about me. That was why she thought I wanted to fight Samuel? So I could feel heroic?
She didn’t think it had to do with my wanting to save her?
“How interesting,” Lavinia said, breaking the silence.
Her mouth twisted as though she’d sucked a lemon, and she took her hands off Cora. Cora staggered back as if she had been pushed.
“Are you al right?” Mary Jane asked, steadying Cora and helping her regain her balance.
Cora nodded, even though I saw her wince and rub her shoulder.
Lavinia turned to address the coven. “I’m satisfied that these vampires are who they say. And I won’t stand in the way of our affiliation with them.”
“Good,” Lady Alice said simply. “Now, let’s pledge vinculum. And then we’l formulate a plan. Stefan, please take my blood. Damon, you too.” She held her arms out toward us, her wrists facing the vaulted ceiling.
“Take your blood?” I repeated, hoping I’d misheard.
Lady Alice nodded briskly, not moving her arms. “Yes.
With your fangs, please. Vinculum happens when a witch freely gives her blood and a vampire freely accepts it. No spel s, no compulsion, no lying. Just an honest exchange.
You wil be bound to me, and I’m bound to my coven. But again, if any deception occurs, or any lives are lost, vinculum is broken.”
“What happens if vinculum is broken?” Damon asked.
“It varies,” Lady Alice said smoothly. “Broadly speaking, it means we have to face the wrath of the other species. Al propriety and rules are forgotten, and we battle until we feel balance is restored. In this case, we’d kil you. And I assume you would kil us,” she said matter-of-factly.
“Seems fair.” Damon nodded, but I felt dread creep through my veins. The witches were brutal. If things didn’t go according to plan, we’d suddenly have a powerful new enemy.
“Are we agreed, then?” Lady Alice asked as she pushed her wrist under my nose. Her skin smel ed of gardenias and jasmine and I wanted so badly to taste the blood running underneath it. I staggered back.
“I can’t. Damon wil just have to do it,” I said.
“Al right,” Lady Alice said uncertainly, turning toward Damon.
“No.” I turned to stare at Lavinia, who was shaking her head. “Either both of them do it, or I won’t al ow this bond to happen. Why doesn’t the vampire drink?”