We put everything into the Navigator and headed out of the city before the sun was fully up. The Navi had vampire-grade tinted windows and a limo divider so we could all sit in the back while Sonya’s trusted driver took us to where the small coven was.
“Sonya?”
“Yes, Tasia?”
“Remember when you made me promise not to do anything stupid, like getting attacked by Jelena and the Deity, again?”
“I remember.”
“I wanted to make that promise, but also ask for one in return.” The car was silent for quite some time. Maybe Sonya needed time to mull over my request, or perhaps she was purposely not answering me, which would be rude.
“What would you like me to promise? Then I can tell you if it’s possible.”
“My whole life, I’ve been on the defensive. I want to change that and go after Jelena instead of waiting for her to strike again. Sitting back waiting is taking a toll on me, and I know we have the upper hand.”
Sonya was focusing her attention out the window. Not wanting to be impatient, I waited for her to sort out her thoughts.
“Tasia, do you remember that painting above the fireplace in my office?”
“The one with you standing over all those dead bodies?”
Even from the third-row seat, I could tell that made her smile. “I didn’t know if you would pick up on that being me. Well, the painting is from the fourteen hundreds. Rogue vampires were at an all-time high. They were taking over villages and moving on to larger cities. Your father and I, and a few other vampires, decided we needed to exterminate them, for a couple reasons—what they were doing wasn’t right, and they were severely limiting food resources.”
“You mean people, right?” I asked. I tried my best not to sound judgmental.
“Correct. So we started a war. We recruited humans, other vampires, and anyone who believed in life and not destroying it. We won, and the rogue vampire numbers dwindled. That portrait captured the victory and remained a reminder to fight for what is right,” she said. “You’re right, Tasia—it’s time to go on the offensive, but we cannot do so without proper planning, and only with people we trust.”
“Thank you, Sonya. I made a promise to Jelena that I would kill her one day, and I want to make sure that is a promise I don’t break.”
“And you won’t, Tasia. Not if I can help it,” Sonya said.
There was silence in the car as I thought of Sonya supporting me instead of holding me back. I was ready for this fight. Jelena and the Deity wouldn’t expect us to come for them.
“So what’s the deal with Sonya coming along?” Lizzie leaned across Ethan, who was sitting in the middle seat. “I mean, it’s cool and all, you know, strength in numbers, but it seems like an odd choice.”
“Because . . .” I picked at my nails, unsure what to say as both Ethan and Lizzie stared me down, waiting for me to say something.
Sonya turned to them. “Because I am her aunt, and by aunt, I mean their father and I share the same parents.” Sonya gave me an appreciative glance before turning back around.
“Whoa, that’s crazy! You’re an original?” Lizzie said. “You guys really have one strange family tree going on there. Vampires, humans, and dhampyrs, oh my.”
We laughed, except for Sonya. Emily—who was sitting next to her—picked up on it first.
“What’s wrong, Sonya?” Emily asked.
“I need to tell you one more thing.” Again, her eyes were fixed out the window. There was not even a glance toward Emily to acknowledge her. “Where we are going, there will be a mix of humans and vampires. They are loyal to the Vasile family. These humans have been working for us for a long time, all more than ten years. Their children have grown up with vampires and will continue the family legacy of helping us.”
My face grew dark as I thought of all the new people I now needed to learn to trust again. Ethan’s hand reached for mine, and he gave it a gentle squeeze.
“I received a call before we left,” she said. “It was an . . . unexpected call.”
“You’re stalling, Sonya,” I said.
“Right.” She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. “Your mother is there. Part of your parents’ plan was that your father would give her his blood when the Deity came for them. She escaped the fire, but was killed shortly after. Whoever killed her thought she was still human. She died with your father’s blood in her.”