A Gate of Night (A Shade of Vampire #6)(21)
Author: Bella Forrest

Maybe he’s not as much of a monster as I thought.

“You know how to tend a wound.” I was surprised by how gentle he was.

“You don’t know me. Who I was…”

“Then tell me.”

He looked at the bandaged wound with a satisfied smile on his face.

“You seem awfully proud of yourself,” I said.

He narrowed his eyes at me. “What is it about you, Sofia Novak? How is it that you are so unaffected?”

Right. Me. Unaffected. I fought the urge to laugh. He held my future in his hands. He was capable of taking everyone and everything I loved away from me. How could I be unaffected? I remembered that I’d been in the exact same situation with Derek. Bothered by the thought, I pretended not to hear him.

I gave him a close look as he turned to face me—dark hair, handsome face with lines hardened by time and experience. He had a tired look about him, a stare that told me that those eyes had already seen more nightmares than I could imagine.

“You’re right, you know. I don’t know who you were or even who you are now, but I do know how powerful you are,” I told him. “I’m married to Derek Novak. He was once the most powerful vampire of our time. I know power when I’m around it.”

“And yet you don’t tremble.”

“Is that what you want? For me to shake at the sight of you? Do you really want my terror?"

A muscle on his jaw twitched. He remained silent for a couple of seconds. “The Elder turned my eyes this shade. Blood red. He wanted me to remember how much blood I’ve seen, how much blood I am accountable for, every time I look in the mirror. It was his way of reminding me that I can’t escape from everything that I did. He wanted me to remember that I’m a monster.”

I didn’t know what to do or say. I wasn’t sure how to handle bonding time with the Elder’s son. Was I supposed to reassure him that he wasn’t a monster when I saw one in him?

Or do I? This version of him seemed a lot more human than the monster who took me out of Derek’s dungeon.

I tried to remember how my relationship with Derek had started. Did I at any point see him as a monster? Was he? Was it just by instinct that I knew that there was good in him? I accepted Derek in spite of all the atrocities he’d committed. Even after I’d learned about the history of The Shade, even after he’d ripped out another vampire’s heart right before my eyes, I’d never seen him as a monster. I’d forgiven him. What was it about Kiev that was so different?

“Isn’t he supposed to be your father?” I asked. “The Elder? Why would he do something like that? Why would he want you to always see yourself as a monster?”

“He’s my father because he turned me at the most vulnerable point of my life. Beyond that, the Elder is the most cruel being I’d ever known.”

“Won’t you get in trouble for saying that?”

“Maybe.”

The door swung open and we both jolted in surprise. The beast positioned himself to attack.

Clara appeared. She looked at the beast, grimaced, and ignoring the snarling creature, eyed her brother—in a way that was far from sister-like—before staring at me. “Having a little chat?” she asked. “I have to admit I’m disappointed. I was hoping to walk in on you acting on your attraction toward her.”

Kiev looked agitated. “Why are you here, Clara?”

“Well,” she purred as she sidestepped the beast and slunk toward her brother, running her hand over his torso, “I was getting the juiciest information from my little Abby”—she stared at me triumphantly, seeming to revel in my flinch—“when Father came and asked me to get you.”

Fear flashed in Kiev’s eyes, bright red turning into a dark crimson as he stood up. “Why?”

“We’re taking a trip to The Shade.” Clara snuck her hand beneath his shirt, her eyes focused on his body. “They refuse to cooperate. Apparently, they would rather cross us than save Derek Novak’s life.” This time, she looked at me, smirking.

It took me a couple of seconds to comprehend what she’d just said as my eyes widened in horror. What on earth does she mean by that?

That seemed to get Kiev’s attention. He stepped away from Clara, pushing her hand away. “They actually refused a trade?”

“Apparently, they’re that stupid. Not that I’m surprised.” She rolled her eyes. She looked almost giddy. “We’ve been sent to punish them for their insolence and to open the gate ourselves.”

My mind was reeling. The Elder tried to propose a trade with Vivienne—Derek in exchange for something they want. What on earth could be at The Shade that’s more important than Derek? What could possibly drive Vivienne to refuse? What does Clara mean by opening the gate?

That Vivienne would think anything more important than her twin brother was beyond me. If she made that choice, there must’ve been a reason behind it.

What that reason was, I was too terrified to find out, but never had I been so afraid for Derek’s life.

Chapter 16: Aiden

We had a traitor amongst us.

“It must be Natalie. Who else could’ve informed them that we don’t want a trade?” Claudia hissed. She was pacing the floor, her face healing from a fresh gash.

We had all been at the Port, gearing up to attack The Blood Keep, when the attack had happened. We’d left the Port to find what was left of the Crimson Fortress completely demolished by multiple explosions. It was a miracle the Port still remained intact.

I’d turned toward Vivienne. I was preparing myself to take the helm should she crumble and back down from leading. But she hadn’t. Within minutes after the first explosion, she’d been pointing at people, barking out orders, putting protocol into place. After all, it wasn’t the first time The Shade had faced war.

“Liana, Cameron,” she barked at her best friend and her husband, “organize your team.” She pointed out several of the other members of the Elite, teaming them up in order to lead their own teams. “Gavin, Ian, please take care of leading the humans. You know what to do. Xavier and Aiden, come with me. You guys too,” she added, pointing at Sam and Ashley. “We need to protect the Sanctuary.”

“And us?” Zinnia asked.

Vivienne looked her over from head to foot. “Where’s Arron? I don’t care what you do, idiot. Just prove yourself worth something more than empty threats.”