A Gate of Night (A Shade of Vampire #6)(56)
Author: Bella Forrest

“I thought the cause was to further the good of the human race.” Aiden spoke up.

Arron chuckled. “We had to make you think that, but I think you’ve seen enough of our worlds and our kind to know that isn’t true. It is the Guardians’ cause that the hunters are furthering.”

“What are Guardians?” Vivienne asked the question that was most likely running through all our minds.

“You’ll know soon enough, princess. For now, we need to discuss terms. I think we’ve both established who needs who. So again, let’s discuss conditions.”

“The Shade and everything that belongs to us is safe. We will have an autonomous rule, away from the control of your kind,” I asserted. “My family especially—that includes Vivienne, Aiden and all the people of The Shade I brought with me here, their loved ones included. None of us are to be harmed.”

“Fair enough.”

“I want Anna, Ian and Kyle back. They are my subjects. The hunters have no right to take them.”

“That’s more complicated than it looks, but fine. I can give you that.”

“What do you mean it’s more complicated?”

“They’re not here at headquarters. They’re in our realm—the realm of the Guardians—The Aviary.”

“What! Why? What have you done to them?”

“Don’t worry, king. They were treated as welcome guests. They will return to you perfectly unharmed—just like they were when we took them from you. Is there anything else you want?”

I wasn’t thrilled about stopping the discussion about Anna, Ian and Kyle, but it was clear that Arron was no longer going to speak about any of it, so I said the one thing that came to mind when it came to our list of conditions: “I refuse to be under your control. I refuse to be a hunter.”

“You’ve served us more than you know, Derek. I wouldn’t imagine pushing our vendetta on you. Besides, you’re too volatile a power to play with. Is that all?”

I gulped, realizing that we hadn’t exactly come here prepared. Going to the hunters’ headquarters had been an act of desperation to break away from the chaos at The Shade.

“I think that’s all.” Vivienne nodded after looking to both Aiden and me for confirmation. My father-in-law was pale as a sheet.

What is going on with him? “Aiden?” I asked. “You all right? You have anything to add?”

“All my properties and wealth, accumulated over the years and also inherited from my father, are to be given to my daughter and her husband, Derek. None of it will go to the cause of the hunters.”

Arron raised a brow at this. “You’re talking as if you’re about to die, Aiden. I can’t say I’m pleased with this seemingly last will and testament of yours, considering how your family’s wealth is largely due to the backing of the hunters, but sure. We don’t need your money or your properties, but why are you talking as if you are a dying man?”

“I know you, Arron. I just want to make sure that whatever you ask of us, of me in particular, my daughter and her family will be secure.”

For the first time, Arron took on an expression that was anything other than stoic. It was pure delight. “We weren’t wrong in choosing you to be one of our prime hunters, Aiden. You always were one of the best.”

“What is he talking about?” I couldn’t bear the anxiety any longer.

“I have two conditions. One is that all three vampires now within our custody be turned into humans the moment we rescue their loved ones. I wouldn’t want them to turn human before facing off with the Elders, because the Elders are already a threat to them as vampires—how much more as humans? Do we agree on this?”

“Claudia’s not going to like this,” Vivienne muttered under her breath. We exchanged glances but all I could really do was shrug. She nodded at me.

“Fine.” I nodded. Sacrifices have to be made. Besides, this is what I’ve always wanted for my subjects at The Shade. Freedom from this curse. They may not like it, but it is what it is. “What else do you want?”

“I want Aiden to agree to be turned into a Guardian. Not just a vessel for our kind, like the body that I have now taken hold of, but actually one of us. A true Guardian. That would mean that he would agree to be transported to our realm.”

Aiden trembled, and though I didn’t know the extent of what Arron was asking of him, I could tell that the sacrifice Aiden was about to make was beyond what I could imagine.

“Only after my daughter has been saved.” Aiden spoke before I could object. “Only after I’m able to hold her in my arms and say goodbye.”

“Goodbye?” I burst out. “What? Aiden, you don’t have to do this.” What exactly does it take to become a Guardian?

Vivienne grabbed his arm and squeezed. “We’re family.”

The words made Arron grimace, almost as if it was the most disgusting thing he could think of to be called our family.

“I have to do this.” Aiden nodded. “It’s because we’re family that I need to agree to this. I know Arron and he won’t stop until he gets what he wants. Isn’t that right, Arron? You’ll never stop trying to destroy my family until you have me at your side.”

Arron remained expressionless, except for a slight twitch of his lip.

I wondered what kind of history the two had with each other.

“This is me putting my family first,” Aiden assured both of us.

“It’s a deal then?” Arron asked.

I looked at Vivienne, whose eyes were fixed on Aiden with concern.

It was Aiden who sealed the whole deal. “Fine.” He nodded. “It’s done.”

“You agree to this, king of The Shade?” Arron raised a brow at me.

I felt trapped even though my instincts were speaking against this. “Aiden… Are you sure? Sofia would…”

“If there was any other way, Derek, I wouldn’t agree to this, but you and I both know we need them.”

Trapped in a corner, all I could do was nod. “But not until you show us what you can do.”

A smile formed on Arron’s face. “Very well then.” He stood to his feet and stepped a distance away from us. “First things first…” He drew a deep breath and when he exhaled, massive, magnificent wings sprouted out of his back—wings that resembled that of a hawk.

If I hadn’t known any better, I would’ve thought him an angel, but he was the furthest thing from such honorable creatures. Whenever I looked at Arron, all I saw was a devil in disguise.