Chapter 29 · The Crown

"Hands off the door."

Two vampires in suits block the entrance before we reach it. Both are older than Adrian, and both stare at me like I'm a grenade with the pin half-pulled.

One of them opens his mouth, then drops his eyes.

"Commander."

His body stays angled toward me.

Adrian doesn't answer. He walks past them, and I follow. Rachel catches my arm, her nails biting through my sleeve.

"My mom's in there," she whispers.

Her pulse hammers under my fingers. I taste copper.

"I know."

"If Victor touches her—"

"He won't."

"You don't know that."

"No," I say. "I know what I'll do if he does."

The entry hall opens into marble, old wood, and portraits of red-eyed predators. I don't stop to study them. Rachel's mother is upstairs. Victor has the Council waiting. Adrian's blood bond is already tightening around his throat.

Nobody says it, but we all know what happens if we lose.

Rachel loses her mother. Adrian loses his will. I lose mine.

"Third floor," Adrian says. "Main chamber."

"How many?"

"Twelve Council seats. Victor controls six. Three reformists might back me if they think we can win. The rest follow whoever looks strongest.