“You have no idea what it’s like.” Jelisette twisted the stake through her fingers. “Emery did not deserve to die like that. They took him, broke him, and destroyed him. He was my love, and theystolehim from me.
“He wasgood, my Emery. He never killed anyone who didn’t deserve it. He spent his immortal life fighting those who hurt others. And in the end, did it matter? No. The Representativesfucking killed him. They took him, and now, I will destroy them all.”
The stake was as sharp as any knife, mocking Brynleigh as Jelisette calmly walked around the last table.
Fear sluiced through Brynleigh’s veins like streams of ice. She glanced around, searching for a weapon. A knife. A blade. Something. Fucking anything that she could use to defend herself.
Jelisette didn’t even seem to notice the others in the room. All her focus was trained on Brynleigh, and nothing was more frightening than being the object of this dangerous vampire’s attention.
“I’m so sorry he died.” Brynleigh inched around the table, trying to keep space between them. “But you can’t just kill everyone else because he’s gone.”
Brynleigh understood where her Maker was coming from. Really, she did.
In theory, revenge sounded marvelous. Spilling blood in the name of vengeance was addicting.
But what no one had ever told Brynleigh, and what she almost didn’t learn until it was too late, was that revenge could never heal a broken heart. Revenge would never cross the divide between life and death.
Death was final, and nothing could be done to bring back those who had crossed that barrier.
There was something deeply heartbreaking about spending one’s life seeking vengeance.
Hardening one’s heart took a lot of work. It was a painful process, and even then, emotions could ruin everything. Brynleigh’s relationship with Ryker was proof of that.
Her Maker smirked.
“That’s where you’re wrong, young one. Icankill everyone, and with the help of the Black Night, I will destroy this country from the top down.”
She stepped closer.
Brynleigh mirrored her sire’s movements, keeping distance between them. “That won’t work.”
“Oh, but it will.” Jelisette’s eyes twinkled with darkness and death. “First, I’m going to kill you. Then, I’ll deal with the rest.”
She turned towards the other rebels.
“Hold him. I want him to watch as I destroy her.”
The rebel holding the gun to Ryker’s head grabbed his arms and pinned them behind his back. Ryker roared.
“No!” Brynleigh screamed. She turned to her husband, desperation leaking into her tone. “I’ll save you. I promise.”
“Now, now, daughter of my blood. Didn’t anyone ever teach you not to make promises you can’t keep?” Jelisette smiled. “None of you will be leaving here alive.”
CHAPTER 37
Destined to be Alone Forever
Jelisette de la Point cackled as shadows poured out of her, stealing the light.
Her fangs ached with the need to spill blood.
The shadows didn’t prevent her from seeing in the dark. She was Made for the darkness.
Her Binding Mark burned, and she knew that somewhere far from here, Emery was watching her.
Avenge me, my love, he murmured.
Jelisette had heard her beloved’s voice every Ithiar-damned day ever since that horrific night. Every time she closed her eyes, every time she dreamed, she went back to that moment when her life forever changed. She could still hear the echoes of her scream as she stumbled onto the ice and fell to her knees in front of his too-still gray body.