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.
Too late, too late, too late.
That night, The Binding Mark had burned like a fucking fire. It blazed through her upon his death, and she’dfelther soul rip in two.
Emery had left this world, and he’d taken her half of her with him.
If only she’d been faster. If only she’d been able to get to him in time. Maybe they could’ve been happy. Maybe they could’ve lived in peace.
Instead, Representative Kyani had driven a stake into Emery’s beautiful heart and murdered him.
In return, Jelisette had killed the Representative and his family. It hadn’t brought Emery back, but it had momentarily made her feel better. In the Representative’s mansion, with their gilded picture frames and golden candelabras, she’d sworn her life’s mission: she would destroy the Representatives, no matter how long it took.
And then she went to work.
She wormed her way into the Black Night, and through the decades, she rose in their ranks. They weren’t small, nor were they particularly trusting, but Jelisette had time.
She had so much gods-damned time.