Of all people in the world, the last one I ever thought I’d have to thank is John Hawkley.
I’ve never struggled so much in my life to force out that barely whispered ’thank you’, but I owe him.
I’m alive because of him.
That night nine days ago—when that hooded Monster Reaper ambushed —I was saved by those mysterious purple energy beams that ca out of nowhere. They let escape unhard.
Only now do I understand what they were. They ca from a man nad Oliver Segel.
He’s from N’Raeth too, obviously, but unlike John and Frank, he’s not a demon.
He’s sothing else... I think he called him a dark emissary, kind of a fallen angel or whatever.
Not exactly the friendly type.
He and Frank Callhan—the musclehead who was with that night—are John’s most loyal henchn.
Also his strongest.
Yeah, it is weird, but Frank’s so strong and so dumb... he’s basically unbeatable.
Still, I was wrong to call him a coward.
When he ran and left to that Monster Reaper, it was to call for backup.
I can’t help but think about the question I threw at him just before the chaos started: «What’s in it for if I join you guys?»
They say actions speak louder than words, and even if Frank only knows about three words, well... his actions gave an answer.
So what do I gain from joining them? First of all, staying alive—kind of a big deal.
Especially after what John told about what happened in that alley after I escaped.
«That Monster Reaper hunting you isn’t just so rookie,» John said. «Trust . Oliver is insanely powerful, strong enough to go toe-to-toe with almost all of them. And yet, that Reaper got away with just a leg wound, but not before putting Oliver in serious trouble. At this point, it’s clear you can’t go wandering around the outskirts of New York looking for food without soone big covering your back... soone like .»
Shit.
As much as it pisses off to admit it, that bastard is right.
At this point, there are only two options.
Give in to his pressure and step into a world that’s clearly dangerous, maybe even beyond what I can handle, but with the certainty that soone will always have my back.
Or change hunting ground and thod, maybe move to another city or a remote little town lost in the middle of nowhere.
But if I did that, I’d have to give up the last sliver of humanity I have left.
The part of that forces to kill only the scum of society—criminals, violent people who are better off dead, and who are dead thanks to .
In smaller towns or isolated settlents, the amount of scum might not be enough to satisfy my thirst.
And killing innocents is the last thing I ever want to do.
But if I joined him, I’d beco just another criminal myself.
«It’s a tempting offer, believe , but I can’t accept it.
Still, I’m grateful you saved my life, and I’ll make sure you won’t have to do it again,» I reply, struggling to say the words, almost afraid, while he stares at with his icy eyes.
I take a sip of human blood from a flask John kindly offered —the very thing that convinced to sit back at the negotiating table.
I won’t lie—if I were alone, I probably would’ve said yes.
But I’m not alone.
I have Isabelle.
Getting involved in the criminal underworld would imdiately put the people I care about at risk.
They’re always the first to get hit if there’s a gang war.
And I would never do anything that could put them in danger.
The sa goes for Elaine—if anything ever happened to them because of ... I’d never forgive myself.
«Alright, Ren Lazar. As you wish,» John murmurs with a voice that’s far too agreeable for soone like him.
Soone who’s always gotten what he wanted—by hook or by crook.
Now that I think about it, John and I are actually quite similar in that way.
He gets what he wants in business, I do it with won.
I probably represent to him what Brianne Leviantis represents to —a personal challenge.
A test against the one person in the world who managed to resist us.
With henchn like Frank Callhan, Oliver Segel, and who knows how many other powerful beings under his command, a weak and inexperienced vampire like clearly isn’t much of an asset to his organization.
But recruiting would be another show of strength.
A way to prove to himself—and to his people—that no one in this world can say no to him.
’No one can resist ’—that’s the real ssage behind it all.
I just hope I never have to stoop so low as to give him that satisfaction...
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