Page 19 of Eternal Surrender

“Well that’s progress.” I lifted my right foot and examined my dirty sole.

“Where are your shoes?” Catherine asked.

I liked that she still cared enough to ask, and I smirked until her frown appeared.

Then, suddenly it came back to me—my life was brutal.

Spiraling out of control felt selfish.

“We have a situation in London.” Jacob rose and started pacing. “It’s slowing our progress.”

Catherine leaned against the wall. “Something’s poisoning vampires.”

“We’re not sure what it is,” Jacob said. “Nightwalkers are becoming confused and⁠—”

“Committing suicide,” Catherine said, visibly shaken.

“They’re becoming disorientated.” Jacob shook his head. “Strolling out during the day.”

A shiver ran up my spine. “How?”

“Drinking poisoned blood,” Jacob said. “We think.”

I studied their faces, trying to detect if there was something they weren’t telling me.

Jacob paused, his face full of worry.

Catherine flashed her anger. “Bravo. Perfect timing, Orpheus.”

I tried to keep the annoyance out of my expression and took in their faces one by one.

Catherine came closer. “Do you know anything about this?”

“No,” I said flatly.

Alex watched me carefully. “Hundreds have been affected.”

“And Lucas? He’s okay?” I braced myself for the answer.

“He’s fine,” Jacob said. “But if he stays in London, he’ll be at risk.”

Catherine seemed to struggle with her anger. “When were you going to tell us about Lucas Azir? You didn’t think we’d find out about you both?”

My friendship with Lucas wasn’t just private, it was tangled and difficult to name. Yes, I knew him. Yes, we had shared nights that meant more than I cared to admit. But that history belonged to us alone, and no one else had a claim on it.

I wondered what he would make of all this. If he would even believe them.

Jacob moved away. “It doesn’t change anything.”

Catherine inclined her head toward him. “But why not tell us?”

“I know a lot of vampires.” I shrugged. “I own a bar for God’s sake.”

Catherine turned back to me. “Lucas filled us in on what you failed to tell us.”

“It changes nothing,” Jacob said.

“How do you know Lucas?” Alex asked, looking like he was the last one to know.