Page 92 of Nyte

“She wouldn’t testify against me.”

“I own her, Haven. She’ll do what I tell her to do.”

Haven’s heart felt like it was breaking. Panic rose up his throat. “What do you intend to do then?”

“I’ll do what I always do. I’ll protect those loyal to me. And I’ll remain always one step ahead of the Dominion. And you’re going to help me.”

“What do you want?”

“You’ll maintain communication with Cypress, pose as a member of the Veritas…and infiltrate them from the inside. You’ll help me end them.”

Haven swallowed, shaking his head. “I won’t,” he croaked.

Thorne laughed then. “You won’t? As if you think you have a choice.”

“One vampyre won’t be able to take down the entire human liberation movement. It won’t work. They’ll never trust me.”

“I think they will,” Thorne said, stepping in to slip a finger under Haven’s chin and allowing their eyes to meet. “I think there’s one human who would trust you with his very life.”

“I won’t. I won’t do it.”

“You will. And then, once we’ve eradicated the Veritas and rooted out its leaders, you’ll help me end Reyber Tepes. And Gaius. And take control over the Dominion.”

“Why are you doing this? Do you want power that badly?”

“Power? You silly fool. This isn’t about power. It’s about pain. I want their pain. I want to watch their world burn as I take everything from them.”

“You’ve always hated Gaius. Why? What did he do to you?”

“You don’t see anything. Not even what’s right in front of you. No, I will have Gaius’s pain. I’ll destroy him. And you will help me. Or I’ll see to it that you’re thrown in a box underground for the rest of your life, tied up and unable to feed. I’ll see you go insane with need. An eternity without stimulation, without affection. Without dying. That will be your punishment for disobeying. So let me be your savior once more, sweet Haven. The choice is yours.”