“You should really think about solar-powered lights. Did you know hardware stores sell lanterns that are rechargeable?”
He chuckled and moved the candle to the center of the table. “You young ones and all your inventions. There is something that natural light brings to a conversation that artificial cannot.”
“An inability to read people’s facial expressions?”
The candle stopped flickering and finally stretched into a slender body of light.
Viktor tucked his cheek against his fist. “What are your plans?”
“To leave the city.”
His brows furrowed. “Why would you leave?”
Maybe I was just tired, but I had to clear my throat before I replied. “There’s nothing left for me here but enemies.”
“There is more to your story than that.”
I placed my hands flat on the table, watching the way the candlelight illuminated my skin with gold accents. “I always believed that the custom of leaving behind your human family was pointless, so I kept visiting my father.”
Viktor’s eyes narrowed and he lowered his arm.
“No, it’s not like that,” I quickly said. “He doesn’t know I’m alive. I just kept going back home so I could reminisce, I guess. It just felt good to be able to see his shadow moving around inside. Listening to the sound of his voice made me feel normal again—made me forget what I was, even if it was just for an hour. I’ve been putting him in danger all along, and I can’t do that anymore.” Tears gathered in my eyes, and I looked down.
It devastated me to sever that last thread—to say good-bye and close the door on the possibility of ever returning to my old life.
“I understand how you must feel,” he began. “You are finally accepting your true death from that life. It must pain you beyond measure to turn your father into a memory, but we make sacrifices in order to protect those we love. That is why I asked you to leave. Each member of Keystone is family to me, and I would never put them in unnecessary danger.”
“I’m sorry for that. I just didn’t know how quickly I’d talk after someone put a fiery metal rod against my face.” I rubbed my cheek, remembering the scorching agony. “I would have never been loyal to Keystone.”
Viktor leaned forward. “Your actions belie your words of self-doubt. Not many people have as much conviction as you do, even if it’s misdirected. There are times in life that we have to trust our instincts, and mine are telling me that you should stay.”
I sat back, dumbfounded. “You’re not serious.”
“Finding Christian wasn’t enough to change my mind. Loyalty is the glue that holds this team together, and you proved that tonight. When I saw you heading out the door, I realized that you hadn’t done this to get back in.” Viktor’s eyes were reflective as he gazed at the candle, the lines etched in his face more visible. “It is my dream to someday see more groups like this one. There is too much crime and not enough effort to clean things up. You cannot imagine how many people are illegally making Vampires, but maybe you can, seeing as you’re half. The population is growing, and it must be controlled. The black market is good money for those who do not want to earn a living the honest way.”
“You kicked me out. I gave up information about Keystone.”
“Why are you trying so hard to convince me otherwise? Do not squander your immortality. I cannot promise you riches or a chance to rise to a higher position; everyone here is an equal. All I can offer is a sense of justice in your life. This is an imperfect group of individuals, but we find balance.” He rested his elbows on the table, his hands moving while he talked. “I cannot send Wyatt to fight because that’s not what I hired him for. What can I do? I pair him up with a capable man who is not only skilled in combat but also has medical experience. Shepherd is impulsive and aggressive, and Wyatt’s intelligence and quick thinking evens out their weaknesses. You see? I had my doubts when you went behind my back. That kind of influence is what could tear this group apart. But you have also shown growth and the potential to learn from your mistakes. What say you?”
I blew out a breath, and the candle shivered. “I wasn’t expecting this at all.”
“Perhaps you need a moment to think about my offer.”
“Christian will leave if I stay. Am I worth losing someone you trust?”
“I have no control over free will.” When Viktor rose to his feet, the chair noisily scraped against the floor. “I’ll be in the dining room. Join us when you have come to a decision. You are welcome to stay for drinks no matter your choice.”
He walked briskly toward the door and left it ajar on his way out.
I’d never felt so many conflicting emotions. This was an important decision that could change my life, and I needed to consider if this was something I actually wanted to do.