I meet Roman’s stare again and shake my head the tiniest bit. I don’t buy into the fact that all vampires are evil—not when I know one, and not when he risked a lot to make sure I didn’t end up dead from a trick I couldn’t handle or a vampire I couldn’t fight off. If the rest of them knew about Roman, maybe they would change. I glance over at my troupe. Despite the rivalry they have with him, I can’t imagine them staking him. If he came forward, he could change this. We could be doing good, working with the vampires who don’t kill to rid the world of the ones that do. And then I could still be a part of this, because I don’t want to leave the people surrounding me right now.

But if I told them what I know, it wouldn’t be my life on the line.

My eyes narrow in on Lucius. He lost a sister to a vampire, but all I see and hear is rage. I wonder if he even feels grief anymore or if it’s been burned away by hate.

I look at him and see what I almost became.

Roman stopped me.

But he still lied. I can’t trust him.

Lucius has stopped talking, and Natasha and her brother approach the rosebush. Each one holds out their hand, and a vine reaches out, winding up their arms. I don’t understand what’s happening until I see blood start to drip, running down their arms and fingertips.

“Blood magic.” I turn to Xander. “You’re using even more blood magic.”

The blood gathers in a pool near their feet, and when the vines finally release their arms, the red puddle dwindles as if it’s being sucked down a drain.

Roman goes up next. It’s only him, and he has to stand there forever until his skin’s so pale, I’m not sure how anyone could imagine he’s anything but a vampire. He wobbles slightly as he heads back toward Willow. She tries to prop him up, but he shrugs her off.

My troupe goes next. Diantha and Reina both cringe and look away from the thorns that dig into their arms. The twins smile like they enjoy the pain. Aristelle and Xander remain stoic. Their blood continues to flow long after the vines release the others. They hold the most magic because they’ve killed the most vampires. All their late nights hunting, they were protecting the rest of the troupe from this moment. They were making the kills so the others wouldn’t have to. I hope they killed only the ones who deserved it, but… something tells me there’s no distinction with them.