Will’s mouth went dry, and he took a step back. Several other students were kneeling beside them, speaking quietly to one another, and when they looked up at him, he saw the knowledge burning in their eyes. They knew who had killed their friends. “It was an accident,” he said weakly, barely able to breathe. “I didn’t know.”
A fellow he did recognize, Phillip Wakefield, had just come closer, and he asked, “What happened to Lynsey and Simon?”
One of the nearby girls answered, “One of those things was running at Simon, and Lynsey tried to get in front of it, but then—” Her tear-stained face turned toward Will.
“—Will tried to save them,” declared Laina, her voice carrying loudly over the din of soft voices. “Just like he saved the rest of you. This time he missed.”
“But…”
Her eyes flashed angrily. “But nothing! If he hadn’t tried, they would have both died anyway. If he had tried and missed them, they would have died anyway. He tried and he failed, but ultimately it was the vampire’s fault. The monsters are the ones who are responsible for all of this. Save your blame for those who truly deserve it.”
No one said anything for a moment, then the voices slowly resumed. Through it all, Will heard someone say, “He was laughing the entire time…”
Laina’s ears were just as sharp. “How many of you nearly died tonight, when they started coming through the windows? Have you forgotten already? How many of you nearly had your throats ripped out before someone smashed your killer with a bolt of force? If I hear one more remark suggesting what he did was anything less than heroic, I’ll teach you how the spell works myself!”
“Laina, you need to calm down. We’re all stressed here…,” began her father, reaching out to put a hand on her shoulder.
Laina sidestepped him and continued, her voice rising to the ceiling in a commanding shout. “Do you understand me?”
No one said anything for a while, then people began lowering their eyes, and the air filled with a smattering of yeses. Elizabeth Sundy and Mark Nerrow began calling for order after that, sorting through who had been wounded and who hadn’t. Other than the dead, only seven people had been scratched or bitten. Will summoned blood-cleanse potions from the limnthal and gave them to Laina, who passed them out to those who needed them.
She made clear to each recipient that it was Will who had created and supplied the potions. Janice sidled up to Will and quietly remarked, “You seem to have a tireless advocate defending you.”
He smiled weakly. “Not sure I’m worth it.”
She elbowed him in the ribs. “Don’t make me tell Tiny you said that. You know how he feels.”
Will chuckled.
“I was about to do the same thing, but she beat me to the punch—and honestly, I don’t think I would have had the guts to go as far as she did. She wasn’t pulling any punches.”
“She’s like a badger,” said Will. “Once she gets her teeth into something, she never lets go.”
Janice shook her head. “I’ve seen her give up a few times, mainly when the baron put his foot down, but not where you’re involved.”
He shrugged.
“I guess that’s why they’re talking about making her a saint.”
Will yelped, “What?”
Janice nodded. “Not while she’s alive, of course, but people talk. She can’t overlook an underdog. She gave a famous speech in front of the cathedral two years ago, rallying the people to give to the cause. She helped shame the nobles into opening their coffers for the poor and those who had lost everything when Darrow invaded.”
He found it almost unbelievable. She was only sixteen then, and I’m sure her father didn’t want her out making a spectacle of herself. Now that he knew her better, he could understand. His sister was a fighter, and he couldn’t be more proud.
Standing up, Will walked over to Tiny and whispered, “We’re leaving in a minute.”
The big man’s brow furrowed, and his lips mouthed the word, ‘now?’
Will nodded, then he raised his voice. “If I can have your attention!” It took a minute—his voice didn’t carry as well as Laina’s—but eventually everyone grew quiet. “The city won’t be safe when dawn comes. You should head for the southern gate. If the guards won’t let you out, destroy the gates and escape. Another ritual is planned, one that will kill every living person within the walls.”
That shocked them into silence, until one person spoke. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Mark Nerrow was close behind. “William, you aren’t making sense.”
He held up his hands. “I know it doesn’t seem fair after what you’ve done, all of you. You saved this city, but I’m not lying. At least one of the vampires remains, and he’s close to the king right now, as we speak, filling his ears with lies.”
“He’s lost his damned mind,” someone muttered.
Another voice added, “I could tell that already.”
Will ignored the naysayers. “Whatever you do, don’t go north. Whatever is happening will be centered around the palace and Wurthaven.” Then he turned away, nodding at Tiny, who quickly followed him.
The crowd seemed too shocked to respond, but Laina’s voice wouldn’t be denied. “Where do you think you’re going?” she demanded.
Will turned back and saw Janice and Laina had already closed the distance, with Janice leading in the race. “Are you trying to ditch me again?” asked his classmate.
He looked at Laina and addressed her first. “You have to make them follow you. Your father won’t listen to me. If I can’t stop him, he’ll destroy this city and everyone in it at dawn, if not sooner. The vampire scourge and our response to it was all part of the diversion.”
“Who?” snapped Laina in exasperation.
“The king and Lord Tintabel, otherwise known as Androv.”
Janice hissed, “The vampire wizard you fought before?”
He nodded.
“Do you think you can beat him this time? You made it sound like you got lucky in that basement,” asked Janice.
He was ready for the question, and Will put everything into projecting confidence as he lied, “Definitely. I’ve already figured out how to do it.”
“How?” challenged Laina.
“I don’t have time to explain.” He looked at Janice. “You have to keep her here so she can lead them.”
For once his classmate seemed to believe him. Janice nodded and took hold of Laina’s arm, but Laina twisted away, giving Janice a cold glare. “Fuck this! I’m coming. She can stay and lead them.”