Lisa sits beside me on the couch, cradling a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

"I should have killed her sooner. When I first met her, I knew something was weird about her."

"You couldn''t have known she would do something like this." The couch cushion dips as Lucas settles beside me. "Taking on the responsibility of her choices will just lead you down a road of madness. Don''t blame yourself for this. None of us expected them to show up again."

It''s a terrible oversight on all our parts, but it''s been months, and the world has changed. While we still knew danger was out there, none of us actually expected the Mad Prince to show up again. At least, not like this.

Furious with myself for being so complacent, I mutter, "I should have kept better tabs on Dakota Sanctuary. Crazy vampires don''t stop being crazy because the world ends."

Lucas'' words brook no argument. "We had to focus on surviving. We barely had enough wolves to defend ourselves, let alone spy on other territories."

"But—"

"No." His fingers brush my chin, turning my face toward his. "You did what you had to do. We all did. I kept security on the both of you in case anything happened, but I too bear this blame. Neither of you need to take this responsibility on. Do you understand?"

His eyes flick to Lisa, too. And Kellan, standing in the corner with deceptive calm, despite radiating frustration and fury. I may not be able to sense the pack bond, but I can definitely feel that.

Lucas shifts, his expression hardening as he thinks. "Did this Marisol say anything before..."

"Before I burned her alive?" Lisa''s laugh holds no humor. "No. She just asked if I missed her."

My fingers curl over the edge of the cushion I''m sitting on. "It can''t be coincidence she was there. The Mad Prince must have sent her there. We have to assume our location has been compromised."@@@@

Lucas and Kellan grunt in unison, a sound of pure male aggression that would be funny in any other situation.

"How much will he know now that his thrall is dead?" Lucas'' jaw ticks as he speaks.

Lisa opens her mouth to argue, but something in Kellan''s expression stops her. She''s probably thinking she can have regular guards instead of imposing on Kellan, but there''s no way he''d let that happen.

"The same goes for you." Lucas'' words brush against my ear. "No more solo missions. I have to go with you."

"I''m never solo." I gesture to my constant companions. "Selene and Grimoire—"

"Are powerful allies, but we need physical protection too. Marcus and Greg stay with you at all times. And I mean at all times, Ava."

The steel in his voice leaves no room for argument, except... "They''re already with me all the time, Lucas."

"Vanessa and Vester too."

"They both have greater responsibilities."

"Fine. I''ll add three more to your security detail."

"That''s fine." I''m not arguing against more protection. "But what about my purification work?" The taint isn''t going to wait while we hide from vampires.

"We adjust. Larger teams, more backup. No more small groups spread thin across the territory."

Grimoire nods, shifting to sit cross-legged in the air. "The taint is dangerous, but a vampire with an obsession is worse. Especially one who''s had months to plan."

My blood runs cold at the thought. What has the Mad Prince been doing all this time? Planning? Gathering forces? All while we''ve been distracted.

Lisa sets down her mug, her hands trembling. "I''m sorry. I''ve brought this danger to your pack."

"No." The word comes out sharper than I intend, and I soften my words. "The Mad Prince was always going to be a threat. At least now we know he''s still out there instead of being blindsided later. You''re not his only target, Lisa. He would have come here even if you weren''t around."