Fifth

ISABELLA’s [POV]

"What is it?" Gabriella asks after we step outside and onto an empty caboose with a glass windowpane door. The space is just large enough for us to keep an eye on our cabin and within reach, in seconds, if the need arose. Then there's the vast city and landscape to our left, beautiful and calm, yet it'll be dulled by what I have to say.

"We're walking into a bloodbath," I say, keeping my voice even, although a harsh shiver still runs through me. My grip on the handrail turned my knuckles white. "The vampires are getting closer."

"There's something else, isn't there?" Gabriella has every right to her trepidation. To the worry.

"My sight is being shielded, but yes." It's been happening since our parents were killed. Anything to do with those responsible becomes muddled, yet this is clear. Meeting the vampire king is her destiny. "Your path is intertwined with his, Gabby."

No need to explain who the "he" is. Yet she still lets out a choked gasp, her face losing a little of its rosy color. "How can this be?"

"Which one?" He's going to make you so happy.

"Both."

In response, I shrug, going for nonchalance. Our connection as twins lets her feel my emotions and right now, worry is the dominant one. "My guess is a powerful witch, but not stronger than the Moore bloodline. I'll break whatever they've cast."

She nods. "What's his plan, though? Why does the king of vampires need a sorceress?"

"Sadly, you'll ask him personally soon enough." Because he's your mate.

"How much of a window, Sister?" Gabby shifts her weight from foot to foot. Clenches and unclenches her fists. "Do we have time to get Leo to Uncle Roberto's?"

"Three moons."

"Are you sure? You just said you can't see as clear—"

"The path might change, but the destination doesn't. Fate is a determined bitch."

"You have that faraway look again, Isa. Another vision?" my brother asks a few hours later, effectively pulling me from replaying the conversation I had with Gabriella. I hate what's ahead and how soon it will all fall apart for us. How out of control it all feels. "Is something wrong?"

"Just lost in thought, kid."

"Promise?"

"I do." It's not, but there will be.

We're in our uncle's backyard, side by side after a heavy meal, and a few feet away from where Gabriella has decided to take her respite. She's always found peace outdoors while sitting beneath a tree with her fingers embedded deep in the soil. Nature breathes and she exhales, keeping the balance between life and death.

It's how I found her the night our parents were murdered. The same serene expression on her face, completely oblivious to the horrors happening inside the manor we've called home all our lives.

I will never look at that house the same way again. No warmth. No peace.

"And you? Are you okay staying here?" Lifting a hand, I ruffle his hair and watch the annoyance flash across his features. At thirteen summers, the future king is easy to annoy, and as his older sister, I've earned the right to give him a tough time. To bug and be playful and ease him into his role as a leader someday, but for now, we must leave him here.

I hate it. Abhor the emotions being inside our uncle's property have brought forth in me.

I'm not one to harbor hate or dark emotions, but this I can't fight. The man abandoned us after his brother's murder. Betrayed his king.

But for now, he'll be useful. Father wanted Leo here, and I'll abide while biting my tongue.

Their reckoning will come.

"The moment I take the throne, I'm making you eat a toad." Leo's words snap me from my thoughts, and I laugh, shoulders shaking. "Just wait and see."

"What if I made you eat one now?"

"One day, Isa. One day." His face scrunches in repulsion, the same reaction as Dad's whenever Mom cut off his caffeine consumption. "Just nasty."

A giggle escapes from me. "I'm sure you'll try."

"Just remember one day I'll be king. Payback." Leo becomes quiet after that, no more teasing, and the expression on his face saddens me. Exhaling, the weight on his shoulders makes him appear older than he is. "Honestly, I'd rather be home, but I understand, and promise to behave. I'll be fine here."

"I'm proud of you." Movement catches my attention from the corner of my eye; Uncle Roberto stands near us, and I give him a small nod. "Why don't you head inside and see if Aunt Silla needs help? She still might have some bombolone Gabby didn't snatch up."

Before the last word leaves me, Leo is racing inside while the presence of our zio comes closer. He stops at the other side of me. Quiet and pensive, Roberto looks out toward my sister while I study his expression.

Regret. Abject misery.

"You hate me." Not a question.

"I do." Won't sugarcoat it or calm his guilty conscience. "And while we both have burdens to carry, I faced their anger and helped shoulder the pain while you hid, Uncle. You left us to fend for ourselves after years of feigning love and fealty to the royal family—to your brother and king."

That cuts him. His face snaps toward me, pinched tight and with watery eyes. "That allegiance cost me my only sibling, Isa. I'm ashamed, not guilty."

Shame. Another emotion I'm all too familiar with.

It hurts to know you couldn't save someone you love. That you let them down.

"Father, please. It's not too late," I plead, holding my hand out toward him and Mom. Begging them to come with us. "There must be a way to stop this. Something we've missed."

"You can't outrun fate, Isabella. You know this." And I do, but I also can't accept it. That there will be a world where they no longer exist. "Daughter, you've seen what I've seen and the end for those involved. Never falter, sweet child. You three are our future, and many will depend on you."

"But we need you."

"Baby, please go." Mom looks at me with tears in her eyes while my younger brother trembles and the sound of something being slammed against our front door grows louder. The walls shake, the clash of fighting outside unmistakable; there are two guards on duty tonight, as is customary. Father has never been one for keeping families apart at night, and if you work for our royal court, you're expected to break bread with your wife and child. "Get Leo out of here. You three are our future, Isa. Save our people."

Dad lowers his face toward Leo and lays his forehead over his. There's a whispered exchange between them, tears streaming down both faces, but I can't make out what he says. Yet the moment Dad's radiant pulse begins to flow, I throw my arms around Mom and cry. It's something he's done in the past with all of us after a scare or learning a new spell, and in moments of excitement and fear, he soothes us with the low frequency that wraps around us with love.

Yet today, it hurts.

I sob because I'll never see them again. Not in the flesh.

No more hugs. No more late-night talks and lessons.

The scent of patchouli and lavender will fade with time and never come back.

"I love you, Mom." The choked words are full of sorrow, the reality tearing me apart. "By blood and pact."

"We are one, Isabella."

"I'll make you proud." Another harsh blow to the front entrance has us pulling apart, my eyes flashing to Dad. "Keep them safe."

"Even if it means someday, they'll hate me, I'll push them in the right direction."

"And we'll always be with you." Quickly, he pulls me in for a hug. Strong and tight, but broken when the front door to our family home splinters open, the thick wooden pieces slamming against walls. Glass breaks, the sound carrying to his office where we stand. "Never doubt that, my children. Your mother and I will watch over and help guide you three."

"Why?" That's what eats at me. Roberto told the Rossi family we'd be home and where their leaders would await their fate; just like Father asked him to. The man set up his death on his terms knowing—and seeing—the best outcome for us.

We shared the same gift, even if he was tactile. Hugging his brother gave him the answers needed.

And for some reason, Father was also able to hide the fact from me until after.

Once on the run, I witnessed the devastation on our uncle's face in a vision. Saw him set up what looked like the betrayal to his brother and brethren in a vision, one where our guards should've been shown mercy. That was the agreement; only the King and Queen Moore were to be harmed, yet two of our men died that day.

Women lost a brother or father and a son along with their leaders.

And all to save the Moore children. To ensure the survival of our people.

He lets out a heavy and agony-filled sigh, one of his hands rubbing the back of his neck. His stare also evades mine now, a sign he's uncomfortable. "I don't think this will give you the—"

"Let me worry about what I need or don't need. Just answer, please."

Another rough exhale, and his shoulders drop. "The Rossi and Mariano men had plans for you and your sister, Isabella. Paolo..." At his only sibling's name, he choked a bit "...he saw you both broken, bound, and used as pawns to kill—"

"The fae king," I finish for him because those covens rose against us with the backing of powerful magic, yet they failed to see the blackness in the fae king's heart. That he'd betray them before our mates joined the fight, and he has. I'm the one Larue wants. "One of the three families, the Salicios fell under Larue's blade, all but a handful he kept to aide him, while the others to the wrath of the vampire."

"Father's doing."

"Yes. He trusts King Astor but I—"

"Have no say when it comes to our mates." I didn't miss the venom in his tone when speaking of Gabriella's mate. What will he say when he meets mine? Because that's the one thing he agreed with, and swore about, to those involved in the revolt. How he won their trust. Disgusting pigs, all of them. The intermingling of our bloodline with that of wolves and vampires will cause an uproar between all species, but hate will never win. Never does, because love is love, and fuck anyone who thinks differently. "It's best you learn that and quickly, Uncle. Intervene, and it won't be the men you should fear but your bloodline."

Just the thought brings forth fire to my veins, and I recant veni ad me while my hand opens and fingers curl as Gabriella taught me. I can't give and take a life, but making you feel a little of that pain and loss is different. The action catches him off guard; he pales and slams a hand on his chest while I watch.

Calm. Unaffected. Morbidly.

His life's essence heeds my call and shifts, the small bit of aura dancing toward me.

I won't deny that the sensation is thrilling, and a higher understanding of my sister blooms.

"Isabella," he groans, his thin form shaking. "Please stop."

"Prohibere." At once, the grip I had vanished and he dropped, a gasp leaving him. I kneel with him, and with the tip of two fingers raise his eyes to meet mine. "What you did was follow a direct order from your king. I'll forgive you for that, but abandoning us is an offense I won't overlook. You failed your brother by not helping us escape and hide, by ignoring the call to lay him and your sister-in-law to their honorable rest. Disgraceful."

"I love you three as if you were mine."

"Yet you closed your mouth and turned your back." Leaning forward, I kiss his forehead. "Someday you will make amends, but not today. Not for a while."

"Will you ever forgive me? Will Gabriella?" Roberto asks his expression a sad mixture of culpability and despair. "Can I regain your trust in me?"

"Protect Leo with your life, Uncle." That's the best I can give him. The wounds are still too raw, the memories haunting me. "Don't make me hurt you because I will not hesitate to protect my siblings and their mates."

Let that threat stand. I know his position, and now he knows mine.

Because I've seen his reaction when both men come forward.

Two beasts. Mortal enemies.

A vampire. A werewolf.

Both kings.

And more importantly, I will kill for them when the time comes.