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agreement.
    "What do you think I should do?" she asked. "You always have an opinion on that."
    "I would go. No use stayin' here."
    Aya grunted. She knew that would be his answer, so why did she even feel she had to ask? Ignoring his advice, she asked, "Arturius said Regulus was looking for something. Do you know what?"
    He frowned. "He is very secretive, Arrow. Probably even more than you. If he was searchin' for somethin', I have no idea what."
    So, the time she had been dreading was finally here. Tristan sat forward in his chair, distracting her thoughts. He looked at her curiously and said, "I thought about you often over the years."
    Aya shifted in the armchair awkwardly, not liking the spark in the vampire's eyes. She didn't want to admit it, but she needed the knight's help. He knew Regulus' comings and goings. His residences, his people. And he would know how to help her track down Victoria's lineage. If her suspicions were true, he might have even known her before she was turned.
    "I have something I need to find," she said pointedly and he fell backwards in his chair. She knew that he realized he had been dismissed.
    "And you need my assistance?"
    "Yes."
    Tristan nodded, understanding. He would know that her abruptness meant he had no choice in the matter. He could assist her of his free will, or she would compel him. Simple as that.
    "You know that I will help you, no matter what," he said.
    She nodded, slumping back in her chair. "Then we need to leave as soon as possible."
    "And your boyfriend?"
    Aya couldn't say it, so she just shook her head.
    "Do what you want to," he shrugged. "But I'm goin' with you. With or without your live wire of a boyfriend."

     
 
 
 
 
 

CHAPTER FOUR

 
 
 
 
    T he more Aya thought about it, the more she realized it was the lesser of two evils.
    She decided to leave Zac behind. She had to do it. There was no other way. If she took him with her, there would be the chance that he would be used against her or worst case he'd suffer his true death. If she left him behind, he would be safe. Hurt, but safe.
    She knew he would be furious and would lash out at her. Despite what he thought, he was still the chivalrous nineteenth century army officer. He would take it upon himself to do what he thought was right. And what was right to him was never leaving her side and protecting her at all costs.
    To keep him safe, she would have to rip the heart out of the man she loved.
    But first, there were a few people she had to see.
    Walking up the six flights of stairs to Gabby's apartment, she squashed the uncomfortable feeling that was churning in her stomach. Knocking sharply on the door, she waited, knowing the witch was at home. When the door opened and Gabby's face appeared, Aya was suddenly unsure about what she was about to do.
    "Aya?" The young witch seemed surprised to see her.
    "May I come in?"
    She frowned for a moment and stood back, allowing Aya to walk inside. "Is something the matter?"
    Aya crossed the room and sat on the sofa beside the window and wrung her hands. They had become close over the past few months as she helped her with her power and now she was anxious. For all her prowess, Gabby's opinion mattered to her. The witch was the closest thing she'd had to a friend since Tristan, and she hadn't let him get that close to her in the first place. This life that she had unconsciously built for herself, it broke her heart to smash it.
    Gabby spoke, interrupting her thoughts. "Does this have something to do with that new vampire I've been hearing about?"
    "Tristan?" Aya was surprised she knew about him already.
    "I guess. Sam said he met him in the street today. And he relayed Zac's colorful opinion."
    "Yes, well, Zac didn't take well to him."
    "What's the deal with you two? Were you with this Tristan guy?"
    "No," she shook her head, annoyed. "We spent some time together, but it was never like that."
    "And why's he here all of a sudden?"
    Aya sighed at the