“Oh well,” Ava thought to herself. She was sure Anton would be at last meal and she would see him then. She also needed to remember to ask about what happened to the door.

  Ava walked down the familiar hallway, like she had done so many times before, but this time seemed different. Everyone she passed seemed to be in a bit of a frenzy. She had left early that evening hoping to give Anton time to get over his hostility with what happened with Gabriella. Ava had been patient with him after he found out about Gabriella’s indiscretion, allowing him to take his anger and frustration out on her body, not that she was complaining. The man had strong skills in that area. She never really understood why Gabriella never gave into Anton, but she was glad she never did. Anton was Ava’s from the moment he converted her into a vampire. Even though she was not his first, Persephone would always have that over her, but Ava would have him in every other way.

  As if summoned by Ava’s thoughts, Persephone locked eyes with Ava as soon as she entered the dining hall. There was something in Persephone’s eyes that she had never seen before. Fear. What was going on? Ava wondered.

  She took a step forward when a sharp piercing pain crushed against her chest. She hunched over gripping her shirt over her heart. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear someone had their hand buried inside her chest trying to crush her heart. People swarmed around her trying to help her to a seat, but she paid very little attention to them. Her pain was too overwhelming. She tried to breathe through it, but it was no use.

  Was this it? Was this how she going to die? By some phantom pain, she thought to herself. Her eyes clamped shut as she heaved an airy breath when her ribs exploded. Ava was afraid to open her eyes. Afraid that when she did she’d see her heart had been ripped from her chest by some phantom menace. But slowly the pain eased, she peeled her eyelids apart. There was nothing. Everything looked completely normal except for the crowd gathered around her. She looked down at her chest and her hand patted over the area where the pain had been only moments ago and again saw nothing. There wasn’t even a drop of blood.

  She looked around confused, unsure what had just happened when her eye landed on Persephone who was panting in a similar manner as Ava.

  How could they both have felt something that no one else had? What connected them both? Ava’s earlier thoughts flooded her mind and suddenly it occurred to her what linked them. Disbelieving, she looked around for the one face she was hoping to see.

  “Anton?” she asked, begging that he would appear.

  Persephone stood shoving everyone else away as they tried to help her stand. She made her way towards Ava. “Ava,” Persephone whispered delicately like she was afraid she would startle her.

  Seeing the sadness in Persephone’s eyes made Ava immediately hostile. “Where is he Persephone? He must be here somewhere!”

  Persephone shook her head. “It does not matter anymore Ava. He is gone. You know it and I know it. We both just lived his death with him. I am so sorry for your loss.”

  “Persephone, as his eldest you most take his place until a time that another can be elected.” One of the gatherers mentioned. The onlookers knew what had happened from the moment both Ava and Persephone had become incapacitated. The pain linking the sire’s death to his fledglings was just nature’s way of trying to prevent fledglings from murdering their sires.

  The transition in leadership needed to be smooth. If word got out that one of the largest nests in the United States was leaderless, it wouldn’t take long before someone tried to move in to claim it.

  “I don’t know that I agree it should be Persephone. After all, it was most likely her daughter who ended Anton. I mean we all saw how she busted in here earlier looking for him. Can you all really think it’s a coincidence?” A male vampire towards the back stated.

  Ava’s eyes widened as she replayed over what the man had just said. Persephone’s daughter… the busted door… looking for Anton? It couldn’t be. Gabriella was no match for Anton. She was half human and he was a master. Ava’s gaze sought out Persephone, who had her head bowed slightly. Her guilt only confirmed that man’s words. Gabriella was responsible. It wasn’t possible. Ava had only left Anton earlier that evening. He told her he had no plans that he needed time to think. She would have never left him otherwise.

  “It does not matter what Persephone’s daughter did. Persephone is the rightful leader until another can be elected.” A male with light golden hair stated towards the front of the crowd.

  “I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who noticed, but that child was recently mated. We all know Anton has had an obsession with the girl for some time now. Let’s not pretend she didn’t have just cause,” an older woman behind Ava said.

  “It’s true,” Persephone stated speaking up for the first time since the request for master had been announced. “Gabriella was most likely the one to take Anton down. And by Vampire law, she was justified in her actions. Gabriella mated with a human.” There were gasps throughout the old hall. Whispers began to trickle around. “Anton wanted vengeance on her and her human so he kidnapped him to torment and eventually kill.” Persephone spoke to the crowd but her words were aimed at Ava almost like she was trying to explain.

  The whispers grew to murmurs. “Then it was justified.” “But he was the master.” “Rules are for masters too.” “Gabriella had the right to defend her mate.”

  Persephone looked eyes with Ava pleading for her to understand and find some semblance of comfort. Overcome with grief, Ava screamed silencing the room. “Don’t you all see? She would say anything to keep her daughter safe. Gabriella killed Anton. She killed my sire. Our master! No matter what the vampire law states, she should join him in death. It’s an old law and needs to be revised anyways.”

  “Go after Gabriella and you will unleash a whirlwind of fury down upon this nest.” Persephone practically hissed.

  “A whirlwind of fury? Please Persephone. Your threats are vague and useless.”

  “They are not threats, nor are they mine. They are a warning from… Gabriella’s father.”

  “A human? Oh my, you certainly have us trembling in our boots,” Ava said snidely.

  Persephone’s face split into a wicked smile. “Oh he most certainly is not a human. Gabriella’s father is the first of our kind. The original.”

  The whole room inhaled in sync. In one instant, all the air had been sucked out of the room.

  “The original?” Ava asked. Persephone nodded.

  “Well I think I’ve heard enough.” One of the elders chimed in. “Not only was Persephone the first fledging of Anton, which on its own makes her qualified to become a master, but she was also chosen by the original to give birth to his first child in existence. I think it’s safe to say that not making her the new master would be foolish of us and I move to place the permanent vote now. All the elders are present. All those in favor of the vote say ‘aye’.” The room erupted in “aye’s” then fell silent. “Persephone, you are now the new master of the New York nest.”

  “NOOO!!!” Ava screamed and all eyes turned to her. “You must make Gabriella pay.”

  Taking a deep breath Persephone spoke. “Even if she wasn’t my daughter, she is justified in her actions against Anton and no punishment will be made. He was my sire too, Ava, and I grieve his loss as well,” Persephone said the last part directly to Ava then turned speaking to the room once more. “I also make a motion to end Gabriella’s banishment.” Again the room erupted in “aye’s” before falling deathly silent.

  “She will pay for this Persephone, even if I have to do it myself.”

  “Any move against Gabriella will end in your death Ava,” Persephone said through clenched teeth.

  “So be it,” Ava shrugged. “I have nothing to live for anyways. Oh, and just so you know I am no longer a member of this nest. I will find another nest to take me in. May Anton forgive you for what you’re doing Persephone, because I most certainly never will.”

  The End of The Edge of Forever – Fate

  Gabriella’s story continues on in The Edge of Forever – Blood Ties

  About The Author

  D.C. Gambel is an independent author & army wife. She spends her free time with her fur babies, who sit next to her whether she's writing or just curled up with a good book, when she's not taking care of her soldier.

  D.C. Gambel in the process of writing two series. Clouded, which is made up of two books, Clouded Innocence & Clouded Corruption. Along with The Edge of Forever Series which will, as of now, be made up of Fate, Blood Ties & The Prophecy.

  Connect with the Author

  www.facebook.com/AuthorDCGambel

  www.twitter.com/DC_Gambel

  www.goodreads.com/DCGambel

 

 

  D.C. Gambel, Fate (The Edge of Forever)

 

 

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