Chapter 40: Chapter FOURTY

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," he replied calmly. "At least, if you want to find Mia safe and sound."

His grip faltered as his mind was assaulted with doubt. Was the vampire bluffing? He still had a hard time accepting the professor's betrayal, and although his logical mind had resigned himself, his heart still doubted his evil intentions. His instincts were telling him to prepare for the worst. His Vila was pleading with him to tighten his grip and crush his throat without delay, but he couldn't bring himself to choose the outcome that would potentially endanger his soul mate's life.

"What did you do to her?" he hissed poisonously.

"For now, she's in no danger. You'll reunite with her tomorrow, by participating in the tournament. If you wait patiently, everything should be fine."

"So the threats... It was you. Why? Why do you care if I attend or not?"

"Sit down, and I'll explain," he ordered, pointing to one of the chairs in front of the desk.

Ethan tightened his grip for a second before releasing the vampire. He hadn't yet fully ruled out the option of killing Vassili and simply searching for Mia himself. The problem lay in the fact that it was impossible to determine if the professor was bluffing and what the real consequences of his actions would be on Mia. If he compromised her safety by killing him, he would never forgive himself. Worse, he might condemn them both. So, he reluctantly decided to comply and to force himself to regain some semblance of calm. After a few exhalations, his claws finally retracted and his eyes returned to their lapis lazuli color. His inner Vila also settled under the duress of threats, unwilling to risk his soulmate's life.

"The Arena will be gone after tomorrow," Vassili began to explain gravely, massaging his throat. "Two attacks will be launched simultaneously during the tournament and at the castle. War will be declared Ethan. Whether you like it or not, your Vila's choice has made you an ally in our cause. Don't think it makes me happy to have to impose all this on you, but it was necessary. You would never have participated voluntarily... and we need you."

"You want to force me into a war I don't give a damn about?" Ethan hissed scornfully. "Why?"

"Because Impervia has to pay for her actions."

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"My mother? You want me to oppose my mother? Damn..." he exclaimed, clenching his fists.

 "And you think that by threatening me, I'm going to nicely obey and fight her? There are enough good fighters to kill her, why would I? My brother tried to stop her back then, he paid with his life!"

"Think about it, Ethan. She will never accept Mia, you know that better than anyone. With war declared, don't you think she'll take the opportunity to get you killed like she did Adam? It's in your best interest to join the opposing side, that's what he would have wanted you to do too."

Ethan's anger was still building up. Vassili wasn't wrong, he had to admit it, but, given the choice, he would have preferred to simply run away with Mia. Waging war did not interest him. Using the memory of his late brother to make him feel guilty was sneaky. Kill his own mother? She may have deserved it, but the idea particularly disgusted him. The more distance he managed to put between her and him, the better off he was. Impervia not only had a venomous tongue, but her claws were also sharp and her fury in battle fearsome, a legacy of powerful blood. He wouldn't make it without at best a few painful scratches, at worst death like his brother. The vampire was trying to drag him into something that sickened him to no end.

"Whether you or someone else kills her, it doesn't matter. You are a symbol, Ethan. Your blood is powerful, perhaps one of the most powerful Vilas have ever seen... Standing up against your mother is a strong message, it is making our cause more legitimate in the eyes of our enemies. And then there's Mia... What do you think will happen to her, as a human, when war is declared? A hidden life, deep in a lost hole, always on your guard, is that the life you intend to offer her? With us, she will find her place."

"Do you think that a life of war sounds better? Do you think that joining you won't make her a target? Do you really think this kind of war will be over in a few months? That everything is as simple as that? I'll do whatever you want at the tournament, but leave us alone after that!" Ethan roared, banging his fist against the armrest.

"Very well," Vassili conceded, sighing, his face tired. "It wasn't planned that way, but with the arrival of Mia, counting on your help should greatly reduce our losses and facilitate our retirement... We all know that the tournament will turn into carnage. The order is to kill without warning anyone who tries to resist. With the current tensions, many will want to tear our heads off. Vilas, especially those allied with your mother, are sure to be a problem for us... This is where you come in. The plan is simple: destroy the school, declare war, then retreat. Your job is to go on a rampage protecting our main division and securing our retreat after the announcement. We'll let you go after that. I'm sorry Ethan, but you have no choice."

To say that the situation was escaping him was an understatement. That was what he'd feared the second he'd realized his soulmate was human: she was used to back him up against a wall. From that moment on, his choices were no longer his. How much blood would he have to shed and how many heads would he have to tear off to buy their freedom? He didn't mind having to kill, but killing because someone had stuck a knife to his throat? And Mia... He could already imagine her disgusted, terrified eyes on him with every neck he broke, every heart he pierced.

"I would love to suggest that you go back to your room in the meantime, but for obvious security reasons... I prefer to watch you here. Make yourself comfortable," Vassili suggested as if it were the easiest thing to do in these circumstances.

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