Élise stared at Lucien's knife. "You would hand me to that monster?"
"To save thousands," Lucien said. His hand shook. "Your sister is already lost. Your blood could end their reign."
"You smell of guilt Doctor," Élise whispered. "Who else did you fail?"
Pain flashed in his eyes. "My sister begged me to kill her. Before she turned. I hesitated. One night. She slaughtered twelve people. Children." He raised the knife. "I won't hesitate again."
Élise threw the vial of tears. It shattered at his feet. Silver liquid pooled. Lucien slipped. Fell.
Élise ran. Up the crypt stairs. Into the night. Rain soaked her. She had nowhere to go. No one to trust.
Then strong hands grabbed her. The Vicomte's men. A sack over her head. Darkness.