The Price of Mercy

The man staggered out of the bar, keys jingling in one hand, a pack of cigarettes in the other. Young—mid-twenties maybe—his laughter echoing down the empty street like he didn’t realize he was walking straight into the jaws of hell.

Rio watched from the shadows. His hand clenched so tight his knuckles ached.

One quick drink. One life for Junie’s.

It would be so easy.

“You’re hesitating.”

Odessa’s voice slid over his shoulder like silk. She appeared without a sound, golden hoops catching the streetlight.

“I’m not—”

“You are.”

She stepped in front of him. Boots clicking softly on asphalt. Her eyes gleamed with something sharp and knowing.

“You still think you’re a man,” she whispered. “A good man who can keep his hands clean. But you’re not. You’re like me, sugar. You just don’t want to admit it yet.”

Rio’s jaw tightened.

“Maybe I don’t want to be like you.”

Odessa laughed low in her throat. “Want’s got nothing to do with it.”

She tilted her head toward the young man, now fumbling with his car door.

“You either take him… or Cassian takes her. Choose.”

The man finally got the door open. A faint country song spilled from the speakers.

Rio’s feet felt like lead. His heart hammered.

“I…” His voice cracked. “I can’t.”

Odessa sighed. “Knew you’d say that.”

Before Rio could react, she blurred forward. One moment beside him, the next on the man—her hand over his mouth, fangs sinking deep into his neck.

The man’s eyes widened in terror. His body went limp.

She cut her hand, letting blood drip into his mouth.

When she was done, the body slumped against the car.

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, looking at Rio with a smile sharp as a blade.

“There. Debt paid. He’ll come collect him soon.”Back at the bait shop, Junie sat curled on the couch, knees pulled to her chest. She looked up as Rio entered, Odessa gliding in behind him like a shadow.

“You didn’t do it, did you?” Junie’s voice was small, hopeful.

Rio’s silence said it all.

Junie’s relief twisted into horror when her eyes flicked to Odessa—the faint smear of blood still on her lips.

“You let her—”

“He didn’t let me,” Odessa said smoothly. “He couldn’t. So I did what had to be done.”

Junie turned to Rio, wide-eyed.

“Is this who you’re becoming?” she whispered.

Rio didn’t answer. He couldn’t. The next night, a letter arrived—sealed with black wax, bearing the sigil of the Vampire Council.

Odessa read it aloud, amusement dripping from every word.

“‘Your fledgling remains unclaimed. This is a violation of the Accords. You have seven nights to correct this error. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the fledgling to Council custody.’”

She looked up, grinning wickedly at Rio.

“Well, sugar… looks like you’ve got yourself a deadline.”

Junie’s face drained of color.

“Claim me? What does that mean?”

Odessa’s smile was all teeth.

“It means he makes you his. Permanently. Body and blood. Otherwise? The Council decides your fate. And trust me, cherie…” Her voice dropped to a mock whisper. “…they’re not as gentle as Rio.”

Rio turned away, gripping the edge of the table.

Junie’s voice was a trembling thread.

“Is it… like marriage?”

Odessa laughed, sharp and cold.

“Oh, sweet girl. Marriage is child’s play compared to this.”

She stepped closer to Rio, breath warm against his neck.

“So. Are you going to claim your little stray? Or are you going to let them rip her apart?”

Rio closed his eyes, teeth gritted.

“Seven nights,” Odessa murmured. “Better make them count.”The bait shop felt smaller with each passing night.

Seven days. That’s all the Council gave him. Seven nights before Junie was torn from his hands, swallowed by cold bureaucracy.

Odessa watched them like a predator, lounging in shadows, cleaning her nails with a knife tip, gold hoops flashing in candlelight.

“You’re dragging your feet, sugar,” she purred. “Every night you wait makes it harder for her when it happens.”

Junie sat curled on the couch, hands wringing the hem of her sweater.

“Is it… painful?” she asked softly.

Odessa’s smile was all sharp edges.

“Oh, cherie. Depends on the sire. Some like to make it hurt.” Her eyes flicked to Rio, deliberate and taunting.

“But Rio here? He’s a gentle one. Aren’t you, sugar?” Rio ignored her, crouching before Junie.

“You don’t have to be afraid,” he said, voice low and steady. “It won’t hurt—not if I can help it.”

Junie’s eyes shimmered in candlelight.

“I trust you,” she whispered.

Those words hit him like a knife to the chest.

That night, he taught her to sense a vampire’s aura, to move silently in the dark, to hold a stake steady even when her hands shook.

“She’s improving,” Rio said after Junie fell asleep, exhaustion carved into her delicate features.

Odessa leaned in the doorway, arms folded.

“Sure. But not enough to survive alone.” She tilted her head, grin dangerous.

“You’re turning soft, sugar. She’s making you weak.”The sixth night came too fast.

Junie sat in the center of the room, hands folded in her lap, golden-red hair a curtain around her face.

Rio knelt before her, heart pounding.

“You’re sure?” he asked.

Junie looked up, eyes shimmering—not with fear, but quiet determination.

“I’d rather be yours than theirs.”

He cupped her cheek, thumb brushing soft skin.

“This isn’t what I wanted for you,” he whispered.

“But it’s what I need,” she said.

When his fangs sank into her neck, it wasn’t violent. Not monstrous.

It was gentle—a tether forming between their hearts as her blood warmed his veins, his flowed back into her.

Junie gasped softly, clutching his shirt.

When it was done, she collapsed against him, breath ragged.

“I’ve got you,” Rio murmured, holding her close. “I’ve got you.”

Odessa watched from shadows, face unreadable. The next night, a raven landed on the windowsill, a scroll tied to its leg.

Rio opened it with trembling hands.

“Rio Valentine. Present yourself to the Council at once. A breach of secrecy threatens our domain. A traitor among the humans. The sentence is death. You will carry it out.”

“Your first kill,” Odessa said softly, grin returning. “Congratulations, sugar. You’re moving up in the world.”

Junie’s eyes widened.

“They… they’re making you—”

“It’s how the Council keeps order,” Odessa cut in. “We don’t get to play human anymore.”

Junie looked at Rio, voice trembling.

“You don’t have to do this. You’re not like them.”

Rio said nothing.

But deep down, he knew the truth.

He’d just claimed Junie. He was part of their world now.

And in their world, there were only predators and prey. That night, Rio stood outside a small farmhouse on the edge of town.

Through the window, he saw the target. A middle-aged man drinking bourbon at a table, a pistol resting nearby.

A human. A traitor.

The Council’s voice echoed in his mind.

“The sentence is death.”

Odessa’s whisper followed, silk and steel.

“Go on, sugar. Show me you belong.”