LUCIEN POV

"But since he's dead," the first one continued, "and since you're the one who killed him, the responsibility falls to you. Help us claim this world, and we will make you our lieutenant. Refuse, and we will tear you apart and eat your heart while it's still beating."

I stared at them, my mind racing. This was not what I had expected. I had thought the ancient ones would be like regular vampires, just older and stronger. I hadn't expected them to be intelligent enough to make deals, to remember promises, to hold grudges.

And I definitely hadn't expected them to know that I was the one who...