Blood Match

Chapter 52: The Crown Ascendant

The ballroom had gone silent as a tomb.

Every eye was on Liam, his words still ringing in the air.

Elenora stepped forward, as if she were about to speak.

Liam simply looked at her, his eyes cold and distant. There was no warmth in them.

This was not the Liam they had known.

This Liam was all flame—justice, brightly burning.

Elenora stumbled back, the words dying in her throat.

“Don Antonio, you brought a serpent disguised as a dove into the home of the Divina. Harrison Sinclair conspired with Gideon and Marlowe Pierce to attack and kill both Leo and myself. Here is the poison that was used to incapacitate the Divina.”

Liam gestured to Alexi, who stepped forward carrying a small case. Inside was the third vial, its dark contents catching the light. Alexi displayed it for all to see.

“Harrison admitted his guilt before his death.

Twenty elder vampires trespassed on Divina lands. They were executed. The remains of their bodies now feed the earth. Marlowe also met her fate. She is no more.

Don Antonio, you may not have wielded the knife, but you are no less guilty of the attempted thrust.”

“Mr. Von Anderson, I cannot be held responsible for the actions of Harrison Sinclair. He acted on his own,” Don Antonio said, struggling to keep his voice steady.

Liam met his gaze without flinching.

“Yes. I agree. You cannot be held responsible for Harrison’s actions. That is why you and your companions still live.”

There it was.

The words rang like the closing of bars on a prison cell.

Liam continued.

“The Vampire-Human Authority has lost its way. Oh, you still mouth the words: equality, brotherhood, coexistence. Yet you feed on the blood of mortals and turn a blind eye to those who suffer in places shrouded in darkness.

Don Fernando dreamed of peace between vampire and human. Only together can both species move forward. But his dream has been corrupted. Now, the time has come to return power to the Divina—and the Crown.”

Liam fell silent and sent a thought to Leo.

In an instant, Leo saw all that Liam had seen. He understood the plan unfolding before him.

He sent back feelings of love and support, tinged with surprise, and a single question:

You would have us do this?

Liam simply smiled.

Leo stepped forward, his voice quiet but absolute.

“I am Sanguinis Divina. I have ascended. I have found my Blood Match. I choose to take the throne once more. And my rule is law.”

Don Antonio seemed to collapse in on himself. Elenora grabbed his arm to steady him, keeping him on his feet.

Leo looked over at Don Antonio. His voice was like frost.

“Don Antonio, do you recognize my authority as Divina?” His eyes were cold violet ice.

“Yes,” came the whispered reply.

Leo nodded once.

“Then here is my judgment. The Vampire-Human Authority in Spain is disbanded. All authority returns to the Divina. The Corona De Fuego will assume control over Spain’s affairs. You, Señora Vasquez, and Don Bernardo are exiled. You have until sunset tomorrow to leave the country. After that, we will come hunting.”

As Leo’s words faded, Alexi stepped forward. He dropped to one knee before the Divina and bowed his head.

Leo placed a steady hand on Alexi’s shoulder.

Alexi looked up at him, his voice ringing out clear and resolute:

“The Crown has served, the Crown will serve,
the flame burns bright,
piercing the shadows of the night.”

At once, the Coronados stationed in the ballroom dropped to one knee and repeated the words in unison. Their voices rolled like thunder across stone and silence.

Leo helped Alexi to his feet and pulled him into an embrace.

No words were spoken. They weren’t needed.

Liam took Leo’s hand and cast his gaze over the room. He waited, allowing the silence to do its work.

Chains were breaking. Old foundations were crumbling.

This battle was over. But the war was just beginning. Out there in the night was an enemy they did not know, and could not see.

Liam looked over at Maria.

“Doña Maria, you who are the embodiment of Santa Muerte—whose shroud spreads over the whole world—will you stand with the Divina in the war to come?”

Diego, Anna, and Sofia gasped. Liam had named Maria, and had invoked Santa Muerte.

The room seemed to hold its breath.

It felt as if you could hear the soft wingbeats of the Angel of Death herself, taking notice of the one who had dared to speak her name. Black eyes turned to regard Liam, and the silence of the grave drifted over the room.

Liam simply looked back, calm and unflinching. He had stood before the Weird Ones in the heart of Divine power. He honored Santa Muerte, but he would not bow.

He was the Crown of Fire.

Then, a laugh rang out, shattering the silence. A voice, melodious as a bell, spoke:

“Death must always bow to the Crown. It is the way of things. Hail the Divina. Hail the Crown of Fire!”

And just as suddenly as she had appeared, she was gone. Maria was herself once more.

Liam continued. The path was set, and he had further to go.

Turning to the South American and African covens, he addressed them:

“Diego. Anna. Sofia. Kwame. Adana. Will you stand with the Divina?”

With one voice, they answered. A resounding yes rang through the hall.

Finally, Leo stepped forward and addressed the Elders.

“Honored Aditya. Comrade Nikolai. Baron Friedrich. Lady Min-Seo. Will you recognize my ascension and stand with me as I return to power?”

Leo spoke quietly, looking at each elder in turn.

Aditya spoke.

“Leonidas, for centuries you have been avoiding your Dharma. Now that you have found your way back to it, of course we will stand with you.”

The ancient one embraced Leo. The other Elders nodded their heads in agreement.

Liam turned to Gideon, who was still standing in chains between two Coronados.

“And now we come to it. The final task of the Long Night.”

Liam knew that judgment had to be passed, and he must be the one to deliver it.

Things had moved quickly.

Now, at the end, to step fully into his power and stand by Leo’s side as an equal, he had to deliver justice.

In that moment, in the silence, as he pondered the weight of the action he must take, he heard it.

Quiet. Soft. Like the whisper of a breeze, or the distant tinkling of a small bell.

Then, as he listened, words bloomed in his core:

Touch him. You must see. You must know.

Suddenly, he was moving.

Leo reacted, almost reaching out. But one look from Liam stopped him.

Liam walked over to Gideon and placed a hand on his cheek. He lifted his head, which had hung limp, and looked into his eyes.