Vivian Cross smiled at Scarlett's desperate promise, and it was the smile of someone who'd been waiting centuries for this exact moment. "Anything is such a dangerous word, dear child. Let me tell you exactly what it will cost."

"I don't care about the cost." Scarlett's translucent form was practically vibrating with need. "Just tell me how."

"Eager. I like that." Vivian clasped her hands together. "Let me introduce myself properly. I am Vivian Cross, high priestess of the Ember Coven. Or what's left of it, anyway."

"You're a witch."

"Among other things." Vivian's smile widened. "And you, dear child, carry the blood of priestesses in your veins. Dormant. Untapped. But very much there."

"I'm not a witch."

"Not yet. But you could be. With the right motivation." Vivian began to pace. "Here's what I'm offering. Life. Real, breathing, flesh-and-blood life. One year of it. Three hundred and sixty-five days."

"And in exchange?"

"You kill Alessio De Luca."

Scarlett's dead heart would have raced if it could. "That's it?"

"That's it. Simple, really. Get close to him. Earn his trust. Then drive a blade through his ancient heart." Vivian stopped pacing. "Do we have a deal?"

"Yes." The word came without hesitation. "Yes, absolutely."

"Wait." Vivian held up one finger. "You should hear all the terms first. I'd hate for you to feel cheated later."

Something in her tone made Scarlett pause. "What terms?"

"If you succeed in killing Alessio within one year, I will reward you handsomely. Permanent life. No time limit. You get to live as long as nature allows."

"And?"

"And I will resurrect your brother Marco. Bring him back exactly as he was before the leukemia. Healthy. Whole. Alive."

Tears burned in Scarlett's eyes. "You can do that?"

"I can. I will also resurrect your friend Annabelle. Both of them returned to you, good as new." Vivian's smile was almost kind. Almost. "A happy ending for everyone. Well, everyone except Alessio."

It sounded too good to be true. Which meant it probably was.

"What happens if I fail?"

"Ah. Now we get to the interesting part." Vivian's expression hardened. "If you fail to kill Alessio within one year, you will die. Again. Permanently this time."

"That's it?"

"No. That's not it." Vivian leaned closer. "If you fail, your soul will be bound to eternal torment. You'll burn forever in agony. Every pain imaginable, experienced simultaneously, for all of eternity. No rest. No escape. No end."

The words hung in the air like a death sentence.

"And if I try to back out of the deal?" Scarlett asked quietly.

"Same result. The moment you accept my offer, you're committed. One year to kill Alessio or suffer forever." Vivian straightened. "Still interested?"

Scarlett looked down at her translucent hands. Then at Marco's grave. Then at her own corpse, still lying broken in the dirt.

She had nothing left to lose.

"Why do you want him dead so badly?"

"Because he took everything from me." Vivian's voice went cold. "And it's time someone returned the favor."

---

"Two hundred years ago, there was a war," Vivian said. "Vampires and witches. My younger brother Thomas led our coven. He was powerful. Brilliant. Kind."

"What happened?"

"Alessio wanted our sacred artifacts. Ancient relics that could amplify vampire strength. Thomas refused to hand them over." Vivian's hands clenched into fists. "So Alessio attacked. Sent wave after wave of vampires. Overwhelmed our defenses."

"Your brother died."

"I watched him die." Vivian's voice cracked. "Watched Alessio rip out his throat while Thomas was still trying to negotiate."

"I'm sorry."

"Thomas's last words were 'Don't let them win.'" Vivian met Scarlett's eyes. "I've spent two centuries trying to honor that request."

"Why haven't you done it yourself?"

"Because Alessio is too powerful. Too old. Too protected." Vivian's smile returned, sharp and cruel. "But you. You're perfect. He's already interested in you. Already let you live once when he should have killed you."

The honesty was almost refreshing.

This was revenge. Pure and simple. Just like Scarlett wanted.

"Do it," she said. "Bring me back."

---

Vivian pulled a knife from her coat. The blade gleamed silver in the moonlight.

"Stand right there. In the center."

Scarlett's translucent form moved to hover over Marco's grave.

Vivian began walking in a circle, dragging the knife tip through the dirt. Drawing symbols that glowed faintly. Ancient markings that Scarlett felt in her bones.

Wrong. Powerful. Dangerous.

"What language is that?"

"Older than language. The alphabet of creation itself."

She began to chant. Low and rhythmic. Words that scraped against Scarlett's consciousness.

The air grew heavy. Thick with power.

Vivian cut her own palm. Blood welled up, dark and thick. She let it drip onto the symbols, which flared brighter.

The ground began to glow.

"This will hurt," Vivian said. "Coming back always does."

"I don't care."

"You will."

The symbols exploded with light. Scarlett felt something grab her translucent form. Something invisible and impossibly strong.

It yanked.

She screamed as her spirit was pulled toward her corpse. Like being shoved through a hole too small for her body. Like every atom was being compressed and stretched simultaneously.

Pain beyond anything she'd felt while alive crashed through her.

Her translucent form touched her corpse and merged with it.

Bones that had been shattered began snapping back into place. Wet cracks echoing through the cemetery.

Her skull reformed. She felt every fragment of bone grinding together.

Ribs that had been crushed straightened. Organs that had been ruptured healed.

Her scream echoed through the cemetery. Raw and agonized and very, very human.

Then suddenly, it stopped.

---

Scarlett gasped. Air rushed into her lungs. Dead lungs that were suddenly alive again.

Her heart stuttered. Once. Twice. Then began beating.

She could feel. The cold ground beneath her. The night air on her skin. The blood rushing through her veins.

"Oh God." Her voice was hoarse. Real. "I'm alive."

She sat up slowly. Looked down at her hands. Solid. Real.

Her clothes were covered in dried blood. But underneath, her skin was perfect. No bruises. No cuts. No scars.

Like it had never happened.

"How do you feel?" Vivian asked.

"Alive."

"Good. But you're more than alive now." Vivian held out her hand. "Stand up."

Scarlett took the offered hand and stood. Her legs were steady. Strong.

But something was different. Something hummed beneath her skin. Power she'd never felt before.

"What is this?"

"Your dormant bloodline. I awakened it." Vivian circled her. "You're a high priestess now. One with very specific gifts."

"What kind of gifts?"

"Supernatural seduction. Men will desire you beyond reason when you want them to. They'll lower every guard. Trust you completely."

Scarlett felt the power pulse through her veins. Warm and intoxicating.

"How do I use it?"

"Instinct. It'll come naturally." Vivian pulled something from her coat. A silver dagger in a leather sheath. "Take this."

Scarlett took the weapon. Perfectly balanced.

"Pure silver. Blessed by priestesses and cursed by witches. It'll cut through vampire flesh like butter." Vivian's smile was cold. "One stab to the heart. Make it count."

Scarlett slid the dagger into her waistband.

"When do I start?"

"Whenever you're ready. But don't wait too long. The clock is already ticking." Vivian turned to leave. "One year, Scarlett. Make it count."

Then she was gone.

Scarlett stood alone in the cemetery. Alive. Powerful. And absolutely determined.

---

One week later, Scarlett stood in a dark alley, watching a woman in a red dress smoke a cigarette.

She'd spent the week preparing. Learning everything about Alessio's schedule. His habits. His security.

The woman in red was scheduled to visit him tonight. Natasha. Twenty-six years old. No family.

Perfect.

Scarlett approached slowly.

"Excuse me. Do you have a light?"

Natasha turned. Smiled. "Sure, honey."

"I'm sorry," Scarlett whispered.

Then she moved. Fast. Efficient. She snapped Natasha's neck before the woman could scream.

The body crumpled. Scarlett caught it. Dragged it behind a dumpster.

She took Natasha's purse. Her ID. Her phone with the confirmation message.

Then she put on Natasha's red dress. It fit perfectly.

Scarlett checked her reflection in a broken mirror. Applied Natasha's lipstick. Fixed her hair.

She slid the silver dagger into the thigh holster hidden beneath the dress.

Then she practiced. Focused on the power Vivian had awakened. Felt it hum to life beneath her skin.

The air around her seemed to shimmer.

Good. It was working.

She walked to Alessio's private club.

The guards checked Natasha's ID. Waved her through.

"He's expecting you. Third floor. Last door on the right."

She walked through opulent hallways. Each step bringing her closer.

She reached the door. Knocked once.

"Come in."

His voice sent shivers down her spine.

Scarlett opened the door and stepped inside.

Alessio stood with his back to her, silhouetted against floor-to-ceiling windows.

When he turned, his eyes found hers immediately.

And she saw his entire body go still.

"You," he breathed.

Shock flickered across his face. Then something else. Something that looked almost like joy.

Scarlett smiled. Let her new power flow through her like electricity.

"Miss me?"

---