“I left our conversation so rudely the other day.” I looked up at him through my lashes. “I want what you were offering, but I want to prove my sincerity.”
His eyes shifted to the party behind us, almost as if he was afraid we were going to get caught.
He cleared his throat.
“And what can you offer me that I cannot get myself, Princess?”
I forced myself to keep smiling.
“Not much. Except…” I turned to look at the hallway to our right, where my present was waiting. There stood a young male feeder, probably in his early twenties. Normally, it wouldn’t mean anything, we had feeders galore, but this one… “I hear virgin blood tastes sweeter. And he’s willing for you to be his first.”
Thatgot his attention. I had to swallow my disgust. Vampires like him loved the idea of innocence, or rather, the idea of taking it for themselves.
General Lee let out a huff of a laugh and shook his head, almost in disbelief.
“It does sweeten the deal,” he whispered as he turned to move toward the human. “Tell me what you want. Information on your pet?”
“More. I want her transferred to me.”
The only sign that he was offended was the twitch of his eye. To the outside world, it would look like we were just having a pleasant conversation, but I saw the way his hands balled into fists.
“That would be going directly against the council,” he murmured. “You think a virgin will get you that?”
“Most definitely,” I answered with an even bigger smile, showing my fangs. “Because I know what my brother plans to do, and you know the thing he needs most is a pliant, submissive sister who will make him look good.” I took a step closer, lowering my voice. “You want me to behave? You want this reign to go without issue? Go fuck your little virgin, and then, before you come back, I want you to arrange her transport.”
I looked up at him, his sharp gaze sending a jolt through me. Time froze, and for a moment, I felt like I had poked the wrong bear. The hair raised on the back of my neck, my body jerked back as if anticipating an attack… but it never came.
He smiled at my move.
“What makes you think I care if you behave? You’re the one going to reap those consequences.”
I shrugged, trying to play off just how tense he was starting to make me.
“Just me? Sure, if that’s true, go tell him right now.”
I stepped to the side, acting like I was giving him the space to go, but he didn't move from his spot. I knew he was as shady as they came, and I don't know what my brother had on him or why he was chained to him, but part of his job had to be ensuring that my brother kept power.
And he did not need a bratty princess trying to ruin it all.
Though that didn't stop me from panicking inside as he took his time figuring out if he wanted to take my bribe or not. I was bluffing, and I didn't know him well enough to tell if he could figure me out just yet.
“Just because I'm taking this doesn't mean you have the power here,” he finally said in a low, threatening tone. “Don't forget your role.”
This time, my bitter smile came unbidden.
“Yes, I will bend over for my husband to unite the families so we can prosper. I get it. Now go get fucked and give me my silver-haired toy, or I will make a scene the moment the announcement leaves my brother's mouth.”
His smile told me he accepted, but his eyes told me he was killing me in his head right now.
“Fine,” he spat. “I will have news for you when I get back.”
I nodded and sent him a cheeky wave, watching as he went off with the feeder, who, at the last second, sent me a smile of his own.
When they disappeared, I finally allowed myself to take the tiniest breath.
One down, one to go.
I turned around, looking at the sea of vampires, particularly the one who was now leaning down and talking in a hushed tone to my brother. The head of the Solei family.
