The vampires looked at each other at Cedar’s command. Then there was a small chuckle, no one even bothering to move a muscle.
I growled, not liking how they were belittling her.
“Surely it can be said in front of the whole group,” Aurelia offered.
But Cedar was the one smiling now.
“I’m calling in my favor,Princess.”
Aurelia
Icursed internally but fought for it not to show on my face.
How does she even remember that?
I kept that part of us far back in the past, not even thinking about it after Vesper stabbed me in the fucking chest.
It was the price of her helping me bring Vesper back.
This is a punishment.
The look in her eyes told me she had been holding on to it for a moment exactly like this. A time when she could force me to do whatever she wanted. My body vibrated with anticipation at what it could be.
The salacious part of my mind wanted me on my knees for her.
The other part just wanted to feel her skin against mine.
I deserved whatever it was she was about to unleash on me. Maybe if it was extra painful, it’d help me get over this grief I was feeling. Though my back ached at the idea of physical punishment, still sore from the one my brother bestowed upon me.
But what choice did I even have at this point? If I didn’t get them back on my side, there would be no winning against Adrian.
Something told me herfavorwas one I wouldn’t want the others seeing. Especially since I was newly married and didn’t need anyone outside those stupid fucking parties knowing just how fake our marriage was.
“And you will get it,” I said before turning to the rest of the vampires. “As for all of you, we need to start gathering more clan heads, royal families, anyone with even an ounce of power that is able to keep their mouth shut.I don’t care if you have to cross borders to get it done.”
Some vampires looked around, unsure if they should listen to my command, but in the end, they all bowed their heads to me.As they should.I might not be the head of the Castle family, but the power still ran through my veins. They would be idiots not to recognize that I was one of the only people that could get an in with my brother.
Each vampire in the room had been affected by Adrian one way or another. He had been indiscriminate in his killings before ascending the throne, which meant most of the people here had probably lost someone, even if it was just a clan member.
Atlas cleared her throat. “It is decided then. Everyone here is to go out and start recruiting. And don’t think I don’t have eyes in each of your ranks. I will know if one of you has so much as a thought of betraying us.”
“And I won’t hesitate to come collecting heads,” Vesper added, her deep growl sending a shiver up my spine.
The tattoo on her skin shone under the dim light like a bright warning light. Her eyes turned red, daring anyone to try and fight her.
“Now, if there are no questions, everyone except the hunter and witch—leave.”
The vampires started filing out, but Atlas stopped at my side, waiting until the others left.
“Are you safe?”
I tried not to flinch at the softness of her tone. It was so disarming that I almost spilled everything to her.Almost.
“Thank you for your concern, but Caspian isn’t?—”
“I mean General Lee,” she cut me off, causing me to rear back in shock.
He wasn’t my favorite choice of guard, but he hadn’t hurt me. Not even after my obvious ploy to get him out of the engagement ceremony.
