“That would require you all to enter my home, a thing that will absolutely not be happening.”
“Fine, it was worth a shot. I’ll find you an assistant. I promise.” Maisie hugs James to her chest. “What’s the second condition?”
A slow smile creeps across my face. “For the next three years, I expect every text message or conversation you start with me to begin with ‘Arabella, O Magnificent One’.”
“Deal.” Maisie beams. “I’m sorry, I mean, we have a deal, Arabella, O Magnificent One.”
What have I got myself in for now?
Message from the Conclave on the Sepulchrr App
Dearest subjects of the Midnight, Nightshade, and Dusk Courts,
The latest shocking news from Sanctus Estate: owner Gideon Blake was seen in the village of Argleton attending a pole dancing event, surrounded by scantily-clad dancers, both human and vampire! Alaric Valerian and his human consort were also in attendance, openly flaunting their disregard for our sacred laws.
This fiend clearly hasn’t given up his criminal ways. Can we doubt Gideon’s involvement in the huskings any longer? Upyr who associate with Gideon Blake and Sanctus Estate risk being drawn into activities that place the entire vampire community at risk.
We urge all vampires who are thinking of investing in or living on Sanctus Estate to reconsider.
The Conclave
19,021 Dig This 669 Resurrections
Message from Lord Hamish Aeturnus on the Sepulchrr App
To all my followers, I’m making a public statement about the Sanctus Estate project.
It has come to my attention that Gideon Blake, the billionaire real estate mogul in whom I have placed tremendous trust to see this project through, was for several decades the head of the infamous Vega crime family. He is responsible for numerous atrocities committed against our kin.
While we must all practise a certain amount of clemency regarding our past lives, I believe a leopard cannot change its spots. I no longer trust that Gideon Blake has the best interests of our people in his heart.
Effective immediately, I have pulled all my funding for the Sanctus project, and will no longer endorse it. For us to move forward as a society, we must have unity. While Gideon Blake has some innovative ideas, his real estate project ultimately serves to sow dissent among us. The only way we can maintain our unity is by embracing the court system that has served us well for hundreds of years.
Lord Hamish Aeternus, of the Blood Aeternus
35,668 Dig This 1848 Resurrections
12
Gideon
Alyra:I’m so pleased I voted for Arabella to join the community. She’ll liven things up around here, no pun intended. See if you can make her agree to do a vampire pole dancing class. I bet she’ll have lots of attendees.
I don’t care what’s all over Sepulchrr. I adore living in Sanctus. You don’t need Aeternus’s money!
I hope your plums aren’t too smushed. Can you send Sinead over to my place? I’m feeling a little peckish.
“DO YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE?”Sinead presses the icepack into my crotch.
“I’m fine, thanks.” I try to shove her hand away, but she’s relentless. My phone’s been buzzing with a frantic screed of messages, but I haven’t even been able to pick it up off the table. “What’s not helping is you turning my gonads into a Scandinavian ice hotel.”
Sinead pouts as she reluctantly removes the icepack. “I can’t believe Arabella did this to you.”
“Technically, I did it to myself.”
“She cackled like a witch. She’s evil.”
“Sure, she’s evil, but I’m herfavourite.” I go to roll off the couch,but she traps my thighs with hers, straddling me and grinding down a little, sending a fresh spasm of pain through my ruined gonads.
