Her eyebrows rose with a head nod.“For some, yes.Don’t get me wrong, there are far more nicer thralls than not nice ones, and you’ll have to figure out who is who.”
“Understood.”
Marm Scarlet patted her hand.“Take care of yourself, my dear.You were one of my best students.”
With a graceful wave, she collected her purse and shawl, and Adalyn escorted her out the door, watching as the older woman drove away.
****
Adalyn hugged eachperson good-bye while Gareth waited patiently by the car.Chester was already behind the wheel while Gabi sat in the passenger seat.Gareth’s bodyguards, including Brennen, followed in their cars, although they would not be traveling with them since security at the capitol was top notch.
“I’m going to miss you,” she said to Mrs.Brenda.“I’m going to miss you all.”
“We’ll be right here when you return,” Jessie said as Adalyn moved to hug her.
“Tell us all the stories from court,” Amy added cheekily.
Adalyn laughed.“I will.”
With a last wave to them and to Lionel, Gareth helped her into the back of the car and then they were off toward the airport where a private jet waited to fly them to the capital, Obsidian North.
Chapter Thirteen
The stunning castlethat made up the vampire capitol had been made with black granite, and the stained-glass windows throughout the palace held chiseled obsidian, alluding to its name.Combining old-fashioned aesthetic with modern day engineering, vampires had spared no expense to create the breathtaking symbol of their rule.It sat north of Alberta, in the Northwest Territories of Canada.Tall spires reached toward the heavens.A domed citadel housed the governmental chambers where parliament debated and enacted laws.It convened once a year, and all nobles and representatives were required to attend.The palace even housed all of them for their six-month stay.
They had flown in a private jet twenty miles from the capital, where a driver waited.Adalyn had never been outside the United States, so her eyes stayed wide as she took everything in.When the car pulled up at the gate, she couldn’t look away from the beautiful structure.Within moments, the gate opened, and Adalyn’s heart thumped nervously in her chest.She hoped she didn’t embarrass Gareth.
“What do you think of the capital?”Gareth asked her.
“It’s so beautiful,” she murmured.“I can’t believe I’m here.”
“You’rebeautiful.”
She turned her head to look at him, blinking in surprise.“Um, thank you.I think you’re beautiful, too.”
“Thank you, little bird.”He smiled.“You will be shown to your room where you can rest.Gabi has the itinerary of the day.Unfortunately, I have business to conduct, and I won’t be back until late.This evening will be a meet and greet.”
