Page 96 of You’re So Vein

Right. I forget that Gideon and Arabella are in the Conclave’s bad books. Vampire politics is like my ex Sam’s chat history – filled with betrayal, secrets, and people who should’ve been staked through the heart centuries ago.

“But,” Augustin adds, “we must wait for our other passenger.”

He whistles softly, and a few moments later, Hannah pops her head out from the edge of Papa’s workshop. “Komal!”

“Hey, kid.”

She runs over and wraps her arms around me, and I die of happiness a little. When I dare a glance at Augustin, he’s watching us both with an intense gaze.

The rainy drive out to Alaric’s is tense. I turn up the radio for Hannah, and grip the wheel so hard that my knuckles go white. I try to think of something to say, but every conversation starter is snuffed out by how much space Augustin takes up. Not just the physical space of his body folded into the seat beside me, but the emotional space in my head.

He’s the only one who realised what really happened at the ball.

And he tastes like the forest.

Three weeks ago, I hated this man.

I still hate him, but I’ve also spent all week imagining kissing him again, only for him to turn around and tell me he doesn’t want me, and now I’m going to a castle to negotiate a deal with three dangerous vampires on his behalf.

You’re doing this for Hannah, not him.

I may not be having kids of my own, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel a fierce motherly instinct when it comes to Augustin’s adopted daughter.

The car rattles over the bridge. I look down at the churning waters of the river far below. The water level is concerningly high, and I know more bad weather is on the way. We drive under the raised portcullis and park in the courtyard. It was not that long ago that Baylor Godsven tried to husk Isis in this castle, and we witnessed the swift brutality of vampire justice in response. I’m hoping that same justice will prevail tonight.

The doors swing open. Reginald ushers us in out of the rain.

“Welcome, welcome. Miss Hannah, I have need of help in the kitchen, if you’re up to the task. Miss Komal, it’s so lovely to see you again.” He takes our coats and hangs them next to a suit of armour in the Stabby Chic room. “Tonight’s meeting will be in the sitting room. Follow me.”

Hannah skips off to the kitchen, while Reginald leads us through the castle to the room where Alaric and Winnie spend a lot of their evenings. They’re nowhere to be seen. Instead, Irene and Kael sit in their chairs. Kael has his sword over his knee, sharpening the blade against a whetstone.

SCRAPE. SCRAAAPE.

That’s not menacing at all.

Dante stands by the window, hands in his pockets, face giving nothing away. Is tonight what his warning was about?

I’m relieved to see Reginald has lit the fire – vampires don’t feel the cold, but this castle is as drafty as a Leonardo da Vinci sketchbook. I’m freezing and soaked from the short run across the courtyard. I stand directly in front of the flames, but not even the fire can raise my temperature like the twin flames of Augustin’s eyes as they rake over my sodden shirt.

I fold my arms over the clinging fabric and glare at him. He responds with a smug grin and an eyebrow raise.

“Is there anything else you need?” Reginald asks the room. “I’ll return shortly with drinks.”

“Hot chocolate for me,” I say. Normally, I’d stick to my beloved chai, but Reginald’s hot chocolate is the best.

“Please, no more of that disgusting chilled blood,” Irene scoffs.

“Careful, Irene,” Dante warns. “You insult my life’s work.”

“Don’t be so sensitive. It’s an acquired taste, and were I stranded on a desert island, I should be grateful for your vintage skills. But when I have fresh blood available… I will not settle for fool’s gold when the real thing glitters in my hand.”

“I’ll have her glass!” Kael calls after Reginald. “A warrior never refuses the fortifying nectar of the gods, no matter what form it comes in. You never know when such a drink could be your last.”

“Philistines,” Dante mutters under his breath.

Irene smirks. Kael growls low in his throat before resuming sharpening.

“Thank you for coming, Komal of the Blood Ahuja.” Irene steeples her fingers together. “Before Kael presents his challenge, I wish to continue the conversation we began at the Sanctus soiree, with our masks removed, as it were. Tell me again, what is your opinion on the proposal made by Lord Alaric Valerian, to change Upyr law to allow vampires and humans to copulate?”