Page 102 of Blood as Sweet as Roses

“Knocking out Cedric’s glow operation seems to have helped,” I continue. “It weakened his operational sway and political capital on the east coast. But I think he’s still trying to win over some of the independent vampires in the region, and perhaps even some of the witches.”

“Oana knows some of the Artemis witches,” Xia adds somberly. “She might try to leverage that connection if she’s vying for your throne, Crimson.”

Fuck.I didn’t know that, and I’m not happy about the possibility of Oana allying with the largest witch coven on the east coast.

“Then it’s even more important for us to take her out as swiftly as possible, as well as Cedric,” I declare, turning back to Damien and Celine. “Are you both willing to collaborate on this?”

“Yes,” Damien answers with a nod. “It’s dangerous to allow them to continue amassing power, especially if they’re threatening our territory.”

“We’re willing to do whatever’s needed, Crimson,” Celine adds.

“Excellent. We need support from all of the vampires in the region, and the witch covens, if you’re amenable.” I gaze pointedly at the High Priestess of the Hecate coven, which is the largest on the continent. It’s bigger even than the Artemis coven, and I’d like their support in this.

“We’ll certainly provide whatever we can, although I must admit that tracking down vampires isn’t typically in our wheelhouse,” Amara Moonfall replies, with an apologetic look.

“We’ll help,” Xia offers, speaking for the independent witches.

“Good.”

Then I turn to the only vampire who hasn’t spoken yet this session, which isveryodd for her. Amrita Vyas, who has the unusual honour of being both a vampire and the High Priestess of a witch coven, sits quietly in her chair beside the independent witches, her eyes cast downward. Her owl familiar sits on the table before her, cleaning his feathers with his beak.

“Amrita, can we count on your support?” I ask, a firm note in my voice.

She looks up at me as though she’s just realized that there’s a meeting happening around her.

“Oh! Sure, whatever you need, Crimson,” she replies briskly, with a wide smile.

Xia, who’s seated beside her, looks down at her lap. “Amrita, have you been on yourphonethis whole time?”

The vampire-witch holds up an obnoxiously large iPhone, with a glittery purple phone case.

“Lexi gave it to me!” she declares proudly. “Iloveit! I can’t believe I never discovered smart phones before. Alexander Graham Bell would bedelightedif he could see this.”

“Why would you give her a cellphone?” Renata sighs to Lexi. “You know that once she learns how to post, she’s going to go viral and then we’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Well, I don’t see what’s wrong with that,” Lexi counters haughtily.

“What’swrongis that we need her coven’s support to take down Oana,” I answer, giving Amrita a serious look. “We all need to focus on this threat. It’s imperative for the safety of our region.”

And for the stability of my throne, I think, but I don’t add that.

Amrita frowns, and her expression shifts. There’s a thoughtful twitch of her lips that doesn’t bode well, and I wonder if it was a mistake to distract her from her phone.

“I’ve been worried about Oana, too,” she finally says. “She’s the only other vampire on the continent as adept at using magic as I am. And while Cedric is predictable in his stupidity, Oana knows how to keep us all on our toes.”

The comment about magic stings, but she’s right. Murad, Sabina and I have some limited magical skill, but it’s always been Amrita and Oana who truly shined in that department, at least out of all of the vampires.

“What do you suggest, then?” I ask, feeling a little wary.

Amrita gets a dangerous gleam in her eyes. “I think a magical problem calls for a magical solution. We should ask thefatesfor an answer…”

CHAPTER 36: SECRETS, FOR SECRETS IN KIND

Crimson

“Absolutelynot,” Renata snaps. “Amrita, you’re not summoning a demon in my conference room again!”

With a mischievous grin, Amrita stands up and flings her phone aside, seemingly unaware of its fragility. Lexi shrieks and reaches out a long arm to catch it before it tumbles to the floor. But Amrita doesn’t notice or care. Her gaze is fixed on me. “Crimson, if you’re serious about ousting Oana, we need to find out what she’s really up to. And we can’t do that by chasing her around in the shadows, guessing what she might do next. We need toseekthe answers we desire…”