Page 106 of Blood as Sweet as Roses

I give the other vampire a tight smile. “It’s delicious. I’m just…considering our clan’s next move. This situation with Oana and Cedric has been taxing.”

She gives me a long, probing look that I don’t appreciate. I’m tempted to avert my gaze, but I’m afraid that would only fuel her curiosity.

“I share the same burden,” she says lightly, although her eyes have narrowed suspiciously.

Several things pass between us in quick succession. She knows that I can tell thatsheknows that I’m being deliberately vague, and that there’s something troubling me.

But I’m not going to reveal anything to her so easily. Slowly, I bring the glass to my lips again, and I allow my eyes to wander casually across the quiet lounge.

It’s early in the morning, and most of the witches and shifters have retired for the night. There are only vampires here, and a small handful of living humans who are used to our nocturnal schedule.

“And I thoughtIhad the tendency to brood,” Celine teases.

“We’re vampires,” I grumble at her. “You don’t have a monopoly on being morose.”

“What was on your slip of paper?” she asks, suddenly. It’s surprisingly direct for her, and I’m taken aback, although I try not to let anything show.

“Why do you assume that’s what’s troubling me?” I reply, not meeting her eye. “I’m the most powerful vampire on the eastern coast, and my territory is being threatened. You must know as well as I the difficulty comes with ascending to a position of power.”

She shakes her head, just a subtle tilt. “I know you better than that,Crimson. Youlovethe challenges that come with accumulating status and power. That’s what drives you, it always has. And I secretly think you enjoy that all of the other vampires covet what you have…”

On her final words, my fingers tense around the flimsy scroll clutched in my fist. Celine’s eyes flicker.

Fuck.

“It’s somethingelse, isn’t it?” she whispers, her voice so low it crests below the tinkling piano music in the lounge, quieter than the soft sound of the bartender wiping down the whisky glasses, smoother than the hum of the radiator.

I deeply resent her for being so observant. “What does it matter to you, Celine Côté? Surely you have other business to attend to, instead of grilling me.”

“Listen,” she answers, her voice hard and firm. Again, it’s surprising, and I find myself catching her gaze. There’s something fierce in her eyes, something unexpected. “Our Creators are gone. And I know you suffered under Xavian even worse than I did under Tudor. That’s a heavy burden to bear, to carry into your new role. I know you can’t leave it behind so easily, but…”

Her lips twitch, a quiet discomfort that she’s fighting against. This is unlike her, and I watch her curiously.

“But now we have a new opportunity. A chance to do things differently. And…Icareabout you, Crimson. You, and Damien, and my sisters. I’ve known you for centuries. I know we put on a show for the others, but I need you to know that I have your back. There are only a handful of other vampires as old as us on the continent. There are few others who know what it’s like to be in our position.”

I’m thrown off guard by her unexpected words. I don’t know how to respond to what she’s said. I don’t have the words to respond to her.

So instead, I uncurl my fingers, and I hand her the frail slip of paper.

She reads it, a slightly perplexed expression on her face.

“‘It’s her’?” she says. “Who’s…?Oh…”

Then realization dawns, and her eyes widen just slightly.

“The breather you brought with you? Murad told me that you haven’t been drinking from anyone else…”

“A mistake,” I hiss, bringing my glass to my lips again.

“But…surely you don’t put any stock in a witch prophecy?” Celine says, handing the paper back to me. I crush it once again between my fingers.

“I don’t know, Celine,” I answer, before I can stop myself. “I don’t want to, but…”

I place my glass back down on the bar top. I’m afraid that I may snap its stem in my fist.

“But who am I to say?” I whisper. “Perhaps…it would be too much to expect that after everything that I’ve done, I could…”

I can’t continue. I’ve gone too far already.