Page 97 of Blood as Sweet as Roses

Warmth radiates through me. I didn’t realize that Crimson trusted me like that. And I like that she said I was with her. I’m glad I wore my collar today.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Celine nods in my direction. “Celine Côté, leader of the northern vampire alliance.” Then she turns back to Crimson, dropping her voice so low I almost can’t hear it. “When you’re settled, we should discuss the situation with Cedric and Oana. Damien and I have a team of vampires tracking them, but they’ve been incredibly evasive.”

“I have a few of our guard keeping tabs on them as well,” Crimson replies, her eyes darkening. “I was hoping the concern would die out after I’d established myself more firmly as the leader of the Night clan, but it seems to be escalating.”

Celine sighs. “They’ve got their eyes on us, too. I think it’s just a question of where they strike first.”

I don’t like the sound of that, and I look anxiously to Crimson. But she has a devious twinkle in her eye.

“I’d prefer if they targeted me directly,” she says, a playful tilt to her voice. “Better than having them lurk around in the shadows, accumulating power. I’d love the chance to sink my stake into Oana’s chest. It would increase my count for the year.”

Celine’s lips curl into a smirk. “I’m at forty-one.”

“Forty-six,” Crimson counters immediately, a matching smirk on her face.

The hushed conversation seems to have come to an end, because the other vampires look over at us.

“Why don’t you both just take out your stakes and measure them?” Renata sighs, joining the conversation with a disapproving shake of her head.

“Are they bragging about how many vampires they’ve staked again?” Murad asks with a grin.

“I can’t help it if I defend my territory well,” Celine replies smoothly.

“Well,Idefend it just a little bit better,” Crimson says, provoking a glare from the other vampire.

“You two aresoimmature when you get together,” Lexi says, holding an enormous glass of blood in one hand.

“You’re just jealous because you only got twenty-six,” Celine retorts.

Lexi huffs. “I got twenty-seven!”

This prompts a chuckle from Murad and a genuine smile from Crimson. I’m glad the tension seems to have dissipated for now.

Renata glances down at the glitzy smart watch on her wrist. “All right, enough of that for tonight! The Morgan witches are arriving any minute and youknowhow Amrita likes to make an entrance. Let’s get you all settled in your suites.”

CHAPTER 34: BLOOD, PAIN AND DESIRE

Paige

We ride an elevator down several floors. Even though we’re underground, it’s just as plush and regal as the lobby of the hotel, if a little bit more vampire-y. The floors are dark wood with red carpets, and the wall sconces are noticeably dimmer than upstairs.

But I’m not complaining. I assumed we would be in a hotel room, but Crimson and I are shown into a lavish suite with a gorgeous king-sized bed and a jacuzzi that you could swim laps in. I don’t see a coffin anywhere, but I’ve learned that vampires (especially powerful ones) usually have a hidden room where they rest during the day. I guess Crimson already knows where it is, because she tips the bellhop quickly and closes the door behind him before I’ve even finished exploring the full suite.

“There’s a whole pool table, sir!” I tell Crimson in amazement. “Insidethe room! And…” I hurry over to the bar, looking at the labels on the bottles. “This bar has alcoholanddistilled blood…”

“The Respite hotel is used to catering to both magical and non-magical guests,” Crimson answers. “It’s one of the many reasons why it’s been so successful. And Celine and her sisters have done an excellent job of running it. Even though Renata pretends to hate it, I think she likes that it keeps her occupied.”

“I see what you meant about her not being interested in your territory,” I reply. I point at the bottle of distilled blood, but Crimson shakes her head, so I just pour myself a glass of pinot. “It looks likeshe’s pretty busy here.”

I sip from my glass thoughtfully. Since I started this job, I’ve been drinking lots of wine, and I discovered that I really like tasting the different varieties. This one is smooth, rich, with woodsy and cinnamon notes.

Crimson gives me a probing, curious look. “You’rereallyinterested in this, hm?”

“What do you mean, my king?” I ask, hoping I haven’t overstepped by opening the wine.

“You’re curious about magical politics,” she answers.

“I don’t see how anyonewouldn’tbe curious,” I reply, a little surprised. I think about earlier, how Crimson told Celine she could speak freely in front of me. But did she mean it because she trusts me, or because she doesn’t take me seriously? The thought puts a bit of a damper on my good mood. “My king…Iwantto know what you’re up to. I want to make sure you’re safe. I know I can’t do a lot to help, but I’m here if you need to talk about what’s going on.”