Page 72 of Blood Day (Blood Alliance #7)

“When I learned at Blood Day that you were finally considering political opportunities, I decided to make you an offer, one that was leagues better than Silvano’s offer. Obviously, you accepted, and you’ve shifted allegiances in the process.” He shrugged. “It’s as simple as that, Cedric.”

“Meaning, that’s what you’re going to tell everyone.”

“Only those who ask. And if you’re wise, you’ll say the same.

It won’t be a surprise. We’ve known each other for a long time.

Lilith might not consider the history of others when making decisions, but that doesn’t mean others won’t realize that our ages and origins would have crossed over the years. ”

I contemplated what he was saying and nodded slowly. “A history we rekindled while you were visiting the university.”

“Precisely. We shared a few humans and rekindled an old friendship, one that reconfirmed your use to my territory. One political discussion led to another, and here we are,” he murmured.

“Here we are,” I repeated, glancing at the building before us and the dark curtains on the windows. “This is a residence for vampires.”

“Humans, too,” he replied. “But don’t worry. You and Lily have the penthouse, which is the entire top floor. The only ones who can access that area are the two of you. Not even I can enter uninvited.” His eyebrows lifted. “How’s that for an old tale?”

I grunted. “A ridiculous one.” Vampires didn’t need to be invited anywhere, especially ones who could phase. Which meant Khalid could enter at will anytime but was choosing to give us privacy. “Where do you live?”

“On the opposite side of the city in the primary palace.” The way he said it had me wondering if that was true. It was one of those sentences that just seemed to flow a little too easily.

No, someone like Khalid wouldn’t live in an obvious place.

He’d maintain a secret residence.

One where he could hide anything he considered precious.

Things like Emine , I thought, glancing at her stoic expression. Nothing showed in her eyes. Not even an inkling that he might be lying.

But I knew he was.

“You’ve trained her well,” I told him, smiling.

“She’s excellent with secrets,” he conceded, aware that I saw through everything he’d just told me.

However, that only proved how real all the other details were, how truthful he’d been about the humans of this region and his desires to find a way to coexist under new societal rules while maintaining a semblance of respect for the mortals.

“Do the vampires hunt?” I asked, curious about how his blood tax worked in this region. Because I didn’t want anyone touching Lily, so I had to know if I needed to protect her from blood sports. Would she be required to donate?

“Yes,” he replied. “But I prefer the term seducing .”

“So, similar to the old days when we had to convince our meal to give us a bite,” I murmured.

“Indeed. However, for those who don’t want to bother with the effort, we have our blood banks. Most food also has blood in it for vampires, same with drinks. And there are feeding dens where humans work willingly. They are well compensated and cared for. No killing allowed.”

“I see. And will Lily be required to donate?” I asked, voicing my earlier thought aloud.

“Only to you, Cedric. As sovereign, you have the right to claim her. The only requirement is that she remain willing.”

I am , she thought, making me smile.

“That won’t be a problem,” I told him.

“No, I imagine it won’t be.” He relaxed into his seat. “But we can go into the rest later. In the interim, why don’t you take Lily inside and go explore your new home. Or take her for that swim she desires.”

The way his turquoise gaze glittered told me he had somehow overheard my conversation with Lily, making me wonder about his ability to read minds again. Khalid was an unknown entity with power I could feel warming the air between us, but I wasn’t sure of exactly what he could do.

Some vampires possessed unique talents—such as phasing.

And something told me Khalid harbored some of the most unique talents of them all .

It required a hell of a lot of power to accomplish what he’d done here.

Yet he made it appear flawless and simple. Perhaps to him, it was.

“The entry is through there.” He pointed. “Your retinas will grant you the access you need.”

My eyebrow inched upward. “You have imprints of my eyes on file?”

“I have everything on file, Cedric,” he replied. “One day, I might just share it with you.”

“Hmm,” I hummed. I knew that day would not be today. That was fine. I could hear Lily’s eagerness to touch the rolling waves, which overpowered every other need I possessed for information.

I wanted to introduce my flower to the ocean.

“Thank you, Khalid,” I told him, the words sounding a little stiff on my tongue. I didn’t typically display gratitude.

“You’ll thank me by protecting our home,” he replied.

“Until then, your first task is to let Lily touch the ocean. Then I need you to remember to pay Damien, as I don’t want him trying to track you down.

As much as I’d love to recruit him, Ryder needs him more.

And lastly, we’ll need to schedule a call with Silvano.

For that, I want to be there. So be sure to invite me. ”

“Giving me orders already,” I mused, my fingers wrapping around the handle.

“Tasks,” he corrected. “Necessary ones.”

I nodded. He was right. All those tasks were necessary. Except for him joining my call with Silvano, but I suspected that was for his own enjoyment more than anything else.

I could understand that.

Telling Silvano to go fuck himself would be quite fun.

“How do I notify you?” I asked him .

“You’ll find all your new phones and everything else you’ll be needing in your residence.” His gaze ran over me. “I even sent up a few tailored suits. I suppose it’s a good thing that we’re similar in size.”

My lips curled. “I suppose it’s a good thing you have decent taste.”

His gaze went to the mirror as he looked at Emine. “A good thing indeed.” He canted his head to the side. “Are you going to join me in the front seat, little mirage?”

“No. I think I’ll take a nap back here.”

“Hmm, playing hard to get, I see,” he replied. “You know how much I adore that game.”

She rolled her eyes and didn’t reply, making me wonder yet again about their dynamic. But now wasn’t the time to press for details. He’d tell me their story in time.

Or perhaps he wouldn’t.

Regardless, I had a mate who wanted to see the ocean. That took precedence over everything else. So I exited the four-by-four and opened her door. “I’ll be in touch, Khalid.”

“I know,” he agreed, his focus still on Emine. “Enjoy your swim.”

Lily allowed me to pull her from the vehicle, her arms eagerly encircling my neck in a hug. Her happiness was enchanting, causing my heart to warm as a result of being near her. “Ready to explore, little flower?” I asked after closing the door.

“Yes.”

“Then let’s explore our new home.” I caught Khalid’s gaze through the windows, my words my way of accepting his offer. Not that he needed it.

Because he’d been right.

I was always going to accept.

It wasn’t about his region or the sovereign position so much as Lily and the world our bond had introduced me to.

Now I would do anything and everything to protect her, to save her, to give her a life, to ensure she never had to return to the darkness of Lilith’s society, to guarantee her safety and happiness.

And he’d provided me with the leverage to accomplish all that.

It was still a mind game on his part—a way to control me and take advantage of my age and power. He wanted useful vampires beneath him to function as guards for his world.

What better way to ensure my fealty than by offering my heart a place to thrive?

Khalid had said relationships were the key to Lilith’s failure, and he was right.

Loving others created a different platform to fight upon. When all a vampire lives for is to feed himself, he lacks a certain amount of motivation to survive.

But when someone else—someone like Lily—relied on that vampire for strength and purpose and safety, he suddenly had a lot more to fight for.

I understood that now. It was the biggest lesson I could have learned in life, one I was fortunate to experience before death had completely consumed my mind.

Because now I had a reason to live.

Khalid might have been using that reason as a way to manipulate me into working for him. But I didn’t mind. Because for Lily, I would do anything.

Including indulging her in an ocean swim.

Which I did so now.

I stripped us both out of our clothes and pulled her deep into the water, forcing her to rely on me for balance.

And allowed her faith to wash over me.

Her trust in me was a beacon of hope. A discovery I longed to treasure. An experience that would always make me feel that much more alive.

My forbidden flower.

My future.

My forever.