Page 120 of Blood Day: Part Two

There weren’t many vampires out, likely because of the sun still being in the sky, but I had my answer regarding the structure of this world. “The mortals own the day, while the vampires own the night,” I marveled.

“Hmm, no. We provide them with options, though. Some prefer the sun, others are so used to the moon that they’ve maintained their old schedules. Classes are only offered at night because the vampires are the instructors. Dubai, or rather,Khalid City, has quite literally become a place that never sleeps.”

“Do you prefer to call it Dubai?” It was the second time he’d called it that.

“I prefer to call it home,” he replied. “I might not have been born here, but I’ve made it mine over the centuries, and I intend to keep it.”

“What do the others call it?”

“Khalid City,” he replied. “Mostly, anyway. However, vampires have history, something I think we’ve discussed at length. So I don’t enforce the name. This place can be whatever we want it to be so long as we protect it.”

He turned down a street that led us past some of the largest buildings, causing Lily’s mind to spiral with shock and awe in the back seat.

Only for her to practically faint as we started approaching the coast. “Oh, Goddess,” she breathed, unable to hold in her excitement at seeing the ocean in front of us. “Is that…?”

“The Persian Gulf,” Khalid told her. “Yes.”

I was going to sayocean,she thought, but she didn’t voice that out loud.

Technically a sea, but similar enough,I murmured to her.

It’s beautiful.

Perhaps we can swim in it later?I suggested.If you trust me enough not to drown you.

I trust you, she promised, her gaze meeting mine in the mirror.You’ll just fuck me anyway.

Indeed I will,I told her, my lips curling a little. “Is there a beach by our new residence?”

“It connects to your residence, yes. So if you find it accommodating, you can remain there indefinitely. Or we can discuss your preferences and go from there.”

“You’re certainly promising us a lot,” I remarked, looking at him again. “Silvano isn’t going to like my transition, either. He might demand a visit.”

“If he does, I’ll entertain him in one of our façade districts. And you’ll join me. As my sovereign.”

“He’s my maker. He can issue demands.”

Khalid glanced at me before turning onto a coastal road. “I’m not afraid of Silvano. And he can issue whatever demands he wishes; that doesn’t mean either of us has to listen.”

“If he’s loud enough, Lilith may get involved,” I warned him.

“And do what? Demand I return you?” He scoffed at that. “You’re old enough to be considered for royalty if the right region were to become available. Lilith will see this as a chess move—me taking a powerful vampire and molding him beneath my control.”

He navigated into a drive that led to a parking area and killed the engine before facing me.

“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?”