Page 47 of Feeding Frenzy (Crimson Coven #3)

FORTY-SEVEN

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“This is simultaneously messed up and genius.” My nose pressed up against the glass pane of the newly purchased van. A sleek luxurious van that could fit a coffin in the back. Because ‘vampires prefer to travel via coffin’ while the sun was up. Asher had it delivered to Crimson Mansion, as we’d taken to calling it, just yesterday.

That vampire had everything delivered. And I was just as bad. When the others made fun of his obsession with the internet and deliveries, they were not joking. From the sounds of it, per Jax, another shiny thing would catch his attention soon, but for now Asher was all about the car that looked like an incognito delivery van.

I returned my focus to the outside of the renowned blood donation bank. One that had commercials and everything, except the blood didn’t go to hospitals, it was distributed to vampires.

“And definitely morally wrong.” I slumped in the cushion and turned to Bastien sitting in the oversized single seat beside me.

Bastien cocked his head and blinked. Nothing from his reaction screamed that he understood what I was getting at about it being wrong.

“Nevermind. Can you explain why it’s a good thing Roberta Cain is dead?” Ren and Bastien had mentioned it on the drive over, but they never elaborated during their conversation.

Bastien laced his hands on his stomach, as he leaned back. The leather of the seat hissed with his movements.

“There won’t be questions about how I came about the cure. Not while her Coven scrambles to hold itself together. Roberta was the Alliance records keeper and her successor will need to take the mantle as well as deal with any that want to leave their Coven. When a Sire dies, it is an opportune time for a vampire to leave their original Coven.”

“Records keeper, what’s that?” The way they worked politically was so interesting to me. Vampires seemed so lawless, but they tread a fine line with order too.

“When the U.S. Vampire Alliance was formed, all Sires agreed to name her the Historian. In that position she was charged with keeping record of all large events that have vampire influence or involvement. She also delegated summons and trials.”

“Why her?” For all vampires to agree on one thing seemed impossible.

“Roberta was two millennia of age.”

I gasped.

“That’s ancient,” I breathed. She made them look like babies. “How did Imogen manage to kill her?”

“Likely by surprise.” Bastien shrugged.

“So, her death gives you time.”

“Yes, I plan to formulate the medication using Peter’s blood?—”

“No, use mine.”

Bastien’s lips thinned.

“I have already discussed it with your brother. We both would prefer to leave you out of this.”

We’d see about that. I glowered up at him. He chuckled and his large hand reached out and he patted my head.

“It will not be forever, if there are two of you, then there must be more.” I harrumphed. “I will test whether it can be administered via pills or injection, but I will have to figure out how to dilute any traceable scent or gene markers.” I trusted him to make sure Peter and I remained safe and anonymous.

The driver side door opened, and Ren slid inside just as the passenger door opened.

“Alistair?” I said, confused.

“Catalina always a pleasure to see your?—”

“Watch yourself,” Ren snarled. The tension rose in the car, and I bunched Bastien’s coat, but he only tapped his pointer finger on his thigh. Alistair burst into laughter.

“Yes, yes, she’s all yours, don’t worry, Crimsons.” He turned to me. “Congratulations are in order, Imogen is dead.” He almost sounded impressed, and he returned his attention to Ren. “It worked out for you bastards; it was fortunate she murdered Roberta in plain view of her security cameras. The video is already making its rounds, Cain Coven is in uproar and a little bird told me Wrenhaven’s Coven is just as bad. Charles is taking over and vampires are requesting to leave.” I remember the smarmy vampire from Calliope’s party.

Ren grunted. “Charles finally has what he wanted, he’s the Wrenhaven Sire.”

“And the Coven is falling apart because of it. Those under him do not respect him as they respected Wrenhaven.”

“Alistair,” Bastien’s roughened voice rumbled. “Let us get to the point.”

Alistair grinned.

“Yes, quite correct, Bastien. I will continue to maintain my silence.” His gaze focused on me. “All I request is a few batches of the cure, once you have perfected it.”

Bastien chuckled. Now, I could see the little games vampires liked to play. The deals, the deceptions, the quid pro quo .

“Tobias will be in contact with you,” Bastien said.

Alistair nodded once, more serious than I had ever seen him.

“I will leave you to it.” Alistair smiled at me. “Catalina.” With that, he slipped out so fast, he was gone with my next blink and the door was shut, as if he had never been there.

“Did you plan to meet with him?” I asked Ren, scooting to the edge of my seat and gripping the back of the passenger headrest.

“No,” Ren sounded irritated. He turned the key in the ignition.

“What about the blood bags?”

“Fuck.” Ren turned the engine off and shoved out of the car.