Page 140 of Kingly Bitten

We hadn’t discovered much other than a few key documents in Lajos’s office that confirmed his ties to Lilith. Afterward, I’d called for one of my planes to come pick up the remaining vampires—only two had left after my speech—and the humans from the club.

It’d taken time and energy to organize, my mind more focused on Calina’s recovery than the actual task of helping others, but we’d managed to wrap it all up in under eight hours. Ivan had agreed to help handle their temporary accommodations in my tower—something I’d given him written jurisdiction to do.

I’d sort the rest out later. Including finding permanent accommodations and appropriate jobs within my region for the vampire refugees.

I’d also face Jasmine at some point. I’d left her on the floor of the club with the two broken-necked vampires. They would all be awake by now. Probably pissed, too.

Leaving them to wake in their twisted states hadn’t been the best form on my part, but I had an ancient vampire to find. And locating Cam took priority over politics at this point.

“Shall we?” I gestured to the bunker ahead.

No one had come out to greet us, suggesting they didn’t have external surveillance. That didn’t surprise me, given that the other two bunkers had also seemed to be lacking in exterior cameras.

The primary purpose of the bunker security is to keep the occupants inside,Calina said.At least that was the case at Bunker 47.

From what Damien said, it was the same at Bunker 27,I informed her.

Darius started walking by way of answering, his stride confident as Juliet followed at his side.

Calina and I trailed behind them, her arm casually brushing mine along the way.

“I’ll let you lead since Damien gave you all the details,” I said to Darius.

“It’s like you’re grooming me for leadership.”

“Well, Hawaii is available. I know how much you adore the sun.” I fought the urge to glance upward at the beacon in question.So fucking bright.

Do you need blood?Calina asked, her tone serious.

I smiled at the offer.Mmm, tempting, but you’ve fed me well this week. I may need a bite after we’re done here, though.

Her resulting shiver seemed to touch my own skin, her anticipation hot and wild in our bond.

I really could become addicted to feeling you so intimately,I murmured.Actually, I already might be.

“Give it to Trevor,” Darius said, drawing me back to our conversation about Hawaii. The fact that it took him a beat to respond told me he’d actually considered the offer all the way through.

“Trevor as a royal?” I nearly laughed. “No.” He thought too much with his cock to be of any use in politics. Which was why I’d left him to entertain my harem.

And interestingly, I didn’t mind at all that he and Ivan were actively playing with my consorts.

Yet the mere notion of them touching Calina had me wanting to growl.

She was absolutely off-limits to everyone but me.

“Make him a sovereign, then,” Darius suggested.

I shook my head. “He’s too young.”

“Then give it to Ivan. Trevor will follow.”

“You wouldn’t miss your progeny?” I asked, genuinely curious. Darius had sired Ivan a few centuries ago. And Ivan had sired Trevor soon after. It marked them as somewhat close to the royal line, as fourth-generation and fifth-generation vampires in Cam’s line.

“They need more responsibility.” Darius paused a few feet from the hut sitting atop the bunker. “Aside from fucking your harem, I mean.”

My lips twitched. “It’s one hell of a responsibility.”

An odd little note of annoyance trickled from Calina’s mind to mine, causing me to glance at her. She didn’t outwardly show anything, but I sensed her trying to focus a little too hard on the bunker door.