Page 25

Kerainne

Present

As we headed back into the tower, I noticed that Lucian tagged along.

Part of me wanted to ask him to leave, but there was no way I’d let everyone know I was that affected by his presence.

Not when I’d come so close to giving in and letting him embrace me.

The past two days had been a mistake. I never should have caved to my loneliness and allowed him to spend time with me.

Both the movie night and our little picnic in the garden made the past quarter century fall away and the long bond we had creep in.

I forced myself to ignore him and focus on the conversation at hand. I’d delivered the news about which mages the Evil One had targeted in his raid on the mage school in Shalafi.

My daughter paused in the foyer. “Wait, I thought blood mages were evil.”

“Not at all,” Zareth and Gabriel said in unison.

Zareth gave him an amused smile before he continued explaining to Xochitl.

“The reason you got that impression was that the ones helping my brother build his tower with mortar made from human sacrifices were indeed evil. But many blood mages are healers, often the sort who are the only ones who can cure rare diseases. The ones who don’t heal are able to do magics that are impossible for all but the highest-level mages of other elements.

Intricate wards, regeneration, shapeshifting, and other skills. ”

Xochitl shook her head. “Damn. No wonder Mephistopheles wants them. Do you think many of the new mages on Earth will end up being blood mages?”

When we reached the solar, I sat with my daughter on a loveseat, leaving no room for anyone else. Lucian paused, looking adorably awkward, then sat beside Gabriel and Sylvis on one of the longer couches.

“Not many, but enough to be concerned for their safety.” Zareth summoned a tray with a pot of hot tea, cups, and little sandwiches. “I’m going to call an emergency meeting with the Conclave.”

Lucian and I exchanged pained looks. Another Conclave meeting?

Sylvis tapped her teacup with her spoon. “We also need to let Silas and the other vampires know about the Nightwatch Society and the AIU.”

Xochitl nodded. “Not to mention, we should see how the Lewiston battle went. But damn it, I want a break. I want to eat some shrooms or drop some acid, laugh my ass off with my friends, make a pot roast, then have lots of sex with my husband.”

My face heated at her blunt words. “Xochitl!”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to say that last part out loud.

” She stroked the lapels of Zareth’s robe.

“You go ahead and set up the Conclave meeting, and Sylvis and I will go back to Coeur d’Alene.

Since we also need to work on the new album, you can meet us there after you’ve done all your kingly duties. ”

Sylvis spoke again. “I want Gabriel to come with us. Lillian should have the results of our blood tests, and he still owes me shapeshifting lessons.”

I raised a brow. It seemed Sylvis had forgiven my bratty cousin for his deception. I tried to give Gabriel a stern look to let him know that I still disapproved, but he and Lucian were too occupied exchanging triumphant smiles. Lucian then caught my look and blinked in mock innocence.

I used to approve of Lucian’s and Gabriel’s friendship they’d struck nearly three hundred years ago, but now I was starting to think they were bad influences on each other.

Thankfully, when everyone headed upstairs for a brief rest before they’d depart for Earth, Lucian took his leave, slipping away without even saying goodbye. A strange ache in my chest ruined my relief.

Before she left for Earth, Xochitl came to my chambers to say goodbye. “Lucian isn’t bothering you, is he, Mom?”

“He is,” I admitted. “There’s a lot of history between us that I need to suppress for the sake of our cause.

He is a very valuable ally and can work well for us.

Not only to get Luminista on board—which I’m not certain even he can accomplish—but here on Aisthanesthai he commands respect.

For example, he cowed Shin Zen Li at the Conclave meeting when he was being obstinate. ”

“I really hate that prick,” Xochitl growled. “I don’t even get why he’s the head of the Conclave. Both Rayven and Zareth are more powerful than he is. And Uncle Del is probably the most powerful.”

“The Conclave doesn’t work that way, sweetie.

Nor should it,” I explained patiently. “It’s a democratically elected position with checks and balances.

The King is automatically ineligible because that would cause a conflict of interest. Same with the Keeper of the Prophecy.

Then, out of the eligible candidates, they vote on who has the best qualifications as a leader, diplomat, and has the least obligations that will prevent them from doing their job.

Shin Zen Li used to be a great orator, though he’s slipped over his long years.

However, he remains very skilled in trade agreements, communications, and paperwork. ”

Xochitl visibly processed all this then smirked. “Sounds like the Conclave is almost as much a bureaucracy as the Elders who govern the vampires on Earth.”

“Precisely.” I stroked her long black hair with the two big streaks of purple restored from after her first death. “Have I told you how proud I am of you?”

“Not since the last time we got to hang out.” She threw herself into my arms. “Mom, I’m so overwhelmed with all of this.

You were the one who was raised to be a ruler, not me.

I’m worried that I’m making mistakes and that it’s going to cost more lives.

I don’t even understand how you can love me when I came from such evil. ”

“Hush.” I held her tight and swallowed a lump in my throat.

The last thing Xochitl needed was to see me cry.

“You’re not evil. And you’re doing everything you’re supposed to.

You’ve been forging the right alliances since you were in the third grade, you’ve always kept up with your lessons and training, and you’re going to win this war.

And you’re not going to win it alone. We will all be with you. ”

Xochitl sniffled and squeezed me tighter. “Thanks, Mom. Are you sure you don’t want to come to Earth with us? Kiara misses you.”

“I’m sure. I have much to do here.”

“What about Thanksgiving?” Her amber eyes were large and entreating.

“Silas and Akasha are excited about hosting it. Aurora’s parents know you’re alive, and Sylvis is supposed to tell her family all about everything, so that could be the best day.

But if it’s not the right time, you can come after they leave. ”

“I’ll be there,” I promised.

“And I suppose since Lucian’s an important ally and Gabriel’s best friend, we should probably invite him too.

Razvan has been pestering us nonstop about it too.

Of all the vampires to make friends with him…

” She sighed dramatically. “I suppose I should probably be a little more welcoming to him too.”

“Not if you’re uncomfortable with it.” I wanted to say no immediately, but that would be unfair. Aside from cementing his alliance with everyone, Razvan genuinely liked him. Still, that didn’t mean I wouldn’t hide my reservations. “What he did to me…and to you, was unforgivable.”

“Wait, what did he do to me ?”

Now it was my turn to sigh. “I’ll tell you some other time.

However, I’ll pass on the Thanksgiving invitation.

Speaking of, the Duchess of Kinsen wants to have us over for Harvest Feast, which is only two days after.

I think it would be good to accept. You and Zareth have too much on your plates to host anything right now. ”

“That sounds good.” Xochitl hugged me one more time and rose. “I guess I better go. We need to find out how Nik and Del’s attack on a vampire cult cell in Lewiston went.”

I bit my tongue and forced a smile as I bade her goodbye. Why didn’t Nik tell me she was on such a dangerous mission? I’d figured she’d been in New Orleans with Aurora checking up on that witch coven they were so concerned with.

After everyone left, Zareth wasn’t good company.

Aside from him having so many kingly duties to attend to, he was almost as antisocial as Rayven.

To avoid the temptation of visiting Lucien, I transported myself to Kinsen and offered to help her with her planning her Harvest Feast banquet.

I made sure that the meal would include many of Xochitl’s favorites.

When I’d exhausted myself sufficiently, I returned home. Unfortunately, my dreams were once more haunted with memories of Lucian.

As if summoned by those dreams, he arrived the next afternoon. Before I could send him away, he announced that Aurora, Anthony, and Razvan had brought the New Orleans witch coven to see the ruins of Medicia.

“Why in the fates would you do such a thing?” My fists tightened with anger. My home wasn’t a tourist attraction for some amateur Earth mages.

Lucian spoke firmly. “Because the Lord Vampire of New Orleans was uncommitted about supporting your daughter in the war. I wanted to make sure to change his mind and ensure that coven is on our side, not Mephistopheles’s.”

“Oh.” Before I could say more, Zareth appeared beside me and held out his hand.

“Thank you, Lucian.” He shook Lucian’s hand firmly. “My wife was concerned about that vampire. It will be good to allay her worries. Would you like to accompany Kerainne and me to Varashek tower to address our new knowledge about Mephistopheles targeting specific types of mages?”

Lucian flashed me a devilish smile and winked. “Anything for my allies.”

Once more, he was an asset with the Conclave, subtly keeping the more self-important members from diverting the subject and drawing out the meeting longer than necessary.