Page 41 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

You’ll got this.

I wished that helped.

“Ready Quinn?” I murmured.

Quinn nodded, and I was glad she could hear me over the shouts of the angry crowd. She moved her hand over Aurelia’s.

I waited for something to happen.

“Put your hand on top of ours,” Aurelia directed me, “and release your magic.”

Those were her instructions?

Just give into the light and shadow inside you. Julian stroked a reassuring hand down my back.

I did as she asked. A jolt shot between where my skin met theirs. Aurelia hissed as soon as our skin met and pulled back. Quinn didn’t, but her eyes went wide.

Aurelia shook her hand, eying me warily.

“A little less juice,” Quinn suggested.

“Sorry.” There had to be an easier way to do this. “Can’t you just take what you need from me?”

“It doesn’t work that way.” Aurelia said as she relaxed and let me position her hand on top of Quinn’s again. “You’re a Queen. You must give it to us freely. We cannot take from you.”

Like I’d given life to Julian. It wasn’t the same. Then, I’d hummed the song of life. I had no idea what to do now, so I listened for music again.

At first, I heard nothing, but just as I was about to give up, I heard it faintly. It wasn’t the same enchanting melody that flowed through me. This was hypnotic and pulsing—impossible to resist or ignore. I gave into it, feeling its warmth seep through my palm into their waiting hands. Quinn’s magic felt like mine, but Aurelia’s was entirely different. Perhaps a product of growing up near such a powerful magical source.

Aurelia smiled at me, and I stepped back, allowing the witches to cast their spell. The shouting stopped, but the fighting continued for a few moments until everyone realized what had happened.

I glanced at Julian, whose eyes had grown wide. Lysander looked fairly smug next to him, but didn’t say a thing.

It’s working. I can’t speak.

This was my chance. I only hoped the spell hadn’t caught me in its grip.

“Magic is here,” I announced to the silenced room. “Each of you know that. Each of you can feel its grip now. For centuries, our magic has slept, creatures have gone extinct, and we forgot how to wield the powers we once held. That ends now. That era is over. I am not a vampire or a witch. My magic is old and new—like the world we find ourselves in now. Who knows what dangers we will face as magic returns to the world? We must stand united. If you are here to fight, leave. This court doesn’t fight amongst itself.”

I swore that I heard someone laugh at that, but the crowd hadn’t moved, and no one had spoken yet. They were all still locked under Aurelia’s spell.

“And as we welcome the return of the past, we must embrace the future. I am not a celibate queen. I found my mate before the crown chose me, and I believe the crown intended that. We cannot stay the same and survive in this new world. The crown knew I needed Julian at my side just as it knows we need to stand by each other’s sides now.”

People began to fidget, and a quick look at Quinn and Aurelia told me they were fighting to hang onto the spell.

“If you choose to leave, do so now with my blessing. If you choose to stay, we welcome you. And if you choose to attack us, know that we will protect the blessing magic has given us against all threats.”

I closed my mouth, nodding slightly to Aurelia to release them.

First, there were whispers, then a couple of shouts. A few people made their way to the doors and left. Most looked puzzled or bloodied or some combination of the two. Across the room, my gaze found Dominic’s. He tipped his head, a smile of approval on his lips, but Sabine was nowhere to be seen.

“We’re going now,” Aurelia muttered, moving in front of me.

This time I didn’t argue with her.

“That was eloquent as hell.” Quinn grinned at me, following alongside us.

“Are you staying in the city?” I asked her.

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