Page 96 of Club Blood

She would not refuse me for long, and I would continue in my pursuits until I could have Cecelia’s trust again. My thumb ran idle circles in her grip.

“What do you say, temptress?” I teased. Her gaze was full of clouded satisfaction and amusement when she finally squeezed my hand back.

“I could get used to calling myself a High Lady.”

50

CECELIA

2 WEEKS LATER

“Well?”

Warren grinned and took the seat beside me, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Hey, Queenie.”

I smiled, squeezing his hand. “Hey, boo.”

Mercy groaned. “Are y’all done? What’s the intel, Warren?”

Rolling his eyes, he leaned in conspiratorially to me, whispering loudly. “She’s so dramatic.”

I chuckled, blowing a kiss to my love to calm her down, hoping she didn’t murder our Second, who happened to be my best friend.

Taking the hint, Warren pulled a list from his back pocket, putting it on the table between us. “Okay. Here’s the list of all twelve Elders at the Authority. Besides Carlisle, who doesn’t get an option, everyone agrees that new blood–” he added this part with a wink in my direction, earning a smile from me and a frustrated hiss from Mercy, “–would be good for the council. Rafael and Mattheus took a bit of convincing that theinferior sexwouldn’t tarnish the legacy, or some other misogynistic bullshit. Really, they just sound like assholes. But anyway, twelve out of twelve, y’all.”

I looked at Mercy. “Does that mean…?”

Mercy grinned and pulled me to my feet, crashing our lips together in a messy, hot kiss. Only when Warren cleared his throat did she release me, though her arm slid around my waist to pull me into her.

“We did it. We fucking did it. We’re on the council,” Mercy said, unable to hide the excitement from her voice.

I looked between them. My best friend and the love of my life. So much darkness and heartache had tainted our journey, but the perseverance was worth it. Mercy had what she had always wanted, and so did I. (Warren was getting there too, with Henrik, even if he wouldn’t admit it. Henrik was giving him the fuck-me eyes whenever they were in the same room).

“You got your kingdom, baby,” I cooed, spinning in her arms so that I could see the happiness in her eyes.

“We gotourkingdom, little flower. There’s no way our request would have been approved or voted on if it weren’t for you agreeing to join me.”

I scoffed, but Warren hummed his agreement. “She’s right. Your influence on Mercy has been noted by many, Cece. They want you both.”

A slow grin spread across my face and I felt myself swell with pride. “Then they’ll get us both. But this is our show now.”

Warren whistled, scooping me up into a hug. “What an adorable, feisty little vamp you make.”

I swatted at his back, laughing as he finally set me down. “I’ll kick your ass, old man.”

Mercy sat on the edge of the table, pulling me close so that my back was flush against her front. I loved it when she wrapped her arms around me. It was a casual, almost human gesture that sent shivers down my spine. She had become more comfortable in the weeks past, relaxing more in front of Warren and, occasionally, Henrik too.

He wouldn’t say it out loud, but I knew it meant a lot to Warren, too. While he had been loyal to Mercy for a long time, and considered her family, their relationship had always been hindered by the chain of command and Mercy’s unwillingness to show weakness. Now that she knew her kingdom wouldn’t collapse if she showed some emotion, she finally allowed Warren to see that he meant just as much to her as she did to him. It warmed my undead heart.

“What happened with the cops?” Warren asked, referring to the visit we’d had the day before.

“They were very understanding of the harassment we’ve been facing from certain officers.”

“I see. And how were they so easily persuaded?”

“Our darling Cecelia, it seems, is as utterly terrifying as she is beautiful.”

I felt my cheeks warm. “Threatening to expose their indulgences and proclivities to their superiors was enough to make them reconsider their attempt at bribery. Offering them the opportunity to be my donors was just an added bonus, even if they decline,” I said with a wink.

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