Page 12 of The Vampire King's Gift

Lissette’s silver eyes had widened as she watched and listened to this exchange. But she inclined her head and murmured, “My apologies. I am so used to herspongingoff the kindness of others. I had no idea that she had been accepted into House Ravenscroft as a full member.”

In fact, they had not yet gone through the ceremony that would induct Sophia as one of their full-time members, but that was not because Balthazar was adverse to doing it. There simply had not been any time. But Lisette’s acidic words to their newest member made it clear to him that he had to make the time sooner rather than later. Though Sophia was quite certain that her Mistress was alive and would be rescued, she seemed to still want to be part of his House. She was a useful addition, if nothing else.

Balthazar moved in to speak to the doll-like Lisette with a smile on his face; it was only slightly forced. “We are all friends here now. There is no need for apologies. But I’m sure you won’t make the same mistake again with Sophia. I don’t take kindly to people speaking to members of my House like that. As I’m sure you don’t either.”

Suddenly, Sophia was wrapping her arms around his chest and saying, “You are the best Lord ever, Balthazar! I am so glad to be serving you!”

He smiled and said, “Thank you, Sophia. But we must not keep our guests standing in the front hall. Please, won’t you follow me? I believe the staff has made one of the sitting rooms comfortable for us to speak.”

Lisette gave him a small smile and inclined her head once more. “You are gracious and charming as all have said of you, Lord Ravenscroft.”

“Please call me Balthazar. And may I call you Lisette?” he asked, not exactly happy to lose the honorifics yet, but it seemed appropriate

“Of course,” she told him with another of those smiles.

They lead the contingent of Kaly Vampires into one of the intimate sitting rooms. There were two couches facing one another with a fire crackling on the wall to their left. Blood-laced wine spiced with honey and herbs was set out along with glasses for everyone.

Lisette sat alone on the couch while her people stood behind her like five white marble statues. Christian and he took the opposite couch while Sophia perched on the arm, and Arcius stood by the side of the fireplace, elbow resting on the mantle as he stroked his beard and watched everything.

The fire popped and crackled warmly. Lissette held her hands out towards it. They were small and pale like starfish in the deep ocean. Everything about her was delicate, almost fragile.

William, Sophia and now Lisette were some of the few true child Vampires that he had run across in his Second Life. Their lives were far more fraught now than in the past where children were considered simply small adults. Yet here Lisette was as Lady of her House. Still, he bet that this modern world tested her patience.

He could feel some of it wafting off of her even now. A sense of dissatisfaction. But perhaps that was just her lust for power. There was never enough for people like herself. Her childlike frame simply increased that frustration.

“We are honored to have you here, Lisette,” Balthazar began. “The friendship between our Houses is–”

“Something that you have contrived through that brilliant mind control gift of yours.” She waved a hand through the air.

Balthazar froze. She should have no memory of her mind being tampered with. He had given her a logical chain of reasoning to come to the conclusion that friendship between their Houses was wise and that Daemon was their true ruler. Sohowandwhywas she saying this?

“Do not worry, Balthazar. I assure you that the memories you implanted are brilliant!” she told him with another wave of that pale hand.

“Sobrilliantthat you realize that they are there?” He decided not to lie about it.

Another wave. “You do not understand. Your work is completely logical. So perfect.” Her expression hardened. “But the Kaly donothave friends. Yetyouare mine. I feel it. Down to my bones.”

He gave her a smile that was more of a grimace and shook a finger at her. “You’re right. I overdid it. But you were trying to kill us and Daemon sprung it on me that I was the one to handle things.”

“The fact that you could accomplish this at all shows that you are a worthy ally. Potentially, even afriend,” she said the last word as if it had a strange taste. Maybe it did. She was right. The Kaly did not have friends.

“It was a better choice than killing all of you.” He met her gaze and let the truth seep into his voice, “Thatwasan option, you know.”

Lisette regarded him for long, long moments. Finally, she inclined her head. “Yes, I see it was. But why not kill us?”

“Because Daemon is the king of all Vampires. Not just the Eyros Vampires. All of us. You have been mislead,” Arcius told her gravely.

“By the Order?” Her delicate eyebrows lifted.

“By everyone,” Sophia answered.

That seemed to displease her. Whether it was the fact that all had lied to them or that it was Sophia telling her this was unclear. But she said, “Tell me more. As we are allies, I can only assist you fully if I am fully informed.”

Balthazar and Arcius’ gazes met. He wished that Daemon was here. Should they tell her of Kaly being alive? It was better they did. He needed to read her mind as she discovered the Immortal of her Bloodline still existed. It would tell him much. He gave a nod to Arcius. He found that people automatically believed a Confessor, even if they were as jaded as jaded could be.

“Kaly is alive,” Arcius said.

Balthazar listened closely to her mind. At first, her mind was blank. It wasn’t a conscious blankness, but a shocked one. Then, to his surprise, anger filled Lisette with a touch of disdain. Not at them. But atKaly.

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