Page 108 of Death and Donuts

Tryn, King Curran’s guard, moved to stop the woman, but she calmly held up a hand to stop him.

“I’m here to attend this meeting of the greater races.”

The queen lazily looked over at the woman. “And what right do you have to be here?”

“My name is Xiana, and I am here on behalf of my queen.”

Effora laughed. “I am here on my own behalf.”

“I am here on behalf of Orphia, Queen and rightful representative of the vampires.” As the woman spoke, her gaze shifted to Cross.

“Your queen misses you, Cross.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

I glancedat Cross and caught his bored look as he leaned back in his chair.

“We both know it’s not me Orphia misses,” he said.

“It’s interesting that she wishes to be represented here when her kind is the problem we’re discussing,” Hugh said.

I bristled at Hugh’s comment, offended on Cross’ behalf because it wasn’tallvampires who were the problem.

“Vampires are not the problem,” Xiana said. “I can tell you firsthand which group is responsible for most of the city’s problems. But I’m not here to point fingers. I’m here because you have held this meeting at a time when my queen cannot defend herself. Does she not deserve representation?”

“This isn’t a trial,” Hugh said. “But if you must speak on her behalf, make it brief.”

“Are you serious?” Curran demanded. “What rights do the vampires have to speak when they are killing and stealing? They are nothing but monsters.”

“Not all vampires are monsters, King Curran,” I said, unable to keep quiet.

Cross gently squeezed my leg under the table. In gratitude or warning, though?

“Precisely,” Xiana said. “Vampires live and breathe and have a pulse like the rest of you. On what basis do the fae, dwarves, and werewolves have the right to exist, but we do not? This is persecution, and on behalf of the vampire race, I object and demand equal rights.”

Shepard leaned back and crossed his arms. “Equal rights? To who? Humans? Vampires are not equal to humans. They’re stronger and faster and can take over a human’s mind with a gaze or a bite. There’s no equality between vampires and humans, only hunter and prey.

“And vampires have left body piles to prove exactly how they view humans. So stop trying to play a game you’ve already lost and just tell us your angle. Orphia is up to something. I want to know what it is.”

“Yes, I’m curious as well,” Cross said. He gazed intently at the woman. “What is Orphia’s motivation in sending you here?”

The woman laughed. “Think again, Cross. Your compelling tricks don’t work on me. I’m half fae and half is vampire, like you.”

I felt the shock of that kernel of knowledge right down to my toes and glanced at Vena. I hadn’t known that vampire and fae babies were possible. From her identical surprised expression reaction, she didn’t either.

Hugh cleared his throat, gaining Xiana’s attention. “While I realize equality between the races is a touchy situation, you can’t cry persecution on behalf of all vampires. The other supernaturals are not killing humans. Only vampires are doing that.”

“If this is about the bodies you’ve discovered, they aren’t what you think they are,” Xiana said. “Those were failed conversions. We have signed waivers indemnifying their chosen mentors from all wrongdoing. If you provide the appropriatecontact information, we can forward all the related paperwork to you immediately.”

I sat back, stunned at what she was saying.

Conversions? Waivers? Mentors? No way all those people were willing.

However, I felt a thread of doubt. Who wanted to die? No one. Yet, were people really willing to risk their mortal lives for the chance at an immortal one?

Vena snorted. “What about Master?”

“Orphia is my master. She has done no harm.”

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