Page 2 of Crimson Mourning

“Regardless,” Gregory dismissed. “This union of yours has continued because of our relationship with your father. Don’tyoumistakeourbenevolence, for fragility.”

Gregory’s clan occupied the east. The coastal land belonged to his seafaring vampires. I remained unimpressed with his cropped, wavy, auburn hair, brown eyes, and rugged dark skin.

“Why am I here?”

Auberon cleared his throat. “Because your human—“

“Cassie.”

Auberon narrowed his eyes. “She has been parading around town, flaunting your relationship.”

“This offends us,” Sorcha added.

“Why? Because only the southern clan can flaunt?” I countered. Her grimace at my statement brought me a moment of joy.

“Your father was instrumental in establishing our kind as the supreme beings in the world,” Gregory explained. “But her actions threaten the level of respect we have for your family. And without respect, anything is liable to happen.”

“Is that a threat?”

“A correction,” Auberon answered. “See to it she doesn’t cause your fellow vampires to lose respect for you and your clan.”

“I’ll handle my house,” I stated. “But let me be clear. If even one hair is ever misplaced on Cassie’s head byanyvampire, there’s no clan that could stop me.”

“From what?” Auberon asked.

This time, my eyes narrow and I looked at each of them, letting my gaze linger for a second before I answer.

“From issuing corrections.”

CHAPTER TWO

MICHELLE

I shut the door behind me, leaned my back against the smooth metal and exhaled. Even though he was a vampire, Damon was all man. How a bitch like Cassie got him, I’ll never figure out. He deserved so much more. He deserved me.

Damon was breath-takingly handsome, tall with broad shoulders, and muscles that went on for days. His black hair and eyes reminded me of the night summer sky, and his strong jaw made me lose myself in visions of our lips intertwined.

“Michelle!” Dregan called from his post beside the entrance. “Have you no other duties than to lean against the walls and breathe?”

Dregan and Eldon were the two vampire guards on duty at the moment. Dregan was the older of the two, and therefore, the more senior. He was of a medium build and had light brown hair and green eyes. He conducted himself with the authority of a person waiting for a promotion.

“Perhaps she’s ready for promotion?” Eldon asked as he licked his lips. He was a diamond-faced, short vampire with a pale complexion and blue eyes. He emanated nothing but creepy vibes as he moved. “I’d love to drink from her pretty little neck.”

Dregan shifted on his heels towards his fellow sentry. “And what would the council say if they found out it wasyouwho turned one of their familiars before they declared it to be so?”

“They’d thank me,” Eldon replied. “For finding your replacement.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Quite. All you do is lean against the walls and breathe as she did a second ago. But at least with her becoming a youngling, she’d do itfasterthan you, you old fart.”

My heart pounded in my chest as they talked about turning me into a vampire with such ease, and I cursed myself for getting caught up in my thoughts of Damon’s lips upon my own. I was a familiar to the council, and as such, had to be careful. Since I was sworn to the council as a whole, the three clan leaders could use me as they saw fit. It wasn’t always pleasing, but I kept my eye on the greater prize. Live in grace, but move in subtlety.

“I don’t believe the council would have it so,” I chimed in.

The two guards stopped their banter and glared at me.

“On your knees!” Dregan roared.

---