Page 11 of Crimson Mourning

MICHELLE

“They took Cassie,” he had said.

It rolled around in my head like the little ball trapped in a pinball machine.

They took Cassie.

I replayed it over and over as I walked away from Damon. I had to hurry and get out of there, as Dregan and Eldon were still on duty when Damon returned, and I wanted to be nowhere near the two of them, alone. Dregan smiled a creepy little smile as I pushed past him and into the hallway, bowing my head low as I went.

Don’t give him any reason to return for seconds.

Once I was free of the waiting area, and out of harm’s way, the thought returned. If someone took Cassie from Damon, he would be none-too-pleased. He would be in a frenzied, murderous state. Or at least, I know I would be if someone ripped my lover from my arms.

Why, after all this time of not knowing the code, would you now want to see it, Damon? Especially when you know the rule better than anyone.

Being a familiar as long as I’d been, enabled me to learn a few things. I’d watched him from afar for years, as I had the rest of the clan leaders. Damon was hot, sensual, and every girl’s dream, but he was also hot-headed, arrogant and prone to mistakes. He was the youngest clan leader after his father died, so he was still trying to prove himself a capable leader. The other three council leaders felt untouchable. All four were arrogant in their own ways, which was their weakness.

Live in grace, but move in subtlety.

It’s what my mom said to me right before I left. My father was a farmer. He was a hard man, because living in the north as we did, wasn’t the best for raising crops. But he did the best he could. My mother would tend to his every need when he came in for the day from working the field. I wanted more out of life, and becoming a familiar was my ticket off that farm. I packed my bags as soon as I was old enough, and left. Before I did, my mother stopped me on the front porch. Father was out that day, and when he returned I would be gone.

“I’ll handle your father,” mom said to me. “I understand. This is your path. Your journey. Your father and I will always love you.”

Her support meant the world to me. I wrapped both my arms around her neck and squeezed as tight as I could.

“I love you, mom,” I whispered in her ear.

But she whispered back,

Live in grace, but move in subtlety.

It was a while before I understood what she meant. I was full of youthful exuberance like Julia when I first arrived. Reality smacked me hard in the face, like my vampire overlords did on many occasions. Instead of mom telling me how she loved me in return, she told me how to live. It was the greatest act of love I’d ever received.

Live in grace, but move in subtlety.

I rested my right elbow in my left palm as I walked, and rubbed my chin with my right hand. I could only assume that under his cool demeanor, Damon had murder on his mind. And if his blood was up with intent on killing, the only reason he would want the code to the council chambers would be—

Oh, shit.

I picked up my pace as fast as I dared, but without drawing unwanted attention to myself. I had to hurry.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

DAMON

Sorcha cleared her throat before she spoke. “What do you want, Damon?”

I breathed in deep and shut my eyes. Letting out a smooth, long breath, I opened my eyes and surveyed the room. “I want access to the network.”

The three clan leaders of Eltrien, Siles, and Kocyte stood before me, each behind a large wooden podium. Wooden stakes through the heart did not guarantee final death of a vampire like some legends said, but still could make for handy weapons.

“The Network of Knowledge is reserved for council business only,” Auberon instructed. “What use do you have of it that affects us all?”

“Someone made a move against me.”

“And you believe this to have been from one of our clans?” Gregory scoffed. He was behind the podium to my left, and the closest to me.

“No. Someone from my own house.”

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