Page 59 of A Vow for the Vamp
Her palm covers my cheek.
“I like seeing you on your knees before me.” She moves her hand up to my forehead to push back my hair. “I’ll petition the council tonight to approve your turning.”
I stand and wrap my arm around her waist to bring her flush with my body.
“Really?”
“The only sun I need is you.”
“Ugh,” Layla says, deciding she’s tired of waiting and lets herself in. “Could you two be any more disgustingly sweet?”
“We could,” I say and grin.
Layla rolls her eyes but smiles. I’ve noticed she’s rarely angry like me. She might try to put on the scary grumpy vampire act sometimes, but I can see past that mask.
“I’m afraid I have to steal your mate away,” Layla says to me.
Millie sighs and brings me in for one more kiss.
“I will have guards stationed outside the penthouse door and around the building. Do not go anywhere while I’m away.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “You’ll pay for that.”
Maybe I should call her ma’am more often.
“Looking forward to it,ma’am.”
Chapter 17 – Millie
The drive to Lower Manhattan from Midtown will take about twenty minutes. My mind races with what I’m going to say to the council. I’ve never requested to turn someone before. Vampires who have been undead for over two hundred years are allowed to sire a human. If that fledgling perishes, they can request another—as long as they’re not requesting to sire more than one human every one hundred years.
It’s not that vampires hate being alone. We’re sexual, and we want companionship, but on our terms... no commitment. Sometimes vampires sire because they’re bored and want a pet, or someone they can order around and mentor. Newbie vampires have to be taught control, learndiscipline. Otherwise they’d kill freely, and the human population would dwindle.
Most vampires in royal positions come into the role with their fledgling. Or they find a human to turn soon after. No one questioned why I didn’t have one, but they all knew. I’ve made it clear over the years that I didn’t want to be responsible for bringing another person into this life.
Or maybe I was waiting for my mate.
Before the rules were implemented that vampires had to gain permission to sire a human, the majority were done without consent. The human also has to provide verbal permission. Tonight I’ll present my case and once Henry is killed, I will bring Teddy to appear before the council where he’ll publicly grant me permission.
“You haven’t chewed on your nails in decades,” Layla says, and I jump at her voice. She chuckles. “And I’ve definitely never seen you startle.”
“I’m stressed. Leave me alone.”
She grabs me by the wrist and pulls my hand away from my mouth.
“Talk to me.”
She weaves her fingers with mine and I let out a shaky breath. My friend is so patient with me. She can read my moods better than anyone.
Aside, now,from Teddy.
“Remember when we used to talk for hours until dawn?” she begins, sensing my hesitation to share my concerns. “We’d get drunk off boozed blood and gush about our crushes?”
“I do not gush nor have crushes.”
“You’re right. You’re very selective when it comes to your partners.” She squeezes my hand and I glance her way. A bright smile lights up her beautiful face. If Teddy is my golden retriever sun, then my best friend is the moon who guides me at night.
