Page 113 of Obsessed in Blood
Everyone glanced around the room, some a bit shocked, others with a gleam in their eyes. Simone stood first, her glass lifted high.
“To war.”
Sergi stood, his glass raised. “To war.”
Lucas, Bella, and Jacques followed suit, each one’s voice louder than the last. Each vampire in the room responded in kind as energy built. The final vampire to stand was Lyra.
She wore a fierce expression I’d never seen before as she scanned the room. She lifted her glass. “I hereby pass the leadership of the House back to my brother, Devon Trelane. And I pledge my allegiance to House Trelane and the call for war.”
Cheers went up amongst the vamps, and I turned an eye toward The Wolf, who remained quiet as he observed the room.
When everyone calmed, Remus stood and walked to the hearth. Devon stepped to the side, giving the floor to him. Remus scanned the room. “As you know, the shifters have no real standing with the Vampire Council. While we hold one seat on the Council, it’s nothing more than an honorary token with no real vote. It’s no secret that Venizi and his followers, if they were to garner enough votes, would turn back the hands of time to a point where shifters were nothing more than slaves. Venizi has been duping the Council and many of the Houses with the development and distribution of Magic Poppy. But those days are over, and soon all will become aware of his deceptions.”
He turned to Devon. “There are many vampires who don’t follow Venizi, but the path House Trelane has laid out for centuries. We must strive for a new day where all shifters and vampires are equal, and to a new Council with equal representation and new laws. I believe the time has come to demand nothing less. The wolves stand with House Trelane, and when the call is sounded, will join them in battle.”
This time the wolves in the room stood and howled with excitement and the call for blood.
A chill ran up my spine. This was getting real. I glanced at Ginger to gauge her thoughts. Her hand was gripped tightly in Lucas’s, and her eyes were glazed with the energy building in the room. Most of it was the rush from her part of tonight’s successful mission. But there was a reverence behind it that reflected her devotion to Devon and all he’d done for her. But it didn’t stop there. She seemed to hold the same reverence for Remus. I wasn’t sure she knew what war meant for us humans, and that scared me. Until Lucas put an arm around her and pulled her close. Well, I was still scared for her, but at least I wouldn’t be the only one watching out for her.
I turned my gaze back to Devon, who’d been watching me. He would have followed my stare, but now he was only looking for my reaction to his speech. It was an easy one to give him. I gave him my best smile and lifted my glass in the air.
I rolledover and rose up on an elbow, pushing a strand of hair from Devon’s face. His eyes glittered with passion.
“Don’t tell me. My blood has kicked in.”
I grinned. “I think you can manage another round.”
“In case you’re counting, this will be the third time.”
I ran a hand down his arm. “I didn’t hear any complaints earlier.”
“I was merely making an observation.” He took my hand and kissed each finger. “It appears your blood has given me increased stamina.”
“And your head?”
“The clearest it’s been in a long time.” He turned and leaned on his elbow so we faced each other. He was so close I could see the flecks in his eyes as they changed from their clear icy blue to a warmer shade. “I have one question.”
“Mmm.” His hand roamed down my side making my insides warm and tingly. “What’s that?”
“Simone mentioned that when the fighting broke out in the ballroom, several vampires turned on Venizi’s security. She noted two specifically adept vampires with white-blond hair.”
I nodded. “Erik and Ulrik.”
“What’s their game?”
I thought back to what Erik said to me, and I slapped my forehead. “With everything else going on, I’d forgotten.” I knew how important his words had been. I was quite aware of who they appeared to work for but could only guess at the implications. “Erik said they’d been sent to get close to Venizi and determine the status of the Council and the Poppy. His last words to me before he ran off to fight was that House Aramburu sends their regards.”
His eyes went wide. “Aramburu? No one has heard from them for decades, possibly longer.”
“Maybe they’ve decided to come out from the shadows. And maybe they have their own suspicions about who’s responsible for the Magic Poppy.”
“It sounds like a visit to Spain is in order. Have you ever been?”
I shook my head and traced a line along his bicep. “I’ve never been outside the country.”
“Do you have a passport?”
“No.”
