Page 154 of The Vampire's Thirst
“I’m gonna be a Firebrand like you when I grow up. I’ll keep her safe.”
A reluctant father set the extremely precocious toddler on her feet, smoothed out her party dress, and watched her waddle off hand in hand with a would-be warrior.
Ram pulled alongside. “First date?”
“If you treasure your pearlies, satyr, you’ll shut the fuck up.” Kole glanced at Jonquil. “Sorry, kid.”
“Pu-leeze. I’ve heard worse. Don’t worry, sir, I’ll watch over her,” said Ram’s daughter.
Before her stepdaughter took off on her mission, Denim relieved her of a sequined evening bag and yellow sweater. “You look beautiful tonight,cher. Don’t break too many hearts. BTW, cute guy on the horizon, parked against the wall. About your age.”
It was Ram’s turn to snarl.
“Fathers.” Denim chuckled as she waved at the Alliance table. She lifted the hem of her flowing black evening dress, muttering, “Damn high heels. Whose idea was it to play dress up?” Wobbling a bit, she headed off to see old friends.
“Our daughters are fine,” said Ram. “Right? Not like we can stick them in a cage or give every boy who winks at them a knife between the ribs.”
Tyr, the silver bar through his brow and his numerous earrings glinting in the overhead lights, called out to the satyr while he indicated two empty seats at their table. Jace sat in his lap, chatting with Celene.
Ram leaned toward Kole. “Did you hear? The punk warlock mated the Blood Coven witch. I didn’t think he’d ever get hitched, certainly not to someone so different from himself, so normal.”
“Yeah. They’ve got the opposite thing going.”
Like Skyler and me. Different but the same where it matters.
Ram smacked Kole on the shoulder. “Gotta go. By the way, it only gets worse.” He pointed toward Jonquil and Kae.
As a growly Kole thought about the satyr’s words, he powered up to his table.
“Good turn out,” said Cadmon.
The high commander was right. Firebrands and their families crowded the makeshift dining room, along with refugees and Alliance members. Aras, Viktor, and Nerina were with their broods. The guest list also included Alarik and his people.
The group was a mix of species and breeds, strange bed fellows, Cerberus’s worst nightmare. An impure world. But to Kole, demon mate of a Blood Coven witch more human than Aeternal and father to an astounding mixling, it was the old world made new, energized with hope.
The doors opened, two Firebrands escorting Matty, General Lipton, and several American officers toward the head table. To make travel safe as well as efficient for their allies, Alarik enabled a secure portal between the Covenkirk stronghold and the American army’s headquarters.
Cadmon, Aras, Viktor, and Nerina rose as Kole introduced the newcomers. The vampire lawgiver’s jaw clenched when he saw the uniforms. Here were the Americans who had witnessed the captured and tortured Aeternals in Dante’s lab. His mate Dania remained seated, her breathing on pause.
Standing in front of Viktor, General Lipton clasped the lawgiver’s hand in both of his. “I understand your son died in the Englishman’s lab. I have two sons of my own and can only imagine what you have gone through. My apologies are not enough, but they are all I can offer.”
Viktor angled his head, studying the American as if he pondered what to do. “Can you assure me no other innocent will die?”
Isaac’s gaze did not waver. “If I did, I’d be lying. War is a harsh mistress. Innocents are her first victims. I can tell you I will no longer treat all Aeternals as the enemy. Arisen Dawn is my target. My role, however slight in the Englishman’s game, is much regretted, as is my ignorance.”
Viktor nodded. “It is all I can ask. Please, allow me to introduce my mate, Dania.”
“Ma’am.”
Dania managed a dignified, slight nod, forgiveness not reaching her eyes.
Having chatted up the Aeternals at the table, Matty returned to Kole. “Seen your secretary in this crowd?”
“My executive assistant is at that table.” He pointed toward the voluptuous, long-legged vampire who kept his office smoothly operating while somehow managing the aggressive, often difficult Firebrands. Numerous admirers surrounded her. “You better hurry. Those are all unmated males.”
Matty grinned. “She only has eyes for me.” As he strode across the gym, sure enough, Bounty tracked his every move, her blood-red lips curved in a sultry smile.
Dax was sharp in his dress uniform with his black hair tied back, but his mouth was still a viperous slash between the sinister hint of his mustache and goatee. Chiara clutched his arm. “I just thought you should know, Kole…”
