Page 40 of The Star's Sword

“So what,” I said in disgust, as I saw Sam shift uncomfortably at this topic. “They just intend to live forever and keep everything for themselves?”

Cayne nodded. “Yes. Thus the Morningstar prophecy.” He and Sam locked eyes for a moment, relaying something that wasn’t for me to understand.

But I wanted to.

“I’d love to go to Simon’s home,” I said. “I’ve never even been there yet. He always comes here.”

“Simon has a lot of duties, a lot of people asking for his attention, back at his keep. So it makes sense he’d come here to escape,” Cayne said.

“Why is it his keep if many other elder vampires live there?” I asked.

“He owns and runs it. His thralls and weres harvest and supply the blood, and he’s happy to host other elder vampires for upgraded defense. Certain other more solitary vampires often stay in residence there to add protection and further alliances.” Cayne rolled his eyes. “Plus Simon always tries to sell them on his human conservation project.”

Samael laughed. “Like that will work on monsters whose only prerogative is to feast on human blood.”

Cayne shrugged. “I admire his ingenuity. But yes, maybe it’s time to go make nice. Earn some popularity and make sure we beat Vasara at that game too.”

“I’m not sure I can,” I said. “I’ve never been popular. I never will be.” I grinned at him. “Besides, you said it was no big deal to worry about her, since I should just be focusing on my training to beat the ninth-realmers.”

“It’s true,” Cayne said, cracking his knuckles and pressing his fists together. “Because I can just slay her if it comes to that.”

“Aw, you’d do that for me?” I joked, fluttering my eyelashes at him just to see him roll his eyes in annoyance.

“Yes,” he said, surprising me, because usually he’d say something like, ‘I’d do it for the world, not you’.

“Aww,” I said. “That’s so sweet.”

Cayne’s cheeks flushed lightly. “I like killing.” He looked back at me, and I could see genuine pleading in his eyes, which was rare. “If you’re grateful, come with me to Simon’s.”

“Give you an excuse to spy on him, you mean,” I said.

He shrugged one huge shoulder.

“I’m coming with you,” Samael said. “Zadis is off dealing with a fae issue, and I don’t want you coming in contact with Mark again.”

Cayne stirred. “Mark? That’s who kidnapped you?”

I nodded.

“Good man,” Cayne said.

“You know him?” I stood, going to grab a tee shirt to throw on over the sweats I was wearing.

“You wearing that?” Cayne asked, running his eyes over me dubiously. “Sammy, talk some sense into her.”

Sam laughed, snapping his fingers as a new outfit appeared laid out on the bed. “Try this, Cleo.”

I scowled at the clothing. “Why does it matter what I wear?”

“Not that I care what the vampires think, but if we want our best chances we need to at least try not to turn them off. You need to try to impress them.”

I stared at the outfit. The shirt was black, with elaborate crystal overlay, and see-through sleeves, and the black pants had crystals all over in a star pattern. At the bottom was a pair of black high heels.

“No,” I said, shaking my head at them. “Not wearing those in vampire country.”

Samael snapped his fingers and they changed into a heeled boot that looked much more manageable but would still fit with the edgy but stylish outfit.

“Thank you,” I said, gathering the clothes and walking to the bathroom to close the door and change.

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