Page 84 of Blood Lust

Deeper?

Closing my eyes I tune out the restaurant, focusing solely on the hostess, this vampire with a beating heart. A flutter comes from her midsection.

No.

Fucking.

Way.

“I’m due in five months,” Becky’s voice is filled with pride. “It’s growing at the same rate as a normal human baby. I still drink blood, and the pregnancy is healthy so far.”

I know my mouth is wide open in shock. Sophie grins and thanks Becky for her time. I laugh, feeling light-headed. History books will remember that a hostess named Becky was the first vampire to ever get pregnant.

Sophie pulls an identical bottle from her bag and sets it with the first. “My gift to you, regardless of your decision to help. One for you, one for your mate. All research indicates this is permanent.” I stare once more at the shimmering purple liquid in disbelief, despite all of the evidence to the contrary.

“How is this possible? What sort of magic…” I can’t even find the words.

Eyebrows raised, Sophie sits back and lists off the process. “Necromancy magic was the jumping-off point. We had to blend it with earth and blood magic. Then we needed a binder. That’s how I found Becky. She volunteered, so we used her and her mate’s blood to quicken the potion. I have another young vampire lady who is also with child. She drank the potion that used Becky’s blood, as will you. If we have a vampire to make the initial donation, it should work on any other vampire who drinks it.”

I want to cry with joy.

Of course, Oz and I have never discussed kids, simply because it wasn’t an option. Though I can’t imagine him denying me anything. “Thank you,” I whisper, tucking the bottles into my bag, ensuring they aren’t in danger of being crushed.

Sophie didn’t have to give me this outright. It symbolizes the witches being willing to work with us, that they trust us more than demons and will help us obtain dreams that many of us have.

A symbol of good faith.

A symbol of our future.

Doing my best to keep my voice even and my poker face on I say, “I don’t speak for the council or even speak directly for my coven. But Sophie, I will relay your message, and if I have any say on the outcome at all, my preference is to help you.”

Ms. Leblanc rises and straightens her pants. I do the same, adjusting the strap of my bag, careful of my precious cargo. “That’s all I ask. Here’s my card,” she fishes out a piece of cardboard that labels her as a higher-up in a research lab. “Call me with your decision, please.” I tuck the card into my wallet and nod. “Take care, Wren,” she says casually, before striding past Becky and out the door, her hair gleaming in the sunlight.

Stepping out of the restaurant, I head home, unsure what will happen for my coven, for vampire kind, for me… But I am thoroughly excited to find out.

THE END

Coldairwrapsaroundthe manor tonight. Another meeting, another death sentence for a young woman who deserves so much better than this. This is wrong. All wrong.

I can’t do a damn thing to stop it.

Large oak doors open for me as I approach, nameless, faceless nobodies doing the grunt work of the council to keep intruders and undesirables out. But not me. No, they let me in without a second thought.

I am a General amongst vampires. I have status, and I have power. But not enough to save them. Not enough to keepher.

The marble floors beneath me allow the steps of my boots to echo in the foyer. My stride is long and my pace is fast as I cross to the hidden door at the end. An elevator disguised as the regular wall opens at my approach, and I nod to the camera in the upper left corner of the room.

Stepping in, nerves clench in my gut. The doors close, and the unmistakable sounds of machinery whir to life as the cab moves downwards.

I have never doubted before.

Not before this last week.

I have always been loyal.

So certain.

So sure.

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