Now you are talking,
Lilith says.
I continue to drink, and he says nothing about me stopping. He just lets me drink from him. Gathering all my strength and knowing my body has been rejuvenated, I force myself to stop and pull away, holding my hand to his neck to stop the bleeding.
“So soon?” he asks.
“I know my limits, My King. You’ve taught me well and to know when to stop.”
“Good girl, perhaps I will reward you again for your restraint.”
“Oh?”
“I have to go away for a few days. The Tribunal is sending me to another coven. There have been humans invading and have killed some of our own. As you know, humans are now enslaved to the vampires. They need to learn their place. I am being sent there to show them just that.
That is not how it is supposed to be. “Oh, and you think your being away is a reward for me?”
He laughs. “I would think you would be happy to be rid of me for a few days.”
If you only knew, I think to myself, but all I show him is sadness.
“I will miss you terribly.”
He pets the top of my head. “And I you.”
His going away is nothing short of a blessing for me. It will give me time to plan, and when he returns, I will be ready for him.
We will be ready for him. I quickly realize I am no longer in this alone.
Or am I? Why didn’t Kai come back? Maybe it wasn’t safe.
T he next morning, Claus allows me to feed on him one last time before he leaves. And like the night before, I stop before he tells me to.
“I’m so proud of you, Serena. I believe we have finally reached the point where I can actually trust you. Would you like to be cage-free while I am gone?”
“Oh, My King, I would,” I say, beaming. “If you so wish it.”
“I do. I will make the necessary arrangements with Kai.”
“Kai?”
“You may be free to roam around the palace and sleep in my bed, but you will still need to be watched. There are parts of the palace that are off limits to you, and you will take heed of them. Kai will be there to help you.”
“I see.” I hug him. “Thank you, My King. I will not let you down,” I lie. He couldn’t have set this up any better for me. I’m sure this is a test, a test I will undoubtedly fail in his eyes, but in mine, I will overcome.
He kisses me on the cheek and leaves. I really don’t know what to do with myself after he is gone, so I lie on the bed. It has been so long since I have been able to stretch out and sleep on a bed that I revel in the moment. Before I know it, I fall fast asleep.
“My Queen, wake up.”
My eyes flutter.
“My Queen, you must wake up. We haven’t much time.”
I open my eyes and see Kai and two other vamp soldiers hovering over me. I rub the sleep from my eyes and sit up. “What is it?”
“We have come up with a plan, but it requires more from you than you may be willing to give. Before we put it into action, I had to make sure you were willing.”
I shake my head. “I doubt that. I’ve given everything to Claus, including my self-respect.”
“Well, My Queen, you are about to get it all back,” one of the soldiers says.
“Your names?” I ask, looking at the two I don’t know.
The one who spoke before says, “I am Silas, and this is Raul. We are the leaders of your army, My Queen.” He bows as he says this, and it feels good to be treated as I should again.
“Nice to meet you both and thank you for your help.” I smile at them and get up from the bed. I turn toward Kai and ask, “So you have a plan?”
“We do. And I believe it will work. But first, I must ask, did you feed from Claus before he left?”
“Yes.” I have nothing to hide from these men. I need to keep my dealings with them honest and true because I am trusting them with my life and the life of the Blood Empire. Now is not the time to play petty games like keeping secrets.
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