Chapter 25

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

I glanced at Cross and caught his bored look as he leaned back in his chair.

“We both know it’s not me Orphia misses,” he said.

“It’s interesting that she wishes to be represented here when her kind is the problem we’re discussing,” Hugh said.

I bristled at Hugh’s comment, offended on Cross’ behalf because it wasn’t all vampires who were the problem.

“Vampires are not the problem,” Xiana said. “I can tell you firsthand which group is responsible for most of the city’s problems. But I’m not here to point fingers. I’m here because you have held this meeting at a time when my queen cannot defend herself. Does she not deserve representation?”

“This isn’t a trial,” Hugh said. “But if you must speak on her behalf, make it brief.”

“Are you serious?” Curran demanded. “What rights do the vampires have to speak when they are killing and stealing? They are nothing but monsters.”

“Not all vampires are monsters, King Curran,” I said, unable to keep quiet.

Cross gently squeezed my leg under the table. In gratitude or warning, though?

“Precisely,” Xiana said. “Vampires live and breathe and have a pulse like the rest of you. On what basis do the fae, dwarves, and werewolves have the right to exist, but we do not? This is persecution, and on behalf of the vampire race, I object and demand equal rights.”

Shepard leaned back and crossed his arms. “Equal rights? To who? Humans? Vampires are not equal to humans. They’re stronger and faster and can take over a human’s mind with a gaze or a bite. There’s no equality between vampires and humans, only hunter and prey.

“And vampires have left body piles to prove exactly how they view humans. So stop trying to play a game you’ve already lost and just tell us your angle. Orphia is up to something. I want to know what it is.”

“Yes, I’m curious as well,” Cross said. He gazed intently at the woman. “What is Orphia’s motivation in sending you here?”

The woman laughed. “Think again, Cross. Your compelling tricks don’t work on me. I’m half fae and half is vampire, like you.”

I felt the shock of that kernel of knowledge right down to my toes and glanced at Vena. I hadn’t known that vampire and fae babies were possible. From her identical surprised expression reaction, she didn’t either.

Hugh cleared his throat, gaining Xiana’s attention. “While I realize equality between the races is a touchy situation, you can’t cry persecution on behalf of all vampires. The other supernaturals are not killing humans. Only vampires are doing that.”

“If this is about the bodies you’ve discovered, they aren’t what you think they are,” Xiana said. “Those were failed conversions. We have signed waivers indemnifying their chosen mentors from all wrongdoing. If you provide the appropriate contact information, we can forward all the related paperwork to you immediately.”

I sat back, stunned at what she was saying.

Conversions? Waivers? Mentors? No way all those people were willing.

However, I felt a thread of doubt. Who wanted to die? No one. Yet, were people really willing to risk their mortal lives for the chance at an immortal one?

Vena snorted. “What about Master?”

“Orphia is my master. She has done no harm.”

“Adriel,” Vena said impatiently. “We already know he’s a killer. He’s proven time and again that he will kill.”

“As Everly said, not all vampires are monsters. One bad vampire should not condemn an entire race, but rather the individual.”

No one had introduced me or said my name. Panic wormed its way into my chest as she met my gaze and slowly smiled before turning to Hugh.

“And you know the other races aren’t as innocent as they appear.

“The dwarves are destroying the planet with their mining and paying the humans to look the other way. The werewolves are indiscriminate killers, ending the lives of vampires who haven’t even fed from a human. And not every fae’s food source lives long once they’re released.”

I watched Effora’s gaze narrow on Xiana. When she caught my gaze, her expression smoothed out to indifference again.

“I have never killed anyone,” Xiana continued. “Yet, because I have vampire blood, does that mean I deserve to die?”

Curran made a disgruntled noise. Shepard looked angry, but Cross looked thoughtful.

“You do make a valid point,” Cross said. “And it’s one that’s already been recognized by the members at this table, or I wouldn't be comfortably sitting here, would I? So rather than waste our time with pointless propaganda, why don’t you get to the point and prove you’re really here on behalf of all vampires and not simply here on behalf of Orphia.”

“Can’t I be here for both?” she asked. “Perhaps you should speak directly to Orphia.”

She walked to the head of the table and pulled a tablet out of her purse. Propping it on the table so we could all see it, she said, “Since my words hold no weight, perhaps hers will.”

She turned on the screen, and a woman who looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties appeared. She had dark hair and arching eyebrows. The dark makeup she wore was stark against her pale skin. Her thin smile never reached her cold gaze, which swept over the people seated at the table.

My gaze did the same. Curran and Indri looked like they weren’t sure what was going on. A slow flush was creeping up Effora’s neck. Hugh wore his passive mask like Cross did. Shepard looked thoughtful.

“Hello, everyone,” Orphia said. “I’ve been listening to the conversation so far and fear you have misunderstood our intention. I would like a chance to speak with you all in person and arrange for another meeting at a time when I can attend.”

Had it been from anyone else, her request might have seemed reasonable. But even hearing her hollow voice gave me the chills. An in-person meeting with her was a hard pass for me.

“You’re here now,” Shepard said. “Why waste time? Unless there’s another reason you’d like to meet us in person?”

A real smile curved her lips, completely changing her appearance. She actually looked approachable and pretty like that, and I could see why Cross had briefly liked her.

“I must say I never thought I would see the day the alpha would sit at a table with a vampire. It is a sight I would dearly love to see in person.” Her gaze shifted to Cross. “It would also be a good chance for me to renew very old acquaintanceships. I’ve missed you, Cross.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “I haven’t missed you, Orphia. And we both know you only ever sought my company because of my jewelry. There is nothing for us to renew.”

Some of her humor faded, and she looked at me.

“Everly Anne Reid, twenty-three-year-old daughter of Nadeen and Terry Reid. A modest 64 inches tall, afraid of fairies, and deeply bonded with Vena Bree Hunter.”

I knew a threat when I heard one and felt my blood turn cold with each fact she listed. I refused to be cowed, though.

“I’m surprised someone as old as you knows how to use the internet,” I said.

Orphia’s smile turned positively vicious before she looked at Cross.

“I can see why you like her. You always did have a thing for the sweet-and-sassy combination, didn’t you?” She looked at Shepard. “You surprised me, though. Willing to share with a vampire? What ever will your people think?”

Curran slammed his hand down again, knocking the tablet over.

“Enough of this. The uninvited should leave.”

Instead of listening, Xiana straightened the tablet so Orphia’s amused smile was in full view again.

“I think you’ll want to take the time to listen to me, Curran. I can give you what no one else can… if we meet in person.”

I watched Curran’s anger fade. “You have my son’s killer?”

“No. However, he is one of my people, and I can easily find and detain him for you.”

“The only promises you know to give are broken ones,” Cross said.

“Ah, but not to get what I want,” Orphia said. Her gaze and tone turned hard. “If you refuse to discuss the inequality of the races, you will suffer the consequences as we have.

“Werewolves prosper because of their anonymity. I wonder how loving the public will be if a list of werewolf names and locations is released. I doubt your efforts to paint yourselves as human-loving creatures will hold long when the public understands the reason for your very existence is to kill.”

“Kill vampires,” Shepard said.

“Considering the number of people who willingly gave their lives for a chance to become immortal, I don’t believe that will endear you to anyone.”

Orphia’s gaze moved to the fae queen.

“Effora, likewise, I believe your precious humans would have a completely different view of your kind if they knew how many you’ve purchased over the decades. These before and after pictures are truly something to behold.”

Pictures of people replaced Orphia’s face. Each one showed a healthy, happy person and then an emaciated version of that person. I thought back to every fae who had ever hit on me at Blur and felt a surge of revulsion.

“I believe I’ve given you all enough reason to meet with me, have I not?” Orphia said. “Vampires want the same as all the other races: freedom to live and feed openly without persecution. You have twenty-four hours to set a time and place before I release everything I’ve promised. And during the fallout, my people will show the world the kind of killers you’ve painted us to be.”

The screen went black, and Orphia’s representative placed the tablet back into her purse.

“It would be wise to meet with my queen to give her what she wants. If you comply, she will ensure your lives don’t change. Defy her, and my queen will ensure your lives fall apart.”

Xiana swept out of the room as quickly as she’d entered and spoke to the guards who were still making out in the hallway. They jerked apart and wiped at their mouths as they glared after her.

“Close the door, please,” Hugh said calmly.

Once they did, he looked at Curran, Effora, Shepard, and Cross. “I believe she seeks to sway the unfavorable opinion of her people’s existence as a distraction to obtain all of the rings, which we cannot allow.”

“Agreed,” Shepard said.

“I agree as well,” Effora said as she stood. “I wish you all well in your quest.”

“Does that mean you no longer want to be welcomed by humankind?” I asked. My gaze shifted from her to Hugh. “I believe you said, ‘Any who do not wish to contribute to correcting this situation will no longer be welcomed by my kind.’ Right?”

Effora eyed me. “Know your place, human.”

A low growl came from Shepard, which only amused Effora.

“Such a virile beast,” she said and aimed a sly grin at him.

“Everly is right, Effora,” Cross said. “We need your help.”

Vena held out the crystal scry to Effora. “Maybe you can’t hunt like a werewolf or kick ass like a dwarf, but you can do magic. So help us by putting a better spell on this thing. It finds every black cat, but not Adriel.”

Effora looked at it with a frown. “You get what you pay for. And sadly, this is a cheap toy.” From the depths of her cleavage, she pulled out a crystal on a silver chain necklace and held it in her palm. I could clearly see the difference in quality between her stone and Vena’s.

I felt the surge of electric energy in the room as Effora silently cast her spell. After, she handed it to Vena.

“It will locate clusters of vampires. Happy hunting.”

“I want Adriel, not a bunch of vampires,” Vena complained. “Redo the spell.”

“I will not. This is your best chance at finding the one you seek. Beyond the low quality of your scry, why do you think it located all black cats and not the single one you want? Scrying can be a useful tool, but they are not all-seeing. The bigger the nest of vampires, the better the scry will work.”

Vena slipped the necklace on with a grumbled thanks.

“One more thing about the scry,” Effora said as an afterthought. “Only a human should wield it since it focuses on otherworlders’ blood.”

Effora glanced at Shepard. “If you care for my company, you know where to find me.”

Shepard stood abruptly. “Effora, I appreciate your help with the scry, but your people need to take an active role in this search as well. The vampires are killing humans.”

She arched a delicate brow. “That’s why my ancestors made your kind, darling. To keep the vampires in check because we were unable to. Nothing has changed during the centuries that followed.”

“Then your ancestors shouldn’t have made vampires in the first place,” I said. “Stop passing the responsibility for your people’s mistakes onto others. Fix the problem you made, or that problem will turn around and bite you in the ass.”

“Are you encouraging my appetite or my assistance?” Effora asked with a smirk. “It’s difficult to tell with the promises you’re making.”

Anchor set a hand on Vena’s shoulder to stop her from saying or doing whatever was brewing behind her stormy gaze.

“So the pictures Orphia showed us don’t bother you?” I asked. “When it comes to light that you’ve been buying humans from vampires, that’s going to turn public opinion big time. Everything Orphia said about how humans will react is true.”

I looked at the liaison. “How many body piles do you think it’ll take before it can’t be hidden anymore?”

Hugh considered me then looked at Effora. “Your active participation is required. If you refuse, you are breaking the oath you made to live peacefully with all the races.”

Effora’s expression completely shut down as her gaze shifted between the liaison, me, and Shepard, who rubbed his forehead.

“I’m not asking you to send your people to fight with vampires directly,” Shepard said. “We’ve been cleaning out nests for weeks. I think what we’re looking for, based on the number of bodies we found, isn’t here. So, I need the fae and dwarves to agree to cover the city while we go to wherever the scrying stone says the vampire clusters are.” He looked from Effora to Curran. “Today.”

Curran nodded right away. Effora’s cold expression turned calculating, and I didn’t like the way she glanced at me. “I suppose you’ll need to leave your mated women behind at your pack house, won’t you? It would be our honor to guard what’s most precious to you and your people.”

“Does she think they’re dumb?” Vena asked, not so under her breath.

“Everly and Vena will be with my pack,” Shepard said. “Curran and Effora, I will let you both work out how to protect the city in our absence. I’ll need you to relay your plan to both me and Hugh before the end of the day. And remember to stay in contact.”

When all had agreed, Hugh ended the meeting.

“I’ll be in touch within the hour,” Effora said to Curran before she swept from the room.