Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 73252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
“Yes,” Leo replies dryly.
“What do you mean, damage control?” I ask.
“Well, you know there was, like, a mass murder last night, right?” She widens her eyes as she speaks. “And not that long ago, there was an attack at the restaurant.”
“Right,” I say, remembering that night. It was after that attack that Xavier rose into a surprising position of political power.
“There’s a serial killer on the loose,” Victoria continues. “Someone like Xavier should be able to send someone to stop them.”
“I don’t think it quite works that way,” I say around a mouthful of food. I’m taking a page from Xavier’s playbook and purposely acting bored so I don’t feed into her. But I know she has a point. And I was thinking with tunnel vision before. It’s not only the coalition that’s going to question Xavier’s ability to protect them. Now the public is scared too, and they might think twice about electing a vampire to a position of serious political power. There are still plenty of people who don’t think vampires should even be allowed to exist. Having one as a mayor or governor comes with obvious benefits when it comes to keeping people safe.
Vampires are superior to humans in a lot of ways. They’re stronger. Faster. They’ve lived longer, arguably giving them more experience in nearly every area of life. They’re not easily killed either, so having one looking out for you definitely has its advantages.
But Victoria has a point, and I can’t ignore that.
A serial killer showing up in vampire-protected territory is a slap in the face. It tells the public the rules don’t matter. That no one is safe. Not even with a vampire in charge.
“I saw some of the crime scene photos,” Victoria goes on. “And this has witchy shit written all over it.”
“It’s demonic shit,” Devon snaps back. “Not witchy.”
Victoria stares at him, probably trying to decide if that news is better or worse than whatever she came here prepared to deal with.
“Well,” I say, “Xavier is in his office, so go do your damage control.” I’ve dealt with Larissa’s hatred long enough to know the best way to get back at someone like this is not to give them the reaction they want. Instead of fighting with Larissa, completely ignoring her was what pissed her off the most. She wanted a fight. She wanted a reason to keep picking at me.
And when I refused to give her one, she just looked like the asshole she actually was.
“We’re not done here,” Victoria says, waving a finger in the air before disappearing.
“Sorry about that,” Zeke says.
“That’s not your fault.” I shrug. “This situation is pretty messy. I honestly don’t see any reason to pretend it isn’t.”
“Yeah,” Devon says. “And anyway, we’re fucked.”
I laugh. I finish my food and take the plate into the kitchen.
Nina comes into the house carrying grocery bags. Since I don’t need her to drive me around or run errands for me anymore, I almost forget she works for the family.
“Hi,” I say, offering to help with the groceries.
She’s reluctant to accept, but I insist.
By the time we’re done putting everything away and I return to the family room, Victoria comes back in.
“Press conference tonight. Ten p.m. sharp,” she informs us.
“Okay,” Leo says. “Why are you telling us?”
“Because you’re going.”
“All of us?” Devon asks, cocking an eyebrow.
Typically, press conferences involve Xavier, Theo, and me. The rest of the family doesn’t come. “Yes,” she tells him. “Everyone. I’ll have clothes sent over. Don’t be late.”
No one has to say anything for me to know exactly what Leo and Antonio are thinking.
Leo being seen publicly with us—with the Malus family—is a surefire way to let the Order know exactly which side he’s on.
Chapter
Ten
“Oh my God,” I gasp, reading Marie’s text message twice to make sure I’m fully comprehending what I’m seeing.
“What is it?” Mabel asks, speeding over to me.
“Marie got information on the demon.”
I look up, waiting for the other vampires, who no doubt heard what I said, to rush into the room as well.
I’ve been sitting in the parlor with Mabel, half paying attention to the tea party she put together while trying to keep myself distracted. My brothers are in here with us, but they dipped out of the actual tea party before it even started.
“You gonna fill us in?” Antonio asks, putting his phone down beside him on the couch.
“Yeah.” I scroll back up. Marie sent a pretty long paragraph of information along with several photos. “This type of demon is from a specific sector, and demons from sectors like this often work under a higher-level demon who gives them a little power boost. There’s nothing directly tying it to Vaelric, but it seems pretty plausible they’re working together.” I scroll farther down. “But the best part…” I flip my phone around and show them an ingredient list. “She sent me the vanquishing potion needed to kill it. And I have everything on the list except for a silver-pointed iron knife.