Chapter Seven #2
My head jerked back at the mother lode of information that had just been slammed down in such few words. First of all, the Succubus was the princess of the house I was trying to get information on? Secondly, she was a hybrid?
So, she was a Succubus and Reaper. That might be the information I needed to get the other houses to turn on the King of Death at the Summit.
Since before my time, purity of bloodlines had been revered above all else.
King Alaric having a hybrid next in line to take over his house would be a massive bomb to drop on the other houses.
They would never allow her to potentially have influence over the rest of us.
However, I did not share in the hatred the older generation felt for hybrids, and the words that left my lips next betrayed that. "Do not call her scum just because she is different. That makes you a bully of the lowest kind. Do you think she had any say in who her parents were?"
The bartender instantly straightened at the venom that dripped from my words, straightening her blouse as she stood up fully and looked around uncomfortably. "My apologies. Here is your drink."
She slid my glass of bourbon, over to me and hurried away to help another customer.
Anger at the hybrid slurs had caused my heart rate to accelerate, and I struggled to calm myself.
I knew my parents were strictly in the camp of those who thought only pure bloodlines should lead houses, but they were just holding to the old ways that said it was inconceivable to allow the hybrid population to increase.
Although, I suppose “population” wasn’t the correct word because there were so few of them. Which only made it easier for people to treat them with a cruelty and disrespect they didn’t deserve.
If I ever held the title of Supreme, I would ensure that hybrids were afforded the same amount of respect as everyone else. I felt for the princess. She had probably never spoken to this bartender in her life, yet she was being spoken ill of simply for being alive.
My opinions on hybrids didn't change the fact that I needed to report back with information to help my house. I didn't necessarily like that it was the princess’ lineage that would be the deciding factor, but I had a duty to my people to position us to win the power we needed.
Tossing a few coins onto the bar to more than cover my tab, I drained the liquor, coughing slightly from the burn it left as it trailed down my throat and into my chest. My blonde hair fell into my eyes with the cough, and I pushed it back in place, styled neatly on top.
Placing the now-empty glass on the bar, I stood and decided to take the long way out of the restaurant in order to pass by the princess one more time. Walking in the direction she had gone earlier, I headed down a small corridor that led into the main dining room.
Instantly, my eyes zeroed in on her in the corner with someone else. She must have felt my gaze because her eyes snapped to mine, and I watched her chest heave with an intake of breath. Quickly, her face morphed into a scowl, making me chuckle as I strode towards them.
Something akin to jealousy poured through me as I tried to make out who was with her. Her companion faced away from me, obscured by the high booth at their back. Was she here with a Reaper man? Was she taken?
Rage flooded my mind at the thought, and I had to force myself to take a deep breath as I took the final few steps to their table, prepared to face the facts.
Finally, I saw a small, pixie-like woman with silver and lavender hair seated across from the princess, and my jealousy was instantly snuffed out, leaving me with my original goal for coming over here: I wanted her to know that I was well aware of who she was.
"So, I hear that we'll likely be seeing each other tomorrow at the Summit, Princess. I'll let you buy me a drink to make up for tonight."
Wow, why did that sound like such a douchebag comment? I mentally groaned at myself. So dumb.
Her friend tried to hide a giggle with her hand as the princess' eyes glowed and her lips thinned in fury. Well, fuck. I’d definitely gotten her attention, but not in the way I’d meant to. I supposed my earlier comments weren’t helping the situation either.
"Oh, is that so? Well, you can take your idea and shove it up your arrogant asshole. I think that sounds like a much better plan, don't you, Zurie?" she asked her friend sarcastically.
There was that fire I was so drawn to—the one that was so clearly an innate part of her personality and so damn alluring.
I knew I wouldn't likely be able to convince her of my actual, non-asshole personality, but maybe that was for the best. We weren't allies, and I needed to ensure my house won this Summit. Maybe her hating me would be beneficial. The last thing I needed was to actually develop feelings for the girl I was about to use as the weapon to destroy her house’s chances of securing the Supreme title once more.
Tapping two fingers on their table in a goodbye, I smirked and said, "I'll be seeing you, Princess."
Turning away and heading for the exit, I couldn't help but wonder if I could actually keep myself away from her at the Summit. There was just something about her. She’d either be my house's salvation if I used her to ruin her father, or she’d be the ruin of us if I let myself get close to her.
That couldn’t happen.
I hardened my mind to her and vowed to keep my distance, no matter what.