Strategic Proposals
The group reaches us, and Piers’s smile is as oily as his hair when he turns to me, instead of my best friend.
“Could you move? The councilman’s daughter and I have something to discuss.”
Councilman’s daughter. He doesn’t even address her by her name. My throat grows hot.
Starla gives a simpering smile.
“Of course.”
“I’ve prepared a private room for all of you to finish breakfast, where we can discuss particulars," Councilman Taylor announces before Piers can even sit down.
We stand, and my mood bounces back and forth.
I don’t have many doubts as to the purpose of bringing Arloc and Claude over. But why both?
Jackal and Exos are entering the room as we prepare to leave, arriving at the estate for the final day’s activities. Ji-hwan has slipped in before them, already flirting with one of the women in line for breakfast.
The gargoyle glares daggers in our direction but turns and heads to a spot far down the table. If he gets a chance to punch Piers in his smarmy face using a stone fist, I think he’ll take it.
We are so close, and I don’t want to raise suspicion, but I also need to play a small game of pass-the-pocket-portal.
I linger at the back of our group, but I need an excuse. Using the only thing I can think of, I reach up to adjust my hair and unclasp my shell necklace. It slides down my front, clattering to the ground underneath my dress.
“Oh dear!” I stoop, fumbling on the floor and looking for it.
Jackal is there in an instant.
“Please, allow me to assist.”
While he examines the floor, I run my hands over the dress material as though checking for the piece of jewelry. Instead, I grab the pocket portal.
“Oh!” I lurch forward, acting as though crouching in my heels has thrown me off-balance. Jackal catches me, and I slide the pocket portal into his actual pocket.
“Thank you,” I tell him, voice breathy.
He’ll be able to pass it to the gargoyle.
“Is this what you were looking for?” I turn to see Arloc holding the shell necklace out to me. His red eyes are bordering on pink today, which I think might mean he needs blood. “A shell. But not just a shell, is it? Extraordinary.”
I swipe it from his hands before he can discern anything further.
I have no idea of his methods, and while I’m still curious, the last thing I want is for Councilman Taylor to become interested as well.
He hasn’t mentioned the necklace, and if there are any details about the process we can keep to ourselves, the better it will be.
Instead of looking upset that I’ve snatched the piece of jewelry, Arloc just watches me with a small smile that grows until it shows his fangs.
Jackal is up and walking away before I can say anything to him.
“Rough morning, Carolina?” Claude joins us, offering me a hand up.
Lillian is just behind him, and her eyes narrow.
I find myself with two gentlemen escorting me from the room, one very angry sister tagging along, and a mate who has disappeared into the crowd.
“I’ve already eaten,” I say, though I doubt it will make a difference.
“One more cup of coffee. You Americans are so fond of it, aren’t you?” Claude says as he leads us to the councilman’s private breakfast.
The force with which he grips my arms doesn’t leave much room for debate.
“We can have the gardens ready not long after the guests leave. All that will need doing is some adjustments to the hedges to allow for adequate seating. We’ll have a few witches grow a nice trellis of flowers.
Of course, we’ll hold a larger ceremony and celebration for important guests at a later date, but this will suffice to make everything legally binding.
” Councilman Taylor is in his element, light coming back to his eyes and fatigue vanishing as he discusses wedding details between Piers and Starla.
For this very evening. Starla wasn’t wrong in thinking her father would rush her down the aisle at the earliest opportunity.
Piers’s smile stays in place the entire time. I don’t know what the councilman can offer him, but it must be good. Because now that he’s got it almost in hand, he’s not paying too much attention to Starla.
Which is a shame, because she’s putting on a star performance.
She doesn’t grimace or bemoan the situation once.
She argues about things like what type of flower, or requests a certain champagne for after the ceremony.
Just enough bickering on details that her father won’t grow suspicious at how easily she’s giving in to everything.
“I really do need to go back to hand off things at the bar,” she says at one point when Councilman Taylor is focusing on her a bit too intently.
“Out of the question. You would delay your honeymoon? I’m sure your staff can handle everything, and I’ll speak to Coven Leader Pearl,” he insists.
“A bar?” Piers asks.
“My daughter is a restaurateur in a prime location,” Councilman Taylor says, giving the Sea Wench a much fancier description than it warrants.
Discussions on the details proceed without too much of a hitch, while Claude, Arloc, Lillian and I are having coffee, tea, and—in the vampire’s case—blood.
We trade some small talk, but they’re just as interested in the details of Starla’s marriage as I am, and it doesn’t appear they want to give up a front-row seat.
“The necklace—” Arloc starts at one point, but he’s swiftly cut off by the councilman, turning to us as he finishes his negotiations with Starla.
“I will see you this evening,” Piers says, leaning down to place a kiss on the back of Starla’s hand. This is the only moment when I see her eyes flicker.
We have no window for error on our timing.
If I have to sing everyone in this manor to let us leave, and risk myself in the process, I’ll do it. I don’t care if the whole thing crashes down around Councilman Taylor. Starla will not be forced into anything.
“Now then,” Councilman Taylor says. “Let us discuss Carolina.”
If Starla can do it, I can do it. By this evening, I’ll be with Jackal. Tonight, wherever we are, I’ll be in his arms.
“My daughter has expressed her sincere desire that Carolina remain nearby. And both of you have expressed an interest in her siren abilities and how that ability could benefit you. Not to mention, of course, the charms of the lady herself.”
I’d call him a snake, but that would be an insult to the adorable little danger noodles.
What if he marries you off right here? What could that do? Could it break a mate bond? Would it hurt Jackal?
Spots dot my vision, but I breathe deeply, as subtly as I’m able. I agree now. I escape later. He’s not likely to rush my wedding any sooner than Starla’s. Hers is his top priority. I have time.
“Carolina, has my daughter expressed her thoughts to you on this matter?” His eyes flash, a hint at the lightning I’ve yet to see him unleash.
The meaning is clear to me.
Has his daughter told me that she can break my curse? Has she informed me, as he will likely see it, that they own me and my ability?
“Yes, she made it quite clear. I am grateful for the opportunity,” I say.
The lightning in the councilman’s gaze dies down.
“Good. Then all that is left is to select a groom. Gentlemen. I’ll let you put your best offers on the table.”
I’m not surprised that the choice comes down to the men, and not to me. Lillian sniffs, slamming a teacup down on the table with more force than necessary. Claude puts his hand over hers.
While he’s whispering something to her, Arloc speaks first.
“Carolina, I will not hide my interest in your song, or the benefit it would provide me. I do not lie about who I am or what I do. I do not see the point. I take pride in my trade, and in the wealth it brings in for my coven, which is my top priority. Vampires are often called hedonists, and I won’t deny the bit of truth in that.
We go after what we want, and we luxuriate in it.
If you were to marry me, I would see to it that you are treated as one of our own.
If you need the sun to be happy, we will build a solarium into every property I own.
If you need the sea, I will move the coven’s home base to a beach, where you can swim in the waters each day.
I will see to it that you have anything your heart desires, if you lend us your talents, and me your hand in marriage. ”
As far as stomach-roiling proposals go, it could definitely have been worse.
“Or you could marry me,” Claude interjects.
“Become part of one of the oldest, most powerful, and most noteworthy lines of witches and warlocks in the country. With me, you could travel the world. I will put you up in the finest hotels, with the best clothes and attendants. All I ask is that you make yourself available for use of your song, when I should need it. And, of course, available to me for your marital duties. I will need an heir.”
Lillian starts to mutter something, and I think I catch a bit about her not wanting witch blood to mix with naiad blood or something to that effect. For once I’m grateful. He turns toward her with a glare, and I have a few seconds to compose myself.
Her opinion means nothing. She is not about to become my sister.
The only sister I want is in this room, with her tattoos hidden by magic and her mouth shut as I’m auctioned off, but whom I trust with all my heart.
“While it is true these marriages are often seen as little more than business negotiations, know that I will respect your answer. Now, and during our marriage, if you choose me. A yes will be accepted enthusiastically, and a no will be accepted without argument,” Arloc says.
Were any of this real, my choice would be made.
I open my mouth, but Councilman Taylor needs to say his own bit, apparently.
“As I am brokering this agreement, what is on the table for me?”
Arloc lists off several items that I imagine are worth quite a bit of money. Enchanted gems that hold the light, a historical piece of dubious origin whose gems will brighten in the presence of deceitful characters.
Councilman Taylor chuckles.
“I’d lose half my connections, although, after last night, something like that could come in handy. And you, Claude?”
Councilman Taylor’s lip rises into a leer. He clearly favors Arloc, though I can’t imagine why, when he normally has a clear preference for witches and warlocks.
Claude meets the councilman’s gaze.
“Sixty-forty split in your favor, and the feud is done. We act as one moving forward.”
Councilman Taylor’s eyes flash with lightning again.
“Eighty-twenty.”
“You get seventy, I get thirty. From this point forward, we are partners. Also, I want you to find someone suitable for Lillian. Someone with connections, who can manage her, keep her out of my hair, and who will work for us.”
Councilman Taylor gives the briefest glance to the scowling woman, and I manage a scant bit of pity for the witch, being traded as easily as us.
“Deal. Arloc, it was my pleasure to have you here today. Please enjoy the rest of your holiday.”
The vampire gets up and bows, accepting that he is dismissed.
“It’s a shame to lose something so beautiful, but there is always another day.” He walks over, repeating the same hand-kiss to me that Piers did to Starla.
He leans close, his whisper soft against my skin.
“Do come say farewell before the festivities end. I’ll see if I can’t get you that answer before you depart.”
Does he mean the necklace? Could he really figure it out so easily?
It would be a risk to try to add more to our list, but I am eager to learn how it plays into the curse. And if at all possible, we need to know before we make our escape.
“I’d be happy to have a last dance with you, before the end of the festivities today.”
His eyes brighten.
“Until then. Congratulations on your engagement.”
He bows again to me, and then to Claude and Councilman Taylor. Then he sweeps out of the room with surprising speed and nary a sound.
“Father,” Starla asks after the vampire is gone. “Might I know, as Carolina will be his wife, a bit more about Claude?”
Councilman Taylor gestures for his daughter to sit, and she does, in a chair next to me.
“Starla, Carolina, please allow me to introduce my nephew.”
Starla doesn’t hold back a squawk of surprise, and I gasp.
Councilman Taylor speaks over the outburst.
“There was a family falling out when your grandfather was attempting to choose a worthy successor. My sibling was in possession of a genetic trait we valued highly—”
The curse. It has to be.
I thought Seymour said it had died out after the councilman’s father. I guess the accountant didn’t know as much as he thought.
“But I was inarguably stronger than my sister. Her level of ability was seen as an embarrassment. A waste of a key. Each side of the family has acknowledged each other professionally, smart enough to not tear the family business apart, but we have privately squabbled over the vast wealth and inheritance that my father never did leave clear guidance for. Now, as you can see, the feud is settled. This is an ideal turn of events. I have a pesky argument done. Starla, you’ll get your friend as a cousin. I believe a celebration is called for.”
The councilman gets his staff’s attention, calling for champagne.
Claude smirks at me, and Lillian glowers.
The crest mystery is solved, at least. And the curse. Both this family.
One family, and not two.
The question is, just which of them is responsible for working with Leon? Or is it both of them?
I loathe Councilman Taylor and my betrothed, but when Claude looks at me and runs his tongue suggestively along his upper lip, I can’t help hoping it’s him.
I’d love an excuse to sing him a song, once I have my voice back.