Chapter 19
Marcus
Another secret meeting. And this time – hopefully – in a location that will escape Lucien’s scrutiny.
The gentle sway of the ship barely registers as I scan the faces around the meeting table. Each person here has been thoroughly vetted, but old habits die hard. My gaze lingers on Morgan Shadowmaster – his presence unexpected but valuable if Seraphina’s trust proves well-placed.
The leather of my chair creaks as I shift, hyper-aware of Kara across the table.
Her scent mingles with the salt air drifting through the ventilation system, making it harder to maintain my carefully constructed facade of indifference.
She’s withholding her thoughts from me, and it’s driving me nuts.
Morgan’s plan hangs in the air between us, bold and dangerous. And I’m still not convinced it’s a good idea. Too brazen. Too exposed. Too soon, perhaps?
What he’s proposing feels like madness.
I think Selene feels the same way because she’s resting her elbow on the desk in front of her, her chin in her palm, surveying him silently. I can see the cogs turning.
“I’m not sure,” I say cautiously, not wanting to ruffle feathers. But I still have too many questions to simply dive into this thing. “You’re certain we’ll have support from within?”
“Yes,” he says without hesitation. “Most of them are going into this Assembly ready to engage. I imagine they’d do it with or without us. But there’s more chance of success if we’re on board.”
“So we’d be what? Charging in as the cavalry?” I raise an eyebrow, not sure I like the idea. Shadowmaster’s network of infiltrators within the Blood Assembly could give us the advantage we need, but the risk…
The metallic taste of tension fills the room as he outlines the details of the proposed attack.
“Call it what you like,” he says. “If it bothers you that you’re not in control…” He splays his hands, probably insinuating that I’m letting my ego get in the way of his plan. I grit my teeth. The man may be playing on our team, but that doesn’t mean he’s not an asshole.
Frankly, that’s probably half the reason he might be trustworthy. If he was trying to worm his way into our good graces, he’d probably be more charming.
I doubt that’s in his social repertoire.
“Having control is not what bothers me,” I respond coolly. “What if we arrive and they’ve called off the uprising? You’re saying that they intend to turn on Lucien once everything is in full swing. What if they decide it’s too risky, and we pitch up, ready for war, and there’s nobody on our side?”
“I think these are good questions,” says Selene thoughtfully. “Besides, how do we even know he has another gathering planned so soon after the last one?”
“Because he’s going use this as some sort of coronation ceremony,” says Morgan.
“Coronation?” Lake frowns. “You mean like a king?”
“He’s crowning himself king of the vampires?” Darick looks outraged. “That…that’s fucking unbelievable.”
“Does it surprise you?” Soren asks.
“Nothing that man does surprises me.” Marina snorts. She’s in her element out here on the water, her skin almost luminescent, her eyes glowing. They’re flashing with anger right now.
“It does, however, give an ideal opportunity to launch a full-scale attack. Both from without and from within. And it’s our allies on the inside who will give us the greatest advantage.” Morgan looks around at us.
He has a good point. It would give us a strategic advantage.
“And how do you know that he doesn’t have suspicions about your people already?” Darick asks.
“They’re not my people,” Morgan counters. “These are individuals with vested interests in seeing this through. They will have taken every possible measure to cover their tracks and hide their intentions.”
“And you’re sure of this?” It’s Soren now.
“I am ninety percent sure, yes.” Morgan nods.
What about the other ten percent?
I want to ask it, but I don’t. I’ve launched attacks with worse odds. And right now, this is probably our best bet.
“But what about Gran?” Kara asks. “We can’t forget about her.”
“Of course we won’t forget about her, Kara.” Morgan looks dismissive. As if her question is irrational. His attitude makes me bristle. “She’s next on our list. Her and the High Priestess.”
“But we don’t even know where they are,” says Rowan.
“Lucien’s grown complacent,” Morgan says, smirking. “He’s still keeping both Evelyn and Seraphina at the gallery, believing himself untouchable.”
I catch a spike of emotion from Kara before she speaks. It should be a warning of what’s to come, but it’s still a shock when she says her next words.
“Then we split our forces.” Her voice is steady, controlled. “While you launch the assault on the Blood Assembly, my sisters and I can rescue Gran and Seraphina.”
“No! I—” My objection rises instantly, but I swallow it back. Any protest now would reveal too much. Around the table, heads nod in agreement. Darick’s expression is particularly thoughtful as he considers the strategy. He sends a knowing look my way, and I sink back into my seat.
Shit. This is not the time for emotional outbursts.
“It’s tactically sound,” Soren agrees, and I can feel control of the situation slipping away. “As long as they get in and out as quickly as possible. There’ll be no time to waste.”
“I think you should go with them, Soren,” Lake adds. “In case Mia…” He glances at his daughter, who pinches out a small, apologetic smile.
In case the dark magic consumes her…
“Yes,” Soren concedes. “I’ll keep a handle on things.” His smile at Mia is gentle. Reassuring. She’s afraid of using her power. But more afraid of what might happen if she can’t help.
“I’ll go with them, too,” I hear myself saying. Fuck. It’s going to raise questions. I can practically hear their minds ticking over. Selene is watching me, narrow-eyed.
“We need you with us, Marcus,” says Darick, and I want to punch him in the mouth. “That’s where the action will be. Your skills will be invaluable.”
“Of course.” I nod. “Wherever I’m needed most.”
Fuck. Fuck!
“Besides, Lucien will probably have the bulk of his security at the Assembly. And he’ll want every one of importance at this ridiculous coronation of his,” Darick adds. I get the feeling he’s selling the idea to me, probably because he knows where my feelings lie.
I force myself to examine the plan objectively, even as every instinct screams against putting Kara in danger.
The others continue discussing logistics while I sit in silence, my fingers pressed against the polished wood of the table, watching my chance to protect her dissolve with each passing moment.
I force my mind away from Kara and onto the larger implications. There’s too much at stake.
As if reading my mind, Darick starts voicing my thoughts. “If you’re right about the number of Assembly members ready to turn on Lucien, this could reshape our entire society,” he says. There’s a murmur from around the table.
“It’s true.” Lake nods. “The old guard – those who’ve held power through fear and manipulation – would fall.”
“We could forge new alliances, end centuries of hostility.” Marina’s eyes glow.
“But if we fail…” I glance around, letting the implication hang in the air.
“The casualties would be catastrophic. Not just among the vampires who oppose Lucien, but the witches, too,” Soren says, drawing closer to Mia, his posture protective. I envy his ability to be so open about it.
“He’d use our failed coup as justification for all sorts of atrocities. The delicate balance we’ve maintained with humans would shatter,” I say.
Selene catches my eye across the table, and I know she’s thinking the same thing. Her slight nod confirms it – we have to commit fully to this plan despite the risks. Despite my personal stake in keeping Kara safe.
What stake?
Beyond the bizarre connection we share, what is this really?
A blood match?
No. I refuse to simply accept that. How could I have the Bloodbane without a single symptom?
Besides, she said herself that what happened between us was a mistake. Something she would regret.
I don’t regret it. I won’t.
But I probably need to learn to trust her ability to take care of herself. She may be headstrong, but she has skills. Her magic is formidable. And she’s courageous as fuck.
I pull myself together; this isn’t the time to delve into personal issues. I turn my attention back to what’s important right now.
“The timing has to be perfect,” Morgan is saying. “If we move too soon, before our allies inside can position themselves…”
I tune back into the conversation, studying the diagram he’s sketching.
The Assembly chamber’s layout is familiar – I’ve sat in those seats countless times.
But now I’m viewing it as a battlefield, calculating angles of attack, identifying choke points where Lucien’s guards will try to bottle us up.
The irony doesn’t escape me. Here I am, planning the violent overthrow of our government, partly to protect a witch I shouldn’t care about.
My position as one of the most respected vampire elders should make me oppose this.
Instead, I’m weighing how many of my own kind might die to reshape our society into something better.
Something that might give Kara and me a chance.
That’s if she’d even consider such a thing.