After Hours (VAMPIRES PART 1)

Chapter 17

ROSEANNE

When I wake the following afternoon, Lisa has long since gone. I considered compelling her. It took every ounce of control I had not to do it. I didn't because something shifted between us. She wasn't as hateful or regretful. I wonder if it's the quantity of blood she had or something else. She felt... different.

But I can hardly explain that to her, can I? Not without a series of confessions I am far from ready to give.

In fact, it was a mistake to call her by her real name. But I couldn't help it. The pull of my blood coursing through her system fucked with the clarity of my mind. Normally, she's in the hunter territory when she takes it, and I am far enough away I can't sense her. But last night. I was consumed, irrational, possessive.

I'm faced with two choices, neither of which I particularly like: Tell her how I know her name and why she has no memory of that night. Or lie and hope that she never finds out.

Like I say, neither of these feels particularly appealing. I cover my face and groan. At that moment, Rowoon walks in, carrying a tray of breakfast.

"This is one of the finer breakfast delicacies from the cellar. A vintage blood with essence of jealousy. I know how you like to start the day drinking something a little spiteful," he says, not quite meeting my gaze. It makes a piece of me shrivel inside. Rowoon cares for me, I know this. But no matter how hard he tries, he is still wary of me, he probably always will be. It's inbuilt in them—the humans, I mean.

"Oh, you're too good to me." I take the goblet and cradle it. He does raise his eyes briefly to glance up at me but pulls them away just as quick.

"You warmed it too?" I say and clasp my hand to his in gratitude.

"But of course." He smiles and nods and then says, "You have an hour before the private carriage will be ready to take to you Castle St Laure."

"What does Mother want now? I thought we'd be sent the trial information and get on with it," I say, frowning.

"I believe she's referring to it as the partnering ceremony. It appears Jennie is pushing quite hard with the timeline on this. She wants to begin the trials immediately."

"Ugh." I lean back against my pillow and take another sip of the delicious blood, B negative, I think. Not my favourite but certainly not the worst tasting, and the vintage quality makes the iron particularly rich. I close my eyes, savouring it.

"I'll draw you a bath while you enjoy your breakfast."

He leaves and fusses in the bathroom while I sip on breakfast.

Several hours later, I am in a long queue of carriages trailing up the winding mountain path. I stick my head out of the carriage window and all I see for miles are carriage upon carriage of vampire nobles and hunters alike.

It truly is a strange sight to witness, for the second time in a week, so many hunters and vampires in close proximity without any bloodshed or fighting.

I shut the window and ponder. What is Mother up to? She's spent ten centuries fighting hunters and suddenly she wants to partner with them? I don't think any of us believe her bullshit about retiring. But I also don't agree with how she rules; she has her own best interests at heart rather than the city's.

Her fear and furious hand, I understand. So rarely do people obey unless you give them a reason to toe the line. But this partnership I find curious because the only reason she would do this is if she is getting something out of it. But what?