Greyson nodded. “And it will.”
Imari smiled at them. “I have no doubt.”
Lucien’s frown softened. “I have reservations.” He held up a hand. “But I will not stand in your way.”
Kora let out a soft squeal, a sound of pure joy and not one Greyson ever remembered hearing her make before. It was a beautiful thing.
He wasn’t about to express himself the same way, but he felt that joy, too. “Thank you, Lucien.”
“Yes, thank you, Daddy.” Kora jumped up and hugged her father. “There are still a few things I want to talk to you about. Like that car, for instance…”
Lucien stopped patting his daughter on the shoulder. “What’s wrong with that car? Did you wreck it?”
She leaned back. “No. I actually want to give it back to you and buy something with my own money.”
“You do?”
She nodded. “It’s a beautiful car, but I haven’t earned it. I’m not at that stage in my life. I shouldn’t be driving a Ferrari. I’ll get something I can afford.”
Lucien gaze held disbelief. “You will?”
“Sure. An SUV or one of those crossover things. I have some money saved now.” She shrugged. “Or maybe I just won’t have a car for a while. It’s not like I need it to get to work.”
Lucien looked around Kora to make eye contact with Greyson. “Did you have anything to do with this?”
He shook his head. “Not a thing.”
“He didn’t directly,” Kora said. “But I’ve realized a lot of things lately. About what taking responsibility really means and what being a grown-up requires, and I just want to make some changes in my life.”
“I’m impressed,” Lucien said. He took another beat before speaking again. When he did, he put his hand over Kora’s. “I don’t want you without a vehicle, but I can see your mind is made up. I approve. I don’t know what happened on that trip, and I don’t need to, but I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad. I want to make you proud.” She put her arm around his shoulders and turned to see Greyson. “We both do.”
Greyson nodded. “And we will.”
The weight of taking on a relationship with Kora was abundantly apparent, but at the same time, Greyson had never felt so light. He would do everything in his power to make this work and to keep her happy.
She was worth it. They were worth it.
And this time, it really was forever.
The two emissaries from the Vampire Council had arrived the evening before and stayed at Elenora’s estate. Mitsuki, a Japanese woman who was rumored to be nearly five centuries old, and Nobis, a dark-skinned man with light eyes and a faint Nigerian accent, were already at the table with Alice when Elenora escorted Kora and Greyson into the grand ballroom. Multiple paper copies of the treaty sat in front of Alice, waiting to be signed, along with a fresh box of pens.
Elenora was as prepared as could be, and for that, Kora was grateful. She wanted this over and done.
So what if the room was a little large for a meeting? This wasn’t just any meeting, and something about the scale of the ballroom underlined the seriousness of why they were gathering. Kora found no fault in it.
As they approached the table, the sounds of others arriving carried in.
Led by Wentworth, Elenora’s part-time butler, the Brotherhood’s Vittoria and her second, a man named Daniel, walked in with Sheriff Merrow. They’d been given rooms at a local hotel, and Kora had heard from Greyson that a deputy had watched the place all night.
Thankfully, they’d gotten this far without incident, and now all of them were gathered in Elenora’s ballroom, where she’d had a large, round table set up.
Wentworth left them and took a spot by the door.
Kora thought the table was a stroke of genius. No one had a better seat, since it was round, and putting everyone on equal terms was exactly what this meeting needed.
Especially because the Brotherhood and the Vampire Council were staring each other down like someone might get hurt.
Kora hoped this could be done civilly, but she was starting to have doubts. Five vampires, three werewolves, and a witch in the same room? What were the odds no one came out unscathed?
Well, if something got started, Kora would not be the originator.
Elenora held out her hands. “Now that we’re all here, why don’t we sit? I’m sure everyone is eager to accomplish what they came here for.”
Seats were taken, but the tension in the room remained. The Brotherhood had to know they’d never get out of here alive if they tried something.
Or maybe that was the cause of the tension.
Kora tried to keep a smile on her face. “Once again, thank you, Elenora, for hosting this event. It was very kind of you to open your home.”
She nodded. “My pleasure.”
But Kora thought that pleasure was mostly due to Elenora also being chosen as the neutral party, which meant she’d been elected to hold Rasputin’s Stone until the meeting. Elenora’s love for rare and priceless gems had won that round.
From the pocket of her Chanel suit, Elenora lifted a black velvet pouch, and from that, she produced the stone. She placed it on the table before her on top of the little bag. “As you can see, the object in question is safe and sound. As soon as you sign the treaty, I’ll turn it over to Alice, who will confine it according to the parameters set out in the treaty.”
Vittoria said, “I would like to see the stone up close.”
Greyson shook his head. “That can’t happen. It’s spelled out in the treaty.”
Kora didn’t know how Greyson knew that. She hadn’t. But he seemed pretty adamant about it.
Daniel’s lip curled, but before anyone could speak further, Mitsuki raised her hand to interrupt.
“He’s correct,” she said. “No one but the neutral party and the witch are permitted to touch the stone. It’s written so in the treaty. It is a provision meant to maintain the impartiality of the proceedings.”
Daniel made a face. “We didn’t agree to that.”
Vittoria leaned in and mumbled something to him in Italian, then spoke to the group. “My apologies, my colleague wasn’t aware of that stipulation, or that we had indeed agreed to it. In fairness, it was added later.”
Daniel looked like he wanted to bite something. Or someone. When he spoke, it was with the rasp of frustration. “I want a moment to look over the treaty again.”
Elenora nodded. “A wise idea. Why don’t both parties do that?” She passed copies around the table to the Brotherhood and the Vampire Council emissaries. There was no need for Greyson or Kora to look the agreement over. As was often said in this part of the South, neither of them had a dog in the fight anymore.
Although, that did make Kora wonder again how Greyson had been aware that touching the stone was off-limits. She could see the logic in it, however. Chaos would break out if someone decided not to give it back.
Daniel took more than a moment with his reading. Finally, after about ten minutes, he laid the treaty on the table.
Elenora’s brows lifted. “Is everything in order?”
He nodded, still grumpy. He was clearly taking this change personally, but Kora had no clue why. Maybe he’d hoped securing the stone would bring him some kind of advancement.
Vittoria, who’d finished reading her copy much earlier, folded her hands on the table. “We’re ready to sign.”
Nobis looked at Elenora. “As are we.” His deep voice seemed to boom through the open space.
Elenora passed out pens. “Well, then, let’s make it official. Sheriff Merrow, if you would be witness one? Then we’ll have Wentworth be witness two.”
The sheriff grunted affirmatively.
Wentworth left his spot by the door and came to the table.
The signing took another ten minutes, with copies being passed to all, then the sheriff and Wentworth adding their signatures.
When it was all done, Elenora sent Wentworth to make more copi
es. “You’ll each go home with two copies, and another two copies will remain here. In addition, a copy will be sent digitally to both the American and European Witches Association. And, of course, to any and all requesting councils, packs, and organizations that may be interested.”
Daniel still didn’t look happy. “Where will the stone be kept?”
Alice came to attention. “The stone will be donated to the National Gem and Mineral Collection at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. It’s one of the largest natural red spinels on record. We had it assessed as such, and the museum has very graciously accepted it for their exhibition.”
He crossed his arms. “You think that’s going to stop a vampire from breaking in and retrieving it?”
“Perhaps not,” Alice said. “But the spell of protection I place over the stone will cause it to be spirited back to me should a shifter or vampire touch it.”
Vittoria frowned. “What if there’s one working at the museum?”
Alice looked mildly bored with the conversation. As if the wolves were rather dumb for thinking she hadn’t planned everything thoroughly. “A stipulation of our donation was that the stone only be touched with gloved hands due to the curse it holds.”
Daniel’s brows bent. “There’s no curse on that stone.”
Alice smiled thinly. “There will be when I’m done. It also won’t be the only curse, but I’m not divulging everything that I’m doing to protect it. And the museum has agreed to the requirements, which is all that matters. Anything else?”
Daniel looked at Vittoria before answering. She shook her head. “No.”
“Nothing from us either,” Mitsuki said.
“Very good.” Alice stood and held her hands out toward the stone. She whispered a few words, and for a moment, her eyes clouded over like they were covered with milky lenses. Then they went back to normal, and she lowered her hands. “It’s done.”
“Thank you, Alice.” Elenora smiled at the group. “The insured transport will be here tomorrow. Until then, Alice will take possession of the stone. Unless there’s anything further, thank you all for coming. Cars are waiting outside to take you to your planes.”
Vittoria and Daniel left immediately, but the Vampire Council members remained, engaging Elenora in conversation.
Kora tried to catch the eye of Mitsuki or Nobis in the hopes of finding out what would be done about her mother, but she didn’t want to be rude either. You didn’t just insert yourself into the conversation with vampires of that standing.
She sighed.
“What’s wrong?” Greyson asked.
She shrugged. “I was just hoping to get an update on my mother.”
“Go ask. They won’t mind the interruption.” He tipped his head toward them. “C’mon.”
Before she could stop him, he took her hand and started walking.
As soon as they approached, Elenora turned to include them in the small circle. “And here are our intrepid discoverers of the stone.”
Kora smiled at the emissaries, hoping they could help. “Thank you for coming.”
“For such an occasion as this?” Nobis said. “My dear, you and your partner have helped us avoid the kind of event that would have turned the supernatural world upside down. We are indebted to you.”
“Then maybe you can help me with something?”
Mitsuki nodded. “Certainly.”
“I was wondering about my mother. I know she’s part of the Prosvita. I know she still wants the stone. And blames me for not getting it. What will happen to her?” Kora held her palms up. “I’m not asking for leniency or anything like that. She’s never been much of a parent, sadly. I’m just curious, I guess.”
Mitsuki glanced at Nobis with a rather guarded expression. He hesitated, then answered. “Your mother is being closely watched. And will be for a very long time. She won’t be a problem for you or anyone else. And if she is…she will be dealt with.”
Kora let that sink in. The Vampire Council wasn’t a group you wanted to cross. “Thank you.”
“Thank you,” Nobis said. “Giving you that information in no way repays you for what you did. If you ever need something, beyond what’s been done, you have only to ask.”
“That’s very kind.” And completely unexpected. But she wasn’t sure what he meant by beyond what’s been done. She pushed it aside to ponder later.
Goodbyes were said, and the emissaries left.
Kora thanked Alice and Elenora again. “It was great that you both helped with this.”
Elenora smiled rather oddly at Greyson. “Now would be a good time, don’t you think?”
Kora looked at him. “A good time for what?”
His grin was equally curious. “Didn’t you wonder what Nobis meant when he mentioned what’s already been done for you?”
She nodded. “Yes, but I figured I’d understand it later.”
“Well,” Greyson said, “I can explain it now if you’d like.”
With a little laugh, Elenora put her hand on Alice’s shoulder. “Why don’t we leave them alone?”
It took only a minute for Alice and Elenora to leave, but to Greyson it felt like an eternity. He’d been waiting for this moment since it had all fallen into place days ago, and now the kind of anticipation he hadn’t felt in centuries coursed through him. Not since he’d been a child and Christmas had been hours away had he been so eager. His face ached from smiling. “I spoke to the council on your behalf and—”
“You did what?” Kora looked a little green.
“All good, I promise. I told them what you went through to procure that stone. I reminded them of where you come from.”
She groaned. “Yes, I suppose the council knows all about my reputation.”
“They do. But they’re impressed by how you’re working to change that. And they agreed that your actions with the stone deserve some kind of award. Especially because you weren’t asking for one.”
A little worry crept into her gaze. “What kind of reward? Greyson, what have you done?”
He stuck his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “I just thought it was time someone spoke up for you. And so they’ve deposited a rather large sum into the Bank of Nocturne Falls in an account in your name.”
Her mouth came open. “Large sum? What’s large?”
“It should be about two and a half million. More than enough for you not to have to worry for the next century, if you manage it right.”
“Two and a half…are you serious?”
He nodded. She was trembling, so he took his hands out of his pockets to hold on to her. “There’s more. Can you handle it?”
She nodded, then shook her head. “I can’t believe you did that.”
“I love you. Why wouldn’t I advocate for the woman I hope to spend the rest of my life with?”
She swallowed, seemingly overcome by the moment. “Thank you.” Her voice was strained by emotion. “So much.”
He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. “It’s my pleasure. I mean that. So is the next part.”
“I don’t know if I can take any more.”
He laughed. “You can. You’ll see.”
He dug into his jacket pocket and took out the best surprise of all, dangling the little black velvet pouch on its silken cord.
Her gaze went to it immediately. “What is that?”
“This bag holds a shard of Rasputin’s Stone. A shard taken with approval, I’d like to add. Done by our very own local gem smith, Willa Iscove. She’s the one who appraised the stone to determine what it is. You were right about it being spinel, as you heard. Anyway, with this around your neck, you’ll be able to daywalk.”
“But how? I mean, that’s incredible, but my mother said it needed the ashes of Rasputin to work.”
“And thanks to the very appreciative council, there’s enough in there to activate the shard.”
She stared at the bag, then at him. “I’ve never seen the sun in person.”
Her head was down as she put her hand over the little pouch where it rested against her chest. “I would like that very much.”
Then she raised her gaze to his, her eyes sparkling with tears. “You know what else I’d like?”
“What’s that? Just name it. Anything.”
She smiled a little shyly, then her demeanor changed. A boldness overtook her. “I want to marry you. And have lots and lots of—”
“Kids?”
“I was going to say cats, but we can talk.” She threw her arms around him. “How did I get this lucky?”
He pulled her in tight. “Well, it wasn’t clean living, so it must be me.”
She laughed. “That’s one of the many things I love about you, Greyson. You’re so humble.”
“We’re well-suited, then, aren’t we?”
“I suppose we are.” She bent her head in, resting her forehead against his. “I never imagined all this could happen. I really do feel like the luckiest girl in the world.” She picked her head up to look at him again. “But what do you think my dad is going to say?”
“He already knows about us.”
“But getting married? That might push him over the edge.”
Greyson kissed the tip of her nose. “Good thing I went to see him this morning to ask for his blessing.”
“You did?”
Greyson nodded. “He wasn’t thrilled at first, but Hattie straightened him out. She’s pretty good at that.”
“She is.”
“And ultimately, he knows that I will protect you with my life. Then I told him about getting you the shard to protect you from the sun, and that did it. He gave me his blessing.”
“You’re an amazing man, Greyson.”
“You’re an amazing woman.” He scooped her into his arms, making her squeal. “Do you think you’re ever going to tell him about Pavlina and what she said?”
Kora shook her head. “I don’t think so. What good would it do? It would only upset him. And as far as I’m concerned, he’s the only father I want or need.”
The Vampire’s Priceless Treasure Page 24