Quietly, Oscar conceded the declaration.
Serenely, Lucinda nodded again.
Her composure was impressive and all, but it disturbed Finn enough to step back as he sensed no potential attack. Still, he kept his senses on high alert for any slight, abrupt movement. Lucinda and the council continued their discussion with Raphael still in the room, until the conversation went to some traditional way of choosing the second and third-in-line. A so-called battle was mentioned, and the pieces being said formed a puzzle for Finn as he realized the battle they were talking about was for the fight for the second and third-in-line.
Another difference with the shifters, who usually voted for their clan leaders rather than resorting to battles. But then again, he had no idea what type of battles were being talked about here. Maybe it was the peaceful kind.
And pigs fly.
He shook his thoughts off, irritated with himself. Finn focused his attention again on the speaking council member, a short man with a bulky stature and angelic features.
“Since this is how you have earned the third-in-line position while John was still head, I do believe this is only fair,” the man was saying, his tone jovial.
Lucinda gave the man a small, graceful smile, and Finn knew enough to know that the smile was real and this member was one of the few she liked. “Thank you, Gary. Oscar, we may as well start opening the volunteering slot today in case any of the council members wish to be part of the battle. It is only fair to give the most important members of our kind the first opportunity.”
Finn almost snorted as her tone all but dripped with sweetness. Oscar's mouth thinned. Then he nodded.
“Fine. Any volunteers from here?”
Silence.
Then the vampire who had been silent the whole time stepped up and determinedly raised his chin. Raphael's stricken look was gone as his eyes bore into Lucinda's and he spoke in a clear voice.
“I would like to volunteer.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Raphael's declaration was met with silence at first before a rush of whispering surrounded the room. No surprise there, considering no one particularly expected him to reclaim his previous role. Raphael was one of the few vampires who had been elected to the role—a privilege that only a leader like Lucinda had, and one she regretted immediately when she found out about his bargain with Belvar.
She sensed more than saw Finn tense up beside her. Subtly, she blocked any movement he might make by stepping forward, just like he did with her before.
Calmly, not letting any of her rage for Raphael show, she shrugged a shoulder and glanced at the vampire.
“That is noted.”
Then she dismissed him, letting him know exactly what she thought.
There were a few more volunteers: a young woman in the council, one named Mary who was sort of friendly with Lucinda during gatherings and such. Two male vampires volunteered, the first one an apprentice of a council member and the second a middle-aged vampire who had quite a reputable role in the governing body. Lucinda didn’t mind them, as she knew most council members weren’t vying for said positions, considering they already had very prominent roles themselves. She knew when she opened up the spot to the public, particularly the royalty and the warriors, they would be more than willing to battle it out to earn the coveted spots.
She opened her mouth to thank the volunteers—and was interrupted by the opening of the double doors and the sweet, confident voice.
“I would like to volunteer.”
Lucinda recognized the voice enough not to turn around and gawk, and her ears tuned in to the stilettos clicking on the tiled floor as Victoria approached the council. Silver eyes flashed in her direction, a small smile playing on her lips as she bowed slightly at Lucinda.
“As your second-in-line,” Victoria declared, a smug look on her face.
Lucinda acknowledged the statement silently.
Oscar froze in his spot and frowned, already opening his mouth to argue. But Victoria steeled her shoulders and looked her sire in the eye, speaking first.
“I’ve made my decision, Oscar. Nothing’s going to stop me.”
And that was that.
Oscar’s lips went back to thinning again, but he kept his mouth shut and sat back down to discuss the details before dismissing everyone. Slowly, the council members filed out of the room, with Victoria shooting another glance towards Lucinda and giving Finn an assessing, slightly interested look.
Oscar was the last to leave, but not before levelling a look towards Finn.
“I expect this will be our last time seeing you for a while, Mister…?”
“Jackass,” Finn promptly replied. A snort almost came out of Lucinda.
“You may go back to your headquarters. We can handle ourselves,” Oscar ordered firmly, not getting it. Then he left, too.
A short silence fell on the two of them as they waited for the council head to be completely gone. Then unable to help herself, Lucinda raised a brow.
“Ass?”
Finn shrugged. “He was more uptight than an ass, but you get the picture.”
“Obviously he didn’t.”
“An idiot, then.” Finn grinned at her, eyes sparkling and looking totally unaffected by the current turn of events. “So, where to next?”
Lucinda thought it over for all but a second before giving him a smile and walking towards the door. “Come on. Let me explain everything and we’ll go to my place.”
*****
Finn apparently picked up most of the details already based on the limited conversation in the meeting, but Lucinda filled him in all the same about the upcoming vampire battle. The last one had been too long ago, back when John had fought a final battle with a powerful vampire named Malcolm, and had won. Malcolm had gotten into an accident with a couple of rogue vampires some years ago and had been incapacitated, and now he had married into royalty and had no interest in seeking the power position anymore.
Good for her, because Malcolm was just as sadistic as Oscar—and far older than her, which could potentially be dangerous.
John had really been the best of them all, and not a lot of vampires ever contested his authority. Lucinda, in the meantime—while extremely powerful—still needed all the help she could get, which was why remaining perfectly calm in every political function was the best way to go.
Nell had remained where she was left in the office, and the three of them quickly made their way back into the secret passage and out of the mansion, where she hailed the quickest thing that could take them to her house—a taxi. She hadn’t ridden one in who knew how long, having had a driver and a private car wherever she went.
Or running as fast as she could, considering she had super speed and all.
Thoughts of her driver, Brody, entered her mind again, and she quietly vowed to make him a grave as part of the human tradition.
Finn was curious enough to ask more questions during the ride, and Lucinda had to compel the driver to focus on the road and stop listening as she explained about her role in the battle years ago. It hadn’t been her intention to volunteer, but John had all but encouraged her to do so, hoping to have someone trusted be a part of his team, so to speak.
Killian March had beaten her on the finals and had taken second-in-line—and had messed up their lives in the process with his betrayal.
“Do you kill vampires during this battle?” Finn asked.
“Not necessarily. But it’s something you cannot avoid in the fight for power.”
“Yes, it is,” he replied softly.
His answer made her frown, but their conversation was interrupted when the taxi stopped at the street she indicated. Finn paid and they got out in a private cemetery filled with rotten leaves and oak trees.
Finn eyed the place doubtfully.
“So you live… in a cemetery?”
Nell smiled, then led the way. They crossed the cemetery and slipped through a space behind one of the oak trees, where a black spot re
sted, as if charred. Like magic, Nell disappeared, and Lucinda ushered for Finn to follow.
They may not have portals, but they did have their own brand of magic thanks to some trusted witches.
Once Finn had disappeared, Lucinda easily followed, stepping into the black area and experiencing a cold sensation right before she stepped out on the other end. Finn was staring at the lush grounds of her house, impressed.
“Nice magic.”
“It's mostly concealment. We’re still in the same area, except it’s hidden. I like living in New York.”
“Nice place.”
Not as nice as yours, she wanted to say, remembering her awe at her first sight of his castle. Out loud, she said, “It's my home.”
Her home was a cottage in the middle of a small garden, where flowers bloomed everywhere. It was reminiscent to the flowers scattered around Finn's castle, though his were more... wild.
Nell was walking ahead, leaving the two alone as Finn appreciated the view and Lucinda watched him do so. The delight at the blooming sight was evident in his face, and the fact that he was so openly expressive made something inside her pleasantly squirm—a feeling that remained as she remembered what it was like to be so free.
Not wanting to dwell on the thought, she put an end to the silence by inviting him inside.
*****
Inside was a whirlwind.
All of her staff, from the butler to the cleaner to the kitchen boy, were happy to see her. Pleasure lit up her heart at the sight of them, and she graciously accepted their welcomes before introducing Finn.
The man had a talent with people, the way he drew them in with his grin and his words, like a happy person who genuinely wanted to get to know them. It was no wonder women everywhere practically threw themselves at him once they got to know him, and it was why the vampires at headquarters barely batted an eye at the sight of him.
He was like a harmless puppy, with very strong steel inside poised to attack. It should have scared her.
Instead, it made her anticipate… something.
And that was simply wrong.
The chef, Martha, informed her that dinner would be served in a few hours, a course of braised lamb, yogurt chicken salad and crème brûlée. Lucinda made a move for the kitchen to supervise, but Finn's gentle hand on her arm stopped her.
“Does your chef prepare dinner ahead of time?”
The question confused her, but she answered all the same. “Well, not today, considering I've been gone and all. Most likely she will start to prepare in a bit.”
“Good. Cancel it.”
“Can–what? Wha–why?”
It was the first time in a while when she tripped all over her response, but Finn didn't seem to mind. Instead, he smirked, one side of his mouth curling up. It looked roguish and sexy at the same time.
God, she needed to stop.
“Because we're going out for dinner.”
“Where?” she blurted out.
Slowly, Finn held out a palm. “Do you trust me?”
A loaded question. Of course Lucinda didn't trust him with vampire secrets for now, and definitely didn't trust him to behave himself should any of said creatures openly challenge him. But when it came to her life?
“Yes, I trust you,” she said.
His hand remained steady, making her stare.
“Then come with me. Robbie knows this nice place to eat a few blocks away and I think we should give it a try.”
Silence.
Then she took his hand, ignoring the spark when they touched. It was a very bad idea to go with him when she should be facing her responsibilities, getting on with her life as a leader.
But she found she couldn't resist.
“I'll tell Martha to cancel, then.”
*****
Lucinda expected Robbie's favorite dining place to be some kind of quiet restaurant that served pasta and wine, two things that she’d always loved and used as options when blood wasn't available.
Imagine her shock when they stopped at a tacky-looking diner with neon pink fluorescent light that blinked NY Wonder. She shot Finn a look, but he merely shrugged and took her hand to pull her inside.
The interior had plush leather booths frayed at the edges, and a long counter that also had neon pink lights. A waitress was serving coffee to a lone man on one end, and another waitress stood at the back of the counter, busy counting napkins. The lighting on the ceiling was a dim white, and Lucinda wasn't sure if it was intentional or not.
“I don't think—”
“Sure you do,” Finn said easily. “It will be fun.”
And that was that.
They sat on the other empty end, and Finn ordered for the two of them with the enthusiasm of someone who was eating at some fancy restaurant. From somewhere in the back, Lucinda could smell coffee being brewed and bacon in the frying pan.
Finn's red hair was still as messy as ever, its color clashing with the lights. Curious, she decided to ask.
“Has your hair always been that color?”
Finn nodded, raking a hand through it. “Absolutely. Dragon shifters usually take on the color of their human form—hence my hair is just as bright as my dragon form.”
She remembered Robbie's prominent green eyes and dark hair, remembered the mention that he was black as night with emerald eyes gleaming. Then she remembered the red dragon who fought to escape with her, all blazing glory and bold strength.
The food arrived in a matter of minutes: a stack of pancakes with whipped cream and specialty syrup for him, and a cheeseburger for her. There were fries on the side and what looked like a milkshake in a tall glass, and Lucinda stared at the food as their strong scents wafted in her nostrils.
Finn dug into his pancakes right away, grinning in delight and telling her how good it was. Her heart jumped at the grin. To distract herself, she tentatively picked up the burger and took a small bite.
Cheese oozed in her mouth, plus the strong flavor of the beef. It was so greasy and delicious that she had to close her eyes as images of her first time eating a burger flashed in her mind—in the streets when she was a teenager.
They ate in companionable silence. Finn finished his pancakes in record time and ordered a burger for himself, watching her in amusement as she finished hers and started sipping on her shake.
“Your friend certainly likes greasy food,” she commented.
“Delicious, greasy food,” he corrected. Then his amusement disappeared as he turned a serious gaze on her. “When's the first battle?”
“It starts right away. Tomorrow in the morning, I have to be there at the arena.”
“You mean we have to be there.”
Oscar's not-so-subtle warning came to mind. She shook her head.
“No. You can't be there. It will cause a political rift.”
“I'll find a way.”
“No.”
His mouth firmed. “Hmm.”
The burger arrived before they could finish their conversation, and the rest of the meal was done in silence again as Lucinda finished her fries. Soon they were walking back to her house, and the night reflected the full moon—bright and iridescent, glowing in guidance. Finn accompanied her until they reached the sycamore tree beside the garden. He looked appreciatively at the view one more time before turning towards her and nodding his head.
“Guess this is where I say goodnight,” he murmured.
The word left something unsettling in her chest. To cover it up, she gave him a mellow nod and opened her mouth, prepared for the speech of saying goodbye.
She wasn’t prepared for him to abruptly pull her closer and corner her in the dark.
CHAPTER TWELVE
She was going to say goodbye—that much was clear based on the way her expression closed off, the way she held herself straight as she took a step away from him.
Not liking the practical move at all, Finn did the only thing he could think of at the moment. He stopped the movement and pulled her clo
ser, crowding her in until her back was against the sycamore tree and he was in front of her. He saw awareness flare in her eyes, immediately banked as she waited for him expectantly to speak.
Suddenly nervous at the way those green eyes gazed at him, he cleared his throat and tried a lighter approach.
“Goodnight doesn’t mean goodbye, sweetheart,” he said.
Her lips parted, and his eyes momentarily strayed in that direction before returning back to her eyes.
“Finn, you really can’t be at the battle. If they see you—”
“Like I said, I’ll find a way.”
“But—”
“I’ll protect you, Lucinda. No matter what.” His hand traced her cheek, soft as porcelain and glowing white in the moonlight. It really was a romantic setting more than most, standing against a tree in the middle of a gorgeous garden at night.
Except romance was the farthest thing from Finn’s mind right now.
The full moon was out, and his hormones were doing a crazy dance inside him. His dragon was restless, pleading to get out of this crazy city and go back to his home with its fields and safety.
Not yet.
His declaration had her frowning, and Finn touched her lower lip with his thumb to gently remove it from her teeth. Her mouth parted again, warm air breathing out of her lips and making blood rush in his groin.
Concentrate on the goodnight.
Finn smiled. “So, how was the dinner?”
Pleasure lit up her eyes, darkening the green in them.
“It was delicious,” she said against his thumb.
His senses blurred.
“I’m glad you think so,” he rasped.
“So… goodnight, then,” she whispered.
“Goodnight.” His thumb slid down, moving to the pulse on her neck which beat rapidly against his touch.
“Goodnight,” she repeated.
“Yeah.”
“Good—”
“Yeah,” he interrupted.
Dragon: The Clan Legacy Series Page 20