“Good evening, gentlemen,” Selene breathed, taking a step forward. “Daemon told me that a meeting was taking place, and no one invited me, so I decided to invite myself. I am sure it was ony an oversight.”
“Selene?” Alex wheezed. “How? You were trapped on hallowed ground!”
“Had you been paying attention, the hallowed ground had weakened over the centuries,” Daemon said. “And with a little creativity and determination, she is free.”
“So what brings us together, gentlemen?” Selene asked. “Daemon and I have work to do.” She lounged in a chair at the head of the table and flashed an award-winning smile.
“We are here to discuss personal matters with Daemon,” Petronius said. “And Daemon alone.”
“What kind of personal matters?” Selene asked. “Anything involving Daemon on a personal level involves me as well.”
“Well, it involves the question of his loyalty to the Organization, and obviously, it remains elsewhere.” Petronius and Alex’s eyes met, with a mutual understanding of how complicated their situation had become.
“Hmm, so you would prefer that he remain on a collar and chain,” Selene spat, her eyes focused on Alex. “Like a dog, a slave to your whims while you eat of the fat of the cow.”
“I think you misunderstand,” Petronius said. “We are partners in everything we do. We take equal portions of this cow you speak of.”
Selene rolled her eyes. “Be that as it may, since you believe in equal partnership, I have come to offer a deal. I hear that The Beast has been looking for my father. Tell him Cain is not up for discussion, but I am.”
Alex and Petronius stared at her, mouths open. “Why would you offer yourself?” Alex asked, searching her face for any form of deception.
“Because The Beast has something that I want,” she replied. She leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on Daemon’s cheek.
Petronius swallowed thickly. “And what is that?”
Selene smiled, exposing pearly white, sharp fangs that now extended below her chin. “A throne.”
“You strike a hard bargain, Selene,” Petronius said, returning the smile.
“Perhaps I do, Petronius,” she said, rising to her feet. “Perhaps I do.”
Epilogue
Sanaya took Eve’s advice and ran a warm bubble bath to soothe the tender joints in her body. King did not think it would be a good idea to spend the night with her, fearing he would not be able to control himself.
Sanaya could not have agreed more. She had enough to think about and the complications of their deepening bond was not at the top of her “to deal with” list. She needed to heal so she could heal Archer. The school was again on lockdown, but classes had not been cancelled. Students had to return to their dorms before sundown, and no one was allowed on or off the campus until further notice.
She undressed and placed her foot into the warm water, releasing a satisfied sigh as she stepped all the way in and submerged herself into the bubbles. Most of the bruising had disappeared, and her ribs had completely healed courtesy of her physiological makeup as a Slayer. But even with her fast healing abilities, nothing soothed achy joints like an old-fashioned soak. She relaxed and closed her eyes, trying to clear her mind and find her center. As she reached for the loofa sponge, a familiar voice interrupt her calm.
I’m impressed, Cain whispered in her mind.
Excuse you, but just because I’m eighteen—
Child, I am not watching you bathe, but I must admit you are indeed a gem. Had I been centuries younger and in the throes of my own path to hell, I might have made an offer you could not refuse. That young man of yours is nothing.
Leave him out of this!
Relax, I have no intentions of harming your mate. I told you I am here to help.
Whatever.
Feisty this evening, aren’t we?
Sanaya continued to lather up, hoping that Cain would take the hint and disappear. She was not in the mood to deal with him.
Cain chuckled. I will leave you be, Slayer. Do you remember my proposal?
Sanaya reflected on his question and everything that was at stake. As much as she hated to admit it, she needed his help. She blew out a breath of air, sending pods of bubbles into the air. She had a family to protect. Guardians. Innocents. Her team. Her fellow students.
King.
Slayer? Are you still there? Do we have a deal?
Somehow Sanaya knew that she would one day regret the decision she made that night in the tub, but with Archer in bad condition, the entire Louisiana sector of Guardians down, and Selene on the loose, what choice did she have?
Yes. We have a deal.
Sanaya could sense his relief and received the impression that wherever he was in the world, Cain was smiling from ear to ear.
Good.
Stay tuned for Book three in The Vampire Hunter’s Academy: The Reckoning
Reader’s Questions
What reasons do you think motivated Sanaya to strike a deal with Cain?
What do you think Cain’s real motives are?
Sex is one of the many issues plaguing young adults today. What other issues are our young people facing?
Maya has two young suitors vying for her attention. Who do you think she should choose and why? Team Danny or Team Trent?
The relationship between Sanaya and King is heating up, but King is willing to wait for her until she is ready. Are there men out there that are still willing to wait for a woman they are in love with?
Acknowledgements
I honestly have no idea where to begin.
Thank you God for gifting me with the ability to story tell. Thank you for sending the right people into my life when I needed it most, and for manifesting this writing dream into a reality.
Simone, Robin, Kevin and Deb, you guys are the absolute greatest. Your continued support means the world to me. I could never thank you enough.
Thank you Kinfolk for your belief and acceptance of me.
Tracey…Tracey, Tracey, Tracey…you my dear are a gem. On days when I am feeling down, your hilarity brightens my day. There is never a dull moment with you indeed.
Cheers to a lifelong friendship!
Summer Jackson, my beautiful, talented, courageous daughter…this is for you! I write for you baby!
“Baby cakes”, you know who you are…thank you for your support. Thank you for the late nights and early mornings… and being the inspiration for much more to come.
The Vampire Hunters Academy: The Shadows Page 16