"Touché." Savvy smiled. "Come follow me, we don't have much time before the council meeting, as you well know." She turned and glided across the floor as she led them to the main room where Celestia was lounging on the red velvet chaise. It seemed that was her favorite spot, but when she saw them she slowly lifted herself from her resting place and met them at the large table where maps and papers were strewn in disarray.
They all surrounded the table—Celestia, Savannah, Felicity, who was wearing an eye patch over one eye, Maverick and their goons on one side, and Rebecca and her friends on the other. Rebecca got a certain amount of satisfaction seeing that Felicity’s eye had not healed. A Nephilim has healing abilities but they couldn’t grow body parts back, and Rebecca was certain she took Felicity’s eye when she scratched her after Savvy was killed and Felicity did nothing to save her.
After the attack Lucky ended his engagement to Felicity and told Rebecca he had no idea Felicity was working in the black ops division of the Protector society. He discovered this after confronting his mother, Josephine. She admitted to knowing Felicity was reassigned to the black ops team but knew nothing else. It appeared she was still a member of the team because she was still here, protecting Celestia and now Savvy. The daggers she shot toward Rebecca from her remaining eye told her she’d happily hurt her back if given the chance. Lucky pulled Rebecca closer as a show of protection. Rebecca may have ended the relationship between them and Lucky may have agreed last night that it was over, but he was still her friend and he made that evident by his actions. Lucky’s show of protection only made the anger vibrate hotter off Felicity. She was making a dangerous mistake. Being ruled by emotions can get a warrior killed. But as a trained Nephilim she had to know that. It was Lucky that taught her that.
“I believe you know my friends.” Celestia smiled wickedly.
“Hello, Celestia. Still struggling with the pleasantries I see,” Rebecca said through gritted teeth. Everything about this vampire put her on edge. “But to answer your non-question, yes, I know my father, sister, my ex-boyfriend’s ex-fiancée, and you, unfortunately.”
“I’d hoped things would go easier now that you know half your family is already on my side.” Celestia tossed Rebecca a sickly sweet smile.
“You didn’t give my sister a choice and I have no feelings left for Maverick.” Rebecca shrugged. “So I guess you don’t have as much leverage as you think.”
“Come, Rebecca, you’re better than that. You don’t want to hurt your family’s feelings, do you?” Celestia’s voice was mocking.
“Let’s get on with this,” Rebecca responded, again through gritted teeth.
“Right, right.” Celestia motioned with her hand to show off the large map of the city that lay on the table in front of them. It was color coded by suburbs—blue and green. “On this map, green represents suburbs I control and blue represents suburbs Violet controls. As you can see we’re almost equally matched, so I believe this is the perfect time to strike.”
“Strike? And what does that look like? Are you proposing we go to battle? Because I don't have the numbers to support your strike,” Rebecca stated coldly.
‘You really should stop antagonizing her,’ Gabriel spoke softly into her mind.
‘I can’t help it. I hate her with every fiber of my being for what she did to Savvy.’
‘I know and we’ll get our revenge. But first we need to discover what she’s planning.’
“Fighting is so messy and only something I use as a last resort. We’re not there yet. It really is simple. I start by challenging her rule in council tonight. Then an election will be held in the vampire community. I should have the necessary votes needed, and if I don’t, I have a backup plan.”
“And why will the council entertain your request for the office?”
“Because I have evidence that will paint Violet in a negative light, and you and I are allies. I can…we can offer peace between our species.” Celestia offered. “Think of it. We’ll be the first vampire community and werewolf pack that co-exist peacefully in centuries.”
‘And that will piss off the werewolves you just added to your pack. You’re going to need to do some damage control,’ Gabriel told Rebecca in her mind.
‘There will never be peace among our groups,’ Rebecca’s alpha warned.
Rebecca nodded. She’d just welcomed one hundred and thirty rogue wolves into her pack. It was already a shaky foundation. Many didn’t agree that Rebecca was chosen as the new alpha fairly and would jump at the chance to take her alpha from her. More weren’t thrilled at the idea of taking orders from a teenager. The alpha, Gabriel, and Lucky were the only ones keeping her safe from being attacked by one of the overzealous wolves. While she liked the idea of peace, she wondered if her people would be open to playing along. “Just because we’re peaceful doesn’t mean our people will be,” she warned Celestia.
“They’ll be more open to the peaceful solution once the council is backing us. Anyone breaking the treaty between our factions will be punished by the Protectors.” Celestia nodded toward Lucky. “Isn’t that correct?”
Lucky crossed his arms over his chest. It was apparent he didn’t like this idea at all. Reluctantly, he nodded his agreement. “The Protectors are obligated to reinforce peace treaties between groups.”
“And the Convent of Souls has already agreed to support the proposed treaty. But first we need to get Celestia into the queen office.” Felicity added.
“With both political sides supporting the treaty, the witches will follow suit.” Maverick reminded them. His voice was not like Rebecca remembered. Nothing about her father was like she remembered. He was a tyrant, working with a monster and she was beginning to wonder if there was any difference between the two.
Rebecca had to admit, it was a good plan. One that limited bloodshed. She couldn’t argue with that. Yet every fiber of her being wanted to fight against Celestia for what she did to her family—her human family and her wolf family. “So tonight you plan to announce your desire to run for office and my support is all you need?” It didn’t seem right. Surely she needed more than her word.
“Your support is what is needed for the rest of my allies on the council to support my move. This plan has been in motion for a very long time, young wolf. You’re simply the last piece of the puzzle.” Celestia smiled as she placed her hand on Savvy’s shoulder.
She knew she had Rebecca, but she wanted to hear her say it.
‘Don’t do it!’ the alpha pleaded.
“Fine. Agreed.” Rebecca ignored her alter ego.
Celestia clapped her hands excitedly. “Good, then I’ll see you tonight at council. I promise, we’re going to have an amazing alliance and make history.” She pulled out a steel dagger. “Just one more thing.”
“I won’t sign anything with my blood. You already sealed this pact in blood with my sister.”
Celestia pulled the knife across her skin. Red blood bloomed out from the wound as fast as it began to heal. She handed Rebecca the knife. “No signature, just a blood exchange.”
“There’s no way in hell she’s exchanging blood with you!” Gabriel snarled.
“It’s an old tradition, I agree, archaic and painful for me, but I insist it must be done.” Celestia smiled sweetly, not even slightly intimidated by Gabriel’s step forward.
“I won’t be exchanging blood with you, Celestia.” Rebecca dropped the dagger on the table. Its blade sunk into the wood with ease. “Besides, my blood is poison to you."
"It’s true, in high doses your blood could kill me, but in an exchange as small as this, I’ll only feel a slight discomfort." She tossed a glance toward Savannah, “werewolf blood becomes less of a danger the older the vampire gets.”
"So why do you want to cause yourself pain?"
'Because her blood in your system is the first step in creating a vampire. She has the knowledge to create vampires as every other queen or king does. If you die with it in your body she could change yo
u,' Siren warned.
'How long will it stay in my system?'
'It could take days to work its way out.'
"I’m not going to exchange blood." Rebecca spit on her hand and held it out to Celestia. "We’ll do it the human way."
Celestia’s face twisted up with malice. “I don’t think you understand what’s at stake if you refuse to play by my rules, Rebecca.” Celestia grabbed Savvy’s arm, her claws digging into her sister’s flesh. “One, two, three…” Snap! Celestia simply snapped Savvy’s arm out of its socket with one jerk. Savvy let out a scream of pain.
“I'm sorry, Savvy.” Rebecca shook her head sadly as Celestia moved to Savvy's fingers.
"Shall I continue on?"
Savannah cried out in pain as Celestia broker her pinky finger.
Rebecca made a move toward Celestia. She was going to kill the vampire if she broke another bone. Gabriel grabbed her and held her back.
"Stop! I’ll act as proxy." Sundae stepped forward, pulled the blade from the table and cut the palm of her hand. She offered it to shake.
Celestia tilted her head and examined Sundae for a moment. "You’d do that for this wolf?"
"For both Rebecca and Savannah, yes. I know well of your cruelty. It knows no limits. You won’t stop at breaking bones if you don’t get your way."
Celestia took the dagger and ran the blade across her hand again. "Deal." She shook.
"No, Sundae!" Rebecca said as their hands joined. An electrical current seemed to vibrate off their hands. Rebecca felt her heart sink. Now her friend was in danger. Now she had another person she was responsible for and needed to protect.
Instead of letting go, Celestia leaned closer to Rebecca, pulling Sundae with her. “See, good things happen when you play by my rules.”
Maverick helped Savvy snap her arm back into its socket and she smiled with satisfaction from behind Celestia.
'You’re all foolish children,' Siren snapped in Rebecca's mind. 'Your sister was never in any real danger.'
'Like you would've stood by and watched any of your pack get hurt,' Rebecca barked and regretted it the moment the words were thought.
That very thing happened a little over a month ago. The wolf had been poisoned and was unable to help her pack when they were being massacred. When she woke up she was in Rebecca and that was the beginning of the end for Rebecca’s family.
“May I have my friend's hand back?” Rebecca snarled, barely able to control her wolf from emerging when she was this close to vampires.
Celestia smiled and released Sundae's hand. “I’m glad we have an agreement.”
Rebecca and Sundae took a few steps back, safe within their group of friends, giving Rebecca time to pull herself back together. ‘What was the point to that?’ she asked her wolf.
‘To show she has the upper hand and to show your blood is not as lethal to her as you think.’
‘So there are no magical consequences?’
‘Aside from death resulting in her being reborn into a vampire, none other…that I am aware of.’
‘Fine, let her think she has the upper hand. It’ll make taking her down so much easier.’
Rebecca turned to Celestia. “Are we done here?”
Celestia flipped her red curls behind her shoulder and smiled. “For now. Just remember to show support tonight in my announcement to run for the crown.”
Rebecca turned and began leaving before Celestia finished speaking. She didn’t care to hear the rest. She was finished with this place, the smell of death on the air, and the guilt she felt for her part in turning Savvy evil. The rest of her friends followed her, keeping Sundae in the middle, protected as they made their way toward the exit. Celestia didn’t seem to care about their early departure. The squirrely man she met the first time she visited this dimension ushered them toward the exit. Rebecca didn’t need to be ushered, she couldn’t wait to leave.
Chapter Seven
Savannah
Savvy watched as Rebecca, Hunter and the rest of her misfits left. She felt some guilt at the act she put on for Celestia, but after living with the maniacal monster for a month she knew the consequences would be far worse than a little pain from a dislocated shoulder.
'You’re such a good daughter,’ Celestia spoke proudly in Savvy’s mind. It was her way of controlling her. Because she sired Savvy she had a telepathic connection to her and Celestia was not shy about using it.
‘Thank you, Mother.’ Savvy glanced at her father and moved her eyes toward her bedroom as a signal that they should talk. “I guess I’ll go get ready for tonight’s meeting.”
“I don’t need you at the council meeting tonight.” Celestia started toward her own room. “Take the night off. You need to eat more. The stables are full. Spend some time there tonight.”
Savvy shuddered inward. She hated drinking blood from the body but it was the only way Celestia allowed her to feed. She insisted it would keep her strong and she wanted to make sure she was able to defend herself just in case there was an attack. Savvy was beginning to realize Celestia was a very paranoid vampire. “As you wish, Mother.”
Celestia left. Her guard dog, Felicity, followed her like the obedient protector she was. Their absence left Savvy with her father. She made her exit and headed to her room. Her bedroom was elegant. The four poster canopy bed would have taken up the entire space she shared with Rebecca, but was adequate in her new living quarters. Most of her room furnishings were antiques—from the vanity mirror and dresser, to the night stands, gothic chair, and lamps. It wasn’t her taste, but definitely fell in line with Celestia’s style. If Savvy was honest she’d admit the room would never suit her because it was lonely. She had shared a bedroom with Rebecca from the moment they were born, and before that they’d shared a womb. Being apart from her was miserable, but so were the feelings of anger, disgust, and resentment she felt toward Rebecca.
The anger was well-deserved but it made her even angrier that she felt guilty over the hatred. Because of her twin she was celebrating her eighteenth birthday as a vampire. She would never grow older than seventeen, not in looks anyways. She’d always count her birthdays. Eternity was a long time to exist without having some sort of milestones, but she would never look older than a teenager.
The soft knock on her door broke her from her thoughts. “Savannah, it’s me.” She recognized her father’s voice and allowed herself a tiny smile. She wasn’t sure how she felt about the fact he was still alive. She’d grieved his death for ten years. But for now he was her best ally in this house. She just hoped she could trust him. She would deal with the fact that he had a hand in her mother’s murder when she was free of Celestia.
“Come in, Daddy.”
He entered quickly. He was holding a tiny box in his hand. The intricate designs on the wooden box were eye catching. “Savannah, this is for you. It was your mother’s.”
Savvy reached for it, anxious to hold something that was once held by her mother. “What is it?”
“Her magic box. I thought maybe you could find some use for it. I know you don’t control magic but you were a water witch, just like your mother. Maybe something will become familiar to you.”
“Is there anything in here that can turn me back into a human?”
“I’m afraid not.” He sat in the gothic chair and Savvy found herself enjoying the fact he was too big for the chair and he looked uncomfortable in it. He needed to feel more than just uncomfortable.
Savvy placed the box on the bed beside her. No real interest in opening it at the moment. Like he pointed out, she had no access to magic. “Daddy, I can’t live like this.” She held back the tears that threatened to fall. “I’m not a vampire type of girl. I need the sunshine, I need to feel alive.”
“You can still be in the sunshine,” he responded mechanically.
He was right. As a vampire she can walk in the sun, her only risk being a painful sun burn. “That isn’t what I mean and you know it.”
He nodded sadly
. “I know.”
“I mean, the vampire trait is a disease. It seems to me that there has to be a cure out there somewhere."
“If there is, I’ve never found it and I’ve looked.”
Savvy knew he was subtly reminding her that he, too, was a vampire. But that didn’t help. She also knew he was happy with the darker side. It suited him. If she had to guess he probably sought out Celestia to become a vampire. “Maybe you didn’t have the right motivation. I know it’s been a long time, Daddy, but I’m still your daughter and I need your help. I really can’t live like this.”
He stood and started pacing. “You will, you have to.” He stopped and took her shoulders in his hands, shaking her slightly, making sure she was looking at him. “You have to because I can’t lose anyone else.”
Savvy fought back the urge to scratch his eyes out. He was the reason they all lost Mother. How dare he say such a thing? “You threw away Mother’s life so casually, why do you care who lives or dies?” She couldn’t help the words from spilling out of her mouth and she felt betrayed by the hurt that slid behind his eyes.
“I tried to stop the order. It was my family that was responsible for her death, not me.” His eyes pleaded with her to understand, to hear him.
“I don’t believe you.” He closed his eyes, and she could feel the anger vibrating off him in waves. "Besides, if you weren’t behind her death, then why did you leave us alone? Why did you let us think you were dead?”
“To protect you, Savannah. I promise, everything I did for you, Rebecca, and Hunter was to protect you.”
Savvy looked away. She didn’t want him to see the tears in her eyes. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction to know he was getting to her. When the lump in her throat reduced enough to let her speak she told him to leave. “Please, just leave.”
He did, reluctantly. He respected her wishes. She didn’t trust him, yet she had no choice but to work with him. To take his help. That didn’t mean she had to believe everything he said. A few nice words weren’t going to remove the years of depression he put on all of them.
Vampire Princess Rising (Winters Saga Series Book 2) Page 5