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I shot a glare back over my shoulder. “Right, but what kind of leader is late to her own meeting? I swear, next time you suggest a quickie, I’m going to remind you of this.”
He chuckled. “It’s not my fault you find me irresistible.”
“Yes, it is, actually.”
I reached the doors to the building and wrenched them open. Inside the antechamber, two dozen security guards from every dark race pulled their weapons. I suddenly had ten guns, five swords, three bows and arrows, and several magical weapons pointed at my head.
I stilled on the threshold.
“Relax,” Slade called in a droll tone. “It’s just the Chosen.”
All the guards holstered their weapons and fell into at-ease poses.
I shot my old friend a look. “Thanks.”
He winked. “You’re late. They’re already in there.”
I waved and ran forward, leaving Adam and Slade shaking hands. They’d follow me in, but since they didn’t hold official seats on the Dark Races Cabinet, they didn’t need to make an entrance.
On my way, I waved at Calyx. She took her role as the new head of security for Queen Maeve too seriously to do anything more friendly than nod. Turned out Cain hadn’t gotten the fae after all. My old friend Vinca had helped Calyx escape Irkalla while we were busy in Lilith’s lair. She’d been heartbroken to learn of Tristan’s and Horus’s deaths, but once I recommended her skills to the Queen, she took to her new role among Maeve’s guard like she was made for it.
Speaking of the Queen, she’d no doubt had a few sharp words for me once I walked in those doors. I smoothed down my hair and prayed Adam hadn’t left any hickies on my neck. Sucking in a deep breath, I put my hands on the handles and pulled the doors open in what I hoped was a stately manner.
“Sorry I’m late,” I said as I rushed inside. Slade had been right—everyone was already seated. But the instant I crossed into the room, they all rose and bowed.
I waved an impatient hand. “Guys, we’ve already discussed the saluting thing. Sit down.”
I took the empty chair at the front of the large, round table. Maisie’s spirit hovered on my right. “Hey, sis!” I said.
“Where have you been? You opened the portal for me to come over, but you weren’t there when I came through.”
“Sorry, I had some… pressing business to attend to.”
My sister raised a brow. “Pressing, sure.”
From Maisie’s right, Rhea leaned over. “You’re late.”
“Talk to your nephew,” I muttered.
Rhea wore the ceremonial chiton that identified her as the leader of the Hekate Council. After we’d returned from Irkalla, the Council had taken a vote to instate her as the official and permanent leader of their government. I had to admit, I was relieved at the development. Even though Rhea never hesitated to voice her opinions on my decisions, she was fair and honest and I felt comfortable bickering with her.
The same couldn’t be said for the frowning female sitting directly across from me.
“Nice of you to join us, Chosen. Do you plan on being unfashionably late to all our meetings?”
Since it was well into October, Queen Maeve was in her Mother phase of the year. A thin thread of gray decorated her dark brown hair, giving it a distinguished appearance. She wore an eggplant-colored robe and the autumn crown, which was decorated with amber acorns and metallic leaves. I had to say, I much preferred this look to her Child manifestation in the spring. It was disconcerting to argue dark races policy with a seven-year-old girl whose eyes were too ancient for her innocent face.
While the Queen seemed to accept me as the leader of the Chamber, she didn’t seem too impressed with my newfound status as a demigoddess. I supposed I couldn’t blame her too much, though. After all, she’d been a deity for millennia and I’d been one for only eight months. I wouldn’t bow down to me either if I were her. Still, I would have appreciated a little less lip from the faery queen.
“I’ll endeavor to be more punctual in the future, if you try to be less bitchy.”
The Queen gasped. “Well,” she huffed. Her eyes scanned the room for an ally to her indignation, but she found none among the remaining Cabinet members.
Next to me, the new vampire leader chuckled and elbowed me. “Nice one, Sabina.”
I looked up and smiled. “Thanks, Nyx. Or should I call you Madame President?”
The vampire rolled her eyes. “Only if you want me to ignore you, O Exalted Chosen.”
I chuckled at my friend. Over the last several months, Nyx and I had worked closely as she set up her new government in Los Angeles. Transforming the historically despotic vampire form of government into a more democratic one wasn’t easy, but Nyx proved herself a strong and prudent leader.
She wore a business suit and I spied the golden rings of her vest winking from the collar of her crisp white shirt. Not for the first time, I sent a little prayer of thanks to Asmodeus for not forcing Nyx to give the vest back to Asclepius. The general vampire population was kept in the dark about her semi-immortal status, but the vest actually was probably more protection than her vampire powers would have been. Plus, she saved a ton on security. Pretty much the only backup she traveled with regularly was Slade and Georgia, but even they were more like trusted confidants than hired guns.
As for Asclepius, no one had heard from him since Asmodeus sent him away from the throne room. I guess the god decided it was better not to make deals with any dark race members than face asking me for permission. Which was fine with me. If I never saw the god again, it’d be too soon.
“Did Georgia come with you on this trip?”
The vampire nodded. “Are you kidding? She wouldn’t miss the wedding for anything. She’s off helping Zen set up the hall now.”
I nodded. The reminder of the wedding ceremony later that night made my hands sweat. It wasn’t every day a female watched her demon get married.
“Speaking of,” Maisie said. “We’d better get started. Brooks will have our heads if we’re not on our marks at midnight on the dot.”
I picked up the silver gavel from the table and rapped it twice on the stone surface. “I now call this meeting of the Dark Races Cabinet to order. We’ll begin with reports.” I looked up. “Maisie, is there any news from Irkalla?”
“Yes, there’s been some progress on the coup against the Dominae, but there’s a holdout.”
