“Breathe, Grandson,” she encourages with a micro smile. “I’m not your parents. I agree you should have a thrall. I’ve believed that from the beginning. I’m also aware of how you view the individuals you feed from. It makes sense that you want it to be a human close to you.”
I gulp for air and nod woodenly, relieved that she’s on my side and doesn’t see anything odd about wanting to choose James over one of the family thralls.
“As for your James’s age, yes, it’s beneficial he’s eighteen. Though it’s quite common to have multiple generations of thralls from a single family—thralls raising their children and grandchildren and so forth within vampire society—we do wait until they are considered adults before making it official,” she supplies, and then she aims her shrewd gaze at me. “As I said, your request is reasonable. What do you need from me?”
“Well, I could use help convincing Mom and Dad,” I begin, knowing they are going to be an interesting challenge, and I don’t really want to take on a thrall without their approval.
“Easy.” She gets up and returns to her chair, reaching for one of the documents on her desk. “I’ll insist it’s medically necessary for your continued care. Your quality of life is important for keeping you healthy. If you dread consuming the blood you need to survive, then you’ll be less likely to take in the proper amount.”
Leaning back in the high-backed chair, I let some of the nervous energy drain out of me. “That should work on Mom and Dad, but they aren’t the only ones we need to convince. The coven will have to approve too, which means convincing Mildred.”
“And for your health isn’t enough?” my grandmother challenges, her posture rigid and her eyes narrowed at the hint of her professional authority being questioned.
“It’s not that.” I lift my hands up in a placating manner. “It’s just Mom and Dad have survived fine on bagged blood for years, and it isn’t that I can’t do the same. Like you said, it’s harder for non-vampires to understand why the difference matters.”
She picks up the pen she was using before I interrupted and taps the end against the document before her. “Mildred is very protective of her granddaughter’s blood, so I imagine she’ll appreciate an alternative once it’s made clear that you need fresh blood.” My grandmother stares at me like she’s weighing options in her head. “You’re very settled on this James to be your thrall?”
“Yes, Grandmother.” My tone is surprisingly more confident than I actually feel, but since this is what Felix wants, I’m going to make it happen.
“Alright.” She reaches into one of the desk drawers and pulls out official looking stationery. “I’ve waited to send my report to the queen regarding all that’s happened. I can suggest, as proper recompense for all you’ve suffered, the coven must allow you to take a thrall of your choosing. Considering what led to your condition, this seems appropriate.”
Shock courses through my body like a jolt of electricity. “The queen? That seems excessive. I don’t want to bother her with…”
“I have to make the report,” she interrupts in her no-nonsense way. “It’s better I provide recommendations that the coven can manage than have her decide the best course of action solely, especially since Mildred has hinted she’d rather settle this without the council’s involvement.” She points her pen at me.“This is all very unorthodox, so the clearer I can make it, the easier it will be for the witches.”
Swallowing heavily, I nod. Well, this is what Callie wanted. I doubt Mildred will argue with “by order of the vampire queen.” After glancing at the abandoned laptop sitting on the far corner of her desk, I frown over at the stationary. “You’re going to hand write your report? Wouldn’t it be faster to email it to her?”
This earns one of her rare laughs. “Grandson, when trying to persuade a royal who grew up during the time of the printing press, personal touches matter.” She waves her hand in a dismissive manner. “Now go. It will take time before getting an official ruling, so it is best I start now.”
“And Mom and Dad?” I ask, my voice hesitant because it feels like I’m asking too much, but it’s so much easier with her than trying to convince them on my own.
“Yes, yes,” she mutters, continuing her dismissive wave. “I’ll talk to them after. Now, run off and do your homework or see your friends, whatever it is you’d be doing instead of pestering me.”
A huge grin takes over my face, and I speed around the desk to give her a kiss on the cheek. “You’re not as scary as everyone thinks you are.”
My grandmother makes an annoyed hum, but a corner of her mouth turns upward. “Don’t tell anyone.”
Chapter 10
Callie
Mildred walks with purpose over narrow trails that wind through the trees lining the back of our property. Most would assume they were created by roaming deer, but the large canine prints left in the damp earth imply a collection of certain shifters are more likely the culprits. Normally, I’d consider having them snooping around overboard, but since I can’t seem to shake this feeling of being watched, the overprotective wolves have become a comfort. At least they announce their presence with loud, obnoxious howls.
I do my best to keep up with my nan while dodging various fronds and branches of wild overgrowth, impressed how Mildred can appear like her normal, collected and elegant self despite sneaky roots that I’m sure were specifically grown to trip poor innocent hikers. Mischief also has no issues, easily following in his house cat form. The trails seem to only have a vengeance for me, or it could be because I’m painfully distracted. It’s a pleasant Sunday afternoon for a magic lesson, but the beauty of nature does little to soothe the anxiety-induced knot that was once my stomach. Nolan texted me the ammunition I need to convince my nan to approve making Felix into a thrall,but I can’t see a way for this to be an easy conversation. I doubt she’ll respond well to having her arm twisted by threat of the vampire queen via Dalia. The two have come to somewhat of a truce over their shared disdain for Neva, and vicariously Gina, but I’m not sure how well it will last when human life is the price.
Finding a small, shady clearing, my nan puts her oversized bag down near the base of one of the surrounding Douglas firs. She pulls out a picnic blanket, drops it onto the ground, and then pulls out a tube of tennis balls before sitting cross-legged on the blanket. Even among the dense wilds of the outdoors, she looks the picture of class in her black, wide-legged pants and cream, sleeveless blouse.
After placing the tennis balls in front of her, she motions to the space opposite of where she sits. “Take a seat. We’ve focused so much on your control and the challenges of magic, I thought today would be a good opportunity to focus on something fun—a new spell.” Her full lips quirk into an amused smile. “Not every part of your magic needs to be reserved for various crises.”
Any other day, I’d be thrilled to get to play with my magic, especially with my nan to guide me. Part of me wants to put off the thrall conversation to a different day, but then the image of Felix pleading for help enters my mind, and I know this can’t wait. Doing my best to force an excited smile onto my face, I sit down.
Mildred’s eyebrows furrow with concern, and she reaches out to gently clasp one of my hands. “Are you feeling alright, darling?”
Apparently, I need to work on my acting.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I answer brightly with a hopefully more convincing smile. “Ready to learn.” My gaze pans over thesurrounding trees. “Is it such a good idea to teach me a new spell here? As you know, I have, uh, bad luck with trees, or maybe it’s better to say they have bad luck with me.”
She gives me a reassuring squeeze before resting her hands on her knees. “This spell shouldn’t result in any tree damage.” Amusement dances in her eyes. “And if the trees do fall to any mishaps, you already know how to regrow or repair them.”
