“All of this is why I recommend postponing the meeting. We need a stronger presentation for the alliance, my liege. One that will help explain some of Lilith’s more unsavory experiments.”
“Like the lycan trials,” I translated.
“Yes.” A blunt response, yet that single word held a hint of disgust. “We need something to show them, something that will validate our efforts here.”
“Something that they can support, even at the cost of lycan lives,” I translated. “Yes, I agree.”
“Then you agree a video message should be disseminated?”
“I don’t think a video is required. A simple written communication should suffice.” It would inspire curiosity and fear, two emotions that would suit well for my reunion with the alliance. “Just send out a notice that the meeting has been postponed a week. That’ll give us ten days to resolve our issues here. Unless you think we need more time?”
“Ten days should be sufficient to bolster our operations, but I doubt we’ll have a viable solution to the human immortality issue by then. However, it’ll give us time to present our findings in a more constructive manner.”
“Or we won’t present them at all,” I countered. “The meeting’s focus will be on my awakening and return to power. I could simply state that I’m still reviewing Lilith’s work in my absence and will present her efforts at a later date.”
“And how would you handle the rebels, like Ryder and Jace?”
I smiled. “I’ve been handling my cousin for millennia. As for Ryder…” I glanced at Ismerelda. “I suspect his relationship with myErosita’sbrother will provide me with an edge where he’s concerned.”
The female on the bed didn’t move or respond, but her heart rate had escalated a little more over the last few minutes, confirming that she was on the edge of waking.
Time to go,I thought as I returned my focus to Mira. “Is there anything else you wish to discuss?”
She considered me for a moment, her gaze telling me there were several items on her mind. However, she smartly shook her head. “No, my liege. I’ll wait for your communication, then I’ll arrange a visit with Prince Helias.”
“Good. I’ll draft something for you by midnight. Plan to leave then.” That would give her half a day to make arrangements while I reacquainted myself with myErosita.
An announcement regarding a date change wouldn’t take much thought to prepare.
Which meant I could spend most of the day fucking Ismerelda.
“As for our procedures here, kill the live feeds monitoring the Blessed Ones, and reallocate our vampire guards to protect our assets. The Vigils can watch over the blood virgins and ensure they stay in line. Just keep a few of our kind in place to oversee the operation.”
It wasn’t a perfect solution, as we didn’t have many vampire guards, but it would have to suffice for now.
I started toward the bed, dismissing Mira without another word. Only, the lycan lingered near the doorway, her scent irritating my inner predator. Mostly because I wasn’t in the mood for an audience. I wanted to play with myErositain private.
“Yes?” I asked, pausing next to the beauty tucked beneath my covers.
“I have… a query.” The curiosity coloring Mira’s tone had me rotating partially toward her, my eyebrow inching upward in silent interest. “Our operation’s goal is to create immortal blood toys who can replace theErositabond. And I know you spent some time with the potential candidates—the blood virgins—shortly after awakening.”
I leaned against the post of my bed, waiting for her to get to her supposedquery.
“So now that you’ve reacquainted yourself with yourErosita…” She trailed off, her focus shifting from me to the blonde on the bed. Perhaps because she’d heard the slight intake of air like I just had—a tell that confirmed Ismerelda was either awake or beginning to stir to awareness.
About time,I thought, her pulse having been steady for what felt like an hour now.
Mira cleared her throat. “Well, I’m wondering, how do the blood virgins compare to yourErosita? Sexually, I mean.”
That had my eyebrow inching up even higher. “You’re curious about my gratification?”
Ismerelda’s heartbeat escalated even more.Definitely awake. And likely now thinking about ourmutual gratificationfrom an hour ago.
“No.” Mira’s full lips twisted to the side. “I’m curious as to if the blood virgin program is adequate or if it needs improvement. They’re trained to excel beyond anErosita’sskill set. So I’masking if the blood virgins you tasted meet or surpass yourErosita’scapabilities, or do they need work?”
Ah. That made more sense.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t provide a reasonable answer, as I hadn’t actually tasted the offerings last week. I’d merely used the blood virgins for sustenance, not sex. They hadn’t appealed to me.
