“Will they have a problem with us working with vampires?” Lexi asked more harshly than she intended. She understood why the witches disliked vampires so much, but if it would be an issue… “If they’re going to have a problem with my family, then there’s no point in going to them.”
The others shifted uncomfortably while Kaylia stared at the wall. “The vampires killed our queen. That is not easily forgotten.”
They’d also killed her fiancé, but she was adjusting to working with vampires.
“It was eight hundred years ago,” Niall muttered.
“And she’s still dead!” Kaylia snapped.
“So are many others,” Maverick replied. “But hey, I’m a lycan; we understand grudges and killing those who have wronged us. However, maybe they could ease up a little to help us take out the Lord.”
“Maybe they can, but we won’t know until we talk to them,” Varo said.
“There are more witches than vamps who would fight for us,” Sahira said.
“What are you saying?” Lexi asked.
“I’ll step out of this fight.” She glanced at Brokk and Del. Brokk bowed his head while her dad folded his arms over his chest and glowered at the wall. “If it will help gain the witches’ trust, I’ll stay away.”
“No,” Cole said. “We need all the help we can get fromallimmortals, and the witches have to accept that.”
“Most vampires are on the Lord’s side,” Orin said.
“True, but two of our best fighters and one of the best military minds I know are vampires, and we’re not losing them.”
Brokk and her dad smiled, but Sahira still looked doubtful.
“If we unseat the Lord, the realms will be free of oppression,” Lexi said. “It will be a new beginning for all of us. A time to let go of old hatreds.”
“Perhaps, but that takes time, and it cannotbe commanded of immortals. I hope you don’t plan to take the throne and start ordering about those you disagree with,” Kaylia said.
Lexi’s teeth ground together as she bit back her retort. She understood the feud between the witches and the vampires, but it was centuries ago, and it was time togetoverit.
Unfortunately, things didn’t work so easily, and if she somehow managed to retake the arach throne, she couldn’t assert her will over the other realms. Ugh, her head pounded.
She rested her forehead on her knees as she rubbed her temples. Then she realized, if she kept her eyes closed, she might fall asleep. She lifted her head again.
“Will the witches work with vampires and us or not?” she asked.
Kaylia hesitated before replying. “Yes. If I agreed to work with you, then I believe they will too. Few hate vampires more than me. Plus, you will have me on your side to help gain their trust. They won’t be thrilled about working with vamps, but they’ll do whatever’s necessary to ensure a better future for themselves and their children.”
“What about the warlocks?” Orin inquired.
Kaylia shrugged. “Who knows what they’ll do. Lexi would have to try to recruit them too, but the Lord is a warlock, and they can be...”
“Cantankerous?” Varo suggested.
“Giant douchebags with a god complex,” Orin said.
Maverick pointed at Orin. “That’s more like it.”
Lexi didn’t say anything. She knew the man Kaylia once loved was a warlock, and while they could be assholes, she wasn’t going to wade into a minefield.
“They can be,” Kaylia murmured.
“Talon was working with us on the coalition,” Brokk said. “He was trying to bring the Lord down from behind the scenes. Not all warlocks are on the Lord’s side or douchebags.”
“We can’t know anything about the warlocks until we talk with them. For now, our next step is the witches,” Cole said.
