Page 97 of You’re So Vein

“I can’t speak for all humans, of course,” I say. “But Winnie and Alaric should be allowed to marry. Their union hurts no one.”

“I have been researching the Dhampir in the books in Alaric’s library,” Irene says. “What I’ve found has been… enlightening. I’m not yet ready to make my final decision. But I did not summon you. Kael did.”

I face the Celtic warrior. The gold torcs around his neck glint in the firelight, and the golden streaks in his hair – from the lime he uses to style it – make him appear youthful. Yet I know that behind the bushy beard and ethereal, translucent complexion is the oldest vampire I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting, and he has his cruel blue eyes set on me.

SCRAPE, SCRAAAAPE, goes his sword over the whetstone.

“Kael does not believe Augustin should be mayor,” says Irene. “He wishes to make you an offer, and I wish to know what you will say to it.”

“That man,” Kael points to Augustin with the tip of his sword, “is involved in the disappearance of his family. He won’t give answers. He won’t admit that he killed them. Then he abandoned his court to live in the woods, as if he’s ashamed of being Upyr. The mayor of this village needs to be the intermediary between the Conclave and Sanctus Estate, and I don’t want to look at his cowardly, pox-ridden face. But because of the growing popularity of these absurd reforms, I can’t simply cut his head from his shoulders, which displeases me.”

Instinctively, I move across the room, placing myself between Kael and Augustin. My eyes meet Dante’s, and he gives a little nod. “I get it. I don’t want him to be mayor, either. So what’s your proposal?”

“My challenge would usually be one of strength in battle, but I am giving you the option to choose a different path,” Kael says. “Despite how much I detest the idea, I will vote yes to changing the law, allowing your friends to wed, if you give me a reason, any reason, why Augustin should be disqualified as mayor. Then we will remove him from your path. You will have everything you wanted, and so will he.”

Augustin’s gaze bores into me. I understand immediately what he’s thinking. I do have something on him. I know that he accepted bribes from Gideon Blake to push through the Sanctus application. If I tell Kael, he’ll back the proposal, and Winnie will be able to get married, and the vampire world will be one step closer to accepting Hannah.

News of Augustin accepting a bribe would be enough to get him booted from the race. His reputation would be ruined. He’d never be able to live in Sanctus. But I would win, Winnie and Alaric would have their wedding, my papa would be proud, the Conclave would leave, and Augustin and Hannah would be safe. For now.

And I would finally stop tying myself in knots over Augustin.

“Durant did dig up the entire green to install a stupid wastewater system,” I say, stalling for time.

“It’s not stupid. It’s necessary to carry the capacity of water predicted—”

“Kael is serious,” Dante murmurs. “You might wish to be the same. Augustin’s neck is on the line—”

“My neck is my own business,” Augustin snaps, his eyes never leaving mine. “You have no claim to it anymore.”

The desperation in Augustin’s gaze says everything. Take the deal.

He’s thinking of Hannah.

He’s thinking that it’s an easy choice. That anything, including his reputation, is worth giving her a chance at a better life.

And it’s so reckless, and so noble, and so painfully, stupidly Augustin that I can’t decide if I want to kiss him or knock some sense into him.

I watch Kael’s lips smack together with glee as his proposal sinks in. And I realise something that turns my blood cold.

This isn’t about a little bribery.

He knows.

Kael knows about Hannah.

Or at least, he suspects.

That’s why he was so angry at Sanctus about the idea of someone harbouring a Dhampir.

He knows that I know, and he wants me to confirm so he has an excuse for taking Augustin off the board. I would be mayor, and Augustin and Hannah would be…

I’ve seen vampire justice. I know it’s bloody and final.

That’s absolutely not happening.

“What say you, human?” Kael growls. “Is there any reason at all that Augustin is not working for our interests?”

37Augustin