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Pearl gasps. “You said it was donors.”
I wet my lips, my mind rushing. “It was some renegade men, fighting for their supposed save humanity cause. They think that I can help or something. I don’t know. But I’m fine. We’re all safe. We just need to keep our heads down and stay together until the Bella Crew gets everything back in order.”
I think a silent prayer to the universe, hoping that none of them argue.
“Oh, okay. We can still do some stuff here.” Emerald bends backwards, flipping over in a handspring.
I don’t know why I expected them to put up a fight. They’ve never been outspoken or rebellious. The Gemstones have been molded into the perfect little performers that do as they’re told. A part of me feels bad, but I’m so relieved. Another part of me is thankful. If I hadn’t met the Bella Crew, I would still be in line with them. I would do whatever it took to remain safe.
“That sounds like a fantastic idea. Any of you guys hungry? I can call the kitchen and have Govan bring something up for you.” Knox slides his fingers through mine and pulls me closer, tucking me in to his side where I can hug him.
“I think we’re good. Maybe later. Why don’t you guys sit down. We haven’t really had a chance to hang out with you, Ruby.” Topaz wiggles her fingers, her use of my old stage name like a slap in the face. I don’t mean to feel this way, because I know that her and the other Gemstones apart from Mya have given up their former identities for these personas, but Ruby Vixen is the last one I want to be.
“It’s Hayley now. We don’t need the names Alexander gave us.” I offer her a smile and tug Knox deeper into the room, allowing him to light the place up with the glow of his com device.
Tapping a couple buttons, he opens the projector and brings up an image of the setting sun, casting an orange glow through the room. I can’t help smiling at him, loving how thoughtful he is to bring something more pleasant to the darkness, and I join him on the recliner mirroring the couch where Pearl, Pyrite, and Emerald sit. Knox adjusts me on his lap, and Mya perches on the armrest, staying close.
An awkwardness clings to the room, and I realize that these people I have spent the last couple years with suddenly feel like strangers to me. It feels as if they are a part of my memory as Ruby Vixen. My heart hurts thinking about it. I knew that things would be different, but I didn’t expect the friendships I had with them to change. And it makes me think about Mya and her request to Sawyer about transforming into a vampire. I now want it more than ever. It’s important to me. I can’t lose her too. Not like I have the rest of the Gemstones. When it comes down to it, they’ll choose each other over me. They might even blame me, even though I got them out of Alexander’s control.
The silence between everyone doesn’t last long because Knox’s com device chirps, and a strange static buzzes through the air. The projection of the sunset clicks off, and I stare in shock at the familiar woman I remember from the leadership. Narcisa stands beside another sort of familiar man, but I can’t remember his name. Reed, maybe? I think so. The two of them remain composed, sitting on a plush leather couch with a view of the dark city behind them with only a couple hotels lit up.
“Good evening, covens and vampires of La Vega. We apologize for the power outage, but it was of utmost importance to our plan for keeping the peace. As you know, there have been dozens of threats over the last few weeks and unrest rippling through our city. Many have died. Many have lost blood sources. And because of this, the leadership has decided that there must be change. We cannot keep heading in this direction for fear of losing our city altogether.” Narcisa remains expressionless with her words, her eyes flashing silver, but it’s as if nothing happens within her glassy gaze. I’m pretty sure the woman is soulless. I can’t imagine her having any sort of true consideration or empathy toward people outside of herself. The same goes for the man by her side, his stoic, sharp features giving nothing away except for the fact that this can’t be good. What kind of change are they talking about?
The door to the room swings open, and Sawyer, Cooper, and Monroe rush in, slamming it behind them. The Gemstones shift nervously, their soft murmurs drawing my attention. They would never admit it, but I know my guys scare them just a little bit, especially when they’re all riled up like they are now.
“I just got word from Mesquite. Apparently, the leaders of Tru, Palace, and the Grand have taken to the Strip, informing the Strip dwellers that there will be openings among the hotels and that they can apply for coven positions and coven heads.” Monroe scratches his fingers to the back of his neck. “Whatever they’re planning, they have enough confidence in themselves that they’re already trying to shake things up.”
My heart raps in my chest, the quick beats stealing my breath away. My stomach flips and flops. I might be sick. Just a thought of the leaders doing something more than they already have freaks me the fuck out.
“With saying that, myself and the rest of the leadership would like to offer a position among us to help push us forward. And in doing so, we would like to offer you a comparable amount of donors to what we have. We will be cleaning up La Vega and redistributing donors properly. There will be no more safe houses. No more unregistered people hiding within the hotels. There will be no more crews or rebels. We must band together and unite as one. You will have one week to apply for the open position in the leadership, and another two weeks to give your donor population over to our authorities for proper redivisions. You have left us no choice. We will not see La Vega fall at the hands of those who do not deserve such power. You have been warned. Go against us, and you will face annihilation.” Reed straightens his back and glares at the camera as if he stares right into my soul.
The projection flickers off, returning to the sunset.
“They are fucking out of their minds. Call a crew meeting immediately. We need to hold strong. We will fight these assholes even if it means we go down with them as long as the donors are safe.” Monroe cracks his knuckles. He turns to me. “You have my word, Hayley. I will not let them destroy the Bella.”
Sawyer shifts and looks from his com device and to the rest of us. “Not so fast, Monroe. We need to look at what the stipulations are for a leadership position first. I think going into enemy lines and attacking them from within would would be our best bet. If we can get that position, we can destroy them.”
“They’re never going to let us have that position. You know we barely have enough to keep the donors well here.” Knox tightens his fingers around my hand, hugging me even closer.
“What about a show? What if we can bring in more blood and stipends? It’s how Alexander did it. We can do it too. The leadership won’t be able to deny us then, right?” I purse my lips with my words, my voice breathy and shaky at the thought.
“Yes! It’ll be perfect. We’ll do whatever it takes. I’m part of the Bella Crew. I won’t let you down.” Mya says, standing up. “I swear to you, Sawyer. Remember what we talked about? I think this would be the best time. We need someone who can bring in the masses. I can do that.”
She’s talking about transforming into a vampire.
Sawyer looks at Knox, Cooper, and Monroe. I don’t think he discussed this with any of them yet. He’s been kind of just keeping it to himself, because I don’t know if he wants to follow through or not.
“She’s right. Now is when we need to do it, before everything goes down.” I wiggle my fingers at Sawyer, getting him to come closer to me. “Please. We need her. I don’t want to risk waiting it out.”
I know I’m asking a lot, but I know Mya will serve our cause well. She’ll help me through all of this. I need my best friend at my side forever.
“We’ll have to take a vote,” Sawyer says, looking from me to Mya. “Every person on our crew has to agree. It’s the only way. Doing this will not only affect me but them.”
Monroe frowns. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
Sawyer shakes his head without responding to his question. “We’ll discuss it in private. Right now, I need everyone to go downstairs. We got the generators working for the lower half of the hotel. We need to let everyone know what’s going on. I’m going to need all of you guys to help keep the donors calm.”
Mya bobs her head. “They’re going to be fine. Figure out what we need, and we will put together a plan.”
