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“So, you wouldn’t shut down the clubs?” she volleys back yet more questions.
“No, but there would be stipulations and a task force to ensure that all laws were being upheld. Humans would have to know what they were signing up for when entering the club.”
“That’s dangerous,” Addy says. “Telling humans that they’re about to enter a club for the sole purpose of being fed on by vampires outs our species.”
“Not necessarily,” I say, shaking my head. “Through my travels I’ve found that there are clubs for humans with certain fetishes. The act of vampirism being one of them. As long as they know that they would be bitten and drunk from, there’s absolutely no reason for us to make it anything other than a fetish club.”
“Humans are insane,” Addy says, scrunching her nose in disgust.
“Everyone has their kinks,” I reply, grinning, and she grimaces.
“That’s certainly not me,” she lies, more for her father’s benefit than anything else. One of the many reasons Addy and I aren’t meant for each other is her own needs. She loves the clubs, whereas I find them tasteless.
“So aside from the clubs being allowed to remain open, how else can we guarantee vampires a blood source?” Dupré directs to me. “Willing donors alone won’t meet our demand. Not unless we turn to theft, stealing from human blood banks.”
I contemplate his question. It’s the one thing I don’t have an answer for. Addy puts a finger up. “We create a synthetic alternative.”
“And how, pray tell, do we go about that?” he barks, sounding skeptical.
“Leave it to me.” She smiles. “I have a friend who is a very gifted scientist in the medical field. I believe he’s our answer.”
I quirk a brow. Adèle doesn’t have friends, which leads me to question who this scientist is. I can tell from the light flush in her cheeks that whoever he is, he’s far more than a friend. I smile wide and she glares at me, surely trying to keep her father in the dark.
“Fantastic. That will be your first order of business as a member of the Council. I want you to go to wherever this scientist is and get busy creating an alternative blood source. While you’re doing that, I will start a committee to begin building our own blood banks across the country.” I turn to Dupré. “Do you think that this will suffice?”
He considers all that we’ve said and eventually nods. “I think they will want to be kept abreast of your findings, Adèle, but I think knowing that we’re already working on something will help. Add to that the fact you’re not abolishing compulsion immediately and the clubs won’t be stripped from them until we have our alternative source, and I do believe it will appease the elders.”
“Good, then it’s settled. Count, let’s discuss our plan to speak to the Council.” I turn to my friend. “Adèle, arrange for your travels. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
She smiles, standing. “I’ll make plans immediately. For now, I’ll let you two work out the details.”
“Addy,” I call, and she turns. “I’m leaving tonight for the new bite facility in Seattle. Would you like to join?”
Her eyes light up with excitement. “Really?”
“Pack your things. We’ll travel overnight.”
She squeals, which is very un-Addy-like, before practically floating out of the room.
I need to confide in someone about what’s happening to me. Marina will be dealing with Shannon and Law’s staying behind. Addy can help bridge the gaps between Marina and me. She can be helpful.Or maybe bringing her will drive us further apart.
Chapter Twelve
“Why?” I demand from Katina, who is currently looking at me as though I’m being petulant.
“Adèle simply wants to have you join her for tea. It’s not that big a request, Marina,” she scolds.
“What could she possibly want to talk to me about?”
After the events of last night, I’m hardly in the mood for company. Especially when that company is Julian’s former love.
Katina’s hands fly up in the air in exasperation. “How should I know? The weather? The latest fashion trends? It could be any assortment of things.” She heaves a breath. “Or perhaps she would just like to get to know you.”
I consider Katina’s explanation. I don’t know anything about Adèle, and I’m not sure that I want to. There’s something abnormal about befriending your boyfriend’s ex-fiancée. At the same time, what’s that saying? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Perhaps I should get to know her a little better after all.
“What’s your opinion of her, Kat?”
“I’ve always admired her strength and free spirit, but I never really knew her that well. You have to understand, I’ve worked for the Crown for a long time, and thus my allegiance is always to Julian and his family.”
