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"Definitely better." She laughs. "I have no reason to lie to you."
"What will you do if you're questioned?"
"Nothing," she says with a nonchalant shrug. "I don't have any family, or any family history that anyone here knows about. I came from another clan in another place years ago. I'm sort of a mystery to everyone here, which would make this pretty darn easy for me to do. As long as I put a few things in order first to make for an easy transition."
I think about what she's offering, and it sounds too good to be true. But it would solve everything. I can slip out without barely being noticed and she can make up some excuse about what happened to me, and then step into the role with her forged proof. And if all goes well, there won't be any negative effects on the city or the clan at all. In fact, most of the vampires might consider Vanessa an upgrade since they get so frustrated with my frequent jaunts away from the den.
"Ifanything should ever happen to you, or you should happen to disappear from the city for any reason," she says. "Then I would be prepared to take over the clan in your place. So, you can rest easy."
"If you get caught, and your secret lie is ever discovered," I warn, "then it would be grounds for execution." I don't want to dissuade her, but Vanessa has been kind and helpful to me on more than one occasions, and I think it's only fair for me to be honest with her in return.
She simply shrugs her shoulders and doesn't look at all bothered by the prospect of that.
"First of all, I won't get caught. Like I said, I am an excellent liar. But even if I did, I am sure that I would find a way out of it. I'm not worried, so you shouldn't be either."
"Blair and the other witches were trying to find a vampire to take my place but couldn't. She even went to Salem and nearly got herself killed trying to find me a suitable replacement. And now here you are offering to step in just like that. This sounds too good to be true."
"Then take advantage of it," she says with a smile. "Because I was just on my way to grab a snack to quench my thirst."
I think it over for another minute and then give her a nod.
"I accept, thank you."
Vanessa smiles and opens the door to leave. Everything is done and in her hands now, and I'm free to go. It feels like a dream. Tonight, I will leave Boston and run away with Blair to New York City to start a new life there with her. I won't need to think about this clan ever again, and I will have the woman I love with me all the time, with no more interference from the other witches or vampires.
After a quick look around the room, I determine there is nothing here that I need. I walk out and pass Vanessa in one of the rooms where some of the vampires are feasting on a couple of human donors. She looks up at me and smiles, and I keep walking, knowing there is no turning back now. Not that Iwouldwant to turn back, but I hope Blair still feels as strongly about this decision by tonight as she did when she first woke up this morning.
I spend the entire day at the den, feeding, engaging in mindless conversation with the other vampires about things that don't matter to me anymore, and acting like all is well. Then, later in the evening, I go back to my apartment. This time, I don't resist the escort by the two vampires who are my self-appointed guards. I let them walk behind me, but when I reach the door to my building, I turn around to address them.
"Look, I appreciate the extra vigilance, really, I do. But this needs to stop. If I'm the clan leader, then I need to exude strength. I can protect myself. Having the two of you follow me around like babysitters whenever I leave the den is insulting and makes me lookweak. I won't have my reputation as a supernatural faction leaders in this city questioned. So, you can go back to the den and let me sleep in myvery safe, apartment, or, in the morning, if I still find you here, I will rip out your throats."
I'm speaking so calmly that I don't think they expect that last part. Both men immediately gasp in horror and are too flustered to answer me. I stand there waiting for them to make their decision. Thankfully, they choose the right one and turn toward the den, leaving me alone for the night.
Now, I don't need to worry about them seeing me sneak out to get Blair before we blow this city and head to New York.
19
BLAIR
At the coven building, I act like everything is back to normal. I act like I'm no longer at all interested in Treyton and just want to get back to the business at hand—which currently is focused on helping Isla brew a potion to heal a sickness that has infected the Jinns in the city.
Surprisingly none of the other witches even ask me what happened. They're all so happy to hear I'm no longer crushing on the vampire that Isla and Sybil don't ask for the reason why. Elspeth started to ask me a question about it but Sybil hushed her and told her to leave well enough alone and let me get over the "failed relationship" without being bothered. They can think whatever they want, as long as it keeps them from getting suspicious.
"This infection is going to turn into a magical plague," Isla frets as she roots through the coven's collection of grimoires until she finds the one she was looking for. "I'll need all your help in the kitchen to made this potion as fast as possible before the sickness spreads outside the Jinn and starts infecting other factions."
I don't want to help her in the kitchen. I came back here today for a few very specific reasons—to collect a couple of grimoires that I want to bring with me, make some oracle decks that I want to leave behind for Sybil, Elspeth, and Isla, and say goodbye.
"If it's alright, I think that I'm just going to stay in here and read for a bit," I say, hoping that my "failed relationship" status will buy me some leeway to get out of coven activities.
"What? No! I need your help." Isla pouts. "And besides, it will help take your mind of the vampire."
"She can stay here if she wants," Sybil scolds. "Let her have some solitude for a day or two while she gets over him. The three of us can handle the potion."
Isla rolls her eyes and mumbles something under her breath along the lines of "who made Sybil the boss" before stomping off to the kitchen with the grimoire in her hands.
I hate making her mad at me right before I leave, but I need this time to do the things I came here to do. I care about Sybil, Elspeth, and Isla, but in truth I guess that I've never really felt satisfied with the coven. I suppose that is part of the reason I've always been so outspoken and disgruntled. I've ached for somethingmore,but I never realized it until I met Treyton and he posed the insane idea of running away together. Now, it's all I can think about.
I try to put my thoughts of adventure aside for the day though, because I have things to do.
