Page 11 of Blood Match

“I think you were saying that you’d sacrifice your own people to save a few hocus pocus freaks.”

“That’s not what I said, dammit!” A teacup spins toward my face in my peripheral vision, and I duck inadvertently.

“Sorry, just a small technical glitch.” A woman’s voice comes out of nowhere and I twist, trying to locate the source.

“Are you alright, Lord Drake?” Lady Arabella’s voice is laced with concern. I look around in confusion.

Shit.

Is this a symptom of the Bloodbane? I’ve never heard about hallucinations.

“I’m fine,” I mutter, straightening.

Lucien, ever the opportunist, seizes on my momentary lapse. “Look at him,” he sneers to the Assembly. “How do you think he’d lead his clan to safety if he can’t even sit up straight?”

Something crackles over my fingertips, and I curl my hands into fists.

“This is fucking ridiculous!” I mutter beneath my breath.

Hallucinations, and now phantom sensations. I can’t go on like this.

I clench my jaw, fighting to regain control. The room swims before me, but I force myself to focus on Lucien. His smug face comes into sharp relief.

“My esteemed colleagues,” Lucien purrs, his voice oozing false sincerity. “It’s clear that some among us are…compromised. Perhaps it’s time for those who aren’t afraid to take necessary action.”

My nostrils flare as I steady my breathing. I know Lucien’s game now. He’s not just pushing for war with the witches; he’s making a power play. And I’m his target.

“What exactly are you proposing, Lord Marlowe?” Arabella’s voice cuts through the tension.

Lucien’s eyes gleam with triumph. “I propose a task force. One dedicated to doing what must be done in order to secure our future.” Some of the vampires are looking uncertain. Lucien has always been a skilled manipulator, and now he’s playing on their fears.

“And who would lead this task force?” I manage to ask, my voice steadier than I feel.

Lucien’s smile is predatory. “Why, I would be honored to take on such a responsibility. For the good of our kind, of course.”

Of course. I barely suppress a snort. This isn’t about the good of our kind. It’s about Lucien’s insatiable hunger for power.

“And what exactly would this task force do?” I press, trying to expose the danger in his plan.

“Whatever is required,” Lucien replies smoothly. “We’d start by identifying key witch populations. Then, we’d…negotiate from a position of strength.”

I don’t miss the message between the lines. “You mean kidnap and coerce witches to be blood sources.”

Lucien waves a dismissive hand. “If that’s what it takes.”

There’s a tense silence as we all take this in. I sit back, thinking on this. Lucien’s proposal is dangerous, not just for the witches but for all of us. If he succeeds, he’ll plunge us into a war that might doom us.

But as I look around at those in the room, I can already imagine what’s going on in their minds. Fear of the Bloodbane, fear of a slow, agonizing death. Fear of losing more of our people. And Lucien is offering them hope, no matter how false.

I, of all people, should be looking for hope now. But not from Marlowe. He’s up to something.

And whatever it is, it’s not going to be good.

3

Chapter 3

Rowan