Page 85 of Blood Match
“I’m not sure I know what you mean,” I fumble.
She turns to face me, her eyes intense. “I think you know exactly what I mean, Rowan. Your…connection with the vampire.”
My heart races. How much does she know? “I… I don’t understand.”
Gran sighs, her expression softening. “Darling, I’ve been around for a long time. I can sense these things. He’s been here, hasn’t he?”
I know there’s no point in lying, so I don’t. “Yes,” I reply simply.
Gran sighs. “This is a dangerous game you’re playing, Rowan. But for now, I think we can use it to our advantage.”
I lean against the counter, my mind whirling. “Gran, I… I don’t know what to say. I’m not sure I understand them any better than anyone else.”
“Perhaps not consciously,” she replies, placing a hand on my arm. “But there’s more to this connection than you realize. Your perspective could be invaluable.”
I swallow hard, torn between apprehension and a strange sense of importance. “When is this meeting?”
“Tonight,” Gran says. “I know it’s short notice, but these are extraordinary circumstances.”
I nod slowly, considering the implications. “Okay,” I hear myself say. “I’ll come.”
I’m silent as I make our tea, trying to calm my nerves as Gran explains what to expect at the meeting. Her voice is steady, reassuring, but I can sense the underlying tension.
“We’ve negotiated a truce for the duration of the meeting. But we’ll need to be extremely cautious, Rowan,” she says, her eyes meeting mine over the rim of her cup. “The vampires may not try anything overtly dangerous in such an exposed situation, but we can’t let our guard down for a moment.”
I nod, my throat tight. “Do you really think they’ll honor the truce?”
Gran sighs. “Arabella Ravenscroft, their Grand Elder, is known for her integrity. But she can’t control every vampire, just as we can’t control every witch.” She sets down her cup. “That’s why we’ve taken extensive magical precautions.”
As we finish our tea, Gran outlines the protective measures in place. Wards to detect ill intent, subtle charms to enhance our reflexes, and emergency portals if we need a quick escape. It’s overwhelming, but I try to absorb every detail.
“Remember,” Gran says as she rises, “your presence there is important. Observe everything, but be careful what you say; in fact, don’t say anything at all. I simply want you to let us know if you pick up any hidden subtexts – you’ve been inside the head of one of them, you’ll know better how they think. Your connection…it could be both an advantage and a liability.”
I put my empty teacup down, smoothing my hair nervously. “I understand, Gran. I’ll be careful.”
She smiles, pride and worry in her eyes. “I know you will, dear. Now, let’s go meet some vampires.”
As we step out into the cool night air, I can’t help but wonder if Darick will be there. And if he is, how will I keep my composure? With a deep breath, I follow Gran toward what promises to be a tense and potentially dangerous encounter.
When we drive through tall, ornate gates and pull up in front of the vampire Blood Assembly’s headquarters, I’m momentarily overwhelmed. Situated in a vast estate on the outskirts of town, the building is a towering gothic monolith from which various wings extend. More modern, I’m guessing, since they’re made from glass and steel, unlike the intricate ivy-clad stonework and spires of the main structure. It’s an artful blend of old and new, and I’m sure it’s designed to intimidate. My mouth hangs open for a moment.
Pulling myself together, I follow Gran into the opulent entrance hall. The place reeks of wealth and power, with its marble floors and gilded fixtures. It’s nothing like the cozy, herb-scented spaces I’m used to in the witch community.
As we round a corner, I spot a small group of familiar faces. Seraphina Moonshadow stands tall and serene in a flowing cream pantsuit, looking every inch the High Priestess. Beside her, Morgan Shadowmaster’s dark eyes scan the corridor warily. Lysandra Starfire and Thaddeus Runeweaver complete the group, their expressions serious.
“Evelyn, Rowan,” Seraphina greets us with a nod. “I’m glad you could join us.”
Gran squeezes my hand reassuringly before addressing the group. “What’s our strategy?”
Morgan steps forward, glancing around before he speaks. “We need to confront them about the attack on the Starlight Vigil. That, first and foremost.”
Lysandra nods in agreement. “Plus all the other incidents recently. Vampires encroaching on our territories, testing our defenses. More so than before.”
“We can’t let them think we’re weak,” Thaddeus adds, his dark eyes flashing. “We need to present a united front.”
I listen intently, trying to absorb every detail. The gravity of the situation weighs heavily on me. These aren’t just abstract conflicts anymore; I’ve seen the violence firsthand.
Seraphina turns to me, her gaze piercing. “Rowan, your grandmother tells me you may have some unique insights. We’ll need you to pay close attention to any details the rest of us might miss.”