Page 87 of Club Blood
“Keep them safe,”I repeated, “and kill me. That is all I ask.”
Carlisle was not hard to find. He would want nothing less than the best, and I knew the suite he would be demanding. I moved stealthily beneath the lights, sticking close to the walls as I walked past each locked door. Moans of pleasure, and screams of pain came from each room. I would miss this, managing the club.Ambrosiawas the one thing I felt I had done right in this second life of mine. I hoped Carlisle wouldn’t run it into the ground, but my expectations were not high.
With Henrik, Warren, and Cecelia pent up in another end of the club, I felt comfortable finding Carlisle on my own; to strike up a deal that I was sure he couldn’t refuse. I was not lying to Cece when I told her I would never take away her choice again. Self-loathing filled me, a full feeling sloshing about in my insides that made me so uncomfortable I could vomit. If she wanted to die, I would let her. I would help her, even, if that was what she required of me. It was the least I could do.
But it also meant that it was my turn to die, too.
“You’re right,” he said after a long pause, twirling his finger into a single strand of hair. It slipped through his grip, and he let the curl bounce, “You don’t deserve this,” he gestured to the room we were in and beyond, “to be in charge of the City of Sin. This club, these people; you don’t deserve your kingdom. Awoman. “Carlisle spat out the last phrase as though it were an insult. To him it was, I suppose.
“My gender does not define my worth,” I snarled, and Carlisle merely tsked in annoyance. “It must kill you, to have me sitting next to you, as anequal.”
“We are not equals!” He growled, “Don’t you dare spit those words in my direction again. You are nothing but a child, and I haveyearson you. You think because you killed your High Lord, that gives you the right to rule? If I was heading the council, I would have killed you just for your sheer messiness. You think that I am the only person who knows what you did?”
He was lying, he had to be. I was smart with my methods, and Nathaniel’s disposal was something I thought long and hard about. Narcissa, although no longer in my favor, was anything but sloppy.
“It is a good thing that you do not head the council, then.” I replied, “The Authority was built to prevent dictatorships like yours.”
“The Known would be far better under my rule,” Carlisle took this moment to stand, taking big leaps of steps until he was face to face with me. He looked as if he wanted to kiss me, I could feel his breath hot against my cheeks. I stood my ground, my face flushed of all color besides my lips in a bright ruby red paint.
“Humans woulddieunder your rule,” I amended.
“As they should!”
“And then without them, we will die.”
“We willfinallylive, Mercy. This is where you and the Authority fail. But I could educate you, and teach you the way it should be, if you let me.” Carlisle leaned forward on his knees, the bed he was sitting on creaking from the shift in his movement. He eyed me up and down, as if he had never fully seen me before now. His eyes were lit with curiosity.
“You are cruel and wicked,” he said slowly, “You are a force to be reckoned with, Mercy- hell, I will admit that even for a moment I was worried about you coming into power. You have so much potential.”
My skin prickled under his praise. I used to once love the attention for my cruelty. Now, the stickiness that was left made my chest hunch uncomfortably from the weight.
“But you still have humanity left in you. To feel something for a human pet. Narcissa was right, you know. You failed yourself because of your attachment to human emotions. You can join me. Be my Second, and find the power I know you’ve always wanted. I can train you, Mercy. I can make you everything you wanted to become.”
A part of me still wanted that. Despite my aversion to Carlisle, I wanted nothing more than to show everyone that I was destined to be in this space. I, no matter my gender, was someone who should be feared. It was there on the tip of my tongue, to accept his offer. Warren would hate me, but I could keep him safe that way. He would be under my protection.
It still wouldn’t change Cecelia’s decision, though. The hatred in her eyes flashed in my mind again, and I refrained from physically wincing in pain. I dipped my head.
“Carlisle, I’m sick of dancing around the subject. You know my answer already.”
He pursed his lips and he blew hot air into my face. “Very well,” he sighed, and stepped back to lean against the bed frame. I once loved these rooms, hidden gems that made me feel powerful. It was I who discovered that there were willing humans that would donate their blood for our hunger. It was me that created this place where we could coexist, mutually benefitting one another. I used to love these rooms, but now all they did was make me feel vulnerable. I felt like this was a stage, and I was no longer eager to be on it.
“So you want me to kill you.” It was more a statement than a question. I nodded slowly.
“You keep Warren and Cecelia safe. And you kill me.”
“And what purpose does that serve? Warren cannot live as a High Lord. He has to die.”
“I can convince him to run,” I said definitively. Who knew if he would listen, but I guessed he had enough self preservation to keep himself alive. Maybe he would be good for Cecelia. They could live without the coven and the Authority if he convinced her to live. Or she would die as she wanted and he would live a life as a nomad. Either way, my promises will be kept. “And the girl will not be a problem.”
“You make a valiant attempt.” Carlisle laughed and tapped his long nails across the black desk, “I’ve never met a vampire so keen on dying.” I chose to stare at him, raising an eyebrow and waiting for his decision. It hurt me to put him in so much power.
“Very well,” he punctuated the end with the tip of his teeth, “It kills a bird with a stone, so to speak.” I could see myself deflating in relief.
He misinterpreted my deep breath. “Don’t worry, I’ll give you time to say your goodbyes—”
I opened my mouth to thank him, of all things. As if on cue, the door to the donor room sprang open, revealing Warren, Cecelia, and Henrik. The sudden interruption made me jump, and Carlisle looked over without fear. He rolled his eyes.
“Henrik! So happy you brought up our company,” Carlisle was already speaking as if the club was his, and it was infuriating. Truly, I couldn’t wait for him to slice my throat.