Vampire Unveiled: A New Adult Paranormal Romance (Keepers of the Chalice Book 2) by Tamar Sloan & Ivy Lane

Author:Tamar Sloan & Ivy Lane [Sloan, Tamar]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jess Connors Publishing
Published: 2022-06-05T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Caleb

Maddy draws Caleb’s gaze like a magnet. He takes in her parted lips and widened eyes that surely mirror the shock he must wear on his own face. Ever so slightly, Maddy shakes her head. Caleb clears his throat and turns back to Elias.

“You’re asking me to be the vampire king?” he asks.

“Yes. That is the wish of the majority of the vampires.” Elias continues to ignore the others in the room, keeping his focus on Caleb and away from the hunter whose surprise is beginning to fade into a scowl.

Caleb glances at Maddy again, uncertain how to take the news. “I can’t be the vampire king. I’m no relation to him, and I certainly don’t think he would have chosen me as his heir.”

The floorboards creak as Elias moves closer. His voice lowers, though the others can likely still hear what the red-haired vampire says. “The masters and the king may govern the activities of the vampires in their own way, but the rules are enforced by a secret council who exists within their ranks.”

Caleb shares a glance with Mason. His friend shrugs his shoulder, apparently also unaware of such a council. “I’ve never heard of this council before,” he says. “The Master never mentioned it.”

Elias sniffs and crosses his arms. “The former Master was weak, and was beginning to take vampire kind down a path the council didn’t want. They were fortunate the problem seemed to have been resolved before they were required to get involved.” Elias raises an eyebrow and gives Caleb a nod. “We have you to thank for that, and because of your service, the council has decided to name you king. Vampires cannot continue to remain without leadership for long.”

“Caleb…” Maddy steps forward, flicking an annoyed glare at Elias. “You can’t seriously be considering this, can you?”

Caleb opens his mouth, but then snaps it shut. What is he supposed to say? Does he want to be king? Not really, but what happens if he says no? Who else will be asked to lead vampires as they face their greatest challenges in history?

He drags his stare away from Maddy, unable to bear the pleading look in her eye. “I’ll go and speak with the council. I can’t make any sort of decision without having all of the information first.” Elias agrees and Caleb can taste Maddy’s despair as he pulls in a breath. He runs his tongue along his teeth as if he could scrape the bitterness away. “Where is the council?”

“Here, in Mercy City,” Elias says. “Not too far from here, actually.” His eyebrows lower, fixing Maddy with a glare. “The human stays here.”

“The human doesn’t want to go anywhere near your vampire council.” Maddy turns to Caleb. “And neither should you.”

Maddy’s voice is sharp with anger, but Caleb notes the undercurrent of unease quivering at the edges. He closes the distance between them and takes her hand and gives her fingers a reassuring squeeze. “I’m just going to speak with them, Maddy. This isn’t something I want to do, but I have to see what’s up.

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