Blood That Reigns (Blood Legends Duet Book 2) by Melissa Winters

Author:Melissa Winters [Winters, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-24T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Julian

The place is buzzing with people as they attempt to pull together a dinner meeting for ten of the most influential members of our society—with less than twenty-four hours’ notice.

While they busy themselves setting up the dining hall, I’m walking to what feels like a death sentence. All the members of the Council have arrived and are waiting for me in the conference room. I asked Law to entertain them while I prepared. I’ll need his support today. It is imperative that the Council see that I have the loyalty of one brother. We’re stronger in numbers and Marcellus is the odd man out.

I stand outside the large wooden double doors adjusting the collar of my shirt. Everything rides on this meeting. The enormity of that fact has me damn near shaking. It’s not only my life that hangs in the balance, but our entire race. Our survival depends on the elders of the Council understanding the danger my brother presents to our kind.

“You ready for this?” Addy asks, sliding up next to me.

She isn’t going to be in the meeting because we’re not ready to tell the Council about the second part of the deal I made with Count Dupré. We need her to focus on the alternative blood source before she takes her place at my side. And it’s not the time for unrest in the Council before the auction is stopped and Marcellus is brought in. We need to form a pact and flush out the traitors.

“Not even close, but it’s past time.”

She places her hand on mine and squeezes. “You’ll do great things for vampires, Julian. I know the smart men on the Council will see your passion. Just be yourself . . . but perhaps bolder.” She grins and I chuckle.

“Bolder. Got it.”

Count Dupré practically runs up from out of nowhere, out of breath and sweating like a hog.

“Father? What on earth happened to you?” Addy grimaces, taking in his wild appearance. “I . . . overslept,” he says, not meeting either of our eyes. Strange. “I’ll see you in there.” He throws open the door and steps inside without another look back.

“That was . . .”

“Strange,” I supply, and Addy nods.

“Very.”

I shake off the nerves building in my core and look at my oldest friend. “Thank you for the pep talk.”

“Always.” She winks. “Where’s Marina? Maybe I’ll talk her into a drink.”

“She was headed to her room last I saw her. Please, coerce her into a girls’ night. She needs it after Seattle.”

Addy sighs. “That was tough. She’s a strong woman, Julian. She’ll be all right.”

I smile. “I have to go.”

She nods. “Me too.” She turns and leaves me to enter the lion’s den. I inhale once more and let it out before entering the room.

Ten sets of eyes stare in my direction and I stand taller, unwilling to let them see that their presence is affecting me in any way. My father ruled the entire world of vampires, but these men before me have ruled in their own right for centuries.

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