The function room is on the third floor, so the trip is short, mercifully. Giulia steps out. Devon takes my hand and follows her out, bringing me with him in an assertive move that makes me go slightly damp. I’m gripping Cole’s arm for support of the moral kind. He smiles at me and I relax my death grip slightly.
Giulia opens the function room door with a flourish to announce our arrival. There is a collective gasp as everyone’s eyes land on me. By everyone, I mean about five Master Vampires who belong to Eloise and Gregor, and roughly twenty of the older Greater Immortals, who obviously belong to the Masters. Along with a handful of high-ranking Council Employees, who vary in kind, from Witches to humans. It’s not unexpected that absolutely none of my own siblings are here.
Last but not least, my eyes find the three Initial Vampires at the back of the room. I shift my gaze from Gregor ,who gazes at me with an even creepier look than usual, to Eloise, who looks murderously envious, especially as I have two of the most gorgeous men to ever exist accompanying me on either side. And then I look at my beloved Constantine, who looks at me with pride, awe, and love. Real love, not the sire kind, which takes my breath away. It’s been a while since I saw that look in his eyes. He quickly adjusts his features when he sees that I’ve noticed.
Letting me go, Cole gives me a quick kiss, as does Devon, with a grin I know is due to Eloise’s bitchy face. I grin back and walk towards my three colleagues.
I stand in front of them with an urge to burst out laughing, which must show on my face as CK hides his smile behind his hand.
One of The Council employee’s steps forward. I think he is some sort of Druid or Witch type person. And without further ado, I am sworn into The Council as its fourth member.
I repeat some words in Latin, which loosely translated into English is: “I, Aefre Allington nee Coortan, by the sanctity of The Council, I vow to serve my fellow Vampires with honor and loyalty. By my blood, I swear this oath here today.”
A quick stab of CK’s finger with a ceremonial dagger, he drops some blood into a basin and passes the dagger to Eloise who does the same, as does Gregor. He hands it to me with a leer and I stab my finger. A drop of blood wells up and I drop it into the basin. A rather spectacular explosion occurs within the basin with my smoky black Power vortex welling up. We all step back in surprise as I feel a pull on the other three members’ energy. I know they feel it too, as Eloise puts a hand to her heart and draws in a sharp breath.
“Holy crap!” I exclaim, glancing at CK, who looks slightly surprised. Recovering quickly, he pulls me into a tight embrace and congratulates me. He gives me a swift kiss and that look is back in his eyes as he murmurs, “You look breathtaking.” I drop my eyes in acceptance of his compliment. Okay, maybe there is some slight modesty here when it comes to him.
He lets me go and to my surprise Eloise steps forward to embrace me, sort of, in a half hug and a pat on the back.
“Welcome,” she says icily. I incline my head in thanks and then Gregor embraces me, letting his hand ‘accidentally’ brush over my backside. I tense up. I know CK is flaming mad. He pulls me to his side as soon as Gregor lets me go. “Well, that’s that then, my sweet. Let’s see what happens next.” I grimace at his words as my mark flares up. Not wanting to show weakness, I hold it together until CK leads me away and says, “I feel it too. Are you okay?”
I nod grimly and say, “I fucking wish this was over already, and we could move onto the next phase.”
“I know, my love. It shows a strengthening of our connection. We are now equals,” he says, casting an amused sidelong glance at me and I snort in amusement.
“Oh, sure,” I say sarcastically, to which he laughs.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
T aking a moment to freshen up, I take a deep breath and resume my composure. The pain in my back has resided thankfully, so now I can go and enjoy myself.
“Lizzie?” It’s Devon at the door. I open it with a questioning look. Cole is standing next to him and they both hold up their wrists. Their own markings have doubled in size and are now filled in pitch black. Horrified, I turn around, but they both say “No,” to my relief, but what does it mean?
Getting more confused and irritated by this mystery, I ask, “Get me a drink, will you?” to neither of them in particular, so they both turn to go as Eloise steps into view.
Oh, wonderful. I sigh.
She glares at me from her superior height. I have to admit, she does look lovely with her auburn hair curling around her shoulders, and an emerald-colored dress that really makes her eyes quite striking. If she wasn’t such a hateful woman, I would compliment her.
“You are not worthy of this honor,” she states. “I have no idea why this Power chose you, but Constantine has asked me to accept you. I will try. But make no mistake, I will be watching you.”
“Do you do everything he tells you to do?” I snap in a bit of a temper at her insults.
She smirks at me and leans in close. “Well, he is very instructive, as you know,” she whispers. “He knows what he wants, it’s quite the turn on.”
My fist clenches to punch her in the face, but I hold back. Oh no, there will be a time and a place for that. Instead, I place a twisted smile on my face and lean forward, saying loudly so that several bystanders can also hear me, “Oh, yes. He was quite explicit about what I should do to him in bed the other day.” I saunter off to find my men, enjoying the look of shock and envy on her face.
Strangely, I find Cole talking with CK and Devon. I look at each of them in turn as Cole hands me a glass of Champagne.
“Just doing as you asked, my sweet,” CK offers up quietly when my querying gaze lands on him.
I smile softly as Cole asks in amusement, “Everything okay with your colleague?”
I take the glass. “Thank you. Yes, fine, nothing a good bitch slap won’t cure,” I say in exaggerated hatred, looking at CK who looks back again, puzzled by my loathing. Christ. Men are just as oblivious at two thousand, seven hundred and fifty-nine as they are at twenty.
Clearing his throat, Cole asks, “Liv. This sounds crazy, but your names earlier? Why did you use your old ones?”
“As my original name, it is the name that appears on all my official Council documents. I can use any name I choose in the mortal world, but here I will always be Aefre Allington nee Coortan.” I sigh. I don’t mind CK calling me by my first name, albeit he usually reverts it from the Old English Ah-vuh, to his native Latin Ai-Vuh, on most occasions, it’s just a subtle change to the Æ diphthong. I find it quite sweet that he prefers to use it, as it is the name I told him a thousand years ago, but I’m really glad that I’m not that girl anymore.