Blood Games (Chicagoland Vampires 10)

He looked at me, squeezed my hand. I nodded back.

Footsteps rang out as Malik walked to the other end of the room, stepped onto the dais, looked over the gathering in the ballroom.

“This is an unexpected development,” Malik said, voice loud and ringing across the ballroom. “A historically unprecedented development. But it is for reasons like this—for the turning pages of history—that we have come together as a House, that we make promises to each other.”

Malik looked earnestly at Ethan, gestured him forward. Anticipation built as Ethan crossed the room, mounted the dais.

“Ethan Sullivan,” Malik began, “Master of Cadogan House, you have apparently been named a member of the new Assembly of American Masters. At times like these, it is important to remember the bonds that bind us together, and the promise we have made to each other.”

Ethan smiled at him.

“In the presence of your brothers and sisters,” Malik continued, “do you pledge that you still shall show fealty and allegiance to Cadogan House, to its honor? Do you pledge to be true and faithful to Cadogan House and to its members to the exclusion of all others, without deception? Do you pledge to uphold the liberty of your brothers and sisters?”

He was repeating the oath that Cadogan Initiates took at Commendation, when we became full and official members of the House. But Malik had adjusted it, creating a new oath, and a new promise for Ethan. A reminder of his loyalties.

“Do you pledge to serve the House without hesitation, and to never, by word or deed, seek to harm the House or its members? Will you help to hold and defend her against any creature, living or dead, and make this promise, gladly and without dread, and keep it for as long as you shall live?”

A thousand emotions crossed Ethan’s face, but mostly there was pride and love and earnestness. He wanted to do right, to do better, for his vampires. “I do,” he called out.

“In that case,” Malik said with a smile, stepping forward and going down on one knee, “in the presence of my brothers and sisters, I pledge fealty and allegiance to the Assembly of American Vampires, and to you, our Master . . . and our sire.” He glanced at the other vampires in the room. “If you will join me, show your fealty.”

To a one, with the shush of fabric and the squeak of shoes on the wooden floors, every vampire in the room, including myself, dropped to one knee, reiterating our loyalty to Ethan.

Magic lifted and draped the room, loving and proud and hopeful. It was the magic of a Master who’d been called to serve, and those who’d agreed to serve him still.

My eyes filled with tears, and I heard muted sniffles around me.

Ethan stared around the room, taking in the sight before him, the vampires who’d prostrated themselves to his service. His eyes were wide, his surprise at the turn of events still obvious.

“Rise, please,” Ethan said, and the vampires stood again, patting him on the back and calling for him to make a speech.

“You humble me,” Ethan said. “To be frank, I assumed I would leave this room tonight feeling envious and bitter. Instead, I leave it humbled. Proud. And honestly, a little relieved.”

There were light chuckles in the crowd. Ethan knew how to work an audience.

“I did not expect this—either for us, or from Nicole.” He moistened his lips. “Tonight, she showed she is willing to give the American Houses the voice they’ve long been denied.”

That was a very diplomatic way of putting it. There was no point—right now—in detailing exactly how untrustworthy Nicole Heart really was.

“We are fortunate enough to stand in the crossroads of history. For the first time, we will know independence for the American Houses. But let us not forget the challenges that we face, and the uncertainties of the future. Our path is new, untrodden, but I will do my best to serve you, the House, and the Assembly.”

“Hear, hear,” Luc shouted, and a hundred other vampires followed suit.

“I think, all things considered, that a celebration is in order.” He found Helen in the crowd, nodded at her. “Keep the champagne flowing.”

“And snacks!” Margot yelled out, which earned a whistle from me.

“In that case, let’s celebrate!” Ethan said, and a rousing version of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” filled the air when someone turned on the audio system.

Grinning from ear to ear, Ethan stepped down from the dais, began to shake the hands of the vampires who moved forward to congratulate him.

I felt my phone vibrate but resisted the urge to check the screen. I already knew who would be calling.

Ethan was now one of twelve.

The RG would have plenty to say about that.

* * *

When the festivities were over, we returned to Ethan’s office, chatting with the vampires who stopped by to congratulate him and wish him well. He opened the Glenmorangie, which had made its way back into the liquor cabinet, and still seemed to be in shock at the turn of events. But it was the best kind of shock.

Eventually, the well-wishers cleared away and we returned to our apartments.

“So,” I said, when the door was closed behind us and we had privacy and quiet again. “I guess congratulations are in order.”

“Of a type,” he agreed. “But let’s not think too kindly about her motives.”

“Oh, I don’t. She’s conniving. And I think we can safely assume this move wasn’t because she really believes in honor and valor, but because she gained eleven new allies by appointing them all to her brand-new council.”

“It was a cunning move,” he agreed. “Come here, Sentinel,” he said, crooking his finger at me. I walked into his arms, pressed my mouth to his, kissed him until my muscles went lax and he wound his fingers through my hair.

He pulled back, kissed me more softly, then released me.

I pulled off my jacket, then the boots and leather pants. Still wearing my tank, I pulled the band from my hair, shaking it until it fell around my shoulders in a dark waterfall, and sat down on the edge of the bed.

“You paint quite a picture,” Ethan said.

I smiled back at him, stretched my arms behind me. If I was going to play seductress, I might as well get into the part. “There’s more canvas to be revealed,” I said with a wink.

A finger touched a sharp edge, and I glanced behind me. A small white card and envelope was propped on a blue velvet pillow on the bed. Grinning, I snatched it up and slid the card from the envelope, expecting to read words of love or seduction.