grins and wipes away her tears. “I’m all ears.”
Chapter 11
I arrive at Club Toxic, and Maximus greets me at the door. The club is not yet open and the staff is bustling around, doing their nightly routine of getting ready for customers.
“Are they here yet?”
Maximus nods. “They’re in the office, waiting for you.”
“Have you told them anything?” I clench my jaw.
He shakes his head. “I said you would fill them in on what happened while they were away.”
“Thank you.” I inhale a lungful of courage and march up the stairs to Lucius’s office. As I enter, Lucius stands from behind his desk, a bright smile on his face. “Theophilus.” Crossing the room, he greets me with a slap on the back, and Selene rises from the couch to plant a kiss on my cheek.
“Good evening, Sire. My lady.”
He sits his backside against the edge of his desk and motions me to take a seat.
“I’d rather stand, thank you.”
“Why do you look so serious?”
“A few things, but I’d like to get something out of the way first. Something that has been troubling me since I found this.” I pull Lucius’s cryptic notecard from my suit breast pocket.
“Ah.” He sets the note aside. “I apologize for leaving that so open ended. I didn’t think we were going to be gone so long, but after I’ve had a think about it, I realized we don’t actually have to have that talk after all.”
I’m going to kill him. All this fucking tension for nothing? I inhale a calming breath and try to release the murderous thoughts rampaging through my brain.
“You said there were some other things bothering you?”
I nod. “Alexander Clay arrived a few days ago. Do you remember him?”
“Yes, of course. He was that young vampire at Bartholomew’s nest in London, right?”
“Yes, Sire. I would like your permission for him to join the nest. We have decided to rekindle our relationship, since he is no longer beholden to London.”
“If you vouch for him, then I will give my blessing.”
“We also have a new person in our relationship. I don’t know if you ever noticed me spending time with Karina Lockwood?”
Lucius narrows his eyes and looks to Selene.
“The redhead with the freckles?” the queen asks.
I nod. “There was a bit of trouble surrounding her friend Zoe, one of our bartenders. Karina was mortally wounded.”
“Yes, that’s right. Armando filled me in on what happened. It seems both of these girls suffered at the hands of this man. I am sorry to hear that.” Lucius places a fatherly hand upon my shoulder.
“Actually, I-I turned her, Sire. Alex and I couldn’t bear to lose her, and time was of the essence. There was no opportunity to consult you.”
He nods thoughtfully. “Armando had to do the same.” He sighs. “Will she pose a threat or a problem?”
“On the contrary. In fact, I’m a little puzzled about her condition. I only turned her last night and she’s, well…”
“Ah, you haven’t turned anyone before. Is she difficult to handle?”
“No, Sire. She’s a complete angel.”
He and Selene frown.
“Would you two come to my house for a short visit? I can fill you in on what’s happened, and perhaps you can shed some light on her condition.”
“Of course. Lead the way.”
I smack the card onto the table. “Uno!”
Alex tosses his handful of cards into the air and rounds the table, hoisting me over his shoulders as cards scatter across the kitchen floor. I squeal with delight and squirm as his fingers dig into my sides, tickling me.
“You’re just mad…because I’ve beaten you…ahhh…three times!” I manage between breaths, and the room spins as he twirls me around.
“Ahem.”
Alex stops and I slide down his muscular body, still giggling and trying to catch my breath and balance. Although, now I realize all this breath catching is in my head as I really don’t need to breathe. The nuances of being a vampire take a little getting used to.
Theo stands at the threshold of the kitchen door, his hands on his hips. But the corner of his mouth puckers as he suppresses a smile. “What mischief are you two up to?”
“Alex is a sore loser.” But two people enter the kitchen behind Theo and I sober quickly from my playfulness.
Lucius and Selene. I know of them, but I’ve never met them.
“Alexander, I believe you already know King Lucius. This is his queen, Selene.”
Alex executes a curt nod. “Sire. M’lady.”
“Come, pet.” Theo holds out his hand and I obediently approach, slipping my fingers into his. “Sire, this