To Kill a Vampire - A.K. Koonce Page 0,34

as a precaution, but also an uncontrollable gasp that he always seems to pull from me.

My eyes flutter closed as he presses soft kisses to my collar bone.

“They’re so dedicated,” I whisper, trying to hold on to the situation at hand even as I shift to grant him more access.

He hums a quiet response before kissing slowly up my neck, his warm tongue flicking across my skin.

“Kenzent told me what you said.”

Finally he stills, his hot breath fanning across my shoulder. A little part of me feels triumphant to have the upper hand again.

I turn slightly in his arms until I’m looking up at him, and his beautiful silver eyes shine down on me.

“They trust us,” he whispers before slowly licking his lips. “But more so, they believe in you. It’s like they’re finding strength in your actions. It’s amazing.” His hand leaves my side and pushes my hair back, tucking it behind my ear.

“I think we can do this,” I tell him with just a hint of uncertainty lacing my words.

“I know we can.”

“Set up a meeting tomorrow night. We need to be ready.”

His dimple appears as he smiles down at me; a look of pride touches his perfect smile. His happiness is his only reply.

“I think you like being ordered around.” With my attention narrowed on him, I try my best not to smirk.

Laughter rumbles though him and into me. “Hmm, I’ve been ordered around my whole life but it’s never felt this good.”

I shove his chest lightly, unable to suppress the smile against my lips.

When I was in school, I couldn’t give a simple English presentation without stuttering and turning red. Today, dozens of mystics follow my every move, waiting for my next order. Confidence clings to each step I make and each breath I take. Nervousness isn’t even a strain in my voice.

The table I’ve sat at countless times is entirely full, and the standing room in the back is overcrowded. Carefully, I pace the ground at the head of the table.

My attention lands on a glaring werewolf, his dark eyes holding hate as he scowls up at me from the back, letting plenty of mystics separate me from him.

“In the past there has been some discord between the mystics and the hybrids in this community.” The wolf’s eyes turn to slits as he stares daggers at me. My gaze never wavers from his, and my message for him doesn’t falter. “That’s something that will be left in the past. I’m a vampire. Not by choice and hopefully not by anything more than a curse. There will not be a divide among our people. A divide among ourselves only encourages weakness, and it isn’t an example we will be setting for the mortals.”

I hold his cowering eyes for a few seconds longer before he finally concedes, his attention drifting over the worn wooden table. A slight smirk pulls at my lips as I address the rest of the room like a teacher ready to announce an exciting exam.

“One week from today I want our weaponry shed empty. Every mortal and mystic who has had training needs to be well prepared!” My attention shifts to Kaino at the head of the table. Shane glances at him for less than a second, his gaze minor but noted, possibly by more than just myself. “How many ships do we have exactly?”

“A hundred.”

My features remain smooth and impassive despite the impressive number. Where could the mystics hide one hundred ships? His words about having a use for naval ships flutter through my mind. Maybe the Wanderers were always prepared for a war with the mortals.

“Perfect. We need training on those as well. Everyone should get accustomed to manning the ships.”

The beige tent is too humid, my breaths are too short, and there are a few dozen too many blood supplies surrounding me. I need to make this meeting as short and to the point as possible. More dust clings to the laces of my dark boots as I begin to pace the length of the tent once more.

Luca catches my attention from her spot at the back of the room, her arms folded across her chest. I haven’t seen her since I attacked her. My confidence free falls into the pit of my stomach when our eyes meet.

A slight smile tilts her lips, and she nods to me.

A long sigh releases from my anxious lungs, relieving some of the weight that was building in my chest. I clear my throat,