“What’s a stretch?” Easton and I ask at the same time.
“One of the hunters we were with last week mentioned something, but she was pretty drunk, so I didn’t take her seriously.”
“And?” Easton motions for her to continue.
“She dated a guy in The Order of the Mystic Realm and broke things off because he was getting involved in politics and was supporting policies that would hurt a lot of people. She stopped making sense then, because of all the tequila, but something was mentioned about vampires working an inside job with super conservative humans…specifically Senator Martin.” Melinda winces at the mention of his name. “But, like I said, she was really drunk, and the guy sounded like an asshole even before politics were brought up.”
“Wouldn’t that be a plot twist,” I huff. “Though if this vampire wants all vamps to go back to the old ways, getting someone like Dumbfuck Martin to make their lives hell would add fuel to the fire.”
“And they’d want to retaliate,” Easton finishes, and we all look at each other, knowing how bad this could get. I won’t let it come to that, even though I have no fucking clue how to prevent a politically fueled war.
William Martin is too full of himself to realize he’s being manipulated. He thinks he’s too good to have anyone fool him, that he’s smarter than everyone, and everything is his original idea and whatever he comes up with is the best ever and will have no idea he’s just a pawn in an ancient vampire’s scheme.
“She showed me this picture,” Melinda goes on, getting her phone from her jacket pocket. She opens up a Facebook post and shows me a photo. “That’s your brother, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” I say, looking at a smiling photo of Scott in a suit, standing front and center on a podium, shaking hands with another guy.
“That’s what I thought, and that’s my friend’s ex with him. Once she showed me this, I put a little more credit into her drunken rambling.”
“Interesting.” I bite my bottom lip, mind racing. I really don’t have time to get into this, and I know the whole thing is much bigger than I realize. I’m only seeing the tip of the iceberg, and a political fight is the last fucking thing I need.
But a war between vampires and humans will end in so much blood.
“Can you take a screenshot of that and send it to me?” I ask Melinda.
“Sure.”
The waiter comes over to take our order, and I order both dishes I wanted, along with an appetizer for us to share. I hand the menu to the waiter and watch him walk away. When he’s out of earshot, I rest my hands on the table, needing to get down to business.
“The reason I asked for help on a demon case is because I promised I’d take some time off from running headfirst into danger if I can help it.”
“Why?” Easton asks.
“Lucas was cursed with humanity and knocked me up.”
“You’re joking,” Melinda says slowly.
“Nope. You were right,” I told Easton. “That’s why I felt so sick.”
“Fuck. I’m, um, sorry?” Easton offers, and Melinda swats his arm.
“It obviously wasn’t expected or planned,” I press. “But we’re married, and if he wasn’t a vampire this would be the next step.”
“Would it, though?” Easton asks, not afraid to be too bold. “You married the guy thinking you couldn’t procreate.”
“I married him because I love him, not because vampires can’t typically get anyone pregnant,” I correct. “The ability to procreate—or not—didn’t have much to do with it. I love Lucas, and he loves me. The curse was an interesting twist to our story, I’ll admit, and it’s going to change things for sure, but I have to believe it’ll work out. We’re going to have a family, and it’s scary but exciting and I don’t want you to treat me any differently, okay? Oh, also I’m a Nephilim. I just found out a few months ago,” I add, remembering Melinda doesn’t know.
Silence falls over the table, and both Easton and Melinda stare at me.
“Don’t be weird,” I tell them. “I’m still me, just slightly more badass than before.”
“Okay,” Melinda grabs the drink menu though we’ve already ordered. It’s a lot to process, I know, but I’ve discovered how much easier it is to just come out and say things. There’s no reason to dance around the truth. It’s such a waste of time. “So, this demon…”