I had to charm room service into giving me the bottles of scotch. But anyhow…

  I’m still not used to being Empress. I guess I should’ve expected any vampires in attendance to pay their respects as Vanessa said. Actually, after the three of them curtsied, what Vanessa said was, “Empress Solodnikova, we’ve come to pay the respect you are due.” It felt a little distant. Like it’s begrudgingly done and not meant. But I wondered if I was reading in too much because she’s my rival?

  I nodded and replied, “I’m glad there is peace between our covens,” which I suppose she could have read into me saying there is peace between bloodlines but not between us. But the thing is, I didn’t mean it to imply that and only realized it could be interpreted that way after I said it, but as Empress I thought it would appear weak or that I’m uncertain if I corrected myself so I didn’t clarify. I desperately wanted to ask her if she still felt usurped but I couldn’t reveal that I watched Vance’s IG that closely.

  Their blood scent familiar and identical, I knew all three were Los Angeles de Sangre. They each introduced themselves, but I was only interested in Vanessa Aguasvivas. Maybe that was obvious as the two blondes curtsied and excused themselves politely but prematurely, but I doubt it. They only came because they had to and were planning to leave even before they arrived. It all felt choreographed to get me and Vanessa alone.

  “Are you enjoying the ball, Empress?” she asked.

  “It has its moments. There’s so many mortals though. How are you liking it?”

  “The last one was better.”

  “I believe that was in Vienna?”

  “Yes, it was.”

  “Do you live in San Francisco?”

  “Yes. I love it here. Empress, may I speak plainly to you?”

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  “Please do.”

  “Thank you. I know I don’t know you and I’m not trying to be your friend but I don’t want to be your enemy either. Not just because I know that wouldn’t end well for me, but because I just don’t want there to be problems between us. I don’t dislike you because of something you did to me, we just like the same guy and I know I can’t compete with you.”

  What?!! Beautiful and womanly Vanessa can’t compete with me? I had just met her and our relationship was already more complicated than I expected. It’d be easier if I could just hate her.

  “Since we’re speaking plainly, I think he likes you more than he likes me.”

  “You have him starstruck, Empress.”

  “That doesn’t mean he likes me.”

  “He does though. I can tell.”

  “He’s not attracted to children. It’s I who can’t compete with you.”

  “You’re wrong, because I can’t turn him.”

  They were all too young, all of Vance’s real vampire friends here tonight. Vanessa, her blonde Blood Angels, Jenny and Wei from Red Flower were all too young to turn a mortal. But I guess I wasn’t surprised. When I think of the older vampires of the Cob?lcescu, even the ones who aren’t yet Ancients, I don’t see them attending a mortal event like this.

  “You could find some other Blood Angel to turn him for you. Ask your sire.”

  “She won’t do it. I begged. Others too. They all say the same thing. I have to wait until I can do it myself just like they had to. Then they babble on about the mortal loves they lost while they waited. It’s all part of the grand tradition. That’s why I can’t even ask you to leave him to me. With me he’ll grow old and die. That’s what I really wanted to talk to you about.”

  “What’s that? That you really want to talk to me about?”

  “You keep him, Empress. Keep him and turn him. Make vampiric love until you blood bind. Then it won’t matter if you look like a child.”

  “The blood bind can be broken. My mother is proof of that.”

  “I’ll leave. I’ll go to Córdoba. I just want to know he’ll live forever.”

  Yes, this was definitely more complicated than I expected. It seemed like Vanessa had just simplified things for me by getting out of my way, but it felt the opposite as my love for Vance, if it was love, now felt inferior.

  “I just ask one thing, Empress,” she said. “Please let me have one night to say goodbye before you turn him. Please let me have that and you’ll have him forever. I’ll leave you now. Good evening, Empress.” She curtsied and left hurriedly. Out on the dance floor, Hisato twirled Corinne. Beyond them, I saw Vance watching Vanessa flee, all the way out the exit, leaving the ballroom. I waited, wondering if he’d go after her. He did.

  That’s him now, stepping out of the elevator.

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