Page 30 of Grave Throbbing
Harley
"What just happened?" Harley asked Empress Marcella as the rest of the council vanished at high speed as though the room was on fire.
She grinned at him. "Ciarán's bite can't coerce vampires to do his bidding after the fact," she said. "That was the purpose of this trial."
"This was all a test?" Harley was angrier than he'd ever thought possible at his empress.
"Ciarán bit me in New York," she explained. "If he had the power to coerce or control after the fact, he may have been able to control me now. For instance, if he were worried about his own life, he might have coerced you to harm me. Instead, his every thought was begging you to forgive him. He didn't want to bite you again, but he did nothing to save himself, or you."
She turned to Key. "Still, you have a unique gift, and we would like to keep it close to our council. That was my purpose for including them in our discussion. Some might still fear you, but I agree with Councilor Newton, it is good to have you on our side."
Councilor Newton approached them with a bow of her head. "We have some new positions available. Two recently vacated seats on the council. Are you interested?"
"Me?" Key looked like he'd rather be anywhere else, discussing anything else.
"You, and Margaret," Empress Marcella said. "Once you've been trained, there's not much to the job. Harley watches four screens of reality television while claiming to do his work."
Harley hoped he looked outraged, but he said nothing. She wasn't wrong.
"Did you think we didn't monitor your activity?" She arched an eyebrow at him and shook her head. "Dobbins did absolutely nothing except look for new victims, and Chloe helped him cover it up. She also kept it from you, Harley."
She glanced at Key and then met Greed's gaze. "I trust you'll search for any like-minded vampires in the area and deal with them the way I dealt with Dobbins, yes?"
"I would love to." Greed hopped over the defense's table and offered her hand to Empress Marcella. "I remember their scents and faces. I'll track them down for you."
"Thank you." Empress Marcella looked to Key again. "Ciarán?"
Key met Harley's gaze for a moment, and Harley hoped Key recognized his desire. They would be able to spend more time together, if not in the same apartment, at least in the same building as they got to know each other better.
"Yes," Key said. "I'll help Greed bring them to justice, and Harley can keep us abreast of additional issues in the area."
The heat in Key's gaze burned through Harley, making him feel flushed with the fresh blood in his system. They were too far apart. Harley wanted to kiss him, but now was not the time.
Empress Marcella clapped her hands twice, drawing their attention back to her. "Fantastic news. I feel much better leaving this part of the US in your capable hands. I'll be returning to the airport immediately. The jet can make it to London before sunrise."
"You're leaving already?" Councilor Newton asked.
"I will check in with Harley once I return home," Empress Marcella said. "We'll have the other apartments cleared for you as soon as possible. Head Councilor Newton, you're responsible for the clean-up."
Councilor Newton nodded.
"Until then, you all have the night off. Enjoy yourselves."
Harley knew what he wanted to do with the rest of the night. He only hoped Key was as willing.
They chose to walk back to the apartment building, which turned into a race between Key and Greed to see who was faster. Harley beat them both by several feet and swore they both touched his outstretched hands at the same time. They rushed to the stairwell the moment Harley let them through the door.
Harley took an extra moment to sign them in on the guest list and explained to the guard they would move in shortly. Head Councilor Newton had already made the guard aware. Harley looked forward to having her in charge. He'd been responsible for much of the day-to-day management of the apartment building, thanks to Chloe's delegation. Councilor Newton's sudden interest was refreshing. If he had only his own duties to complete from now on, he would have more time to spend with Key.
The siblings waited for him at the top of the stairs, both looking like he'd caught them whispering. He'd been too preoccupied with his own thoughts to catch any words, so they had nothing to fear. He unlocked the door and ushered them both into his apartment.
"Where are the open apartments?" Greed asked as she plopped down on the couch, still a makeshift bed draped with his spare sheets.
"Head Councilor Newton will probably take the floor above mine," Harley said. "Her apartment is on the ground floor now."
"Ooh," Greed said. "I love people-watching! I'll move in once she moves out. And the other?"
"The other is the floor below mine." The apartment had been vacant for years, since Dobbins had never moved in. The council sometimes used it to house guests, but only when they brought their own coffins. It was empty, otherwise.
