Page 112 of House of Crimson Kisses
Octavia glances at Xavier and nods, “Us too.”
“Me three,” Amelia says. “Actually, no. I just felt left out. I think I told you everything I had in the office.”
Xavier hops behind the bar and grabs two bottles. A vintage Sanguis Cupa and a bottle of blood for Octavia, Amelia, and him.
He pours out their blood and drops a shot of Sangui Cupa into each one. Then he pours a shot for me and digs up a bottle of wine and hands me a glass.
“I figured we’d need this,” he says.
Octavia rearranges the sofas so that there’s space for us all, and we nestle down in front of the fire with our drinks.
Then we all start talking at once.
Xavier wafts his hands at us. “One at a time. Amelia, you first.”
She sighs, her shoulders sagging. “I’ve already told Red and Octavia. But to catch you up, I’ve been doing research. In order for Red to transition, she needs to kill someone. A human, specifically.”
Xavier shifts in his seat. “Okay, that’s a lot,” he says.
I nod and sigh, preparing to chip in everything I’ve discovered. “When we were in the spirit trial, I passed the test and then witnessed a vision of the past. It was two women in love. At first, I couldn’t see who they were, but the vision dragged me closer until I could make out their faces. It was Cordelia...”
“And?” Octavia says.
“And Eleanor. Only I recognised Eleanor’s face. I mean... she’s changed, like, a lot. It’s hard to explain how much time and battles and scars inside and out can change the shape of a person’s smile. But her eyes, they were the same. I knew it was her.”
“Who, Red? Who was it?” Xavier says and even Amelia sits forward in her chair.
“I wanted confirmation before I told you, but there’s no question, after the conversation I just overheard. It’s the Chief. She’s Eleanor.”
Octavia’s eyebrows try to climb off her brow.
Xavier’s eyes widen. “How the fuck did I miss that? I thought I was good at reading people.”
“Because someone cursed them. But forget the past for a second because it gets worse. They incited and coordinated the riots in the city tonight. I always suspected it was Cordelia, but I had no idea it was the Chief too.”
“Why the hell are they colluding?” Amelia whispers.
I shrug. “It’s to do with me. They want to control me for something.”
“Something more than opening the door?” Octavia asks.
“I guess? I honestly don’t have a clue.”
Xavier swigs the entire rest of his goblet and starts pouring more drinks. An appropriate response. I glug several gulps of my glass. Amelia puts her head in her hands.
“That’s not all, is it?” Octavia says.
I shake my head. This is the bit of information I’ve been dreading sharing.
“No. It’s not,” I mumble, pulling my eyes away from her. “I…Well, I fucked up.”
“Red,” Octavia says, her tone deeper.
“Define, fucked up,” Xavier says and passes Amelia a top up.
“I told her. Before, I mean. The Chief knows I’m the dhampir,” I say, and the three of them fall deathly quiet. Xavier swallows and pops the bottle of Sangui Cupa over the sofa arm and on the floor and then sheepishly glances at Octavia.
“What the fuck?” Octavia booms, standing up. Xavier grabs her by the wrist and pulls her back into the seat.
