Mark of Betrayal (Dark Secrets #3)(60)
Author: A.M. Hudson

He paced the floor, first addressing the subject of the defectors our Order had just inherited, how they seemed to be trustworthy so far, then went on to discuss the coronation, deciding it would be held this week—provided the Upper House approved. “Which brings us to our next topic.”

All eyes in the room moved to me; I shrunk in my seat. “What?”

“Changing of the knights.”

“Oh boy.” I tipped my brow to my hand.

“I know, Ara, but the rest of the army have completed the change—they’re training and ready to go. The only thing left to do, which I know you’re dreading, is to change these guys.” Mike clapped Blade on the shoulder.

I swallowed, trying to push the feeling, the memory of when Jason flooded my lips with human blood, out of my mind. I could still feel it blazing, and could still taste the acidic tang of Falcon’s blood when I changed him the other day.

“What’s the big deal?” Blade shrugged, palms up. “I don’t get it—she just has to bite us.”

“Human blood burns her, Blade,” Morg said with a very thick smothering of abhorrence. “Lilithian’s just weren’t designed to bite humans—it goes against everything we are.”

“Sorry, Princess.” Blade sunk back a bit. “I didn’t mean to be offensive.”

“No, it’s okay, Blade,” I said. “You weren’t to know.”

“If he’d paid attention the day you bit Falcon, he would know how it affects you,” Morgaine barked.

Blade looked like a kid cussing at his own mistake. “U’m sorry. I just…I thought she was upset ‘cause she killed him.”

“Yeah, well, now you know, don’t you.” Morgaine took my hand. “But, despite the burn, Amara, you have to do this. The sooner, the better. You may need the knights when you go to kill Drake in a few weeks.”

“Trap him,” I corrected.

She looked up at Mike, who gave a small headshake—his non-verbal ‘leave it for now.’

“Well, at least I only have to bite three, right. So, when do you want me to do it?”

“Tonight,” Mike said. “After the bonfire shindig.”

“Really?” I rubbed my tongue over the roof of my mouth.

“Can you think of a better time?” he asked. “We’ll let these guys enjoy their last evening as mortals, then we’ll introduce them to the flip-side of the pillow.”

“Huh?” I frowned.

“The flip-side…” his voice trailed off. “It means the cool side of life, you know, ‘cause your pillow is cold on the other—” He shook his head. “Never mind.”

“So, tonight?” Morgaine said.

An air of exhilaration and anticipation washed over the last remaining humans in the room.

“Okay. Tonight, then.” I nodded.

“Sweet.” Blade and Ryder smacked hands together, then turned and did the same with Quaid. Falcon remained cool, watching on from his position against the wall, as if he was above it all—way too mature to high-five.

“Right,” Mike said. “Well, the next meeting will be called in two days—the morning prior to the coronation. Ara?” He looked at me. “Eileen, formerly Lady in Waiting to Queen Lilith, wants to talk with you about the coronation.”

“Why?”

Mike leaned on the wall, his legs casually slanted in front of him. “She says there’re some things—history and reasons for some of the ceremonial stuff, that you need to know.”

“Great,” I groaned. “Look forward to it.” Really, though, I actually just felt like catching a taxi to Elysium, running inside, killing myself a bad guy, then taking the first breeze back home—to dad’s house—to normal life again.

Morgaine turned her head swiftly and looked into my eyes, while the rest of the council chatted and laughed loudly between themselves. “You okay, Princess?”

I shook my head.

“Right then.” Mike stood up off the wall. “Let’s call this meeting adjourned.”

“Sweet. Dibs on lighting the bonfire,” Blade said, rubbing his hands together as he stood.

“Yep, and Falcon can get all the firewood,” Quaid slapped Mr. Serious on the shoulder as he passed.

“Why him?” Morgaine asked.

“He can pull trees down with his bare hands,” Quaid said.

“Roooar!” Ryder laughed, following the boys up the stairs.

Falcon and Mike shook their heads, looking like twins, standing side by side. They even wore the same black fitted shirts and jeans. I wondered if Mike was missing his little bromance with David, enough that he was seeking himself a twin of his very own.

“Ara?” Mike’s hand came down on my shoulder; I hadn’t even noticed him beside me. “Eileen’s waiting in your room. You can meet us down at the bonfire once you’re done.”

“Will it take that long?” I looked at my watch. “I was planning on—” I stopped before the words going to the lighthouse slipped out.

“You were what?”

“Nothing. I’m just tired. I wanted a rest first.”

Morgaine took my hand and whispered quietly, “Would you like me to come to the boring meeting with you?”

“Yes! Please!” I hopped up off the chair. “We can throw paper canons at her head when she’s not looking.”

She laughed. “Okay, but only if we get to blame you for it. You can’t get in trouble.”

“Hey, guys?” Emily’s voice came up all crackly through the phone, like the connection was dropping.

“Yeah?”

“Are you alone yet?”

Mike looked over at Falcon. “We’re among friends.”

“Okay, so I can talk about—”

“Yes,” Mike said, cutting her off. “What is it?”

“Mike?” Blade popped his head around the corner.

“Em, hold on.” Mike looked at Blade. “What’s up?”

He stepped off the stairs and gave me a wink, then looked back over at Mike. “Kegs for the shindig just arrived. Jack wants you to sign for it.”

“Right. I’ll be there in a sec.”

“Okay.” Blade had a really boyish, playful charm about him today. He knocked me gently with his elbow as he passed; his lips parting over his teeth, giving a cheeky grin that seemed to apologise for nothing. “I’ll see ya tonight, pretty princess.”