by Holly Hook
And the Housing Panel is due to sit in the middle of the room, closest to Goodman. He surveys us with those icy eyes and lowers his dark eyebrows at us as we file in, Becky in the rear.
Ember, you've faced this guy before. I eye the other lawmakers. I'm glad to see that Goodman is wedged between two Heart Party Senators we've spoken with before, and his sour face tells me he's not happy with the seating arrangements.
And I'm both thrilled with and terrified of mine.
Zara stands at the periphery of the wooden room, behind the panelists' tables with who I'm guessing are other big agency leaders. The three FHDA guys are with her, including the vampire who's obsessed with his phone.
Also, they've assigned Jeremy to sit on one side of me and Beatrice on the other.
Shit.
I don't look at Zara as I sit, keeping my shoulders back.
I need to be a beast.
They value that.
This meeting is probably one of our biggest tests, if not the most important.
I swallow as Beatrice sits beside me. The vampires here tonight not only have a stake in the budget. They're here to see who among us will suit them as future heirs, and who among us needs to disappear.
Look precious.
As Jeremy takes his seat and straightens, I gulp. This is dangerous.
The room is silent until Goodman begins the meeting. “I would like to start tonight by disclosing that this meeting will be filmed for review later.” His voice slowly rings over us like a gong.
Jeremy shifts ever so slightly in his chair.
“Now, we would like to thank our panelists for being here today during this important event,” Goodman continues, looking at all of us, even the vampires. “Our next step is to go over the details of the Act, and any changes we will be making to the language. As there are many items that do not concern any of you, we will focus strictly on educational agencies, environmental agencies, and housing and development agencies.”
I don't know where the cameras in the room are, but they aren't here to help us. Sure, the vampires might not carry out any kills in this room, but they can sure use this footage to determine our fates.
“We will begin with housing,” Goodman continues. “I have met with this panel before.” He glares at me, pausing there for a very uncomfortable two seconds. Those bright blue and red eyes bore right into my soul. “So far, the Committee has agreed upon a slight decrease in funding to the Urban Development Agency, as much of their spending is going to frivolous items such as new playground equipment, libraries, and updated plumbing. Agency rules will remain the same.”
Ugh. Colleen and Ariana shift in their chairs, and Colleen grabs the table edge as her chin wobbles. They had been hoping for improvements in their neighborhoods and homes, as well as more requirements for Choice Rentals to fix their shit. Goodman is acting just like the eugenicist my parents accuse him of being. Even Victor pales as he loses his cool. The apartments he’s dealing with are under the Urban Development Agency, too.
“And we have also determined that so far, funding and regulations will remain the same for the Federal Housing and Development Agency. No major issues have arisen with the program, and no major overhauls need to take place.”
Goodman has taken ten seconds to piss me off, even though I expected this shit. You don't matter. That's the message he's delivering with those bright, evil eyes. None of you matter, and you're just insects flying into the glass.
Goodman takes a sip from his blood bottle, almost as if bored.
From the side of the room, Becky nods to us.
I will not hold back.
And Jeremy and I rise at the same time.
All eyes fall on us as I look at Jeremy. We stare at each other like we're not sure what to do. My ears ring with rage as I grit my teeth. “It's my turn,” I growl to Jeremy.
Yes. Let them see the hatred.
Jeremy blinks. “Sit down. We need the input of someone important here.”
“Ah. Jeremy and Ember should speak together,” Zara says. “They make an excellent team.”
I jolt as her words catch me off guard. Why is she saying that? We've been careful. Jeremy has treated me like shit in public. And Zara hasn't even been around.
“Or, Ember just wants to use Jeremy to push into the spotlight,” Beatrice adds.
But her daughter has.
Fuck. This is not good.
“That's why she should sit,” Jeremy says, emphasizing that last word as if I'm a dog.
Beatrice—how does she know? Or is it a wild guess?
I can barely get air into my lungs as I face Goodman. A nasty smile forms on his lips, and he nods. “I would like to hear what Jeremy Haywood has to say, and what Ember has to say as well. Remain standing. Perhaps you are right and they make a talented team.”
Do not pass out. I face Senator Goodman. At least he's in the Spade Party. Supposedly on Jeremy's side. And Jeremy is the First Son. But where do I come in?
Goodman nods to me, and I remember that I'm an insect about to smash on glass. And that gets the inferno started. I close my fist, digging my fingernails into my flesh. “The FHDA needs a message sent to them, and now. The more they support predators like Dream Developers and ignore crumbling cities, the more upset voters will become. They'll vote against one party and go to the other that promises to take care of them.” My voice is just under a yell as I finish.
Goodman's smile slowly drops away, and I know I've scored a point. My threat hangs as he seems to mull it over. Yes. People will go to the Heart Party, thinking it's a better option even though they're wrong.
“I agree the Spade Party needs to do what it can to keep voters,” Jeremy says. “Things will change in the future if we do not take action to stay in power. The Heart Party media will jump all over this if we don't make this Act look solid.”
He's defending me.
Either Jeremy is confident that our plan is still working, or he's giving up on the ruse.
He flicks his gaze to me, and I know from the flash of fear in them it's the latter.
Despite being careful, we've crossed into very dangerous territory.
And it's up to me to find out if there's any chance of making it out.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Becky sweeps us out of the room after Colleen, Ariana, and Victor speak, and as the conversation moves on to clean energy. Clearly, we don't have to be here anymore, and Senator Goodman has moved on to reading about how funding will also stay the same for solar energy and wind energy. God, he doesn't like to do anything, does he?
My heart races and my cheeks remain on fire as I emerge into the hallway. If I had something to throw, I’d do it. I’d smash something against the wall.
But I walk out of the room with my head high, like I've accomplished something. Look strong. You are the predator. I'm sure the hell not, and what is Jeremy thinking? Despite that, I feel Zara and Beatrice's nasty stares on my back as the Housing Panel exits the meeting room and emerges into the hall.
Beatrice got her mother involved.
How the hell does she know we spent any time together?
Silvia looks at me in that helpless manner as soon as we move away from the big wooden doors and towards the elevators. Her chin wobbles again, and I feel bad that she's anywhere near this mess. But a question burns in her eyes.
Are Jeremy and I really a thing?
One answer is no, because we made out exactly once, but she needs the full truth.
“Okay, team. That was an excellent job,” Becky says as the creases deepen around her eyes. She stops between both walls of elevators and whirls to face us, faking a smile. “Don't let certain comments get to you. It's a tense situation, and you all performed very well.” Becky won't look right at me, and she also doesn't look at Jeremy. She must know that we're both neck deep in shit and she doesn't want to look right at the reality. “As promised, we have a celebratory dinner that starts in about an hour. I recommend everyone go there togeth
er.” Her voice drops in tone and it's the closest thing to a warning she's ever given us.
I'm now a gold digger, trying to grab for power before I'm even turned or chosen by a vampire family.
That makes me dangerous.
Beatrice and Wendy saunter into an elevator together, whispering, and I know that word is already spreading. Beatrice couldn't have had Zara deliver that blow in a worse place. Soon, all the vampires are going to know.
Even Jeremy might not stop what's coming.
Once the elevator doors close on those two, Jeremy looks right at me and nods, not bothering to hide it from William. What the hell? He's throwing all caution to the wind. One of his new agents leans close and whispers something, and Jeremy says something back into his ear. Then he nods to me again with the most serious look I've ever seen before he and his guards board another elevator.
Becky means that we human attendees should stay together, then. The vampires will be fine, and Jeremy has his guards.
My mind spins as Becky calls an SUV to carry all five of us humans, plus her, to the restaurant. I don't even remember the name. I just know that I need to talk to Jeremy, and now. This act in public is no longer working.
Someone saw us. Or betrayed us.
And I need to know who. Beatrice wasn't anywhere near the apartment, right?
Silvia and I don't exchange any words during the drive through nighttime Washington and back into the newer downtown. We pull up to a place we haven't eaten at before, and Becky holds the door for us as we find ourselves at a casual-looking seafood place that's up against the river. The fresh air washes over us as we stand there and watch the vampires, including Jeremy, file through the front door.
“Rest assured,” Becky says, “Captain Sharkey's has separate human and vampire dining areas. From what I understand, Sharkey's allows donors to go to the vampires' dining room, so steer clear.” Then she rubs her head like she's ready for some wine.
How can I blame her? How has Becky not killed herself out of guilt yet?
“Got it,” Colleen says. “That was a trip.”
“Goodman is going to block everything,” Victor says.
“I believe he wanted to see your reactions. The fight is not over yet,” Becky tells us with another manufactured smile. “Further revisions will happen, and he wasn't the only lawmaker in the room. Goodman might be Majority Leader, but even he must be able to cave to pressure put on him, especially by his own party.”
I think of Jeremy. That's what he was trying to do. While following the party rules, of course.
We go inside, and the vampires are nowhere, much to my disappointment. Jeremy won't be able to speak to me. In fact, the dining room sports a divider with lots of nautical decorations. A curtain hangs in a doorway and separates us, and a server stands beside one of Jeremy's guards with a clipboard. Becky finds us a table, but the last thing I want is swordfish.
I want a plan, and that's all.
But as soon as I sit down, the server near the curtain walks up to our table, and instead of greeting everyone as I expect, he walks right up to me and leans down.
“Ember Vonk,” he says. “You signed up for donor duty tonight, according to a vampire guest.”
I face him. He's human, but with a hard face that tells me he's seen plenty of feedings before. All the heat drains from my face and I freeze. “But I didn't.”
I sense Becky and Silvia looking at me. My back prickles.
The server's not moving. “But you did. And when you sign up, you cannot go back on it. It is very disrespectful.” His tone drips with liquid warning.
I grip my chair. The guy maintains his stare, silently telling me I cannot refuse. Can the vampires seriously do this? Donors are paid volunteers. Blood bags. What if Beatrice is punishing me?
Or what if--
“Who did I sign up with, then?” I ask, hoping I get my point across that I did not consent to this.
“I am not at liberty to say,” the server says, gaze flicking to the guard. “Follow me, and I will take you there.”
No. Jeremy wouldn't do that. He knows I'm not a blood bag and never will be.
I stand as the whole table stares at me. A chill washes over me. I just shrug at Victor and Ariana, who eye me with wide-eyed shock. Ember Vonk would never let herself be a blood bag. Then I look to Silvia, who once again sports the wobbly chin. Once again, she's unable to help me.
“I'll be okay,” I promise her, hating that I'm the one to make the reassurances.
“Can I go, too?” Silvia asks, rising.
The server steps back. “This is sudden, and I don't know if a vampire diner needs a donor. I believe they are all booked, but I will check.”
“No,” I tell Silvia.
Her eyes are hard. I've failed you so far, and I won't do it again.
The server goes behind the curtain and comes back. “We have an opening and a need for one more donor. I cannot guarantee you’ll get paid much, as he is often, let's say, stingy with the tips.” The guy frowns as if this is a normal occurrence.
“That's fine,” Silvia says.
“Silvia, you don’t have to do this.”
“I’m going.” She leaves no room for argument.
We're going into this shame together, then. I shake my head one more time, but Silvia glares at me so hard that I step back. She's going into older sibling mode, and I'm almost glad we're facing this together.
I leave the table behind to talk about what happened. My reputation will go down the shitter after this for sure. If this doesn't make me a gold digger, what does?
We go through the curtain. The vampire side of the dining room is a mirror of the human side, except that there are only two vampires per table and one donor for each. Some vampires are the housing panelists. Others are older vampires in suits, skirts, and dress shirts. Beatrice has another young man on her lap, a guy in jeans and a T-shirt who looks as if he works out every day. She's biting into his neck and rubbing her hands up and down his torso, ignoring me as I enter. Wendy is beside her and also has who might be the guy's friend wrapped in her arm.
My stomach turns. All the vampires have a donor seated beside them, though the older ones are more refined and only take sips from bleeding bite marks as they engage in conversation. William has a trashy-looking young woman on his lap, and they're making out in the corner, while Asha has her arm around a skinny guy who looks as if he needs a few good meals.
I gulp and try to get my racing heart to slow. Silvia stays beside me. I don't see Jeremy anywhere at first, and then I spot him, seated alone at the back of the room in a booth that has its own curtain. Nathan has re-appeared, and he stands beside one other guard.
Our gazes meet. Jeremy motions me closer with a smile, his eyes full of triumph.
Heat flares in my chest. But I swallow. Calm down. This is so we can talk. Or is it? This move has just taken my reputation.
“Over here,” the server tells Silvia, leading her to an older vampire man who is alone at a table, facing a female vampire.
“Ah. Thank you,” the vampire says, extending his arm to Silvia.
I lock gazes with my friend, but she nods to me. So she's figured out what's up.
I mouth good luck as Silvia seats herself beside the vampire, and as much as I hate to leave her, I walk over to Jeremy's booth. He's the only one left without a donor.
Nathan holds the curtain open for me, and I slide into the booth beside him, glad the other young vampires are too occupied to notice.
“You have a good friend,” Jeremy whispers as I slide in beside him and the curtain falls shut.
We're alone in this blue-colored space, with just a hanging chandelier made of green glass bottles.
Jeremy clears his throat, and outside, there is only the sound of low chatter, moans, and sipping. I can't let go of my seat despite Jeremy seated next to me.
“Carl betrayed us,” he starts.
I snap my gaze to him. “What?”
“I think
he told Beatrice about us. He must have. I dismissed him. Nathan thought something was wrong, too. He caught Carl speaking with Beatrice over the phone. My father also fired him, and he's facing charges.”
A chill washes over me. Jeremy's wicked smile has vanished. It doesn't sound as if Carl will come out of this alive. He's human. I can imagine what his fate will be. Why risk his life to throw Jeremy under the bus?
“Well, aren't you pissed at me for putting you in this position?” he asks, lifting an eyebrow.
“I don't know yet.” Outside, Silvia seethes as the vampire must bite into her, but she's tough and makes no other noise. I hate that I can't see her past this curtain.
Jeremy lowers his gaze and looks up at me by turning his eyes upward. “I will have to bite you before you leave, or I'll be under investigation, too. The only vampires who don't bite donors are those who dodged their kills.”
An invisible bucket of ice cubes spills down my back, but a tingle of excitement follows. “So that's the next plan? Force me to be a blood bag? That's the team we're supposed to make, huh? Because that's acceptable to the other vamps.” I’m not angry at him. This is Carl’s fault. No wonder he said I wouldn't like the other plan for keeping us both alive.
Jeremy, to my shock, flinches. “Not quite.”
“What do you mean?” I hiss. My heart races.
He leans close to my ear. “Right now, the vampires probably think you're pursuing me like a crazy fan girl. Beatrice is trying to deflect the blame that belongs to her. You're human, and the Heart Party wants humans to stay in their place. If you continue to look like you're reaching for what's not yours, they will try to eliminate you again. And it doesn't help that you're arguing against Beatrice's mother.”
I face him, just inches away. “I see.” What will it be like, having Jeremy bite me? My heart won't stop pounding. Will I pass out? Enjoy it? I should focus on my life, but my mind won't stop wandering there.
Then his lips caress the sensitive flesh of my ear. “Remember when I said there were a few ways for vampires and humans to have accepted relationships?”
