k, bloodred design, stretching both underground and up into the sky. It's not j

ng a very specific selection of

ghtmare. Instead, she found an architectural masterpiece. She'd expected velvet curtains, candelabras, and, I d

pected, but I guess

unger," I murmur to myself. "This pl

amused. But I don't say anything. Inste

full uniform, a sign that I'm

ortraits of my ancestors, I notice their expressions:

ntra gives it a soft knock. "The

nd the words. But I don't ha

brow. "You think he ca

lse could it be? To reminisc

ns too long," she says soft

him needing a kidney," I say, tryi

make them at all," she replies, already heading out the door before I ca

ve ever spoken to thinks Vampires are all about the shadows, that we're allergic to daylight, but they're wrong. The sun may be a constant threat to us-poisonous and deadly if overexposed-but that's why

vily guarded, with towers, checkpoints, and a constant presence. The only bridge across is so closely watched that I don't think any vehicle has crossed it in my lifetime. Beyond

y, Father walked in on us discussing why the Vampire he

" he said. "A

ink that's

go

ands from behind his polished mahogany desk.

again," he says, his v

like that," I r

ll slicked back perfectly as always. I've never seen him look any other way-always impeccably put together. Even now, though the sleeves of his white shirt are rolled up, they're done so with precision, as

r chair across from him, I ju

ays you're

, but it probably comes out sound

're in good

smile, then surveys

past seven yea

behind him, watching the secon

tter, then gla

up with a keen eye.

but what's the point? There are plenty of other signs that I've spent time living a

t work,"

softens just slightly. "And how's

htens. "Ho

smissive. "Did you honestly think your co

ere, and I need to know what it is. So I pull my phone from my pocket, setting it down on the desk face-up. I tap

am I

ogether as if thinkin

seen my only daughter. Shoul

and fifty-fou

oment, I see genuine regret flash in his

to be a

"A wedding? You mean l

y, yes. Like the Va

centuries, Vampires have avoided long-term commitments, what with our species' issues around rep

e?" I

slow sigh. "It's y

out it doesn't sit right with me,

tion further, he

the Humans, I assume you've b

us to everything happening in the world, and right now, I wouldn'

e Humans had

k, forcing myself t

ortland was no

row. "Governor

s a su