Page 77 of Guardians for the Vamp
“I love you, my sphinxy pie.”
“Absolutely not. Remove that from your vocabulary immediately.” She laughs, despite her disgust with the nickname, then her face softens because it’s also the first time I’ve said those three little words to her. “And I love you. More than life itself.”
“So dramatic,” I say with a giggle because I wouldn't have her any other way.
Vara doesn’t do simple. She keeps her emotions to herself, only allowing Thorne and me to see her compassionate side. For her to say such a vulnerable thing, especially in public, has my heart beating twice in a row.
Vara’s kiss is more consuming and when she releases me, she licks her thumb and fixes my smudged lipstick.
With a wink, she sends me off.
I walk to the stage and wait in the wings for the announcer to welcome the guests and introduce me as the first speaker of the night. When my name is called, thecrowd erupts in cheers. I might have heard a few boos, but I push that out of my mind and lift my head high as I head to the center of the stage.
“Esteemed guests, thank you for joining us on this first night of the International Supernatural Conference.”
I pause for cheers and glance to the side of the stage at Thorne. He meticulously scans the crowd for threats. I know Locheran and his security team are doing the same at different vantage points around the room, which is packed with hundreds of supes.
When the applause subsides, I continue.
“This is my first time at the conference in my new role as vampire queen of New York City, and I have been hard at work on a huge project. One that might seem terrifying, but I truly believe it will benefit us in the long run.”
A few heads turn and chatter arises as the supes in the room question what I’m talking about.
“Now, I want you to have an open mind tonight and the rest of this weekend. This is only a plan and plans can change. We want input from you before anything is finalized.” I turn to welcome my guest to the stage. “I’d like to introduce you to Senator Virginia Faraday from New York.”
The noise in the room rises and a few supes take a fighting stance, ready to protect themselves and those aroundthem as the human walks out onto the stage and stops beside me.
“Please,” I say, raising my voice above the chatter. “Senator Faraday knows of our kind. She is an ally.”
Shocked faces stare back at me. A few angry ones too, but mostly curious ones leaning forward, eager for me to continue. The senator is the first human to attend a supernatural conference. Even human mates are not allowed.
“For the past eight months, I’ve been leading a committee for a supernatural unveiling plan. Our members have been making human connections and gauging their reaction to our existence. Senator Faraday is one of those humans who will be advocating for protections for our kind.
“This weekend, we will be hosting panels where we discuss the unveiling plan. We'll hold public forums so you can voice your concerns and ask questions. This is not something we will do if the majority of our community is against it. But we believe the time to emerge from the shadows is now. With technology advancing, it’s only a matter of time before our kind is discovered, and we’d rather be the ones in control of that discovery.”
A few mumbles of agreement wash over the crowd.
“I know one of the main concerns is the rise in hunter attacks on supes. That’s where Senator Faraday can help.”
I nod and switch places with her. The human isn’t intimidated at all. She holds her head high, looking every bit a politician with her perfectly shaped bun at the nape of her neck, and her black pants suit with a dark blue blouse underneath.
“Thank you, Queen Aldana. I’ve been working with the queen and other committee members about the safety concerns involving the unveiling. I promise to work with my colleagues in Washington to make sure laws are passed, one’s that would deem it illegal to harm a supernatural being unless it is in self-defense. This will also protect supernatural beings who rely on humans for life sustenance like the vampires. Layla has informed me they already have rules in place that require consent for blood donations. Similar rules will need to be implemented so humans are protected as well. We must reassure humans and supernaturals alike that we are of no harm to each other.
“I know there are also concerns that supes will be captured and experimented on. That will be another piece of legislation I construct. Humans will be banned from nonconsensual testing on supernaturals. However, you are welcome to offer yourself for testing voluntarily or for a fee. I look forward to speaking with you all this weekend. I will be around at every panel, every forum, to answer your questions and hear your concerns. Thank you.”
She steps away, and I return to the microphone.
“I know that there will always be bad apples amongst our kind, but there are bad humans as well. Humans have laws as we do, but if we move forward with an unveiling plan, then our laws will combine with theirs.”
A low hum falls within the crowd as people turn to their neighbors to discuss and process the announcement.
“Now... over the next hour we’ll have more guests, both humans and supernaturals, to talk about the unity plan. I’ll be back soon for more discussions and announcements and later tonight, there will be a human/supe mixer. Thank you for your time.”
The conference host returns and thanks me and Senator Faraday.
When we’re out of view from the crowd, I shake hands with the politician, and she’s escorted away with her own security team to a green room somewhere in the back.
I turn to find Thorne standing next to me.
