Page 58 of The Star's Sword
A shiver went down my back at that. “What?”
But Simon was already walking out, leading me in the direction of Mark’s tower with the others.
“I’m going to fly Cleo in, and make sure things are fine with Mark, if that’s okay,” Simon said.
“Make sure she’s safe before you leave,” Sam said, glaring, and Simon merely nodded.
His wings extended, leather and shimmery and gigantic, with an iridescent oil slick effect over the black. He didn’t even give me a warning before walking over and picking me up in his arms.
“Let’s fly,” he said, and then his wings beat, lifting us up into the air.
Over to Mark’s tower, where I could only pray he could help.
20
“So you’ve finally figured out Cleo’s reputation is dirt with the court?” Mark asked, closing the window he’d opened for us like nothing when we approached. As usual, he was wearing all black, and today it was a long-sleeved button-up along with black slacks.
“It’s ridiculous,” Simon said. “I was trying to keep Vasara busy, but—”
“That’s right, she’s threatening your little human project, isn’t she?”
Simon sent him a harsh look, and Mark immediately shut up. Then he smiled at me.
“So, you want to win my opinion in my bed?” Mark asked. “Or why did you bring her here?”
“You understand the court,” Simon said. “Vasara has them all in a tizzy, believing the gossip rags about Cleo. I mean the things they say make no sense at all. How could they be believing it?”
“She could have a spell on them,” Mark said. “Or, they could be bored.” He bared his fangs. “Or they just don’t like Cleo for some reason. Jealousy, maybe?”
“How so?” I asked. “Who would envy me? All I do is train away my youth so I can help the less fortunate by risking my life to fight the worst things on this planet.”
Mark looked at Simon. “Well, for one, you’re the king’s friend. Most vampires here would do anything for Simon’s attention.”
“Except for liking my friend,” Simon said. “I swear if I order them to, they’ll hate her even more.”
“True,” Mark said. “And you can’t confront Vasara directly.” He put his hand beneath his chin. “This is a puzzle.”
“I should just give up on the court,” I said, walking over to the chair where I’d sat the first time Mark brought me here.
I had bigger problems to worry about than whether I should trust him.
“There has to be a way,” Simon said. “Do you think the Drorren have made a reliable lie detector yet?”
Mark shook his head. “Even if they have, you could tell that stupid mob anything and they wouldn’t believe it. They think Vasara is the sun and the moon, simply because she flatters them and knows all the right things to say. That and her blood.”
“It’s my blood,” I said. “She has stolen credit for my donations.”
“I told you donations aren’t personal enough. Vampires are stupid and shallow, and won’t remember who fed them unless you do it in person. Or even remind them in person of a recent donation which is probably why they are feeling so well.”
“Aren’t there logs?” I asked.
“Tampered with, probably,” Mark said. “Look, once she won favor with the vampires and they decided she was probably the next world savior then even switching a few labels isn’t a big deal if it helps her and hurts you. After all, you’re trying to hurt the person saving the world, right?” He shrugged. “Or that’s the story.”
I frowned. “You act like it’s not a big deal. If everyone turns against me, and I fail, countless demons will die.”
“You think I care?” Mark asked. “I’m a vampire. Your do-gooding bores me. Offer me something I want if you want my approval.”
I thought hard. “What if you fed on me without sex? Then could you verify the power of my blood to others?”
