A Dangerous Proposition

The silence in the dimly lit chamber was suffocating. Xander stood tense beside me, his muscles coiled like a spring ready to snap.

Across from us, the Sire regarded me with an expression I couldn't quite decipher—part intrigue, part amusement, and something darker beneath it all.

I knew what he wanted. He wanted me to stay.

But that wasn't happening.

"I'm not staying here," I said firmly, my voice cutting through the heavy air.

The Sire arched an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

Xander shifted beside me. "You heard her."

The Sire ignored him completely, his piercing gaze locked onto mine.

"You do understand what you're turning down, don't you?"

His voice was smooth, almost gentle, but there was an unmistakable edge beneath it, a quiet danger that sent a chill down my spine.

"I am offering you protection. Here, you would be safe. With him?" He cast a pointed glance at Xander, his lips curling slightly. "There are no guarantees."

Xander stiffened beside me.

"You should know that my lineage is stronger," he said, his tone unwavering. "And you're only a little older than me. We are no different."

The Sire's expression didn't change, but there was something almost amused in the way he regarded Xander.

"No, we are not the same," he countered, his voice calm but firm.

"Five hundred years is not 'a little.' Experience is not so easily dismissed." He paused, then added, "But I do respect your lineage. Your elders have earned that much."

I swallowed hard, but I didn't waver. I knew what I was choosing, knew the risk. My heart pounded, but I lifted my chin.

"I trust Xander."

For the first time, something flickered across the Sire's face—so fleeting I might have imagined it.

Slowly, he exhaled, tilting his head slightly, as though examining something that puzzled or intrigued him.

His voice dropped to a near-whisper. "Interesting."

Xander took a step forward, clearly done with this conversation.

"If this is over, we're leaving."

But I wasn't done.

I couldn't let this end in hostility. If we walked away now, we would make an enemy of the Sire—something neither of us could afford.

An idea struck me. Reckless, maybe. But it was the only way.

"Wait," I said.

Xander turned to me sharply.

"Leighton—"

I met his gaze, silently asking him to trust me, before turning back to the Sire.

"Why don't we work together?"

The Sire blinked once. Then, he chuckled. "Together?"

I nodded.

"You want to find out what's different about me. So do I. And Xander—"

I glanced at him, then back at the Sire.

"He won't let me out of his sight. So instead of fighting over where I should be, why don't we cooperate?"

A flicker of something passed through the Sire's eyes—curiosity, maybe even interest. He leaned back slightly, considering.

"You propose an alliance."

"Yes," I said firmly.

Xander exhaled sharply.

"Leighton, you can't be serious."

I turned to him.

"What choice do we have? If we leave now, we make an enemy of him. And I don't know about you, but I'd rather not have a powerful vampire hunting us down just because I refused to play along."

Xander clenched his jaw, his hands balling into fists. But he didn't argue.

The Sire watched us, an amused glint in his eyes.

"Clever," he murmured.

Then, after a pause, he said, "Very well."

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"But," the Sire added, stepping closer, "there will be conditions."

Of course there would be.

I forced myself to meet his gaze.

"What kind of conditions?"

The Sire's lips curved slightly.

"We work together. But make no mistake—I will still be watching you, Leighton. Closely."

His voice dipped lower, a promise laced within it.

"And should I decide that you are safer with me, there will be no further discussion."

A chill ran down my spine, but I squared my shoulders.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there."

The Sire smirked, clearly entertained.

Xander, however, looked anything but amused.

Then, Xander's expression turned serious.

"There is something else," he said, glancing at the Sire.

"This alliance cannot be between just the three of us. If we are to uncover the truth about Leighton's aura, we must extend this deal to our people."

The Sire's gaze lingered on him, a flicker of something unreadable in those ancient eyes, before he gave a slow, deliberate nod.

"A truce, you say? Between the feral vampires and those... less inclined to midnight snacks?"

Xander folded his arms, meeting the Sire's gaze unflinchingly.

"It's the only way this alliance has a chance."

A ghost of a smile played on the Sire's lips as he exhaled, the sound like the rustle of autumn leaves.

"A trifle, really. They practically hang on my every word."

I looked between them, my pulse quickening. This was bigger than I had expected.

A truce between their factions? That was unheard of.

Xander remained wary.

"Then we'll talk to our people."

The Sire's eyes darkened slightly.

"Do that." Then his gaze returned to me.

"In the meantime, Leighton, be careful. The more we search for answers, the more attention you will attract. And not all of it will be… welcome."

I swallowed hard. "I understand."

A knowing look crossed his face.

"I don't think you do. Not yet."

Xander placed a protective hand on my back.

"We're leaving."

The Sire didn't stop us this time.

But as we turned to go, I felt his gaze lingering on me, a silent promise hanging in the air.

This deal had just changed everything. And I had no idea what I'd just gotten myself into.