“The chair given to me was merely a way of calming the waters between the daywalkers and the vampires. Because daywalkers can blend so easily with mortals, I saw no need to announce I would be their matriarch. Instead, I act only as their representative, thus making my voting capabilities weaker. I’m only allowed to cast votes when it concerns the daywalkers and some trivial issues, but when it involves an original or their children, I have absolutely no voice.”

“Okay, that sucks, but if you could vote, how would you?”

Bennett drew in a slow breath. “I’d vote she’s paid enough, except she did kill Diego, and that very well may tip the scales in the wrong direction.”

Lisa’s brow wrinkled. “I don’t remember Dad ever mentioning that name when he taught us about the vampires. Who’s Diego?”

“He was Concepcion’s husband, and he was also an original. He’s been dead for centuries, though, so that’s probably why your father didn’t mention him.”

“And Ruby killed him?”

“Yes.”

“Ouch.”

“Exactly, and while the council may be able to look past a lot of Ruby’s chicanery, I’m not sure they’ll be able to look past her murdering an original. In our world, that’s the highest of crimes.”

***

Ruby lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her bucket list had only ever contained one thing, and that thing was now locked away. So, as far as Ruby’s future went, it was as empty as her bucket list. She’d never been a part of a coven, never had the chance to make friends or be a part of something larger than herself. Ruby sighed. Where would she go from here? Would the council only see her wrongs and not her rights? Ruby snorted. She wasn’t in any position to ask for their leniency, nor did she deserve it.

Someone knocking on her door broke Ruby out of her thoughts, and swinging her legs off the bed, she ran her fingers through her hair before going over to answer it. She opened the door to find Bennett standing outside, and for a few seconds, Ruby was speechless. “Oh…uh…hi.”

“Good afternoon,” Bennett said, handing Ruby a paper bag. “I thought you may need some of that.”

Ruby peeked inside the sack and saw a unit of blood. “Oh, didn’t Lisa tell you? I kind of borrowed a couple last night.”

“She did, but we’ve all been through a lot, so I thought you might need another.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“I also had Lisa contact Life Source a short while ago. They’ll start delivering a supply to you beginning tomorrow.”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know, and I don’t have to do what I’m about to do right now, but it wouldn’t be a celebratory dinner without you.”

“Huh?”