Anna and the Vampire Prince by Jeanne C. Stein

with an appreciative smile.
    “This is early for you, isn’t it?” I ask.
    “Good God, yes,” he replies. “But since it may be my last day on this earth, I decided not to waste a moment of it.” He takes a sip and rolls his eyes. “Heaven. Speaking of which, how is Trish?”
    But I’m caught off guard by his first remark. “I thought it was to be a one-on-one meeting?”
    He shrugs. “My informants tell me there is talk of an ambush.”
    “But you suspected as much. Are you really afraid of these vampires?”
    He lifts a shoulder noncommittally. “I don't want to underestimate them. They are firm in their resolve to have their way and resentful that I killed their leader in such a public way.”
    “You sound resigned. I don’t know if I like that.”
    Vlad waves a hand. “You know how long I have lived. Maybe it’s time to pass the torch.”
    His remarks send a shudder through me. “What are you saying? Who could possibly take your place?”
    He looks at me over the rim of his coffee cup as he drinks and says nothing.
    The silence, however, speaks volumes.
    My temper flares. “You can’t be serious. What happened to you have no say in what happens here, Anna? Or, remember you have no power here. The European vampires don’t even recognize me as the Chosen One. How do you think they’d respond to you making me their leader?”
    “They wouldn’t have a choice, would they?”
    “Well, I do,” I snap quickly. “And the answer is no. Once I go back to the states, I have no idea what I’ll be dealing with there. I’m not about to take on anything else.”
    Vlad raises his eyebrows but doesn’t respond.
    Again.
    I rage on, “If you’re intent on stepping down, what about naming Amélie and Alexander your successors as you did Steffan? They are strong vampires, loyal to you.” I take a step closer.  “And anyway, nothing is going to happen to you tonight. I have a plan. One vampire or six, it will make no difference. Did you call Amélie and Alexander?”
    Vlad has finished his coffee. He hands the mug back to me. “Yes. They are willing to help.”
    “Then let’s take a walk. I’ll show you what I have in mind.”
    Vlad and I start out across the vineyards to the old press. I show him the building and demonstrate how easily we can conceal ourselves on the roof, all the while listening to what goes on inside. “If there’s any hint of ambush, we can be inside before Steffan’s toadies know what hit them. Four against six are certainly better odds than one against six.”
    “You are very sure of yourself,” Vlad remarks.
    “And you very unsure.” I take his arm. “What is it? This is so unlike you.”
    He leans against the parapet and gazes out at the vineyards. “What happened to Trish’s friend made me aware of a fact I’ve long avoided. I have no interest in what happens to humans around me, even when innocents are murdered in my own backyard. I know I accused you of doing the same thing, but I also know you’ve put your life on the line for those humans you love again and again. No one can save the world. But we should be willing to save the little corner we occupy. You do.”
    “And you can, too. You proved it. Now all you need do is not cloister yourself so. Stepping down or getting yourself killed is not an answer. Shutting down the fanatics that think mortals have no purpose save to be blood bags or servants is.”
    Vlad doesn’t speak for a long moment. He’s shut me out of his thoughts effectively leaving me alone with mine. Have I said too much or too little?
    After several moments, Vlad straightens. “You know, there is another alternative,” he says.
    “To what?”
    He keeps his gaze focused on the horizon. “You and I could rule together.”
    His answer takes me so by surprise, I gasp, “I don’t understand.” But even as I say the words, I know it’s untrue. I understand very well.
    Vlad knows it, too.
    He turns and takes my chin, tilting my face toward him.