Page 4 of Let Sleeping Vampires Lie

Con’s eyes narrowed. “A clean death solves more than prolonged stupidity.”

Edward smiled at that. “It also ignites more dissent. Siris may be a fool, but his followers are loyal to his ambition. Killing him outright would fracture the clan further—at least for a while.”

Their conversation grated on me like sand under my skin. Leadership bids. Power shifts. Politics.

As if Rene hadn’t bled for this clan.

As if he hadn’t held every one of us together through war after war.

As if he hadn’t built something worth defending.

The irritation flared deep, intense, and sudden.

My magic responded. Fast. Violent.

Heat rolled beneath my skin, crawling upward like glowing embers forced through my veins. The scent of ozone snapped into the air—barely perceptible to humans, but vampires felt it. Heads turned. Eyes widened. Even Con shifted closer as if to shield me from being seen fully alight.

I forced a steadying breath, trying to shove the surge back down.

Edward noticed immediately. His expression sobered, the amused light dimming. “Cass…”

“I’m fine,” I said through clenched teeth.

Con’s arm brushed mine—light, careful—silently grounding me.

But the anger was still there. Bitter and hot.

“You’re talking about Rene as if he’s already buried,” I bit out. “He isn’t. He’s standing. He’s fighting. He always has.”

Edward nodded slowly. “No one doubts Rene’s history. But the future? That’s what the clan is whispering about.”

“Because idiots like Siris give them something to whisper about,” I snapped.

Con gave a low rumble of agreement. “If Siris pushes for a leadership challenge, he’ll answer to me.”

Edward didn’t flinch. “Then you’d better be ready soon. He’s already rallying support. And after tonight? He’ll claim Valerian took advantage of Rene’s weakness.”

I scoffed. “Rene isn’t weak. Valerian is just ancient and insane.”

“And perception,” Edward said quietly, “is more powerful than truth when fear is involved.”

That hit too close to reality.

My magic surged again, flickering hotter beneath my skin, and Con subtly stepped into my space, shielding me from too many watching eyes. His presence pressed against me, solid, grounding, willing some of the fire to ease.

But it didn’t fully fade.

Not when the clan was whispering.

Not when Siris aimed his smug little smirk at us from across the room.

Not when Rene was being casually debated like a fragile heirloom someone might drop and replace.

I stared at Edward, my voice low and lethal.

“Rene will not be replaced. Not by Siris. Not by anyone.”

Edward studied me for a long moment, then nodded once.