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“Likewise.”
She offers him a glass of blood.
“No, thank you.”
Alexa’s brows lift. “No blood?”
Julian takes a small bag of stardust from his pocket.
“Just stardust for now.” He pours a line on a silver tray and snorts it. It’s the stardust he bought from me. “Do you want some?”
“Sure,” Alexa says. “It always brings clarity.”
She leans forward and takes the line he prepares for her, then wipes a trace of violet powder from beneath her nose.
“Are you enjoying our party?” she asks.
“I didn’t come here to party tonight. From what I can see, it’s very theatrical, I have to say.”
“You need to bring a little art and life into this dead city.”
“Dead?”
Alexa smiles, but there’s no warmth in it. “Midnight City is capable of more. It’s only waking from a long sleep. Time to bring it to another level.”
“Exactly,” Julian says. “I’m glad you see it that way. Nothing creates progress like community. Balance. Coexistence.”
Alexa’s face goes still.
Now I see it. How much she has changed since Halston. She isn’t the frivolous rich girl I remember. She is a stone-cold leader now, with her dark eyes piercing Julian.
“The city is growing,” Julian continues. “But the old divisions remain. They don’t have to. We can cooperate. Support development. More peace, more investment, more people, more money.”
“Cooperate?” Alexa tilts her head. “Who with whom?”
“Everyone. A City Council, like a few centuries ago. Decisions made together. Shared responsibility.”
Alexa studies him longer. “And where would the Silver Witches be in that council?”
“One seat.”
“And the other witches?” she asks, voice cooling.
“They would have representation too.”
“One vote divided among that many covens means very little.” Her smile sharpens. “What if I don’t like sharing?”
“You share now.”
Irritation flickers through her eyes.
“For now,” she says. “Soon enough, Silver Witches will be where they belong.”
“That doesn’t prevent you from joining the council.”
“We’ll consider your proposal.” Alexa reaches for a bottle of champagne and pours a glass. “Does Marcus know about this?”
“Of course,” Julian says. “I wouldn’t act without his approval.” Lie.
