Free Blood Legacy: The House of Alexander by Kerri Hawkins

completely surprised Edward, Ryan took the woman’s hand in her own and bowed in a chivalrous manner. She brushed her lips lightly on the back of the extended hand, lingering perhaps just a moment.
    There was amusement in the green eyes, amusement at the impudence of this One. Ala withdrew her hand slowly, brushing the girl’s cheek. Her thoughts were her own as she, too, went to stand before her seat.
    Ryan turned her attention to the third member of the Council. Although she had expected Abigail’s presence, she still felt the wrench of her magnetism, causing her equal parts pleasure and irritation. It caused Abigail only pleasure. Stunning, elegant, and possessing a motherly sensuality that was both alluring and disturbing, Abigail moved to face the girl. She raised her hand for Ryan’s kiss.
    But Ryan would have none of the formalities with One she knew so well. As Abigail raised her hand, Ryan stepped forward, taking the hand and resting it lightly on her chest. She leaned forward and Abigail complied with the implied request, brushing her lips on the girl’s cheek.
    If Ryan was to take liberties, however, then she would take her own. She continued her kiss, moving forward and brushing her lips on the veins on the side of the girl’s throat. It was all Ryan could do to suppress a shudder.
    Abigail took her place at the table, an enigmatic smile on her face. She sensed Ala’s amusement, although Kusunoki was as inscrutable as always.
    The fourth member of the council entered, and Ryan inwardly sighed. Marilyn. Of course. The woman conveniently forgot to tell her pertinent details, for example, that she herself was seated on the Grand Council. Marilyn’s eyes flashed wickedly, reveling in Ryan’s discomfiture. Ryan inwardly sighed again. Clothed so inappropriately in white, Marilyn was as bewitching as ever.
    True to form, Marilyn did not bother with a formal greeting but rather grasped the girl by the collar and pulled her firmly forward. There were shocked looks from the gallery as the dark-haired woman kissed the indicted One firmly on the mouth. Even those at the head table cast sideways glances as the kiss lingered. Finally, Marilyn pushed the girl away, unrepentantly pleased. She took her assigned place at the head table.
    The twelve witnesses, with the possible exception of Edward, shook themselves as if awakening from a stupor. The commencement of proceedings had been quite unlike any other, the sensual greetings between the Grand Council and the One summoned unheard of. In fact, few had seen anything like this under any circumstances, let alone in such a formal setting.
    Ryan turned to step off the dais, and then stopped, as if a thought had suddenly occurred to her. Her back was to the Council Members, and to the entrance from which the Council emerged.
    “Only four Council members? And yet there is a place for a fifth.” She paused, as if for effect. There was complete silence in the room, as beings who had no need for air held their breath.
    “And who will take my father’s place?”
    There was a long pause, and then a voice emerged from the shadows of the entranceway.
    “I guess that would be me.”
    The voice was smooth, melodious, mesmerizing. It possessed an amused malevolence and sensuality that wrapped itself around every person in the room, but most tightly about Ryan.
    Ryan did not turn. “You wish,” she said sardonically, under her breath. She turned, and to the amazement of everyone in the room, there was amused recognition in her eyes.
    Aeron stepped from the shadows. A pleased smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as well. The other four council members all turned to glance sideways at the dark-robed figure. Abigail’s surprise was evident and even Kusunoki uncharacteristically raised an eyebrow. There had been no previous indication that these two had ever met. And yet now it was as if they were old friends, sharing some great private joke.
    Perhaps not friends. The intensity