Governor Mason is the picture of poise and power. She is dressed in a fine navy pinstriped suit that’s been tailored to perfection and paired with heels that make her look formidable.
That’s what I thought I was dressing like, but now that she is here and in my home for some inexplicable reason, I can see the vast cavern between my attire and hers.
I curtsey because I am a dork and unsure of myself at the moment. “Madam Governor. So nice to see you.” I’ve only ever interacted with her in the boardroom, and she generally remains on the periphery. To have her in my house?
I don’t know what to expect.
“No, it’s not nice to see me under the circumstances, but I appreciate the lie. I know you’ve got a salon to get to, and you,” she pauses to look Orlando up and down appraisingly, “must have some completely nonviolent and legal business to attend to as well. I’ll make myself brief. May we sit?”
Orlando is unimpressed by humans in general, and the governor is no exception. He doesn’t move to sit, nor does he offer her a seat. “You said you would make this brief. Let’s hear it.”
The corner of Governor Mason’s mouth quirks. “I’ve no cause to like you, but I find I can’t help myself when you pour on the charm like that. Seated is best, in case our delicate flower feels the need to faint when she hears what I have to say.”
Normally anyone insinuating that I am delicate sends me in an irate tizzy filled with the need to prove the accuser wrong. But I am off my game, having her in my house like this.
“Of course.” I move us toward the dining room, which thankfully only has Orlando’s notes and mine atop it. The governor no doubt has little time or patience for clutter.
Orlando sits beside me, with the governor on the other side of the table. “You were right when you said we have a day to get on with. Out with whatever it is you’ve come here to say.”
I step on Orlando’s foot under the table but keep my smile in place.
She quirks a manicured eyebrow at him. “Curious that you’re here at this early hour. Do you often come to Madam Deadblood’s home for breakfast, or did you stay the night?”
Orlando stiffens. “You can’t be so removed from reality that you don’t remember the many times Colette was abducted while living in Mayfield. Our families are friends, so I stay here sometimes to watch the house as a favor to her father and a protection for my people. If she is taken, it’s the vampires who pay the price.”
It’s more information than Orlando wants to give her, I can tell, but he rushes through the explanation because he wants her out of here. Orlando is a private person, and doesn’t like strangers in his home.
Our home.
Man, did that sneak up on me.
She feathers her fingers in front of her lips. “That’s perfect. I was thinking Rome would make a stronger statement, but you’ll do.” She waves her hand when it’s clear she isn’t making a lick of sense. “I’m here because I read over your proposal for the city’s budget. Splitting the budget evenly between the East and West End is a big deal, and would change a lot for not just Mayfield, but for the entire world.”
I blink at her words and slide into business mode. “That’s true, but it’s change that’s long overdue. We cannot pretend that we’ve given vampires a fair shot at the world when we give them table scraps and complain when they can’t lift their heads.”
“I quite agree.”
What?
She has been silent in the meetings, her presence there more as an observer than a partaker in policy changes.
Orlando is listening now, and less insistent that she get out. “That’s surprising you agree. You haven’t said so in the meetings. No one else in Mayfield’s government seems to be on the same page we are.”
“Well, they like things safe and small. I do not. I’ve been waiting until I had a moment to speak privately with you before I throw my considerable weight behind your proposal. I am prepared to go to the mayor’s office right now and demand he push this change through immediately. This and the education reform you submitted that’s set to go through in the fall. Next school year is too long to wait for your changes.”
My entire body lights up. “You are? Oh, Governor Mason, that’s wonderful! It would do so much for so many people. Thank you!” I fan my face. “This whole thing has felt like it’s moving so slow. To have your help speeding things along? This is exactly what we were hoping you would do.”
Orlando goes still, eyeing her with caution only a Valentino can wear like a suit and tie. “What’s it going to cost us?”
It’s a bold question and one that sends my elation into chagrin. “Orlando, honestly. She’s here because she wants to help the vampires. We have a solid plan, and she is sensible enough to recognize that. There’s no other reason.”
It’s the first time I’ve ever seen the cool governor squirm. “Well, actually… Yes. This is a fantastic plan you’ve come up with. However, it’s not enough.”
“Not enough?” I grimace. “Do you think Mayor Stapleton will agree to something more? I got the feeling I was pushing him further than he can stretch.”
She eyes the two of us appraisingly. “I think the goal is to make the vampires equal citizens with equal opportunity, is it not?”
My brows push together. “Well, yes. But that’s a broad idea that requires a lot more change than the world will accept. One step at a time, which is what we’ve been working on.”
While you’ve been pretty much silent in every meeting.
Governor Mason leans forward. “My dear, do you truly not realize how much power you hold? If you wore a shoe on your head and called it a hat, that would become the newest fashion within a week.”
I snicker at her assessment. “If only. I’ve been trying to affect actual change for months now, and all I’ve gotten is a few parks renovated and a promise that the schools will adhere to a balanced budget in the fall of next year.”
Her voice drops conspiratorially. “That’s because you haven’t hit the right pressure point. The mayor doesn’t care about doing the right thing for people who can’t vote him out of office. He cares about reelection. He cares about keeping his majority voters happy and sedated.” She sits back and clucks her tongue. “What would the world come to if Madam Deadblood was seen out and about with a vampire man on her arm? Over time, perhaps the humans would stop viewing the vampires as dogs and start seeing them as people. As possibilities.”
My nose crinkles. “Possibilities for what?” I tilt my head to the side and jerk my thumb toward Orlando. “My family has always been close with the Valentinos. It’s no scandal for people to see us together in public. Maybe it still makes them uncomfortable, but they’ve accepted it.”
Orlando shrugs. “She’s right. It’s no surprise for us to be seen talking. I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”
The governor shakes her head, firm that we will not miss her point. “No, Madam Deadblood. The world evolves because your father and Joseph Valentino forced the world to step up and accept that vampires can break bread with humans. Before their friendship, people didn’t realize they could hang out together. Now they can go shopping together. They can go on family vacations together.” She motions between Orlando and me. “I think it’s high time the world evolved once more.”
I have no idea what she is talking about. “I feel like we’re already doing that, and it’s not destigmatizing vampires milling about in Midtown. It’s not opening up the mind of the mayor to rethink the city’s budget.”
Governor Mason presses her painted lips together before continuing. “You’re not hearing me, Madam Deadblood. It’s not enough for you to be seen being friendly with the vampires. It’s not a radical enough step forward because the people have grown used to it, yet still their blatant bigotry is allowed to fester.”
“I don’t understand what you want us to do. We’re pushing this proposal for budget reform as hard as we can.”
She points to me. “I’ve seen an untapped resource you haven’t tried yet.”
I glance at Orlando for an interpretation of whatever point she is trying to make, but he merely shrugs. “We’re all ears.”
The governor levels her gaze at me. “I’ve seen you in the meetings. During the first few where Rome was by your side, I couldn’t look away. Rome Valentino was not afraid to touch your wrist, nor you, his. Orlando puts his arm on the back of your chair. The three of you aren’t afraid to be near each other.”
My face flushes. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean. They are old friends. They are like brothers to me.” Bile rises in my throat just saying those words.
Mister Valentino isn’t like a brother to me. He is like a lightning bolt send straight from Hades to enrapture and destroy my heart.
The governor touches her lips. “Where is Rome? I haven’t seen him in Mayfield in a while.”
“He took a sabbatical, but he’s back in Mayfield now,” Orlando explains. “If you’re trying to reach a point, you are failing.”
Orlando doesn’t like to speak, much less to humans who aren’t me, so I know he has reached his peak frustration.
The governor straightens. “Where did Mister Valentino escape to?”
“He is in and out of town at the moment. Much to see to.” Orlando doesn’t answer further, but rather stares down the governor, letting her know that question is out of bounds and is none of her business.
The governor seems to understand that Orlando wants her to cut to the heart of why she is here. She presses her hands flat atop the table. “If you want this new budget pushed through, I can throw my considerable weight behind it. But what I require in return is for you to fight a bit harder for vampire-human relations to be destigmatized. I would like for it to start circulating that our Madam Deadblood has taken up with a vampire. Preferably the most notable one whom the humans already recognize. It won’t do for her to be seen holding hands and fawning over some no-name vampire. I want someone the people cannot look away from.” She draws a line with her nails across the length of the table. “I’d thought Rome, but Nico Valentino will do. He is certainly more age appropriate, and nearly as recognizable. If Rome is in and out of town, perhaps Nico would be a better choice.”
The grimace that contorts my face is only a portion of the horror I feel at her suggestion. “You cannot be serious. No one would ever believe Nico and I could be dating.”
She tilts her chin as she stares at me. “No one? I happen to think you fake happiness well enough for the viewers already. This is nothing more than holding onto your friend’s hand in public and selling the lie that you two are dating.”
I balk at her, doing my best to push aside the absurdity of her suggestion. Rome and I went to extremes to make sure no one found out about us. A pairing this controversial would set off a powder keg that might implode the world.
Which is exactly what Governor Mason intends to do, apparently.
I splutter at the suggestion. “Why? Why on earth would… Just why?”
The governor’s demeanor softens. “Because for the government to move, it must be acting in the best interest of the people. No one sees the vampires as people, my dear. If you want the changes to happen, it cannot be at the top level only. Everyone roots for you. Everyone wants to see what you’re wearing, who you’re hanging out with. If you make it clear that you want to be in a relationship with a vampire, they will begin to want this for you, too. Then they won’t be so opposed or surprised when we roll out this new budget for the school system.” She meets my gaze with purpose. “You see, there is more to this than just the school system. If you want the world to change, sometimes you need to give it a little push. If you don’t want it to break in the process, then you need to make them want this change—even if it involves trickery.” She leans back in her seat. “So, my dear, I think the question I have for you is: how badly do you want the world to change? Will you tell a little lie to make it so?”
I gnaw on my lower lip, terrified of everything she is suggesting. “I don’t know. Nico will never go for it, for starters. He hates me.”
“He hates you more than he loves his people? I find that hard to believe.”
Lady, you don’t know Nico like I do.
“Will you agree if he volunteers his hand?”
I rub my forehead, vexed and perplexed that this might actually be happening.
Of course it would happen with Nico. Of course this presents itself when my boyfriend is gone from my life.
It’s just as well. Mister Valentino is not strong enough to handle the vitriol that will aim itself our way when this comes to light.
I lower my head. “If Nino loves his people more than he loves his hatred of me, then sure. I’ll do it. It’s just holding hands and smiling at him in public, right? That’s dating.”
The governor grins as she sits back. “Why yes, it is. Splendid.” She angles her chin toward Orlando. “Would you like me to stop over in the West End to ask Nico to do this, or would that be best coming from you?”
Orlando stands. “I will speak to Nico about this today. Consider the Valentino family in. We will uphold our end of things. Anything to help our people.”
My head hangs as Orlando escorts the governor to the door. This is not what I had in mind for my life. In fact, this is just about the worst thing I can think of to save Mayfield from its own bigotry.
But it must be done, so I will do it.