It was on the tip of my tongue to point out that Stefan could no more make me attend him in Europe than Andras could put his escort’s head back on his shoulders. Still, I had nowish to scare or embarrass the boy further. A small reminder of etiquette had been necessary. I didn’t blame Andras for arriving unannounced with a contingent of vampires at his heels, but Stefan knew better than to send delegates into my domain with no warning during a war. The fact that I had indeed ignored Stefan’s summons was not of import. I had wanted to wait until my plan was in full progress before I contacted him. But the little prince didn’t need to know any of that.
I inclined my head and threw the towel over the severed head to block Andras’s view of it, though his lack of reaction to my violent act made me wonder how much bloodshed he’d seen in his father's court.
“Of course, Andras. I will soon visit your father. Now, you have travelled a long way. While I prepare to leave, which will take some time, I would be honoured if you’d stay with me. When was the last time you visited Scotland?”
An uncertain look crossed his face. “I have never visited.” There was a pause while he worried the skin of his lower lip with his teeth. “I would like to stay, of course, but I really should return home and give my father a message from you.”
He didn’t sound sure at all about that course of action. Despite his princely attitude, or maybe because of it, I wanted to provide him with sanctuary from the machinations of court life, if only for a short while. Stefan was, or had been, a good king. His talent for being a compassionate and understanding father, however, was sorely lacking. Not that I was much better, but at least I was willing to try to give Andras a life that was more befitting a child of this century, not medieval times.
“I haven’t yet formulated my reply to your father. It is a delicate matter, is it not, to keep your father’s peace of mind while he is so unwell? I think it is perhaps best…” I glanced at the dead vampire. “…and safer for you, to wait and return with me.”
Once again, his chin lifted defiantly. “I have an escort. They await me outside the club.”
I smiled. “I’m afraid your escort has already been instructed to return to Bucharest and to leave you in my care.”
His escort had been instructed to do no such thing and was just as indisposed as the man at our feet. Andras swallowed, trying not to look like the frightened young boy he really was.
“You will be quite safe, Andras. Besides, you’ll be doing me a great service by staying, especially when an old vampire like me needs time to prepare for a visit to someone as important as your father. Perhaps there will even be time for you to learn how to relax and have fun, no?”
Silence.
I gave him a significant look, and he jolted, glancing around like the walls had ears. I hid a smile. He was a careful child. And he was right; even here, the walls could have ears. They didn’t. But he didn’t know that.
“O-of course,” he stammered. “I should like that.”
The leather officechair creaked under my weight. I’d sent Andras to Dundean with an escort of armed guards, and had already spoken to Johnson about the arrival of an unexpected guest. My loyal and unflappable butler had taken the news in his stride, and I knew Andras would be well taken care of. He was safer away from the royal court. And regardless of my plans, Andras would not be returning there until this war was concluded and I had destroyed everyone involved in instigating this destruction.
I had to move my plan forward. Too many innocents were dying because of the damned virus, and I couldn’t keepShane from Stefan’s clutches much longer. My stomach twisted painfully. I wouldn’t allow Shane to be turned into a lab rat, or worse, a weapon of destruction. Stefan was losing patience with this war, along with any remaining seeds of diplomacy and interspecies relations he’d once had. My spies had informed me that his mind was definitely as sick as his body. I rubbed a hand over my tired eyes. He would escalate this war before he died. Because I had no doubt that was where his illness was heading, especially when the extensive knowledge of the vampiric medical profession couldn’t figure out what was wrong.
No matter how much I detested the idea of destroying Sorcha and Shane, I had to stop this war. I had to find who was responsible for the virus. Not only was it my destiny, according to the old witch, it was the right thing to do. I’d lived in this world for a long time, and I cared about what happened to it. I wouldn’t let our race be responsible for the annihilation of millions of people. We’d maintained peace for hundreds of years, and it was in danger of disappearing altogether, no matter how hard I, Walker, Connor, or anyone else worked. I’d lived through wars and immense loss before, but the kind of destruction and chaos that would happen if all races started fighting would be catastrophic.
I glanced at my Patek Philippe watch, preferring the elegance of the timepiece as opposed to glancing at my phone screen. Time always fascinated me, and to see it tick away without being affected by it was always a strange phenomenon. Except now it did affect me. The more that passed, the closer I came to destroying my lovers. It was late, and I wanted to get back to them. Yet knowing what I must do almost made me want to hide here in my office forever. The door opened, so I held back my scoff of self-derision. Since when did I hide from anyone?
Elliot passed me a glass. Thick red liquid clung to the crystal sides as I swirled it. “Thank you, Elliot.”
He smiled and nodded. “No problem. Would you like anything else?”
“No, this will suffice.”
“Okay.” He hesitated a bit, so I waited patiently, sipping the claret blood. “How are Shane and Sorcha? The castle is quiet without them.”
My lips tilted into a ghost of a smile. Elliot had always been supportive of my lovers, and I knew Sorcha trusted him. He was a good vampire, and I was pleased Dav had met his mate, but Elliot was young. Though he’d come from an abusive background and had adapted well to life in my House, he’d not yet seen a fraction of the darkness that invaded my world.
“They are recovering well. Though not yet well enough to return to Dundean.”
Elliot smiled, looking more reassured. His earpiece crackled, and, although I didn’t have one, I heard the voice clearly.
“Visitors for the Count are on their way in. It’s the woman and the wolf,” a disembodied voice stated.
I gave Elliot a small smile. “Speak of the devils and they shall appear.”
Elliot grinned. “Yep, seems that way. Shall I let them in?”
I chuckled. “If they are here, something tells me you won’t be able to stop them.”
Elliot’s brows twitched up, but he didn’t ask. My stomach tightened as he stepped out to greet Shane and Sorcha, closing the door behind him. I released a deep breath. Being nervous wasn’t something I was accustomed to, nor was the anticipation of seeing them. It was ridiculous how much they affected me.
The door slammed open, no knock, no gentle movement. Shane marched in, Sorcha behind, looking at me apologetically. It was clear she was trying to diffuse the situation before it even started. I wondered what had gotten my wolf so riled up. No doubt I’d find out very quickly. I folded my hands on the leatherof the desk, my cock filling as I thought about the last time we were in this room together. Maybe bending Shane over this desk again would calm his fury. Perhaps that was the problem. I hadn’t fucked him or Sorcha since that night, and the Gods only knew I burned with the need to sink into both of them. Not only was I achingly hard, but Shane’s attitude always made me want to trounce him. To make him beg and moan my name. Blood pulsed through my veins. I wanted him helpless under me, to completely surrender to mine and Sorcha’s touch. Just like I knew he craved.
