I lift my nose to the air and deliberately ignore the scent that would take me back to Lauren. What’s the point of going back to enjoy her sweet embrace for a few stolen moments if they’ll just be ripped away by my brother again? He’ll steal her from me with his smooth words and tactical manipulation.
No.
I will come out on top, once and for all, and put an end to this endless struggle between us.
I head in the opposite direction, toward the smell of blood and death and most importantly of all,power.
The eldest vampiredoes not look pleased to see me when I knock on the door where his scent trail has led me.
Not that he’s the one to greet me at the door. I can barely see him past the shoulders of two massive vampire brutes in black suits who block the entrance like sentinels.
“I would speak to Vlad,” I say cheerfully.
The two vampires in dark suits glare back at me with those dead, black eyes. Saying nothing.
I crack a wide smile and hold up my hands in mock surrender. “I come in peace. Ready to bargain.”
“What do you have to bargain with?” Vlad asks from somewhere beyond, voice dripping with disdain.
I peer past the guards and see him seated in a throne-like chair, a young, naked blonde woman in his lap. They appeared to be necking—literally—but as her head lazily flops against his shoulder, I see two dripping red marks on her pale neck.
“I have information,” I say, still grinning. “Information you want badly.”
Vlad’s lips are red with fresh blood that he lazily licks as he welcomes me in with a dismissive swipe of his hand.
His two guards move aside reluctantly, and I swagger into the room.
I take in the scene without judgment—I’ve seen far worse in my long life. My father loved to acquaint himself with the most powerful leaders in the world, and they usually enjoyed living as laws unto themselves, beyond the petty mores of society.
So I’m not surprised to see the many naked women draped in various stages of undress around the room like decorations. A couple of other vampires feed. The women are eitherunconscious, dazed, or dead, it’s hard to tell. It’s only new to see them being used more as feeding fountains than for their other pleasures, though I suspect this is just the morning routine and that at night, things get more... interactive.
Well, it’s none of my business.
After a brief perusal to get my bearings—exits, weapons, threats—I keep my eyes locked on Vlad. “Can we talk alone?”
His eyes narrow dangerously. “Do you think I am a fool to leave myself undefended?”
“Do you need defense?” I ask innocently. “From what I understand, you’re one of the greatest warriors who ever lived.”
“And you are an unknown enemy.” His voice is cold. “For all I know, your family has come here with all your elaborate stories as a trap for me.”
I chuckle at that—genuine amusement. “I have known paranoid men like you.” I bow my head the slightest bit. “You’re wise. It’s how you’ve stayed in power so long. But I will still bargain only with you.”
I pause for effect.
“Would you have everyone in this room hear the information you’re so hungry for? Because I’m ready to tell you exactly what type of creatures my brothers and I are. But I’d prefer it to be for your eyes and ears only.”
He stands from his chair abruptly, and the woman in his lap slides to the floor like a discarded robe. I don’t think she’s dead—just dazed from blood loss or whatever else the vampire has done to her.
Vlad’s eyes blaze with something more than curiosity. It’s hunger.Greed.
I look at the woman on the floor for longer than I ought to, my mind racing. What exactly are the full powers of this creature in front of me? What sorts of magic might I gain from an exchange with him?
Enough to be rid of my parasitic brother completely? To finally have this body—and Lauren—all to myself?
“You would betray your family?” Vlad asks, those dark eyes burning with intensity. Testing me.
I shrug carelessly. “Betrayal is such a harsh word. Perhaps I just disagree with my brothers on the best way to work together.” I spread my hands. “They’ve already decided to ally with you. I just think that means sharingallour information. Complete transparency.”
