“You want to take over running the Nexus District,” I say, as their previous words suddenly make a lot more sense.
“Of course. We can’t continue with an entire swathe of the city, considering themselves as self-ruled.”
“But what about the next time you want something procured you can’t get anywhere else?” I probably shouldn’t be arguingthis point, but I can’t stand by and let all of them piss all over the district that’s been my home all my life.
There’s a general tittering, and it’s the crusty witch that replies.
“Well, there may be some weeks we’ll be unable to procure a Gryphon for your wife if you decide to keep one as a pet again, Lord Maverick. But I’m sure we’ll find suitable alternative routes of acquisition quickly enough.”
They swiftly change topics, moving on to something boring, and I find I can’t focus on the words coming out of their mouths. It’s all utter bullshit, and it’s pissing me the hell off. I continue to run my hands through my beard to soothe myself, wondering how long it would take me to grow one of my own. Years, probably. I wonder if Silver would like it.
“What about these rumors of vampires who are planning an uprising?” I interrupt, unable to hold my tongue any longer.
The councilors all stare at me and I realize I’ve probably interrupted another scintillating discussion on zoning permits or legalizing kicking puppies or something.
“Lord Maverick, please. We have discussed this at length and I must insist that you start taking your medication once again, or at least read the minutes from previous meetings.”
“I don’t need medication. My dick works just fine,” I tell her, causing another barrage of shocked gasps to echo around the room.
“He’s nearly three hundred years old. What can you expect?” A mage at the far end of the table murmurs to the person beside him. “His memory is failing and his hearing is almost non-existent on a bad day.”
“Tell me again what we’re doing to keep the vampires in check,” I boom.
“Well, as there is no evidence of there being any such group of vampires, we’re doing little about it. We know that anydissension in the city can be narrowed down to the uncultured corner of our fair city. As we discussed earlier, that problem is one we’re keeping a close eye on.”
I slump in my seat, not before catching the techno mage in the corner watching me. She frowns slightly before returning her attention to the screen of her laptop.
Seems like this is going to be even more challenging than I thought.
I’m not giving up though. No matter how much these meetings might make my ears bleed and my brain atrophy from boredom. I just need one of these hardheaded fools to listen to what I have to say, and we might make some progress.
And while I might occasionally struggle with focus or dedication, this isn’t going to be the last meeting I infiltrate.
No siree. If they think they’ve seen the last of Lord Roscoe Maverick Hawkshead, they have another think coming.
19
Silver
Ieye the guy in the long, blue robe in front of me and smother a grin as he pets his overlong beard for the tenth time in an hour. I’m trying my hardest to concentrate on the book in front of me. It’s one from under Victor Blackthorn’s bed and so far, it’s another bunch of massacre stories. I’m struggling to keep my attention on it, though.
“Can you quit molesting that cat attached to your chin, man? It’s distracting as fuck,” Zeph grumbles.
“You’re just jealous. You wish you had a robe as snazzy as this,” Cosmo Maverick—I mean, Roscoe—says as he throws his beard over his shoulder.
