In that moment, Umeboshi, who’d spread out on the floor next to Maxim, turned his head to rest it on Maxim’s leg.All of them were, however subtly, blaming him for the others venturing out for entertainment.It struck Maxim as unfair, given that he’d not really been consulted about the matter at any stage, but he could accept that he was, at least in his official capacity, the head of the household and thus to be held accountable.
“Heath is very responsible.”
“He wasn’t wearing a tie,” Clement said.
Bryan glared.“You were watching them?You shouldn’t be watching people.It’s creepy.”
Clement chuckled.“Sweet babe, you are a Lar, same as I, and when a hearth is ours, we guard it and those who seek its warmth with a thousand watchful eyes.Spare me.”
“But this isn’tyourhearth!”Bryan turned.“Tell him, Maxim.”
Maxim petted Bryan’s shoulder yet again.“Peace.We agreed.Clement is staying with us because he has no home.We’ve taken him in, like a wolf pack would take in a wolf cub who’s all alone.”
“Except I’m the older and you’re the cub.”Clement pointedly looked at the board.“You haven’t moved your iron forward yet.There’s a bed in my hotel with your name on it.If you can pay the price.”
After giving Clement a withering look, Bryan turned to Maxim, his expression pleading.“What if they’re in a bad situation?What if they’re facing extortion like this?IknowHeath is responsible, but Raven would be safer at home, and if Clement is even slightly right about the dormitory and the black mold—”
Maxim stood.“For the love of—sweet Lares.My darling Lares, the two of you so skilled in different ways.It is important to let young people have experiences of their own.We cannot dictate what they should and shouldn’t do.Besides, I asked the club’s owner to keep an eye on them, as a courtesy.”
Bryan blinked.“You did?”
Clement nodded.“Smart.Like drinking water.That’s because you’re not even a little bit human.”
“Clement, I’m not sure that is quite the compliment you think it to be.”
Bryan nodded.“All vampires were once human.”
Clement snickered.“Try to teach me that the sun rises in the east if it makes you feel any better.It doesn’t change the fact that you rolled a six, and you are going to have to stop at my house.I will take all your riches, little Lar.”
Bryan pulled his tangerine basket as close as he could without actually putting it on his lap.“You’re mean.Who’d want to live in a house you guard?”
Then he moved his iron piece to Park Lane.Clement wasn’t as gleeful about it as he had been.Maxim could guess he had been stung by the words.Being a Lar without a home of his own and without anyone to take him into theirs had to smart, but he was safer here.
Maxim folded himself back into his cross-legged position to watch Bryan hand over his money.If the three rascals didn’t come back home soon, they’d have to play another round, and he wasn’t sure that would end well.For anyone.
Chapter 36
“Ilikeithere,”Jason said.He was almost done with his blood cocktail and leaning back on the round upholstered bench in their booth.
Heath had ordered the cocktails, as well as a bottle of champagne for their table.He’d pretty much downed his cocktail as soon as the server had put it in front of him and was now pouring them each a glass of champagne.
“It’s a change of pace from Morgan’s.Here, Raven, keep drinking.We’re having fun.”
He handed Raven a glass, and Raven took it despite not having finished even a third of his cocktail.
“Thanks.It’s fun.”
Jason sniffed his own glass of champagne before sipping more of his cocktail.He then pointed behind them.“If you want to go out there and dance, Rave, I’ll come with you.”
Heath froze.He looked at the dance floor.“Are we…do we have to?”He blinked at the two of them.“I should’ve told you that I only know ballroom dances.The waltz, the foxtrot, that sort of thing.”
Jason held up his own glass of champagne when Heath did.“Why do you know how to waltz?Cheers.”
“Cheers.”Heath shrugged.“It was just one of the things you had to know, you know?There were balls at the Forum.There still are, I just don’t go anymore.But in ‘polite society’—air quotes are so necessary for that, believe me—anyway, polite society has rules, and knowing how to dance those dances is one of them.”
“It’s like in the stories.A big ball where you can find your one true love.”Raven took a sip of his own bubbly.“Did it ever work like that?”
For a moment, Heath looked as if he was giving that some serious consideration.“Nah.I mean, I’m not saying no one ever met someone there, but the Forum always used to be about politics.The balls are about power and rank.Presenting yourself in all your wealth is almost gauche.It’s being spotted like a shooting star or a flash of lightning that’s the real goal.
