“I heard you have a union of sorts, for the Hosts.” He took a step forward. “It is quite admirable, adorable that you think that will last longer as the population of this city grows.”
“It works perfectly fine.”
“What happens when they are sick of your rules? They will drag each one of you out of this house and lock you in a glorifiedcage. And you, Alina? Oh, they will have the most fun with you, especially if you anger them more than you already do.”
“They respect me.”
“Theydespiseyou,” he hissed. “You are getting in the way, and they will not hesitate to take you out when they tire.”
Whispers bounced around the room between the girls, and some even lowered their weapons, too distracted by the newly implanted fear.
“That will not happen.” I glanced from the crowd to him.
“Maybe.” Silas shrugged. “What do I know? I’ve only overthrown one Nest. I guess I am an amateur when it comes to these messy politics. Maybe I know nothing at all,” he trilled innocently.
“Why are you here?” I glared.
He slowly stepped toward me, both of us aware of the many eyes watching our exchange. Two predators, neck and neck.
“I want you to join me.”
“No.”
“You have not heard the terms.”
“I do not need to hear them to know that it will not be fair.”
“Hear them anyway; then you can decide on your own. We will give you a week.” Silas and I were toe to toe. His eyes flickered with a sadistic glint, looking to light me like dry wool.
The air in the room was thin, dry. The situation manifested itself in a way I could feel.
“Tell me plainly, what do you want?” I lowered my voice, uncomfortable with so many eyes on us, waiting on every word we exchanged.
“My Nest is the most powerful in New York City. An estate that covers an entire city block,” he explained, side-eyeing the crowd to gauge reactions. Subdued mumbles traded around the room. Satisfied with the chatter, his eyes rested back on me.
“You want us to be part of it.” It was a labor to keep my emotions linear, at least in appearance. I wouldn’t let him have the satisfaction of watching me sweat over it.
“Yes. We have some of the most talented Vipera in the new world. Our Nest is not bound by class, family connections, or bloodline. Unfortunately, with that, we also do not have Hosts, as they are limited in the city.”
“There is more, though,” I stated.
“Your girls would not just live comfortably, they would live in luxury.”
More mutters from the peanut gallery, though they seemed to believe his deceptive words. There was no way that he was offering this without anask.
“What is the catch?”
“They would be protected far better than any reserves or palace,” he continued.
“What are you not telling me?”
“The estate is five and a half stories, the park can be seen from the windows facing north and west?—”
“What do you want from me?” My voice was strained.
“—the finest clothes, imported food, allowances, anything.”
“Silas.”
