Page 20 of Blades and Bone

“I’m more interested in how many became friends, but either way those records, if they exist, will be in Europe, and we splintered away from those families for good reason.” The Ashbys had been sent away and expected to die.

“Why did you choose to be blooded if it made no difference to your standing in the family?”

“I liked the idea of a longer life, to do more and see more.”

“And how’s that going for you?”

Brodie leaned back. “I’d say pretty well.”

“You got your degree specifically to take over the resort?”

“Yes. Why did you choose yours?”

“A fascination with bodies, and I didn’t want anything too connected to the family businesses.”

“Because you wanted to keep as much of your life as possible.”

Hamish nodded. “Why weren’t you blooded straight after your degree?”

“Because we wait until we’re thirty now. Twenty-two or three means you look too young for too long.”

Hamish tucked a curl behind his ear. “Are you jealous that I’m going to look good for longer?”

Brodie glared at him. “No. Are we going to swap files?”

“Sure…but even if you correct the bits that are wrong, I can’t tell my family, can I? So why should I tell you which bits you’ve got wrong about me?”

“You are allowed to talk to your family.”

“But only under supervision, right? My phone will be bugged. My calls recorded, my text messages read…by my family and yours.”

“We are allies. Ann and Vivian are now sisters.”

Hamish grimaced. “Eww, we are not brothers.”

“Symbolically.”

“I was trying to be funny. Not everything is life and death.”

Brodie couldn’t decide whether Hamish was using his poor attempts at humor to deflect and deal with the situation, or if he was always like that. “You’ve had dealings with the Orlans. What is your take on that situation?”

The smile left Hamish’s lips. “That was a sharp change in direction.”

“Not really, since that is a life-and-death situation.”

“Fair.” Hamish leaned forward, food forgotten. “They were press-ganging the unblooded and unaffiliated in Albany and kidnapping their loved ones to force them into action. Mirabella Orlan is ruthless and seems intent on stepping on anyone who gets in her way.”

“Will she come north?”

“Are you asking me if you are safe up here and don’t need the alliance with my family?” He stared up at the ceiling for a couple of heartbeats. “I don’t think anyone is safe. She fancies herself as one of the great leaders from the Middle Ages, sweeping in and taking over territories and trading routes. I know there are pockets of unblooded up this way, as it’s where they headed when they fled Victoria. Which technically means you might have a few Hadleys and Orlans. I’m surprised she didn’t come north first.”

“I can tell you why she didn’t, and that’s because we don’t have any trading routes she can use. We never ran drugs or weapons.”

Hamish placed his hand over his heart. “Are you suggesting my family’s wealth is built on illegal activities?” He laughed before Brodie could get a word in. “There are easier ways to make money. Ways that don’t attract the attention of law enforcement. That is what we do now.”

“Mostly.”

Hamish nodded. “Mostly, but I have never been involved in that side of things if you’re worried.”