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them in their family groups, which is how it works in the vamp
world.
    I ask him why I have to
be there, as it’s not exactly something I’m over the moon about.
    “Because, my dear, I
need to show them that you are mine.”
    I get riled up at his
statement and I’m about to argue with him when he cuts me off by lifting a
hand.
    “Relax. It’s for your
own safety. They have to know that they cannot touch you. They all saw how I
transformed on that roof and they know that the only way a vampire can become
what I have become is to drink from a human with your blood. Since you were the
only human present, they know you are the one I drank from. I will show them
that any attempts to steal you will be severely punished.”
    “Oh,” I breathe.
    “I want you there to
see how they react. After I have observed them I will know who wishes to take
your blood for themselves and who is truly loyal to me.”
    “But how will you be
able to tell?”
    He comes and kneels in
front of me, taking my hands into his and rubbing at the insides of my wrists
with his thumbs.
    “I will switch on my
sensory overload, as you put it,” he grins. “With your blood in me, mine is now
far superior to theirs. I’ll be able to see every thought that goes through
their heads simply from the expressions on their faces, including whether or
not they are loyal.”
    “Okay, I guess that
makes sense,” I say resigned.
    The first person
ushered into the house by Lucas is an older vampire, one of the oldest I’ve
ever seen, and Ethan introduces him to me as Nicu Arcos, an old friend of his
father’s. I shake hands with the dark eyed man as he takes me in with interest.
    Then two females and
one male vampire enter, Nicu’s daughters and his son. They take seats on the
couch while Ethan stands by the mantelpiece.
    “I asked you in before
anyone else because you’re the only person I know I can really trust, Nicu,”
says Ethan. “So I’ll cut to the chase. If I’m to lead our people I want you in
a prominent position by my side. I know you don’t usually partake of politics,
but this new era isn’t going to be like any that have come before it. I want to
rule differently. I want to end the wars.”
    Nicu waves him off.
“I’m a businessman, Ethan. You know I don’t involve myself in these things. I
came here to ensure that none of my dealings would be affected by the change in
leadership.” His accent is like a thicker version of Ethan’s and I wonder if
they knew each other back in Romania.
    “Of course you may
continue your dealings as you have been doing,” says Ethan. “But I would like
you to work with me, too. I’ve never met anyone with a better head for numbers
and I want you to be my treasurer. Whitfield left behind much wealth that now
goes to me if I’m to lead. You would have the top job in deciding how it should
be spent.”
    At hearing this, Nicu’s
eyes light up a fraction. He rubs at his chin, considering it, and then laughs.
“You’re being sly, Ethan. You know that is an offer I can’t refuse.”
    “I need you with me in
this,” says Ethan.
    Nicu looks to his son
who has an eager expression on his face, as though urging his father to say
yes. None of this makes any sense to me. The vampires have a treasury? I mean,
it’s not like they’re a country. What exactly do they spend it on? Well, seeing
as they’re constantly being attacked by the DOH, they probably use it to buy
weapons. Though since the DOH is now basically extinct in Tribane, I don’t see
how they’d need any more weapons. I’ve witnessed with my own two eyes that gun
power doesn’t work against magic, so it would be useless when facing Theodore.
    There’s a long stretch
of silence as Nicu mentally thinks through his options. Ethan seems to consider
him a friend, so it’s not like he can’t say no.
    Finally, the old
vampire speaks. “I will take the position provisionally and see how things
progress. As I said before, business is my area.