Killian watched for a moment more, then leaned in close to me. “It is worth noting,” he whispered, his breath tickling my ear, “that the Elders for these outspoken, young vampires are absent.”
“You mean they wouldn’t say this if their Family Elder was around to rein them in?” I asked.
Killian nodded slightly, then returned to lounging in his chair.
A woman in a Japanese kimono snapped a fan shut. “What has been the reaction from the other fae Courts?”
“They are unhappy,” Celestina reported. “There are political ramifications for breaking Cloister law, of course. It is believed that they are putting pressure on the Night Court, but we cannot say to what extent.”
“A war, then,” a vampire shouted. “Against all the fae in the Midwest!”
“Hear, hear!”
“Yeah!”
As Killian had predicted, it looked like the most excited vampires were all younger. Only about ten or fifteen percent of the vampires present seemed eager to fight. The rest sat back with narrowed expressions.
Killian let it carry on for a few minutes before he spoke. “There will be no war between fae and vampires.”
Instant silence—it was almost like magic.
Killian slowly dragged his gaze across the room, his dark eyes slicing through the attendees with the finesse of a sword.
The only noise I could hear was my own breathing. Everyone was absolutely still.
“If we declare open war on all fae Courts it will lead to an unnecessary, large-scale conflict that will only waste resources and lives.” His voice was pitched extra low, but I’m pretty sure even the vampires tucked in the farthest corners of the room could hear him as if he stood next to them. “It is possible the Night Court may elect for a certamen or a duel of one degree or another,” he continued. “But any physical conflict will be contained—only involving the Night Court, the Drake Family…and House Medeis.”
Whispers rolled through the room, and more than one jaw dropped.
“Wizards, Y-your Eminence?” the vampire in the toga said in a strangled voice. “You’re trusting wizards to join the fight?
“Of course,” Killian said. “Adept Medeis protected my First and Second Knight in the Cloisters. She and her kinsmen sheltered my underlings when they had no way to defend themselves. I am gratified by their help, and I know they will be key players in the coming conflict.”
“What about us?” a vampire somewhere in the back demanded. “The Stewarts have served you loyally, yet you will not allow us to join the fight?”
“The Beckets have served even longer than the Stewarts!”
“As have the Romeros!”
Killian barely narrowed his eyes, but I felt waves of power explode from him. His eyes heated like coals, and all the vampires were slammed back against their chairs, seemingly by his raw presence. “Enough.”
Again, there was silence.
Killian held them there, his immense powers hovering over us. I’d never met a fully transformed dragon shifter, but I had a feeling this was what it felt like—the impression of teeth and an icy death that pressed down on you from above.
He finally spoke. “I said no other Families would be involved in the war. I did not say I had no use for you.”
Collectively, the vampires leaned forward.
Killian waited a few moments. “I want the fae to feel our displeasure. The other Midwest Courts have let the Night Court run amok for too long. But we must express our anger in a controlled effort. If we push too hard they’ll feel backed into a corner and lash out. We want them angry with the Night Court, not half-convinced we are heading to war.”
Some heads nodded, and a few smug looks conveyed Killian was getting across to his listeners.
“Do not avoid fae businesses or places commonly occupied by them. Rather, go there and discuss your disappointment with the attack and what it may mean. If you have any fae Court allies, invite them to a meeting where you happen to mention how shamed the fae must be by the Night Court’s criminal and brash actions. Subtly needle them. Make them feel uncomfortable.”
His words stirred the vampires. They exchanged thoughtful glances with one another, and a few even leaned in to whisper to one another, nodding with excitement as they started hatching their plans.
Killian waited for a few moments, tilting his head at the soft hush of whispers. “When you go out, keep watch and listen. Learn as much as you can, not just about the actions of the Night Court, but the fae in general. If there is a fight I want you there. A disagreement in public? I expect a report on it. I want eyes and ears on the fae, watching their every move.
“Because there is great value in information, we will hold a meeting again,” Killian continued. “But I intend for it to be more informal—a party, of sorts.”
Weirdly, it seemed the promise of a party satisfied the few vampires that had been holding out. Some of them straightened with interest, and soon all the red eyes in the room gleamed with interest more than bloodlust.
“Details concerning the matter will be emailed to you,” Killian said in a very final tone. He leaned back, and whatever hold he had over them released.
Family representatives clumped together, exchanging hushed observations. An energy in the room that had been absent when they first arrived pulsed through the air.
I wanted to shake my head, but I was pretty sure that wouldn’t look great since I was sitting next to Killian, so I sipped my tea and ate another chocolate. I couldn’t believe how he was manipulating the vampires—and they had to know it!
Once the buzz of discussion grew loud enough, I leaned closer to Killian and whispered, “That was impressive. You practically have them eating out of your hand with the promise of a single party, and by inviting them into social warfare.”
“They aren’t that loyal to me, really.” Killian shrugged. “But they respect power, and the majority of them—excluding the Elders who have their heads in the clouds—are aware I’ve solidified our grasp of power, and kept back the steady erasure of our kind. Many of them personally hate me, but they’ll still help out of a sense of duty and sheer understanding.”
“But you’re using this as a way to energize them and fortify their connections with one another,” I said.
Killian settled his forearms on the arm rests of his chair. “Vampires are a conniving bunch. If I leave them to their own devices they’ll either get themselves killed, or start killing off one another. It’s better to give them an objective they can mutually work toward, that won’t turn into a double-edged sword. It would be a disaster if the fae and vampires all went to war, and in the upset I’m certain at least two Elders would attempt to kill me for my position.”
I rubbed my eyes. “I’m really starting to understand why you have trust issues.”
“Does that mean you’ll expect less from me?”
“No. It just means I understand how you got to be this way.” I shot him a glare.
He offered me a smirk. “How very sweet of you.” He reached out and snagged my hand, raising it to his lips to kiss it—though I was pretty sure it was all just a cover to smell my blood.
“Are you sure it’s really wise to act like this in front of all these Families?” I asked.