by Lexi Ostrow
“I let him bed me . . . well, I nearly begged for it truly.”
A smirk pulled at her assistant’s mouth. “There is the truth of it.”
“How was I so blind? Did I truly let a brilliant mind and a stunning smile be my undoing?”
“That depends, did you bed him for his brains or his brawn?”
“Both.”
“So, you are attracted to him.”
“Was, Levi.” The words were a snarl. “I was attracted to him. Now I must find a way to force myself to work him thanks to the king's decree.”
“Segment two comes out, at last, the reason behind your summoning.
“Yes, well, pour me a port, and we will discuss everything you need to know about this past week, and you will hear the rest as the council comes.”
***
A knock on the door was the only alert that the board members had arrived as she had Levi still seated across from her. She had told him everything, from the device, she and Benjamin had tinkered with the secret of the mages. She wasn’t entirely confident Levi believed her, but it did not matter. There was no sense starting a war between the guilds, and if her family had not wanted the truth of the betrayal out, she would abide by their wishes aside from her closest ally.
“Please, come in. This will be informal.” She was curious as to who was intelligent enough to send them to her chambers when Levi had not responded to his communication line.
At once, the door opened, and eight of the wealthiest beings in the world filtered in, richest humans in London, truly, as they insisted upon living close.
Levi put his hand over hers and gave a squeeze before standing and stepping to stand behind her – something he always did to keep up appearances that she was not associating with someone below her station.
“Thank you for coming. I will keep your time brief.” She looked around and saw familiar faces. None appeared concerned with the impromptu agenda. “As you know, I sought out a truce with the Electric Guild, at your behest. I was attacked and left for dead until I was found by Benjamin Abbott. His guild is impressive, and their marvels might exceed ours. However, he is not welcome here.”
“So, the alliance failed?” Francis questioned, her French accent thicker than ever with worry.
“It failed because Christopher Abbott has been murdered – by the vampires. There was no head to speak with, and Benjamin Abbott sought to fool me by pretending to be his cousin.” She paused, not surprised at the sharp gasps from all. “However, the king has demanded the guilds mend the past and work together. So, while my journey failed, an alliance is still in our future.”
“Then, we are merged?” Francis asked.
“We will share ideas. That is all until I am able to stomach being in close quarters with a liar. I will not hamper ridding our streets of the monsters, but I want it known that we are not sharing funds. What belongs to the Steam Guild still belongs to us.”
“I am sorry you were endangered due to my late arrival,” Nigel appeared genuinely sorry. “I am not upset to learn the king has stepped in where he should have many years ago. If we are to keep our funds separate, I hope we will not be keeping the brilliant minds apart.”
“I will not engage with Benjamin Abbott, whom the king named Guild Master during our summons. I will gladly seek to engage our guilds’ best minds for the good of the city.” She felt no need to discuss that working alongside Benjamin had produced something that saved his life. Perhaps she was being petty, but she would not collaborate again. Some of the most significant scientific minds worked at the guilds, and they would be enough.
“That is wonderful news then. Thank you for your transparency.” Brigit, a Danish noblewoman, smiled.
“As my father did, I will do.” Lies and secrets abound, and yet I was thanked for my openness. Her stomach filled with biliousness at the betrayal. She was little better than Benjamin.
“That is all,” she nearly clapped her hands to dismiss the people before her. “Please see to dine with us as evening meal is shortly, and you have plenty of time before the sun goes down.”
With that, she turned her back on them and walked to stand by the window. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the glass and saw the tear that threatened to fall.
Benjamin Abbott had destroyed her, and she had just let his greatest secret survive to protect them all.
Chapter Fifteen
The knock was unexpected.
Silas rose, pushing off the broken chair as carefully as possible. They had elected to remain inside this night. His family was all well treated, feed as the healthy liked to name it. He was not a monster when his survival was not on the line. There was no need for them to be out.
There were also never any visitors.
“Stay in the shadows. Speak not a word.” He spoke to the six members of his family that were within his eyesight before ambling to the door and opening it.
Murderers would not knock, so he was not concerned for his safety as it swung inward, revealing three guests. Guests who were quite obviously sick.
“Why have you come?” He did not step aside to invite them inside. Families of sick had rules – they did not infringe upon the territories of others.
“We have heard of the rumbling you’ve caused,” a woman, somewhere around his age with short brown hair spoke first. “I am Victoria. I am the head of the Whitechapel family.” She gestured at the woman to her right, who had to be at least five years her elder. “This is Elizabeth, head of the western segments of the city. And this,” she let her gaze travel to the man also near Silas’ age on her left, “Is Carter, head of the Westminster area.” The sick often let go of their old surnames, so he was not surprised to hear only common names spoken.
He was impressed to know three of the more significant family heads gathered at his modest doorstep. “So you’ve come to speak with me? Because I control the inner city, or because you wish to hunt on my land?”
“We wish to create an alliance,” Carter spoke without a trace of an accent as if the man was not from London at all. “As Victoria mentioned, word of your exploits traveled fast. We have long since been aligned, sharing victims to ensure all our weak were given blood.”
Silas was surprised he did not know of such an alliance. Though they kept to their regions, they occasionally crossed paths in travel. The sick did not live a life stuck in a hovel, and they were merely limited when the sun was out. They could see the world if they could do so safely, and if they had chosen not to file their nails and teeth and wear safety measures, they could walk in the night with others merely thinking them mad.
“If you were not confident enough to attack the king and make a demand, why would I align my family with yours?”
“Your boundaries allow you access to the palace. We respect established homes and would not strike, which is why we come to, you know. If there is a revolution in place, we wish to be part of it. Many of our members are skilled in fighting. At some point, this will turn to war. You are what, two, and ten strong? We can triple that.”
He quirked a dark brow but did not speak. If they were requesting an alliance, he would hear them out. Silas knew he was a smaller group, and that he had staked his area claim only because he was one of the oldest sick. So many that grew ill before him passed before the treatment was found. It gave him power.
“We offer you warriors, but we also give you more areas to hunt for blood. Whitechapel is ideal. Though they are not the healthiest men and women, they still have circulating blood. We are able to remain vital almost always due to our region. Many foolish humans fall into a stupor from libations and opium. They make excellent targets we can take and drain slowly.” Victoria wore a smirk on her lips, a sure sign she believed she was the most important of the group.
“And yourself?” He nodded toward Elizabeth, whose hair was sprinkled with white, and her skin was nearly translucent in the moonlight. “You do not appear to have the best conditions.”
Her lips pulled
back to revealed her sharpened teeth. “I lead through compassion. I take my treatment only after my entire family has. My area is large, and there are many to heal. I go a great many days, and that places me nearer to death more oft. Which is what I bring to the alliance. A different leadership style and the largest number of warriors.”
Scoffing, he focused his attention solely on her. “How is that an asset? You appear to be frail and weak.”
“It is called fortitude. My family is patient and can push themselves to remain still enough to live on limited blood, so the dead blood does not circulate when we run low on supply. We can still make up an army, offer more land to hunt on, but we are able to last longer.”
“That is impossible. When the body is out of oxygenated blood, we perish completely.”
It was her turn to smile. “I met a Buddhist practitioner in my youth. The peace and calm he taught me how to slow my body. The blood stays oxygenated longer. We live longer.”
He hoped his shock was not written on his brow as he spoke. “Not an asset to me.”
“It is if we are over three hundred.”
His whistle was undoubtedly audible. He had not realized the area had teemed with the sick.
“Very well.” Opening the door a hair more, he waved for them to enter, closing the door behind Carter. “And what is to be the recompense if I do not agree? Are you families lying in wait to destroy mine and take the area?”
“That is very astute,” Elizabeth responded.
“Why request what you can take by force?”
“Appearances.” Victoria led herself to a sofa and sat, crossing her legs like the member of the ton she must have been before she grew ill. “The king has seen and dealt with you. The healthy do not know of our structure, but he knows of you. Without your family, you would likely wish for death. Your death does us no good. If the humans were to realize we are civilized and structured, they would hunt us as they did in the beginning. It was only when we were one force that we were able to save ourselves.”
“Intelligent, but you revealed your hand. You need me. If I cast you out, you’ll likely kill some of my family, but not all.”
He would risk a few deaths if he did not deem their alliance in his favor. Power was not the goal. Living without staying in hiding was.
“Why does an alliance not intrigue you?” Carter sat, placing his hands on his knees. “What is the downfall of growing stronger?”
“I did not indicate there was one. I am merely learning the game.” He smiled, revealing his four sharpened teeth. “As you have likely heard, I am one of the men who fell sick days before the treatment was found. I am older, I am more ruthless, and I have more teeth to slash and kill a human because I wanted them. I am no longer human because they no longer see me that way. Alliances are for humans, not monsters.”
“Then why do you follow the structure we have adopted in London?” Elizabeth quirked her head to the side.
“Respect. I have no need of being a monster to others in my situation.” He was quiet, wondering if they would continue their questions and offers.
There was nothing to lose in joining forces with others of his kind. The stronger they were, the more they would gain. He understood he had declared war against the king, and if one family alone numbered three hundred, there was no reason not to join together to ensure they restored a world order that protected and served even the sick.
“Then respect the power. This would bring us all.” Victoria’s statement held a bone-chilling tone as she rose from the seat. Her men’s attire seemed all the stranger in the regal way she walked.
“You were a lady, were you not?” The question didn’t matter, but he was curious based on the way she conducted herself.
“Yes, I was. My family thought I perished. I requested they burn me and scatter my ashes. I had no desire to die then, and I do not now, so I took measures to ensure it was not my body. I did so to ensure they did not attempt to murder me when the rioting began.”
“What is your name?”
“Victoria Nightingale.”
“My word,” his lips twisted into a twisted grin. “Does your lovely daughter know?”
“My daughter is the only one left in my family. If there is a time to present myself to her, I will do so.”
Interesting choice. If his blood-kin had been devising methods to make his life harder, or to extinguish it, he would have made his presence known. To each their own. “That is a very valuable . . . secret. Very well, let us retire to the formal room to discuss terms of our alliance.”
“We are so glad you see the beauty in our plan. We are eager to begin, as well.” Carter rose and offered Victoria his hand.
So that is how it occurred. Silas thought gleefully. They’d become lovers and aligned their lives together. Which means they will be loyal to one another over Elizabeth and I. An alliance within an alliance might be in order for him as well.
He led them through the abandoned home they had procured. His family was smart, and they remained hidden from sight. His abode still had the proper trimmings, though the exposure to the toxin had rendered most of the fabrics to a state of decay.
“Your home is grand,” Elizabeth whispered near his ear as they reached the formal room, and all four sat in the chairs around the table.
“Your family, they do not live here?”
“They are here and there.” There was no reason to indicate any casualties. “Please, explain your proposal in full terms.”
Carter spoke up, showing his colors as a man of the ton in a society where women spoke first plenty. “As we stated, hunting grounds will be extended. Humans taken are not to have blood wasted.”
“We do not waste.” The words were snarled.
“I did not say you did. These are the terms we stipulate. There are smaller lots who do think to bring containers for excess to share with others. If we come across waste, we terminate the arrangement.”
“Agreeable. Go on.”
“Any proceedings before the king will involve all family leaders. We want to be present, so the king knows how strong you truly are by way of seeing more of us, and we obviously do not see merit in going alone. You made it in and out twice if our accounts are correct. We go as a united front.”
“Again, agreeable. Showing we are stronger is useable. I feel the need to point out, and there were deaths the last raid.”
“Which is understood in war.” Victoria leveled her gaze on him. “Which is why we will not risk our families unless a full-scale motion is called for.”
“I see. So you wish for more land to hunt on, but offer me more as well. You wish to appear before the king which gives me more credibility, again useful to me. However, you state that you will not endanger your families. That is unacceptable. Thank you for joining me this night. I will show you out.”
“One moment,” Carter placed his hand out. “You are already endangering their lives with each assault. Why would we offer our families to the same fate? We risk ourselves, that should be plenty.”
“Simple, they risk themselves for a reward only they currently benefit from. If you wish to benefit, you must take the risk.”
“Three from each of us, on any and every raid,” Elizabeth spoke without so much as consulting the other two.
When Victoria and Carter did not speak up, he realized it had been renegotiated previously, and they had thought their terms out from many angles. Take the contract.
“There is one last detail. I am in charge when we do these things. I want no dominion over your families, but I am experienced. We go to the king, I lead.”
Three heads nodded surprisingly fast, and he once again realized how thick as thieves the trio before him might be. He’d do best to remember they came as an alliance, as he had a feeling a betrayal could arise.
“Then, it is settled. I would offer you libations, but we know how that affects us.” He rose and leaned his head out the door frame. “You may all come join the festivities now. We
have new allies to welcome.”
He heard the sound of shuffling in response throughout the house, thanks to the hard, wood plank floors.
“Now then, let’s get to know each other a little better. I find it helps to form bonds.”
Chapter Sixteen
“You have to try.” Benjamin sneered, launching the device across the small table in his frustration.
“There is no way for any of us to do what you request. We’ve explained our reasoning. You must accept that.” Samuel was not disturbed by the aggressive display. His expression remaining stark and calm.
“I saw no evidence of the truth. You looked at the weapon I created with Raven Nightingale and simply stated you could not do it.”
“We will not risk our energy on a spell we know will not be re-creatable. Your family, your guild, knows the rules. When your cousin perished, it did not disband the terms of our working together.”
“I do not understand why it would not be something that can be created on a larger scale.”
“I cannot explain it to you if you already do not see. We cannot spell cast six and a hundred, only for you to need more. Create devices that are producible on a scale. In time, your technology will grow, and you can create what we power with magic, you have already done so with the communication wires.”
“A weapon is essential. Protection is essential.” He sounded as petulant as a child, but he did not care. He’d been on edge since Raven had declined all attempts to speak with her. Samuel was merely stoking the fire.
You’re demanding they give their life for a maybe, of course, it’s not working. Select another route. Christopher’s voice in his mind was becoming a constant guidance, and one he wasn’t certain he wanted but knew to listen too.
“What if I showed you another invention? Something I believe is as valuable.”
Samuel’s body sagged as he let out a sigh. Guilt tore at him, as he knew he was asking the man to die, but the mages came to his guild, not the other way around.