Chapter 23 #2
Winslow lifted both of his empty hands toward Marcus in a motion he could only think of as placating.
“The Ministry is sympathetic to your loss, but you’ve yet to tell me anything concrete about who is behind this attack.
If you could give us a name or even a clan, we could look into it. Arrange for appropriate compensation.”
Marcus knew that compensation would come in the form of a sacrificial lamb or two trussed up and delivered to the Varik family with well-wishes.
He and his brothers would love nothing more than to claim the heads of the vampires who plotted their deaths, but this was beyond just dealing justice to the people who attacked his family and killed their mother.
There was the murder of Ethan’s family that needed to be dealt with. There were the attacks on the Ministry.
The leaders of their people were ineffective and careless.
They cared only about their own comfort and amusement.
They’d forgotten about the vampires they were serving and the humans they were supposed to be keeping safe.
His brothers were right. It was time for a new order.
He hadn’t been able to see it before, but sitting opposite Winslow, Marcus couldn’t deny that he had no faith in the vampire to bring order to their world.
“If I knew who was doing the attacking, I wouldn’t feel compelled to bring it to you.
My family would have taken care of the matter,” Marcus said stiffly.
“I thought with the recent trouble the Ministry has had—including the deaths of both Armand and Percival—the Ministry might know who was on such a murderous streak. Is someone hell-bent on taking out other vampires?”
Winslow shifted in his seat, his eyes dropping down to the head of his pet for a moment. “Victoria, why don’t you take Marcus’s pet into the kitchen and get him something to eat? If Marcus has an appetite anything like his brother Rafe, his pet could use something with more substance.”
Without a word, the woman rose gracefully to her feet and waited for Ethan to stand as well.
Ethan looked over at Marcus, not moving until his master gave permission.
This was the very thing they’d hoped and planned for, but Marcus found himself hesitating for a heartbeat.
He didn’t want Ethan out of his sight for a second.
But Ethan could handle himself.
Marcus nodded, hating the way his heart sped up a little bit at the fear that Ethan couldn’t quite erase from his wide eyes.
Ethan stood and followed Victoria from the room, leaving Marcus alone with Winslow.
“So, you’ve heard about them,” Winslow murmured.
“Winter is quite good at gathering little bits of news.”
Winslow nodded. “Has he heard that Charlotte was also discovered murdered this evening?”
“Three members of the American Ministry dead?”
Winslow nodded again and folded his hands on his stomach. “I will admit that the Varik clan crossed my mind at least once when Armand was killed.”
“Why’s that?” Marcus said. His hands tightened on the arms of his chair and he slid to the edge as if preparing to launch himself at Winslow.
“Because Armand was the most vocally against Julianna being permitted to live,” Winslow said with a casual wave of his hand. “If I were the leader of the Varik clan and was making a move to take control of the Ministry, he’d be the first on my list to die.”
Marcus froze and stared at Winslow for one tense second before dropping back into his chair in laughter. “You think we’re trying to take over the Ministry? That we’re behind the deaths of the Ministry members?”
“I did until you brought news of Julianna’s murder.
” Winslow shook his head and it was only then that Marcus noticed that Winslow’s hands untensed and he seemed to sink a little more in his chair.
He’d been worried that Marcus would attack him.
“Seats on the Ministry would be the only way the Variks could permanently protect the life of Julianna.”
“The Ministry is not the concern of myself or my brothers. We only want to live our lives in peace.”
“Does Aiden feel the same way?”
Marcus made a show of glaring at the floor, his hands tightening into fists. “Aiden is in mourning. He’s keeping his feelings to himself right now.”
It was true, but Marcus also knew that Winter was checking up on their wayward sire.
Aiden would need time to come to terms with his loss, and Marcus couldn’t even guess as to how Aiden would feel about their plans.
Aiden was the type to keep to himself. Marcus truly doubted Aiden had any interest in getting a seat on the Ministry, let alone becoming king of the vampires.
But then, it was much easier for kings to get their revenge.
“Have you heard of anyone with connections to the Humans Protecting Humans League?” Marcus asked.
“The vampire hate group? No,” Winslow said, disgust filling his voice.
“I believe they were the humans who attacked my home with the vampires.”
“I…I can’t believe that.” Winslow pushed to his feet and paced over to the empty fireplace, wringing his hands in front of his stomach.
“It’s true. And why not? Humans are more numerous than us. Send enough humans in to attack, weakening a target, and then a vampire can stroll in to finish the task.”
Winslow shook his head, but Marcus had to wonder. While Winslow sounded disgusted and horrified, he didn’t seem particularly surprised. That might have been how Armand, Charlotte, or Percival were killed.
“The Ministry will look into your claims and uncover the truth of the matter. If someone has weaponized the humans in such a way, he or she will be dealt with severely. Humans are to have no proof of our existence beyond pets, and they are definitely not permitted to be involved in our disagreements. Thank you for bringing this to our attention,” Winslow said.
He firmed up his tone as if he’d gotten control of his growing fears.
Three powerful vampires dead in a short time was a frightening thing. Was he going to be a target too?
Winslow returned to his seat and pasted a serene expression on his face that Marcus didn’t believe at all.
“Was there anything else you wished to discuss?”
Marcus sat back in his chair and folded his hands in his lap. Time to stir up trouble for the rest of the Ministry.
“I’ve heard that Robert of the Timber clan is planning to remove Beatrice’s head and claim her seat.”
“I can’t believe Marcus Varik finally took a pet,” Victoria said extravagantly as they entered the kitchen. With one limp hand, she waved for him to take a seat at the center counter while she strolled over to the shiny stainless-steel fridge.
The kitchen was enormous, easily twice the size of Marcus’s with a double oven and huge stove with at least eight burners.
It was what he assumed a professional kitchen would look like at a five-star restaurant.
The counters were dark marble, and everything shone like it was polished within an inch of its life.
He was afraid to touch anything for fear of smudging it.
Victoria had no such fear. She moved about the house as if she owned it rather than being a possession herself.
“So, you’ve met Marcus before?” Ethan asked, even though he already knew the answer. He was curious as to how she’d reply, how reliable she’d be.
“Not personally. But I saw him a couple of times when my master took me to The Bank.” She twisted partially around to look at him over her shoulder while still holding the fridge doors open. “Has he taken you to The Bank yet?”
“No. Not yet. I’ve only been his pet for a week.”
“Oh! You must get him to take you soon! Beg him.” She smiled slyly at him. “Or use other means to convince him.”
“What’s The Bank?”
She released the doors and leaned both of her forearms on the counter separating them.
“It’s this special meeting place only for vampires and their pets.
It’s the one place they can be out in public and totally be themselves.
The first floor is the nightclub, and it’s so much fun.
” She made a little face in displeasure.
“The second floor is this stuffy rich man’s club, even though women are allowed in.
They just sit around drinking, talking, or reading the freaking newspaper.
The only music is like harp music. Winslow prefers to hang out there.
I’ve only ever seen Marcus on that floor, but his brother Rafe is at the nightclub occasionally.
” She gave a dreamy sigh. “Have you met that brother?”
“Yes. I’ve met all his brothers.”
“Rafe’s the sexy one. I bet you wish you got that one.”
Ethan tried not to sound too pissed when he said, “I adore Marcus. I have no regrets.”
Victoria shrugged and turned to the fridge as if his opinion didn’t matter.
“Is there anything you’re in the mood for?
I could call the chef to make something for you, but most meetings with my master don’t last long.
I’d hate for you to leave before it’s done.
Personally, if I eat one more salad, I might just throw a radish at his head. ”
“I’d love something sweet.”
Victoria giggled and closed the fridge but kept the freezer section open. When she turned back to Ethan, she was holding two gallon containers of ice cream. The fancy, expensive kind too.
“Oh, yes!” Ethan said. He had to admit that this was going to be an expected perk of the job. He hadn’t had ice cream in a while.
Victoria put both containers on the counter and grabbed two more out of the freezer. She then quickly snagged two spoons out the drawer and handed one to Ethan.
“Thank you,” he said as he pulled the container of triple chocolate fudge closer to him. He broke the plastic seal, stunned no one had opened it yet. If it had been his, he would have cracked that bad boy open the moment he returned home from the grocery.
“This is so much better than listening to them talk politics,” Victoria said before shoveling a spoonful of rocky road into her mouth. She moaned around the chocolatey goodness and Ethan couldn’t blame her. This was the best ice cream he’d ever tasted.
“Have you been a pet long?”
Victoria straightened, her closed-lipped smile growing as she swallowed another bite. “I’ve been with Winslow for almost four years. That’s three times longer than any of his past pets.”
“Is that longer than most pets?”
She shrugged. “It depends. I’ve heard that most don’t last more than a couple of years. But I’ve heard there are a few out there that have been with their master for over a decade. Those are rare, though.”
“What happens to them? Do they just leave?”
Victoria paused, ice cream halfway to her mouth.
“There’s no leaving. I mean, there’s supposedly some vamps that can wipe your mind, but humans can’t know about vampires.
Most pets die while in service. A few are given away to other vamps as gifts.
” Victoria lowered her spoon and leaned closer to Ethan.
“Winslow has mentioned that he might one day turn me. No vamp ever does that with a pet, but he can’t live without me.
He wants me this pretty for always.” She was practically bouncing with her excitement, and it was a struggle for Ethan to smile at her.
This was not what he was supposed to be talking about with her, but he had to admit that it was good information to have.
He’d never given much thought to what his future would look like.
He’d just been lost in the glow of their new love and the idea of living with him in Connecticut.
But in Marcus’s mind, was that only for a year or two?
Would Marcus hand him over to another vampire when he lost interest?
Ethan couldn’t even fathom such a thought. Marcus would never do that. His lover had been very clear that Ethan wasn’t a pet. He was just playing a role. He loved Ethan. But did they mean the same thing when they said those words?
It was only when Victoria’s free hand patted his that Ethan realized he’d gotten lost in thought. He looked up to see her sympathetic gaze.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure Marcus will take very good care of you. He seems very serious and I’m sure that means he’ll be very serious about your care. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Oh, I’m not. I guess I hadn’t given much thought to the future. I was just enjoying my time with Marcus so much.”
“That’s good! Vampires are fun and sexy and their stamina…” She groaned loudly before digging out a scoop of ice cream.
“The best!” Ethan chimed in with a giggle.
“And generous! That is an amazing collar Marcus has given you.”
Ethan straightened a little and lifted his chin so that the light could more easily bounce off the sapphires. “This is my first and Marcus has promised me one for every color of the rainbow.”
“Ooooh…I’m gonna have to tell my master so he can up his collar game. He’s a member of the Ministry. No offense, but he can’t let his pet be shown up by anyone.”
“Oh no, I totally understand. Marcus has said that the Ministry is very important, not that I understand all of it.”
Victoria made a little dismissive noise. “Neither do I. All political nonsense, but it means that other vampires are supposed to respect Winslow and the Ministry members.”
“But doesn’t it worry you?”
“What?”
Ethan looked over one shoulder and then the other, as if making sure they were completely alone, before he leaned closer to his companion. “The murders,” he said in a harsh whisper.
“Is that what your master was talking about before we were sent away?”
Ethan nodded. “Two members of the Ministry were already killed.”
Victoria paled, lowering her spoon to the counter with a soft tink. “Did they kill each other?”
“No, they were killed days apart, from my understanding.”
“Oh, God. Do you think my master is safe?”
Ethan chewed on his bottom lip and gave Victoria a sympathetic look.
“What? What do you know?”
Ethan leaned a little closer to Victoria and she did the same. “I overheard something Winter and Rafe were saying. I don’t think they knew I was there. I’d left to run an errand for Marcus but came back because I forgot my keys.”
“What did you hear?”
“Winter said that he’d heard that someone named Sebastian was planning to kill Winslow and take his seat on the Ministry since Winslow’s only supporter had been killed off. Said he was an easy target now.”
Victoria pulled away from Ethan, and he watched the emotions flit across her face.
The fear he’d expected, but he was surprised by the look of calculation.
Winslow wasn’t going to last long. Ethan just wasn’t sure if Winslow was going to pick a fight with someone Marcus said he couldn’t beat, or if his own pet was going to do him in and then offer herself up to this Sebastian.
Either way, Ethan was ready to leave this house and return to Marcus’s home and his embrace.