Chapter 4 #2
“That’s fair,” Bel said softly.
“Fair?” Rafe shouted, nearly coming out of his chair. “What if someone decides to make it look like Bel’s poison was used in another’s death?”
Bel smiled at him. “That would be a death very hard to fake. The poison reduces the victim to a…a…”
“Puddle of bubbling goo,” Ethan finished.
“Exactly.”
“Yes, there are holes, but it may be the best we can hope for when it comes to placating the Ministry,” Marcus said. His older brother sounded tired, and Rafe had a feeling that Marcus had spent the better part of the past month arguing with the old bastards just to reach this point.
“Besides, this ruling body is only temporary,” Winter countered. “The five that were killed over the past months have not been replaced on the Ministry, and the ones that remain are more concerned with protecting themselves.”
“The reach of the Ministry is growing weaker,” Marcus confirmed, but his brother didn’t sound reassured by it. And Rafe had to admit that it created an unexpected queasiness in his stomach.
The Ministry was comprised of eleven older vampires who met to create rules for the vampire world within the Americas.
There was another one for Europe and a third for Asia.
The American Ministry had grown bloated with power-hungry vampires who didn’t really care about what was happening between the clans or even to the vampires who weren’t lucky enough to be a part of a clan.
Their kind was long overdue for a change in leadership, but the Ministry didn’t exactly have elections.
Seats on the Ministry were claimed by killing an opponent, either openly or through more devious means.
Earlier in the year, the Black Wolf clan attempted to stage a coup, but the political maneuvering wasn’t complete.
The Variks tried to stay out of the power struggles for the most part, but it was clear that the Black Wolf clan had decided to make a move on the Variks, claiming they were a threat to the order they hoped to achieve.
Now the clan was no more, but none of them really felt any safer.
Rafe spread his hands in front of him. “And where does that leave us?”
“In need of allies and the truth behind who attacked the Ministry first,” Marcus replied. “You met with Arsenault?”
Rafe nodded. “I met with the clan leader, Philippe Arsenault, last night.” Rafe paused and licked his lips before looking over at Winter. “Have you met him? Do you know anything about the Arsenaults?”
“Next to nothing, actually,” Winter admitted, which was more than a little surprising. Winter seemed to know something about nearly everyone. “They’ve kept to themselves. Definitely away from the Ministry and politics. I’m not even sure how big their clan is.”
“Well, their clan is one vampire smaller than it was.” Marcus immediately glared at Rafe, as if he were to blame for the incredibly shrinking Arsenault clan.
Rafe held up a hand, stopping Marcus’s snarl. “Philippe Arsenault believes an alliance between the Variks and Arsenaults could be of value to both sides. However, he would like a…a gesture of good faith. Proof that the Variks are willing to help the Arsenaults in their time of need.”
“Not unreasonable, considering Jullien Arsenault was sent to help us infiltrate the Black Wolf manor,” Bel said.
Ethan shifted on the couch, moving closer to Marcus. “What do they want help with?”
“One of their clan members has gone missing. Piper Arsenault. Philippe has requested our assistance in locating their wayward vampire.”
“And Philippe is sure Piper didn’t leave of her own free will?” Winter said.
“Yes. Yes.” Rafe gave a dismissive wave of his hand.
“I covered all of that ground already. He’s confident her disappearance is either linked to a kidnapping or that she’s hiding from someone who attempted to harm her and can’t safely return home.
But I don’t have any additional details.
I didn’t want to get into all of that if we weren’t going to agree to trudge into their mess in the first place. ”
Marcus shifted forward, placing his elbows on his knees as he narrowed his eyes on Rafe. He wasn’t sure if his brother was attempting to read his thoughts or if he was concentrating on the request from Philippe. “What is your opinion of Philippe Arsenault?”
“Handsome,” Rafe said immediately, earning muffled snickers from Ethan and Winter. He glanced over in time to see Bel give a roll of his eyes, but there was a smile playing on his lips.
“I was hoping for something more useful and constructive when I requested you meet with him,” Marcus said, sounding as if he was talking through clenched teeth.
Sometimes Rafe couldn’t help himself. He loved irritating his brothers, particularly Marcus.
And that truly had been Rafe’s first impression when it came to Philippe Arsenault. The vampire was incredibly handsome. He looked as if he’d been spun from the finest gold thread and woven with a glow plucked straight from the sun.
But for all their playful banter, Rafe hadn’t missed the worry crowding his pale-green eyes. Rafe didn’t know if the worry was related to his missing clan member, aligning the Arsenaults with the Variks, or something else.
“He’s charming, witty, and intelligent. Reminded me a lot of…
well, myself.” Rafe paused and flashed Marcus a wide grin, but his brother was not amused.
“He seems to know a good deal about us, despite our pitiful lack of knowledge about their clan. He’s apparently a fan of Marcus’s appearances before the Ministry, but not so much a fan of the Ministry.
I believe he respects our family and is willing to accept an alliance with us even though we’ve done an amazing job of making ourselves a target.
And while I’m a little surprised to say this, I do believe he’s genuinely concerned about his missing clan member. ”
Rafe glanced over at Bel to find his twin staring at him with a look akin to speechless horror. “Are you…considering joining the Arsenault clan?”
“What?” Rafe said on a gasp.
“Well, you did manage to get digs in on your family while praising him.”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Rafe snapped.
“Are you hungry? Do you need to feed?” Bel inquired.
“Maybe he’s got a crush,” Ethan suggested, causing Rafe to whip his head around to glare at the newest Varik. The look only sent Ethan into peals of giggles that had even Marcus struggling not to smile.
“Wouldn’t that be adorable?” Winter continued when Ethan couldn’t talk between his giggles. “Rafe with a crush on Philippe Arsenault. Are you going to start doodling hearts and writing your name out, Rafe Varik-Arsenault? Or are you just going to change it to Rafe Arsenault?”
Rafe was out of his seat in a flash. His fangs slammed down of their own accord as rage pumped through his veins. The very idea that he would ever choose another clan over his family was fucking ridiculous. He was a Varik. Nothing was going to change that. Nothing. And no one.
Grinning at him, Winter shoved to his feet, ready to counter anything Rafe threw at him.
But Rafe didn’t get within arm’s reach of his youngest brother. Marcus rose and stepped between the two, his hands pressed against Rafe’s chest.
“Enough! We don’t have time for this nonsense,” Marcus barked.
Rafe continued to glare at his youngest brother for another few seconds. He wasn’t fighting Marcus, but he wasn’t retreating either. Winter withdrew first, lowering his eyes and dropping into his seat.
“He’s right,” Winter muttered. “Just joking, Rafe. Never meant it.”
Rafe managed a low grunt as he stepped away from Marcus. He ran a hand along the front of his shirt and jacket as if smoothing away any wrinkles before he returned to his seat. Marcus continued to tower over them, glaring at Rafe and then Winter as if daring them to step out of line again.
“After meeting with Philippe, what is your recommendation? Do we help them or walk away?” Bel asked, breaking the tense silence that filled the room.
“I think we should help them,” Rafe said.
He was careful to make sure his tone was completely serious.
“If this is something simple, we find Piper or the truth quickly and we acquire a new ally. Whether the Arsenault clan is large or small, it gives the Variks more cachet within the vampire community and makes others more wary of us.”
“It could buy us a little more breathing room and time,” Winter conceded.
“And if it’s not simple?” Marcus prodded.
“Then we uncover something that could be a much bigger problem among the clans, and we prepare for it.”
Rafe frowned. It wasn’t an ideal solution. They’d suffered under a corrupt Ministry for years. These Ministry leaders had allowed for the slaughter of Ethan’s family, the attack on the Variks, the death of Julianna, and probably many more atrocities.
But what was their other option?
The vampires needed a fair and just ruler. Someone who was willing to watch out for the various clans, but also watch out for the humans. Rafe nearly snorted at the idea of finding someone so selfless among his kind.
Well, that wasn’t true. There was Marcus. But thanks to the attack on the Variks and the destruction of the Black Wolf clan, Rafe didn’t think their kind would believe he could be totally unbiased.
So, where did that leave them?
Looking out for themselves and any they decided to claim as an ally.
Which brought them back to Philippe and the Arsenault clan.
“I agree with Rafe. I think we should help them,” Bel announced. “Even if a formal alliance is never formed, it doesn’t hurt to put some goodwill out there. Maybe it will help us find other clans who are simply wanting to exist outside the power-hungry drama.”
Winter smirked. “I like the idea of Bel’s royal benevolence.”
“That is not what I meant,” Bel grumbled at their younger brother, crossing his arms tightly over his chest.
Rafe winked at his twin. “I vote we help find this Piper Arsenault and see where it leads us with the Arsenault clan.”