“I’ll switch on my sensory overload, as you put it,” he grinned. “With your blood in me, my senses are now far superior. I’ll be able to read every thought that goes through their heads simply from the expressions on their faces, including whether or not they are loyal.”
My eyebrows shot up. “You can do that?”
“It’s one of my new abilities, yes.”
The first person Lucas ushered into the house was an older vampire, one of the oldest I’d ever seen. Ethan introduced him to me as Nicu Arcos, an old friend of his father’s. I shook hands with the dark-eyed man as he took me in with interest.
Two females and one male vampire, Nicu’s daughters and son, followed Nicu into the room. They took seats on the couch, while Ethan stood by the mantelpiece.
“I asked you in before anyone else because you’re the only person I know I can really trust, Nicu,” Ethan said. “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 in 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 waved 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 was a thicker version of Ethan’s, and I wondered if they knew each other back in Romania.
“Of course, you may continue your dealings as you have been doing,” Ethan replied. “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 a lot of wealth, which goes to me if I’m to lead. You would have the top job in deciding how it should be spent.”
Hearing this, Nicu’s eyes lit up a fraction. He rubbed his chin, considering it, and then laughed. “You’re being sly, Ethan. You know that is an offer I can’t refuse.”
“I need you with me in this,” Ethan said.
Nicu looked to his son, who had an eager expression on his face, as though urging his father to say yes. None of this made any sense to me. The vampires had a treasury? I mean, it wasn’t like they were a country. What exactly did they spend it on?
Seeing as they were constantly being attacked by the DOH, they probably used it to buy weapons. Though with Pamphrock’s death, the DOH was now basically defunct in Tribane. I didn’t see how they’d need any more weapons. I’d witnessed with my own two eyes that guns didn’t work against magic, so it would be useless when facing Theodore.
There was a long stretch of silence as Nicu thought through his options. Ethan seemed to consider him a friend, so it wasn’t like he couldn’t say no.
Finally, the old vampire spoke, “I will take the position provisionally and see how things progress. As I said before, business is my area. I’m not certain I’ll be cut out for this job, but I’ll give it my best shot.”
Ethan strode toward him, his hand outstretched. “Excellent, Nicu. I assure you, you won’t regret this.”
“Hmm, I hope not,” Nicu said, shaking Ethan’s hand and gesturing for his son and daughters to follow him out.
For the next few hours, Ethan met with the vampires he felt he could trust the most, vampires he’d been friends with for a long time. Most of the meetings went similarly to the one with Nicu, except that these vamps seemed far more enthusiastic about taking political positions with Ethan. Half the time, I had to stifle the urge to yawn. It was all just so boring.
It was only when Lucas brought a brother and sister into the room that my Spidey senses woke up. There was something off-putting about the two of them, but I couldn’t seem to put my finger on it. They both had sleek, jet black hair and green serpentine eyes. The way they regarded me far longer than any of the other vampires raised my hackles. I looked to Ethan as he watched them, and I wanted to know what he gleaned from their reactions to me.
Pulling my legs up under me on the cushioned armchair, I stared at them dead-on, not allowing myself to be eye shy. Eventually, they turned to greet Ethan and took seats on the sofa in the middle of the room. I remained in my corner, anxious that something bad was going to happen. My magical blood bubbled under my skin in warning.
“Angelica, Raul, it’s a pleasure to see you both again.”
“Likewise,” Angelica said, folding her slim, pale arms across her chest. “You’re wearing your years well, Ethan.”