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Rafe laughed loudly and shoved to his feet. He paced over to stand in front of his twin. “Maybe we are. Maybe they want us to do their dirty work. So be it. Whoever it is will regret fucking with the Variks. We will be the new order, and there will be no more personal attacks on clans.”
“I still want to help,” Ethan said.
“No, it’s too dangerous,” Marcus growled.
“He’s right, Ethan,” Bel agreed. “Vampires are much harder to kill. We’re a tad bit stronger and faster than most humans. That advantage only grows bigger the older we get. You would constantly be at a great disadvantage.”
“Then what? You just wrap me in cotton and tuck me away in the closet until you’re done with your war?” Ethan shoved away from Marcus, his face growing flushed with his anger. “Or were you just going to walk away? Leave me behind?”
The thought left Marcus feeling as if his heart was being ripped from his chest. Leave Ethan behind? After just one day of waking wrapped around Ethan’s body, he couldn’t imagine waking in his cold bed alone. Couldn’t go back to that.
“Your pet has some sharp teeth there, dear brother,” Rafe teased.
“He’s not a pet,” Marcus snarled, instantly bristling at the description. Ethan was so much more than a pet.
“Yet another reason to take our place on the Ministry,” Winter deftly pointed out.
“What?” Ethan said. Some of the anger slipped from his voice as he turned toward Winter.
“Humans have only two places in our lives—pets and blood slaves,” Winter continued.
“I can guess what a blood slave is,” Ethan said with distaste. “What’s a pet?”
“Not much better than a blood slave, really.” Rafe’s expression softened a little. “A pet is a plaything and usually a servant of sorts. But mostly a cherished chew toy. No vampire would risk his life over a pet. And ultimately, they are extremely disposable.”
“But that’s not Ethan,” Bel interjected with such sternness that it surprised Marcus. “He means a great deal more to Marcus. He’s an equal.”
“A part of the family,” Winter added, and it was like Marcus could suddenly breathe again.
“And if I’m a part of the family, that means I get to help too.”
Marcus groaned and Rafe chuckled.
“Oh, you’ve got a smart lover there, Marcus.”
“You can’t, Ethan. It’s too dangerous.”
“But he could be quite useful. Pets are a wonderful part of a household. They can travel with vampires and are largely overlooked. They hear so many interesting things,” Winter said.
“And pets love to gossip,” Rafe said with new enthusiasm. “Let’s get him a collar!” Rafe hurried through the living room and down a hall that led to his bedroom.
Marcus wanted to shout back at Rafe and the rest of his brothers that Ethan was definitely not a pet. Ethan had become his heart, his happiness. He most certainly wasn’t disposable or something to be overlooked. And Marcus would most definitely risk his life over Ethan’s safety and happiness.
“So…vampires don’t date?” Ethan asked.
Winter groaned softly and closed his eyes. Bel looked a little uncomfortable, but he at least held Ethan’s gaze. “No, we don’t. We don’t form alliances easily for fear of being manipulated or used in power plays. The Variks are unique because we are brothers. We already had a tight familial bond before we were reborn. And I have a feeling it’s why others are worried about our intentions.”
“But what about with humans?”
“You’re food,” Winter said shortly. “How many hamburgers have you given your heart to?”
“Winter!” Marcus snapped, but Ethan shrugged.
“He’s not wrong,” Ethan said. He turned and looked at Marcus. “How many people have you bitten over the years?” Marcus flinched and Ethan smiled softly. “And how many of those people did you care about? Did you know any of their names or dreams?”
“No. Not one.”
“It’s easier that way. Just a quick transaction. Why should you care about humans so long as our numbers are still growing, and you’ve got easy access to a source?”
Marcus reached out and placed his hand firmly against Ethan’s neck. “You are not food to me.”
“I know.”
Rafe’s heavy footsteps echoing off the floor drew their attention back to him as he returned carrying a large box that looked sort of like a trunk. After directing Bel to move his violin, he placed it on the table and flipped open the lid with a flourish.
“I’m sure we can find something suitable for your little pet to wear,” Rafe announced.
“Rafe—”
“No, he’s right,” Ethan interrupted as he stepped closer to the box. “If I pretend to be your pet, then I can more easily blend in. I can talk to other pets. Get gossip and maybe even spread a little.”
“Our own little human spy,” Rafe said. There was a wicked glee to Rafe’s voice that had Marcus shaking his head as he approached the box as well.
