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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.
