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“It’s just the usual moving stress,” Marcus said with a shrug.
“Really? What were you and Winter whispering so earnestly about? Other than changing me into a vampire.”
“We weren’t whispering.”
Ethan turned so that he could give Marcus more than just side-eye. Yeah, his lover didn’t believe him in the least, and Marcus could only sigh. He wanted to keep Ethan out of his plans as much as possible in hopes of protecting him, but Ethan wasn’t the type to just sit back and be protected. Ethan wanted to be involved, which both warmed and terrified Marcus.
“I was questioning what our grand scheme was,” he admitted.
Ethan closed the pizza box and moved up to the sofa, allowing him to more easily meet Marcus’s worried gaze. Marcus sat up and folded his hands together between his legs.
“This is the first time I’ve not known what my future held, my purpose, since becoming a vampire. Before, my drive, the drive for my brothers, was to protect Mother. But she’s gone. Now…we’re taking down the American Ministry.”
“You think that’s a bad idea?”
Marcus quickly shook his head. “No, definitely not. They’ve all been ineffective for too long. These were the same vampires in power when your family was killed. They’ve allowed too many attacks on other clans. They’ve looked the other way when both humans and vampires were tortured in the name of amusement. The Ministry has become corrupt and bloated with power. It’s time for it to end.”
“I don’t see a problem,” Ethan said. “As someone who suffered under their incompetence, I say get rid of them. Since you can’t vote them out, I don’t see how you’ve got any other option.”
Marcus spread his hands in front of him. “So, we sow discord among the vampires. They kill each other and most, if not all, of the Ministry seats are cleared. What then? More vampires with the same mentality assume those seats. We’re right back to where we were, but with different vampires. No progress. No change. No safety for the clans or humans.”
Ethan laid his head against Marcus’s shoulder and yawned. “Why can’t you and your brothers claim the seats?”
The suggestion did seem quite obvious. “On a council of eleven, we would need six for a majority vote to pass any new laws. Even with Aiden, we number only five.” Ethan opened his mouth to comment and Marcus pushed on. “Plus, I know that neither Rafe nor Bel would claim a seat. Rafe has no stomach for ruling and meetings. Bel can’t be away from his work.”
“Winter?”
“Convinced that his skills are better saved for spying than ruling. That leaves only me and Aiden. My temperament is better suited for it. I think Aiden is as well. But two against nine can’t get much done.”
“But you talked about making Aiden king?”
Marcus smiled, feeling a tinge of embarrassment heating his cheeks. “Desperate words from angry and hurt children. We love and trust Aiden. He’s more than a sire. He’d been a father for myself and my brothers for centuries. We see him as the one person who could change our lives for the better, but I doubt that most in our world would see that. He created Julianna, though not his fault, and then refused to destroy her. Most see that as weakness, not compassion.”
Ethan sighed and Marcus looked over at the human, smiling to see his eyes growing heavier.
“Well, the Variks can’t be the only vampires who want change. Can’t you form an alliance or something? Recruit other powerful vampires who want a little order and safety.”
“Trust isn’t something vampires are very big on, particularly outside of our own clan.”
Ethan’s head popped up and he stared up at Marcus. “But you all learn to do it. Most clans aren’t made up of siblings like the Variks. That’s outsiders being brought in, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’ve got to find some vamps worth trusting.”
“Good point.”
“Thank you,” Ethan murmured, settling his head back on Marcus’s shoulder.
Marcus would have been content to sit just like that for the rest of the night, but he knew it couldn’t be comfortable for Ethan. “Come on, oh wise one. Time for you to go to bed.”
Ethan immediately sat upright, his eyes wide. “No! If I go to sleep now, I won’t be on your schedule. I’ll be up too early.”
Marcus pushed to his feet and grabbed Ethan’s hand so he could pull his slender lover up as well. Ethan reminded him more of a dancer than a fighter with his long limbs and narrow waist, a body honed by years of hard labor and desperation. Despite the inches of height difference between them, Marcus knew better than to discount Ethan’s wiry strength and sheer determination. He would jump into any fight Marcus faced, but Marcus hoped to avoid that as much as possible. Humans were no match for vampires under most circumstances. But those were worries for another time.
