A vampire from House Deegan spoke up. Dorian remembered him as one of the relics from the original council his father had disbanded—a former state senator. “While the members of House Duchanes continue to do his bidding in the city,” he said, “Renault has allegedly taken refuge with a coven in Paris.”
Dorian lifted his brows. This was news to him. “And you have proof of this, Senator Deegan?”
The vampire reddened slightly. “At this point, it is but a rumor, but one worthy of investigation.”
“And one I would be more than happy to investigate,” Dorian said sharply, “if you’d bothered to share the relevant details.”
“My contact in Paris says Renault is building a case against House Redthorne. A case tolegitimatelyoverthrow your rule.”
“He has no claim,” Dorian said, “and no cause.”
“Hewillfind one, highness,” Deegan said. “And what then? We should all bow as pliantly to our new rulers as we have to the old?”
“It’s funny, Senator Deegan.” Dorian narrowed his eyes, making the old bastard squirm. “You speak of pliancy, yet as I recall, you were one of the more…outspokenmembers of my father’s council. One who caused him a fair bit of legal trouble over the decades.”
Lawrence Deegan was a belligerent drunk and a womanizer whose antics on Capitol Hill had nearly gotten vampires exposed. In the end, Augustus had given him an ultimatum: retire from the human political realm, or die.
The old senator bristled, lowering his eyes. “I fail to see—”
“And that’s precisely the problem, Senator,” Dorian said. “You fail to see.”
“Why should we presume Duchanes’ guilt without proof?” a vampire called Regina Olivand asked. “And furthermore, whyshouldn’twe consider a regime change? Perhaps our lives would improve with some new blood at the helm.”
“New blood?” Dorian paced the small space that still remained in the overcrowded room, his eyes never leaving hers. “And you believe, Ms. Olivand, that King Duchanes would simply allow you to go about your business unmolested?”
“We all just want peace, your highness,” she said. “That’s all.”
“Duchanes wants peace?” Dorian shook his head, disgust churning inside him. “Renault Duchanes is working with a powerful demonic faction to overthrow this city as we speak, and you believe he’ll simply smile and wave and wish you well on your journey? Extend the ring for a kiss, and offer you many blessings in return?”
“House Redthorne is not united,” one of the upstarts chimed in. “That much is clear. How can you keep our communities safe and at peace when you can’t even keep your own house in order?”
Dorian wanted nothing more than to feed the little twat to the gray, but again, he reined in his anger, forcing his smile back in place. “We’re still trying to get a handle on the situation unfolding beyond our walls, but I assure you, we will. As for House Redthorne…” Dorian glared at Malcolm, who sat primly with his hands folded on the table, a smile twitching at his lips. “We are experiencing some personal difficulties following the death of our father and former king. All shall be resolved in time.”
“Of course,” the upstart said. “And I’m sure I speak for all of us here when I say I’m sorry for your loss. But in the meantime, I think reuniting the council is a good start. We’re your allies, Mr. Redthorne. We want to help.”
“Do you, now, Mr.—sorry, what did you say your name was?”
He puffed out his chest. “I’m Dominic of House—”
“Stop.” Dorian cut him off with a raised hand and a steely glare that instantly drained the blood from the young man’s face. “I don’t actually care what your name is, vampire. And do you want to know why?”
“I… I…” He stammered like a sodding fool, all of his bravado evaporating. “Yes, sir.”
“Because you’re a sniveling cunt with a bubblehead full of idealistic nonsense. Yesterday you were undoubtedly still trying to give yourself a blowjob in the bath, yet here you are, elbowing your way to a place at the grown-ups’ table.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Redthorne, sir. I—”
“Yes, you are. And from now on, you’ll address me as highness or king, if you address me at all, which I prefer you don’t.” Then, whirling to face Malcolm again, “And you, brother? What areyouproposing? Would you like to see us fall at the feet of King Renault Duchanes as well?”
“Don’t be melodramatic, Dorian. I simply want everyone’s voice to be heard. That’s why I’ve decided to reconvene the council, along with new delegates representing a diverse cross-section of the community at large.”
Dorian made a show of glancing around the room, seeing many of the same old faces of the past. Even the new ones looked the same to him—an endless supply of wealthy, privileged vampires, the sons and daughters of those who’d come before.
“No shifters represented?” Dorian asked. “No witches? No fae? I hardly think this room represents a fair sample of the so-called community at large.”
“The other supernaturals need our guidance.” Malcolm got to his feet, the facade of cool superiority finally beginning to crumble. “Vampires are the ruling family for a reason.”
“You are a prince, Malcolm,” Dorian warned. “Not a king. It is not for you to decide how and to whom such guidance is given.”
