“We need to go after Azerius,” Gabriel said. “Viansa’s our first priority, but hehasto be next.”
“But if we eliminate Viansa,” Dorian said, “Azerius has no way to manifest here. He’s depending on her to see this through.”
“Yes, until she fucks off into the sunset and the next original demon moves up the ranks, all too happy to plant his lips on the King of Blood and Ravens’ all-powerful arse.”
Rogozin set his glass down hard on the table, spearing Gabriel with an icy glare.
“Apologies if I’ve offended you,” Gabriel said, “but you’d be a fool to assume your hellspawn origin grants you immunity from a demonic tyrant.”
“Gabriel,” Dorian hissed, but Gabriel was far from finished.
He was just getting started.
“He Who Drinks the Blood of the Fallen,” he continued. “That’s what they call him. He Whom Before All Mortals Weep. He Who Slaughters the Blood of his Blood. Azerius murdered his own siblings, for fuck’s sake. What makes you think he gives a fuck about you?” Gabriel stopped pacing and leaned forward, hands braced on the table, unflinching in the face of Rogozin’s mounting anger. “Your organization may be the most powerful demonic faction in this realm, Alexei, but with all due respect, you’renotoriginals. You’re not even ancients. Unless you can prove yourselves critical and irreplaceable, you’ll find yourselves weeping before the King of Blood and Bullshit just like the rest of us, and on that day, I want you to remember this moment. Remember that the vampire prince was the one who warned you of your demise when all others sought only to placate you.”
Rogozin stared at him for a long moment, fingers tight around his glass, eyes narrowed, assessing.
Gabriel had to give the man credit. He didn’t erupt. Didn’t roast Gabriel in a ball of hellfire. Didn’t demand an explanation from Dorian for his little brother’s outburst.
He just waited. Watched. Considered.
Gabriel didn’t flinch either, though he was starting to understand why Dorian wanted the demon on their side. For all Gabriel’s doubts, Rogozin was a formidable player. Whether he could be trusted or not was immaterial; Dorian was wise to keep him close.
But Gabriel was formidable too. Had been since the day his bastard of a father had taught him the hard lessons about mercy and weakness. Jacinda may have melted the ice from his heart, but he had alifetimeof reserves saved up for just such an occasion as exterminating a nefarious demonic turncoat at the first hint of subterfuge…
“You have valid point, vampire prince,” Rogozin finally said, lowering his eyes and returning his attention to his drink. “Maybe work on delivery, though.”
He laughed, but once again, the humor was lost on Gabriel
“So you agree Azerius needs to be eliminated?” Gabriel pressed. “And you’ll help us with this?”
Glaring at Gabriel once more, Rogozin reached for the bottle, emptying the last of it into his glass. After a deep drink, he said, “Azerius is complicated situation. Taking stand against him… It is forbidden by sacred oath.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Rogozin set down his glass and rolled up his sleeve, revealing the white raven tattooed on his inner forearm. It shimmered eerily in the light, the sight of it sending an unexpected chill down Gabriel’s spine.
“Some oaths,” Gabriel said, finally reclaiming his chair, “no matter how sacred, must be broken.”
“Some, yes. This one? Not so simple.” He pushed his sleeve back into place. “This isn’t just tattoo from corner shop. This is dark magic. Sacred promise. Bound by hell’s most—”
Gabriel held up a hand, cutting him off. He’d heard enough about dark magical binds and all the ways hell had conspired to fuck the entire world.
“So you’re saying none of the Rogozin demons can help with this?” Gabriel asked. “Because of your sacred oath?”
“Rogozin demons aren’t the only ones who venerate Azerius, Gabriel,” Dorian said. “Many of the other factions in this city have sworn fealty to him.”
Rogozin nodded. “This is true. However, I did not say we can’t help. Only that we can’t take stand.”
Gabriel shot Dorian a glance, but the vampire king seemed content to let the princeling fight the good fight.
I will kick your arse later,Gabriel mouthed.
Then, to Rogozin, “You can’t take a stand? What does that mean, exactly?”
Rogozin tipped back his glass. Drained it. Tried for another go at the gold medal in their staring contest.
When it was clear Gabriel wouldn’t back down, Rogozin finally said, “I know you don’t always agree with our methods, vampire prince. And is clear you dislike me, despite my allegiance to your family.”
