Page 169 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

“There is much to be done, and you know as well as I that it’s necessary. Our family’s stability relies on hierarchy.”

“And you’re stating the obvious because…?”

“You know why.”

“No.”

“Hassan.”

“It should be Zola.”

Laurent’s brows rose slightly. “I expected you to be eager for the position. She’s young, don’t you think?”

“She’s brilliant. Besides, the family will expect it.” Hassan swirled his wine thoughtfully. “This isn’t centuries past, Laurent. A female second demonstrates strength, not weakness. Besides, she earned it today—the way she eliminated that Bardanes bitch.”

He considered this. Zola had been magnificent in that courtyard. Lethal when it mattered. Not only that, she really was his favorite. Everyone knew that. Perhaps Hassan was correct about expectations—the family respected her. They would follow her lead without question.

“Fine. I’ll speak with her once she’s recovered. But if she says no…”

“Then I’ll consider it. But only after you’ve offered her the position.”

“Good. What else?”

“As commanded, we captured one of Bardanes’ older children attempting to flee. I have him secured below.”

“Who?” Laurent straightened.

A smug smile pulled at Hassan’s features. “Yergoff.”

“Excellent. Lead the way.”

The basement was stone and shadow. The captured vampire hung from iron chains, his face a mask of defiance. It was impossible to tell his age. He could have been a century old, or ten.”

“Good evening, Yergoff,” he said conversationally, slipping his hands into his pockets.

“Fuck off,” the vampire spat.

“Thought you might like to know that the majority of your family has been eliminated. A shame, certainly. A family like yours—ancient.”

“A shame,” Yergoff scoffed. “You’ve been eager for Val’s death for centuries.”

“True, but I take no pride in putting an end to a great family.”

“Right.”

“I speak the truth. There are so few of our great houses left. It really is a shame. Perhaps the name need not die entirely. You are one of his oldest children, are you not?”

Yergoff huffed, amused. “And what? You’re going to take your sport with me then let me go?”

“I might do just that,” he found himself saying, shocked to hear the words. He wanted to rip this vampires limbs from his body. Wanted to flay the skin from his bones. Soak him in a vat of battery acid. As far as he was concerned, House Bardanes had nearly taken Lily from him.

Only…in the end, it had been Lio who had orchestrated everything. Only, how had he managed it? There hadn’t been time to ask. Not when he was hanging from his chains, delirious from blood loss. Not when he held Val Bardanes’ heart in his hand while Lily nearly died with a knife to her chest.

“I want information,” he said. “How did Lio orchestrate his death?”

Yergoff’s lips pressed into a tight line, eyes blazing with misguided loyalty.

He sighed. “Very well.”