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He’s older than my father, though there’s not much between them. But the Messinas pride themselves on having never bred with humans in living memory. Their blood is purer than many vampires, and it shows not only in the predatory essence that seems to surround them, and their terrifying physical strength, but also in their faces. Gaunt they may be, but eerily young. Michael could pass for early thirties, easily. In a lot of ways, he looks younger than Maxim.
“No,” my father answers. “No problem. Seleme is here.”
“Yes, actually,” Maxim barks back. “Sorry, but there is a problem if you think Seleme is here to do what you planned. Plans have changed.”
Michael narrows his eyes as he looks to my father. “You assured me things were in place.”
“They are.”
“No, they are not.” Maxim’s patience is thinning. I have no idea if he realizes how much danger he’s in. “We’re here to do a couple simple things. First, I’m afraid I have to let you know…” He scans my father, Michael, my mother and then Alberto before his gaze quickly passes over the two bodyguards. “Seleme won’t be getting married tonight. Sorry. Also, she’s sleeping in my bed from now on. I want things civil. She just dropped a little nugget of information about all of you before we came inside. Gotta say, I’m still processing it, but it doesn’t change what is and is not going to happen.” He looks at Alberto. “I’m guessing since you’re the pretty one of the bunch, you must be the intended groom. Sorry, dude. I really am. I feel your loss. I get it. But she’s mine, and that’s not going to change.”
Michael smiles and looks from my father to my mother, then to me, stepping forward even as Maxim places himself between us.
“Back off.” Maxim’s snarl elicits nothing but a broader smile from Michael as he turns to Alberto and nods.
I hear my mother yelp and glance over to see the guard’s hand slip around her neck, a long silver knife held at the base.
Before I can react, the second guard moves behind my father and places another knife at his throat. Immortality has its weaknesses, and there are things that can kill even the undead. If you remove a vampire’s head or drive a wooden stake through their chest, they will perish.
I know my father is strong compared to any mortal, but he’s no match for these vampires. They’re pure-bloods in the truest sense of the word, and unlike my parents they’re well fed, their eyes glowing red as their power permeates the very fabric of the room.
“Let them go,” I manage. “This marriage isn’t going to happen. What benefit is there to any of us if you kill us all? I can be your ally, if you let us all live. If not, I can become your nightmare.”
“Two weak vampires and a mortal man. Seleme you have yet to prove your worth.” Alberto matches his father’s chuckle. “Do you want to be responsible for their deaths? Really, Seleme, just think about what you’re doing. Because that is what will happen. We have a contract. We protected you in exchange for our union. If you do not hold up your end of the bargain, we will kill dear old Mama and Papa right here, right now. And,” He tips his head toward Maxim. “The mortal just for fun. I’m hungry.”
“This goes against the rules of truce,” my father seethes. “While the blue candles burn–”
Michael bursts into laughter. “We’re the Messinas. Who’s going to hold us to account, Rudi? Nobody has challenged us in two thousand years.”
“Hey guys, I’m back! Where is everyone?”
Everyone falls silent as Anna’s voice echoes through from the kitchen. Where a second ago there was no sound, suddenly there are the clickity-clack of her stilettos on the marble floors. It’s almost surreal to hear her light tone as we all stand around threating each other with death.
“So, Seleme, I’ve been reading up some more and it seems — ”
She stops in her tracks as she comes out of the kitchen finally looking up from checking her fingernails.
“Anna,” Michael greets her in a tone that’s only half respectful. “Turn around and leave; this doesn’t concern you.”
“Well, excuuuuuuse me, Michael, actually it does. You appear to have my Goddaughter’s parents at knifepoint.” She glances my way. “Is it that time already? How long have I been gone? And who’s this human?”
“Anna, don’t test me…” Michael growls. “You’ve survived very nicely by not involving yourself in other’s disputes. It would be a shame for that to change now.”
“Gawd, so droll, I hate thinly veiled threats. Your mother will hear about this.”
“Do not involve my mother.” There’s a flash of fear in Michael’s eyes before he composes himself. “This is happening, the body count is on all of you.”
