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“I would have done everything to fulfil Celeste’s last wish,” Leonid’s stare was unwavering as he regarded Salem. “But that is no longer an issue. She is here.”
“She is,” Salem poured another drink and filled the second glass. “Bourbon.” He handed Leonid the glass when the other male nodded.
“Thank you.”
“All Trials are complete?” Salem asked as he sat back down behind his desk.
“Yes, witnessed by the Great Council themselves. Her schooling is complete as well as her training. She is young, I know,” Salem took a drink of his bourbon, “but she is exceptional.”
“Well, she has exceptional genes,” Salem mocked as Leonid frowned at him.
“Your son will accept her?” Leonid enquired as he placed his glass down.
“Yes. Michael was surprised earlier, this was quite a shock to us all, but he is not the person you met this evening. He is better than that. I can assure you he will have apologised to Tegan on their way to the kitchens.”
Leonid listened quietly. “And your daughter, will she be as accepting?”
Salem let out a short laugh. “No, she will not. But it’s because Zahra is loyal to her brother. He will deal with her.”
“Tegan is prepared for animosity.”
“Shewillbe welcome here,” Salem stressed.
“I hope so,” Leonid picked up his glass again and swallowed the bourbon.
“It is unusual for the Vampyre Council to summon you.”
“It is. Kateryna’s message was informative in what it didn’t say.”
“When was the last time you saw your wife?” Salem asked curiously.
“Nineteen years. She didn’t agree with my lifestyle here,” Leonid ran his hand over his jaw. “Even before I had Tegan.”
“A lot to catch up on.”
“We’ve been married for centuries – nineteen years apart is nothing,” Leonid smiled indulgently at Salem.
“Does Kateryna know about Tegan?” Salem asked as he sat back in his chair and looked out the windows.
“She does, there is nothing I do that my wife is not aware of,” Leonid smirked as he reached for his glass again before realising it was empty. “And even if there was, I’m sure Martha keeps her updated.”
“Martha’s still with you?” Salem asked in surprise.
“Yes, she will be here in a few days,” Leonid tapped his fingers on the armrests of the chair. “She and Tegan are very close to each other. I’m almost surprised she wasn’t here before us.”
“I don’t think my cook will be able to work with Martha…” Salem started hesitantly.
“Tegan is on a specific diet, Martha knows it best,” Leonid stood. “But please, if you think you can dissuade her from your kitchen, be my guest.”
“Be your guest because you will be gone?” Salem laughed without humour. “I might let Marcus deal with her.”
“Now who’s the coward?” Leonid laughed softly as he poured another bourbon for them both.
“True,” Salem accepted his drink. “So, what do you think is afoot with the Council?”
“I don’t know. Which is why I must go,” Leonid admitted softly. “The Great Council were at Silver Lake recently, they mentioned nothing to me that would interest the Vampyre Council. A rise in Drakyhn activity, but we have all witnessed that. Tegan patrols nightly.”
“Alone?” Salem’s tone was sharp.
