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Thorne cocked a brow but remained silent as Reyber dug into the lapel of his velvet jacket to retrieve a silk satchel. Emptying it upon the table, Reyber’s jaw clenched as the council members gasped.
Several fingers. Fangs plucked from vampyre skulls. Dried blood caked the appendages that were upended upon the stained wood.
“They’re torturing them. Killing them. And for what? What does any of this gain them?” Reyber’s strong voice was choked with emotion.
Unmoved, Thorne stirred. “They enjoy it. Human beings are cruel. They kill because it pleases them to do so. They think of hurting our kind as some kind of revenge. A warning.”
“That doesn’t explain how they’re gaining strength and numbers. Where are they escaping from? I thought you were keeping the slaughterhouses well-guarded?”
“Humans are resourceful. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to you. They’ve always had a drive to survive.”
“Or perhaps they’re being allowed to escape.” Reyber eyed Thorne coolly, his eyes like ice.
“It’s a possibility my guards are disloyal.” Thorne inclined his head, shrugging. “Perhaps I’ll have to do a little digging.”
“Perhaps.” Reyber gritted his teeth.
“I honestly don’t see what the problem is. So the livestock are revolting. It’s nothing they haven’t attempted to do before.”
“It wouldn’t be a problem if we could find them,” Reyber hissed. “They’re well-hidden. Cloaked from us. Always one step ahead. And now they’re becoming strong enough to kill us. It’s more than concerning.”
Thorne smirked. “Oh, the cattle have teeth now.”
With a resounding crack, Reyber slammed both fists down hard on the table. “This isn’t a joke, Bathory. Humans are only good to us if they can be contained. Once they know our weaknesses, they become formidable enemies. Don’t forget that it was only because of the human’s own mistakes that we were able to gain Dominion over them! They fought us. We pushed them back, corralled them. But once, it was our people that were cowed and banished, forced to linger in the shadows.”
“Oh, the dramatics!” Thorne sniggered. “Vampyres have always preferred the shadows. We dwelled there not because we were forced to but because it was more comfortable for us. Humans are now as they always have been. Foolhardy, weak, ruled by their emotions. They self-destruct if given the opportunity. I do not fear them.”
“Perhaps not yet. But you will.”
Thorne glared at Reyber, his brow pulled taut. “Is that a threat?”
“It’s a warning. You may not be old enough to remember the days of the vampyre slayers. But I am.” He glanced at Gaius before turning back to Thorne. “Surely your sire told you about them?”
“He’s been tight-lipped on that subject, actually. Like so many others.”
Haven could feel the tension radiating from across the room. Gaius remained silent, brooding where he sat.
“Their lines were smote out long ago,” Reyber said. “We ended them, hid away their teachings in our vaults. Yet, somehow, the Veritas has been given access to them. It was only those of us on this council who were privy to the secrets of the vampyre hunters. But now, the Veritas knows as well. There is a traitor among us. And I will find out who.”
“Fearful vampyres are always the most dangerous,” Thorne hummed. “Like a wild animal with its back against a wall. Teeth bared, claws poised to strike. So tell me, Lord Reyber. What do you plan to do?”
Reyber straightened, accessing the crowd. “It is my wish to begin conducting investigations into the vampyre houses that make up the Dominion. I’ll assume the compliance of all innocent parties.”
“Indeed.” Thorne nodded. “Castle Alnwyck and the House of Bathory is at your disposal.”
Reyber rolled his eyes. A chill ran down Haven’s spine as Gaius rose to his feet.
“Please allow me to assist you in your investigation, Lord Tepes.”
Immediately, the leer fell from Thorne’s face. His demeanor grew cold, so cold Haven felt the chill of it emanating outward. This wouldn’t bode well for his sire. If Gaius had his way, Thorne would be removed from his position of power within the council. Perhaps even burned at the stake. Whatever had transpired between them so long ago, Gaius hated Thorne, resented and regretted his existence. Haven feared for his maker, though Thorne rarely showed fear for himself.
“Yes, Lord Gaius, I would value your assistance and wisdom in this matter,” Reyber agreed.
Thorne huffed a sardonic laugh. “And who’s to say my dear father isn’t the one funneling information to the Veritas? Why is he presumed innocent?”
“Lord Gaius has been a part of this council since its founding.” Reyber glared at Thorne. “He’s one of the oldest vampyres in existence. What good would he find in siding with the organization that would seek to end our species?”
“So because he’sold,he’s to be trusted?”Thorne’s lips curled.
