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Romy couldn’t allow her thoughts to wander again—not to Bastian and definitely not back to Silvan. Her mother was right. This was important. “And what about the pack? Did you go see Claude’s body?”
“I sent your aunt and several PC agents, and they’ll report back to me this afternoon at PC Headquarters. If you’re not busy, you’re welcome to listen in.”
She brightened, unsure if it was because she’d be learning more about Silvan and his pack or High Council business. “I would. Thank you. So I have a question about the Rincewinds, and you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
“I’ll do my best, dear.”
“Were you scared when Silvan made the murder accusation? I saw you look at Dad.” Romy asked tentatively, unsure if Cassia would offer a rare moment of vulnerability or scold her for asking.
“I was. Mostly because, as I’ve mentioned, the peace is fragile. At first, it starts with accusations, then actual murders, then war. And that’s something none of us want. Asa is… broken. Not everyone feels he’s still fit to lead since Ylfa died. And Silvan… he’s a loose cannon, but they’re even more married to tradition than we are. No matter how united they may appear, there is definitely dissension within the pack.”
“Lycans and vampires really seem to hate each other.” Romy pushed her curiosity a little further.
“More than you or I know. The Rincewinds, specifically, have a deep-seated hatred for personal and heritable reasons too vast for us to discuss today. So what about vampires? You must have your questions about them?”
Romy glanced at the clock. Cassia probably had a ton of things she needed to do, and sociology class started in an hour. “I do. I’ll be quick.”
“I’m always willing to discuss these matters with you, Andromeda. Especially now.”
Happy for the vote of confidence, Romy formulated her next question. “Why do I get the vibe that vampires don’t have many friends in the preternatural world?”
A faraway look entered Cassia’s eyes. Romy couldn’t pinpoint her mother’s emotions, but she almost seemed ashamed. “No. Not many friends at all. Vampires prefer isolation from their own kind and other races as well. When several of them meet up, a power struggle is inevitable. You’ve heard the saying too many cooks in the kitchen? Well, that’s how it is when clans gather. Every vampire wants to be in charge because they all believe their ideas are best, so they choose to live separately. On rare occasions, a leader has emerged and united the clans, but trouble has always followed. And by trouble, I mean death and destruction. For everyone’s safety, Alizon forbade all vampires from assembling in groups greater than twenty.”
“So basically, if Bastian wants a family reunion, tough shit?”
Cassia cracked a smile. “Basically.”
“That’s unfair, Mom. I mean, the Rincewind Pack has a ton of members. And I’m assuming no other preternatural race has that restriction.”
“No. They don’t. And I agree with you, Andromeda. Though unjust, it’s a vital part of the treaty designed to keep the peace. Vampires have been treated like villains becausethey have been the villains. For millennia, they’ve laid waste to entire civilizations—not for survival but for sport. As apex predators, they are at the top of the food chain, and the only reason the coven is sovereign today is because our ability to work as a collective unit exceeded theirs. If given the opportunity, they can and will dominate us.”
“Is that why vampires can’t talk to witches directly? That was so odd last night with the faerie and Bastian.”
“Yes. It is strange but necessary. This stems from a vampire’s innate ability to charm through the sound of their voice. They can do this to anyone, but especially a witch. Their biological inclination is to control us. We aren’t certain why—it simply is—so as a stipulation of the treaty for the Hundred Years War, vampires have to use interpreters any time they address a witch to ensure they won’t attempt it.”
Romy scrunched her nose. That wasn’t what she wanted to hear at all, though an unwelcome thought of Bastian ruling over her quickly followed. “So vampires want toruleover us?”
“I don’t know if they want to rule over us as much as they want what we have. Our blood intoxicates them. It’s a natural high.”
She liked the expanded explanation even less. “What about Bastian? Did he use an interpreter this morning when you visited him?”
“He did. He always will. Though Bastian is different. I don’t require him to use one when we speak alone, yet he always has.”
“What did you say to him yesterday after the council dismissed?” Romy wasn’t sure why she wanted to know more about Bastian Marchland if he wanted to get drunk off her blood, but her curiosity bordered on obsession.
“I told him I was sorry Silvan’s allegation wasn’t rooted in facts. Considering the extreme penalty, I never thought Silvan would outright blame a vampire, but he surprised me.”
“And what did Bastian via fairie girl have to say?”
Cassia chuckled, an unlikely sound coming from someone so serious. “He was kind. He’salwayskind. He understood how it could seem as if a vampire had committed the crime and even encouraged me not to pass such a harsh sentence for the false allegation. He’s not like other vampires I’ve encountered.”
“Hmm…” Was Bastian’s understanding attitude an attempt to enchant Cassia in some way? Now that Romy knew the truth, she had to keep her guard up around Bastian Marchland. Sexy as hell or not.
As if her mother could read her skeptical mind, she added, “Bastian has been through a great deal in life. His tremendouslylonglife. He was alive during the Hundred Years War and knew our grandmother, Alizon. But those are stories for another time.”
“Thanks for this, Mom.” Romy couldn’t wait to learn more about both lycans and vampires. She was even a touch excited to learn more about her future as a high priestess.
“Always, darling.” Cassia stood and walked her to the door. “Oh, and by the way, Mr. Teche will be relocating to New Orleans tomorrow. I believe he’ll be staying in the Warehouse District. We’ll have a family dinner at Brennan’s.”
