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Maximillian paused at the top of the stairs, taking in the newcomer. He was a few inches shorter than Maximillian, and stockier, but still of formidable height. His long, blood-red hair was pulled back at the nape, highlighting his diamond-shaped face with pronounced cheekbones, a sharp nose, and a cleft chin. He wore a high-collared, black leather tunic, fur-trimmed and open at the throat, revealing a necklace of what looked very much like human incisors resting just above his collar bones. His legs were clad in crimson, rough-textured trousers tucked into black leather boots, and his rolled-up sleeves displayed rugged leather bracelets adorned with bloodstone beads.
“Lazarus Bloodmare,” Maximillian said, inclining his head. “What a surprise. I was expecting the castle steward to greet us. Are you standing in for him?”
“Please.” Lazarus sneered, exposing his fangs. His glowing red gaze snapped to mine, and something icy skated through my veins as his nostrils dilated. “I came to get a look at the human slave I hear you’re so infatuated with.”
“Infatuated?” Maximillian raised a brow. “That’s a touch dramatic. But then again, you always had a flare for theatrics.”
“Is that so?” The Sanguis Noctis heir scoffed. “If you aren’t obsessed with her, then why do I hear you murdered Vinicius to save her? That you risked provoking war with Sanguis Noctis by attacking a member ofmy house?”
“It would be impossible for Pyschoros to provoke a war with Sanguis Noctis,” a cold voice said from behind Lazarus. “Notwhen we are both part of the same kingdom, and serve the same monarch.”
Maximillian, who had been perfectly calm, stiffened as Lazarus turned to face the vampire who approached us. He was tall and lithe, with long silver hair that fell nearly to his waist, dressed in swirling blue robes embroidered in a web-like pattern. His eyes, the color of hoarfrost, glittered out of his rawboned face, and his lips thinned as he pinned Lazarus with a thousand-yard stare.
“Of course, Highlord Starclaw,” Lazarus replied, a cold mask sliding over his face to wipe away all traces of volatility. He inclined his head toward the older vampire. “I agree that we are not at war. Which is why I don’t understand why your son killed a decorated member of not only my house, but Noxalis’s military.”
“If you have a problem with Maximillian, you may file a formal complaint with my house, or with the emperor,” Callix Starclaw said. “And I would take care about making threats you don’t plan on following through, Lord Bloodmare. Now come,” he said, turning his frosted gaze on Maximillian. “The hour is late, and there is much to discuss.”
He turned with an imperious sweep of his robes, leaving us to follow in his wake. Maximillian, Lucius, and I entered the castle, and as we passed Lazarus, the vampire lord took in a deep whiff of my scent, as though he were marking it. Like a fucking bloodhound.
I flexed my fingers, resisting the urge to clench my hands, and turned my attention to the castle itself. Inside, the Great Hall stretched out before us, its high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings that told the history of Noxalis. Tapestries depicting scenes of vampiric glory and conquest adorned the walls, andthe dim light from the chandeliers overhead bathed the hall in a golden glow.
The Highlord said nothing as we moved swiftly through the hall, our footsteps echoing on the marble floors. The tension between Maximillian and his father was so thick, you could cut it with a knife, and a sense of both apprehension and anticipation filled me as he led us out of the Great Hall and through a series of ornate corridors that eventually brought us to an enclosed bridge.
Lucius had given me a map of the Iron Spire before we’d left Lumina, and I had spent hours studying it, so I knew where we were going. The structure we were exiting now was the Central Hub, and the enclosed bridge would take us to the westernmost of the seven spires, where House Psychoros resided during the Summit.
The celestial motifs became more pronounced as we approached the covered bridge, with murals of the night sky and constellations gracing the walls. The bridge itself was a gorgeous piece of architecture, its glass walls offering a breathtaking view of the spires as they pierced the eternal night sky. I wished I could pause and look out at the view, but Callix Starclaw did not slow his brisk stride, and I didn’t think it would be wise to ask.
As we entered the Psychoros Spire, the ambiance became more tranquil. The hallways here were quieter, the light softer. Plush carpets muffled each step we took, and the air held a hint of incense that took the edge off my nerves as I breathed it in.
The Psychoros Highlord led us into a large, elegantly appointed sitting room three times the size of the common area I’d shared with Maximillian’s cohort. The colors here were muted, a palette of serene blues, soft grays, and gentle whites, and thefurniture was understated yet luxurious, with comfortable chairs and sofas that invited relaxation. Soft throw pillows added a touch of warmth, and strategically placed aether lamps cast a gentle glow that complemented the peaceful atmosphere. I was a bit surprised to see aetheric technology here in Noxalis, but I supposed it made sense that Vladimir would make use of it here, especially since he had an inventor on staff.
A vampire reading a book on the sofa closest to the fireplace looked up as we entered, then immediately rose to his feet. “Sire,” he said, acknowledging his high lord, but his eyes were on Maximillian as he strode across the chamber, his leather book forgotten on the cushions. “Brother,” he said warmly, his blue eyes sparkling as he opened his arms.
“Stesha,” Maximillian returned, smiling. The tension in the room lessened as the two vampires embraced, and behind me, I could have sworn Lucius let out a small sigh of relief. This was Stesha Starclaw—Callix Starclaw’s second eldest childe. Of the four vampires Turned by the Pyschoros high lord, Stesha was reportedly the one Maximillian was closest to—or so Sparrow had explained when we were going over the family trees and the relationships both within and without the four houses.
“It’s good to see you,” Stesha said, pulling away. Like Lucius, he was built like a warrior, though not nearly as massive. He wore a simple blue-grey tunic and leggings, which I imagined was casual wear given the hour. He had platinum hair, a broad-boned face, and a square jawline highlighted with stubble. He greeted Lucius, then settled his blue gaze on me. “So this is her, eh? Your candidate?”
“Yes,” Maximillian said, addressing both him and his father. “May I present Catherine Seabream, Highlord Starclaw?”
Stesha looked expectantly at his Sire, and the high lord crossed the room to the sideboard, where he poured himself a glass of bloodwine. The coppery-sweet scent filled the air, and my stomach rumbled, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten in many hours. But I didn’t dare think about food as the vampire fixed his cold gaze on me, staring unblinkingly at my face for a long minute.
“She’s pretty,” Callix eventually said, “but I don’t see anything about her that’s particularly remarkable.”
“Sire,” Stesha protested, but Callix steamrolled right over him, his eyes flashing to Maximillian’s. “You said in your letter that you expect her to be an asset to our house, but you never explainedwhyyou believe that to be the case. You also did not bring her to Lake Intuous to present her to me for my approval, which would have been the proper thing to do instead of blindsiding me by bringing her directly to the emperor’s court.”
The vampire’s face was stony as he spoke, but there was no mistaking the rage crackling in his tone. “It is almost,” Callix continued in a tone frigid enough to freeze the very bowels of the underworld, “as though you no longer value your father’s opinion.”
A suffocating silence descended upon the room, making me feel antsy. The beginnings of outrage stirred inside me at the way Callix spoke to Maximillian, but Lucius, who was standing on Maximillian’s far side and out of the highlord’s line of sight, shot me a warning look.Do not interfere,his amber eyes seemed to say.It will not end well for any of us.
Maximillian took the opportunity to pick at his nails, affecting a bored expression. “I’m not sure I understand why you are upset,” he said, his tone deceptively light. “After all, you’ve beenharrying me to produce another childe for the past fifty years. I assumed you would be pleased now that I’ve found one, not caught up over such a petty grievance. In case you haven’t heard, I’ve been quite busy. It isn't as if I've had time to come visit.”
“Yes,” Callix growled, his eyes crackling with ire. “Busy slaughtering your fellow vampires and bringing conflict to my doorstep.”
Maximillian blinked. “Are you certain you read the letter I sent? Because I very clearly explained—”
“I did read the letter,” his father interrupted. “And while I agree that the commandant deserved death, you should have allowed him to be convicted and executed via the proper channels instead of meting out vigilante justice.”
“Vigilante justice?” Maximillian’s eyes flashed in a rare show of temper. “Lumina is my city, I have full authority—”
