Bad Blood

“He’s as close to one as we have.” The Dominus of the House of Bathory and the Dominus of the House of Tepes had traditionally sided together, but she was not Ivan and had no clear idea of how Syler felt about her in the position of Dominus. Perhaps that was what she was about to learn. She nodded to the servant as Octavian moved to sit at her side. “Show Lord Edwin in.”

“Very good, my lady.” The servant exited, returning some minutes later with Lord Edwin.

He dipped his head in greeting and Tatiana responded in kind. His gaze skimmed the bundle in her arms but didn’t falter. “I bring greetings from the House of Bathory, Dominus Tatiana.”

The sound of her new title gave her no small thrill. “Thank you. Please, sit.” She gestured to the chair across from her. “Would you care for wine or brandy or blood?”

He sat where she indicated. “No, thank you, I’m fine.” His gaze drifted again to Lilith, but he covered by brushing an invisible piece of lint off his trousers. “If you are amenable to it, Lord Syler would like to host a ball in your honor. There has not been a new Dominus in the House of Tepes for almost four hundred years, as you well know.”

“I do know.” She smiled. The alliance was alive and well, then. “That is very kind of you, and I am happy to accept your gracious offer.” It was the responsibility of one of the houses to host the ball and a relief that Syler had reached out and made the offer. She’d doubted any of the other houses would.

Alliance firm in her mind, she decided to take the next step. “It will be a wonderful opportunity to introduce all the families to my daughter, Lilith.” She turned slightly so Edwin could see Lilith’s face.

The expression on his was almost unnamable. Curiosity seemed the strongest. “Forgive me, I didn’t know you had a daughter. Congratulations.”

Whatever she said now, whatever information she gave him, would color what was said about Lilith and the opinions that were formed. She chose her words carefully. “The Castus have chosen me to be Lilith’s mother. They believe I am the best suited to raise her and teach her our ways. She is the first vampire child.”

Edwin nodded, his mouth opening slightly as if he’d almost spoken, then thought better of what he wanted to say. “So… Lilith is not your blood child?”

“Of course not. How could she be?” Idiot. “But she is now a child of my heart.”

A shimmer of understanding sparked in Edwin’s eyes. “Well, whoever turned her did it quite young. Astonishing, really.”

“No,” Octavian corrected him. “Lilith wasn’t turned. She was born vampire.”

Shaking his head, Edwin leaned back. “I confess, I don’t understand. How is that possible?”

Octavian looked to Tatiana, giving her the reins of the conversation. Lilith cooed and grabbed hold of Tatiana’s finger, causing Tatiana to smile. She kept her eyes on her daughter’s. “Lilith is a mystery of sorts, but all anyone needs to know is that she is a daughter of the House of Tepes, and with her, a new age of vampires has begun.” She raised her head to peer into Edwin’s eyes and make sure nothing she said was mistaken. “Anyone who tries to harm her will bring upon themselves the full rage of the ancient ones.”

Edwin nodded. “I understand. I will be sure to let Lord Syler know.”

Lilith pulled Tatiana’s finger into her mouth, her tiny fangs trying and failing to pierce her mother’s metal hand. Her face crumpled and a wail bellowed out of her. Cracks shot through the porcelain lamp on the side table.

Tatiana stood, causing Edwin and Octavian to rise also. “If you’ll excuse us, my daughter is hungry. I look forward to the ball. I’m sure Lord Syler will send more details when things are settled. Unless there is anything else he wishes to speak to me about before that.” Like a firmer alliance with the mother and guardian of the only vampire child ever known to exist. She flicked her gaze to Octavian and then the door, indicating she was ready to leave. “I’ll send a servant to see you out.”

Doc was glad to drive. It was a good distraction from his thoughts, something to focus on besides the weird power he’d inherited. He glanced in the rearview mirror. Fi was sprawled out on the backseat, catching a few z’s. He’d thought about trying to make her stay with Damian, but after her speech in the freighter, he knew better than to even start that conversation.

“Where do you think Creek’s going to be?” Doc asked Mortalis, beside him in the passenger’s seat.

He had the window partially rolled down. The tangy smell of smoke occasionally drifted in. “Wherever the action is.”

“Looks like it’s already been here.” They’d passed burned-out cars, some still ablaze, buildings that looked like they’d had bites taken out of them, giant puddles of foul ooze, even a couple of bodies—none of which had looked human.

“You hear that?” Mortalis asked.

Doc powered his window down. Sounds of distant fighting. He pulled the car over on the next block and parked. “On foot from here.”

Mortalis nodded. “Agreed.”

“Fi, up and at ’em.” Doc reached back and gave her a shake.

“I’m up.” She yawned and ran a hand through her hair.

He snagged the short sword he’d brought from Mal’s collection on the freighter, then the three of them got out and headed toward the noise. A flash of light brightened the night sky. Doc broke into a run, Mortalis and Fi behind him. They turned the corner and found Creek crouched behind a Dumpster, facing down a two-headed serpent coiled overhead in one of the few remaining power lines. Sparks showered over the creature’s skin and down onto the ground, making it hard to get near. The electricity seemed to feed it. As if in confirmation, a third head popped up.