"I'll wait while you sign the papers in the top folders."

He held off a sigh and slid the folders she'd indicated in front of him. Atop the first sheet of paper was a note that read, She's in the practice room with Recht. He folded the note and put it in his pocket and signed all the other papers where she'd indicated before handing the folders back her way.

"Thank you for your thoroughness."

She winked at him and moved to sit behind him where the other valets and a.s.sistants sat in case they were needed.

He wasn't surprised to see a pet.i.tion from Victoriana, Collette and Marcilius for a voting seat on the Treaty committee.

Not if he could help it.

Paola started precisely on time, not pausing for anyone who might not be present. He also knew that if they asked questions about what they might have missed due to lateness, she'd flay them. Maybe even literally. Which might be fun to watch.

"We have much business to get to, so let's skip all the nonsense."

"I hope you don't include humbly seeking a place at the table nonsense, Paola." Victoriana smiled, showing her incisors.

"I do, as it happens." Paola turned herself to face Victoriana fully. "I'm sure while you've spent time flitting all over Europe stirring trouble, it never occurred to you to contact this body to ask for access. But we have an established process."

"I didn't know who to contact. Just because we're not as involved in Nation politics as some doesn't make our views less important. I'm asking now."

"You cannot have a voting position. Those belong to the Scions. However, I am not opposed to giving you a place at the table to speak your concerns." Takahiro looked down the table at the other Scions.

Clive knew Takahiro was on the fence, leaning toward a no vote, but he had a point about letting Victoriana speak. Better there than in their official meetings with the Hunters.

He held his tongue though, letting Paola make that final call. It was her committee and he thought she handled this Blood Front business better than most.

"Here's what I'm inclined to do. You may address this body with your concerns. But if you pull anything like you did last night at dinner, there will be a reckoning. I earned my place, and you and your Blood Front will not challenge that in public or I will take you up on it and end you. Am I clear?"

Victoriana narrowed her eyes. "Are you so sure you'd win, Paola?"

Paola looked bored, but utterly serious at the same time. "Everyone in this room knows the answer to that, so stop wasting time with this ridiculous display and accept my terms or get out."

Victoriana accepted with a small nod.

"Then say what you need to because we have an agenda to follow."

"We have given enough to the Hunters. That's our bottom line. We have given them permission to murder us for being what we are. That's bad enough. We should be casting the Treaty aside, not giving them even more excuses to hunt and kill us. We need blood to exist. There are billions of humans. There are thousands of us and even less Hunters. Why do we always have to put humans first? Before our own survival?"

Marcilius remained in the background, but now Collette spoke. "We have been around as long as humans and yet we have less rights. And each time we allow the Hunter Corporation to amend the Treaty, we have even less. And for what? The death of humans their own people don't even care about."

Clive sighed but didn't interrupt. He'd say his piece when the time came.

All of this appealed to the inborn sense of superiority Vampires had. They were better than humans. Clive didn't care one way or the other about humans, to be honest, but he cared about keeping their existence quiet. He cared about keeping profits up and trouble down. Tangling with humans never, ever ended well for them. Despite Vampires being stronger and faster, humans had daytime when Vampires were helpless.

Eventually they would have to come out. It was simply too curious and connected a world not to happen. And if Vampires were smart-and they were-they'd make sure when they did that it wasn't connected to something humans had to fear and react against. There'd be enough of that as it was.

"The Blood Front simply wants to underline the sovereignty of the Vampire race. We don't need our leashes held. Humans are food, and the Hunter Corporation isn't fit to police our survival." Victoriana sat back with a serene smile.

"I don't much care for evangelists." Clive spoke, straightening the edge of the stack of folders. "We went to war once and we were nearly eradicated."

"That was then. War now would end a different way. We have more technology now." Victoriana waved it away like it meant nothing.

Warren snorted. "This is all fanciful fiction. We can cling to the fantasy that Vampires will rule the face of the planet and hold humans as blood slaves, but the reality is, humans have more technology now too. And they have daylight. And? I don't want to f.u.c.king fight another war. You weren't there, Victoriana, but I was. Many of our brothers and sisters died. Many of us lost everything. I have plenty now. A full staff of humans to feed from. A successful and profitable business, real estate holdings and above all safety. No one is hunting me. No one hunts my children. The cost of war is easy to write off when one never has to fight."

Several of the others at the table who'd been swayed, even a little, by Victoriana sobered at that last bit from Warren. Being Scions, most of them had been old enough to have seen the ravages of the war. Most of them had lost loved ones, and many of the survivors had spent a great deal of time having to rebuild what they'd had before the war had come.

Clive's father lost a brother, his father and his first wife. All over Europe there were markers that meant nothing to most, but were mourning stones for Vampires who'd lost family during the war.

Clive had always worked well with Warren in situations like this, so he picked up right where Warren had left off. "It's not a matter of humans deserving or not deserving protection. It's a matter of being realistic here. We have a vested interest in the Treaty. For our own survival."

"But that doesn't mean we have to let this amendment pa.s.s!" Victoriana hit the table with her fist, and Clive barely resisted rolling his eyes.

"If you're done, we have things to discuss." Paola stood and the Scions at the table shifted their attention, ready to get to work.

"I'd like to hear what the other Scions think." Collette showed her teeth to Paola, who was on her in a flash, her nails digging into the skin of Collette's throat, a bright red trickle of blood against the pale skin.

Every Vampire in the room went very still as the scent of blood, old and rich, hit the air. It wasn't so much that this sort of infighting was unusual; it happened with great frequency any time they all got together. But it was a clearly stupid thing to do on Collette's part. She had no chance whatsoever in a challenge with a being as old and powerful as Paola.

Paula, incisors fully out, waves of violence washing from her through the room, got nose-to-nose with her prey. "You need to understand your place before it kills you true." Paola pushed herself to standing and shoved the chair back, sending Collette to the floor with a clatter. "You've registered your opinion and now that is over. I will let you know if we require anything further from you."

Rage flowed over Victoriana's face. "You go too far."

Paola focused all that rage and power on Victoriana then. "Is that so? I have not lived this long to tolerate the insolence of children who do not know their betters. If you have a problem with how far I went, you can take me on yourself, or take it up with The First."

"He can't be trusted in this. He's clearly taking the side of humans because of his freak daughter."

"Oh, so you do have a voice." Clive turned his attention to Marcilius. "I wasn't sure since you're acting the lapdog these days. Your lack of discipline is appalling. You dare to speak of your leader that way? You? To a table full of Scions? Pray tell, Marcilius, what exactly have you contributed to the Nation other than mewling and complaining? Hm? Victoriana isn't old enough to have fought in the war, but you were. And yet, you were nowhere to be found. I have nothing to learn from cowards. The First rules, ever, to protect the Nation. Your silly rabblerousing over Rowan Summerwaite shows your ignorance."

"Says the man who's buried in her c.u.n.t every chance he gets." Marcilius barely had it out of his mouth before Alice had the other Vampire off the ground and against the wall at his back.

"You need not dirty your hands on this garbage, Scion." Alice's incisors were out, her eyes filled with bloodl.u.s.t. Everyone had gone still, having always experienced Alice's organized and softer side. Clive knew more about her than anyone else at this table ever would. And even he was surprised by her sudden burst of violence.

He'd known Alice liked Rowan, but her actions showed deep loyalty to Clive in addition to Rowan. "Dare you speak to a Scion of the Vampire Nation in such a manner? Like a human would?" Alice pounded Marcilius's head back into the wall for emphasis a few times. "For all your talk of supremacy, you act like an animal."

Victoriana made to move, and Clive spoke quietly but clearly, "Do not interfere. Or I will."

She snarled at him and he continued to watch, waiting for the moment when he could terminate her. And he would.

Alice knew things were escalating as she interrupted to address Marcilius. "Stop struggling and make your apologies. I can't take notes with you in my hands."

"Is he denying he's f.u.c.king her?" Victoriana spoke, but did not move.

Clive remained relaxed, though in his head he mapped out each move he'd make to jump the table and rip her head from her body if she gave him an opening.

"Though it is none of your business whom I dally with, I do not deny I am in a relationship with Rowan. And yet, my profits are up. My people are in line. My territory is prosperous in the wake of this rogue, whom I remind you, she killed to protect our secret for. When I think she's wrong I can, and I will, say so. If you'd like to hear my perspective on the Treaty, let us move on with the agenda. But what is never tolerable is an insult to the woman in my life. You can attack her perspective or what she's trying to do. But she is off-limits."

"You say this as a Scion of the Vampire Nation? That our enemy is someone we cannot speak of?"

"As a Scion of the Vampire Nation I am saying Rowan Summerwaite is my woman. She's entirely capable of protecting herself, but this is not about politics, this is about basic respect, and if you don't show it, I'll educate you as to how you should. Do. I Make. Myself. Clear?" He let the violence come out in his tone. Let the heat and rage show in his gaze. He let them all see he was deadly serious. He would draw blood for Rowan.

"I apologize," Marcilius choked out around Alice's grasp, and she let him go, wiping her hand on a tissue as she returned to her seat.

"Now, shall we discuss the issue at hand instead of Clive's love life?" Warren moved them along.

Clive nodded. "I, too, am hesitant to give Hunter Corp. yet another egress into our business. But the Hunter is right. We did hold back information that slowed her initial investigation. And I did that because I was waiting for permission to share that information. My suggestion is to cut sections of their proposal to make it as narrow as possible."

The discussion continued as if Victoriana and her people weren't in the room. But she'd done some damage, nonetheless.

Chapter Ten.

Rowan called Susan as she was finishing getting ready.

Susan's first words were, "I didn't know Roth had any plans to show up. I just found out myself. Things are in the middle of some heated upheaval at the Motherhouse right now."

"Upheaval?"

"Nothing we can't handle. Nonetheless it's a bunch of caterwauling, and I am quite cross with him. Tell me."

"He demanded a meeting when he showed up. Like I was at his beck and call rather than him being the one who showed up unannounced to a Joint Tribunal. I'm too busy for that. I don't care who he's banging. Valerie was out of line. I was absolutely within my rights to let her know."

"I read your report. You should also know she sent an official complaint. Did you threaten to beat her and leave her bleeding in the snow?"

Rowan fought a smile. "Not exactly. I also told her after I beat her I'd be sure she got back home on a bus. I was conscious of that. You know, that she got home safely and stuff."

Susan laughed. "Darling, people tend to look down on threats to coworkers."

"Sure, because we all work for a software design company. Oh wait. Go on and fire me then. But you won't. Because you need to get s.h.i.t done and b.i.t.c.hes get s.h.i.t done, Susan. People like Valerie don't know how to handle business. I do. This place is full of predators who place a great deal of importance on how things are handled. She is f.u.c.king with my s.h.i.t, and I put her in her place. If Hunter Corp. can't deal, they sure as h.e.l.l can't handle what will happen if this devolves into chaos and the Treaty is thrown out entirely."

Rowan told Susan all the things she'd called Valerie on and the laughter died down. "Roth is a powerful enemy. But you were within your rights, though I do wish you'd keep the threats of breaking limbs to a minimum."

"Yes, well, it's just me being me. I have an enormous gift. And look, I get it. He's all protective of his girlfriend's kid. But this isn't the soccer team, and I'm not p.r.o.ne to letting her act like a dong when this is something incredibly important. She's out of her depth here. I'm a partner too. Sure, he's powerful, but if he comes for me, he better be ready for me coming right back his way."

"Roth's interests are more than just Valerie's treatment. He has an agenda and it is counter to yours. Maybe Rex should come out. I want someone else there who will have your best interests at heart."

"If I can't fend off some trifling bulls.h.i.t, I'm not fit to have this job. I need to do it myself. And Celesse, despite her annoying qualities, understands the situation. I'm in charge here. Period." She took a last look at herself in the mirror and decided on some deep red lipstick. She rarely wore makeup, but there was something that made her feel ready to kick faces in when she wore red lipstick. And if Roth came for her, she'd kick him in the face if she had to.

"I have to go. I'll check in with you soon."

"I'll be expecting that. We are invested in your success. You can do this."

Rowan smiled. As she headed out into the hall, David took up next to her. "Much appreciated."

"Mr. Wesslyian is attending the meeting." David said this without even so much as a sneer.

"Of course he is." She said nothing else as they ascended into the main entry and crossed to where the meeting would be held. Cataline was exiting the room with an empty tray.

"There you are. I've laid out some coffee and tea along with some water and juice. We'll be right back with some other light snacks, unless you'd like something more substantial?"

"Dinner is in two hours so I'm sure whatever you provide will be fine."

Cataline's smile was brittle at the edges. "Okay then."

"Is everything all right? Is he...in a mood?" For Theo to tumble into one of his states during a Joint Tribunal would be very bad for everyone.

Cataline shook her head. "No." Her eyes darted to the room, and she saw Roth watching them carefully.

"Did he give you any trouble, Cataline?"

"Some people don't understand why humans serve Vampires is all. It's fine. Don't you get yourself into any sort of tangle over it. I don't like it when you do that." She gave her best maternal glare and Rowan smiled.

"I don't get into tangles. I'm sweet as pie, you know that."

David choked, and it made Cataline chuckle. "We've got your number. I mean it now. Behave."

Hmph.

Rowan patted Cataline's arm and went into the room. It was a Hunter working group so all the faces were familiar. The snacks were delivered, and Rowan closed the door after everyone else had gone.

"David will hand out the materials, if you'll take a moment to look them all over."

She ignored Roth while she poured herself some coffee and got her PowerPoint ready to go. This was her turf and she had no plans to give him the upper hand and let him ruffle her feathers and shift the focus away from what she wanted to work on.

"After dinner we'll have the first big meeting regarding exactly how the Treaty should be changed. It's important to know what it says and what it doesn't say."

"I'd like a moment of your time, Ms. Summerwaite." Rowan knew Roth wouldn't be able to take having to wait. He was just that sort of self-important a.s.shole.

She gave him a once-over. "As you've been informed, once we're finished, if there's time left over we can take on other issues. But my time is limited."

"Perhaps the group should decide that. What we talk about, I mean."

Time to shut this gasbag down. She turned to her a.s.sistant. "David, can you tell me how many subcommittees there are in the Joint Tribunal?"

Without missing a beat, David tapped away for moments-though she knew he had the information in his brain and was just taking his time-and looked up again. "Fourteen."

"How many are active? By that, I mean, how many are convened at more than eight of ten Joint Tribunal meetings?"

More tapping.

"Seven."