Page 28 of Blood Match
I take a deep breath, my posture stiffening as I prepare to deliver the news. “Lord Lucien Marlowe attacked a gathering of witches tonight,” I say, my voice tautly controlled despite the anger simmering beneath the surface. “It was a sacred ceremony. Many were injured.” Many of ours, but I don’t mention this.
Arabella’s eyes widen, her composure slipping for just a moment before she regains control. “Are you certain?” she asks, her voice tight with concern.
I nod, my jaw clenching. “I saw it with my own eyes. My team and I intercepted the attack, but not before damage was done.”
Arabella leans further forward, her eyes shadowed with concern. “This is troubling news indeed. But Darick, are you absolutely certain it was Lucien?”
The question catches me off guard, and I feel a flicker of doubt. “I… I didn’t see him personally,” I admit, frustration creeping into my voice. “But it bore all the hallmarks of his tactics. The brutality, the disregard for consequences—”
“But you have no concrete proof?” Arabella interrupts.
Fuck. I don’t.
I clench my fists, anger and disappointment warring within me. I should have done my fucking homework. “No,” I growl. “No concrete proof.”
Arabella sits back, her expression thoughtful. “Darick, you know I trust your judgment. But I cannot act against Lucien without evidence. He is a powerful figure within our society, and such accusations could have far-reaching consequences.”
I nod, grudgingly acknowledging the truth in her words. The cunning bastard has played this perfectly. Of course he wouldn’t expose himself so blatantly. He’s always been a master of manipulation, working from the shadows.
“I understand,” I say, fighting to contain my frustration. “I will gather evidence. I’ll prove his involvement beyond any doubt.”
Arabella’s expression softens slightly. “I know you will, Darick. Your dedication to our kind has never been in question. But we must tread carefully. The balance between vampires and witches is precarious at best. As you said during the assembly, we cannot afford a war.”
I nod, respect for Arabella’s measured approach tempering my frustration. She’s right, of course. It’s why she’s held her position for so long. Her fairness, her ability to see the bigger picture, is what’s kept our society from tearing itself apart countless times over the years.
“I’ll be discreet,” I promise. “But I won’t let Lucien’s actions go unchecked. He’s a threat. He may try to convince us that this new tactic of his is for the good of our kind. But it’s going to backfire.”
Arabella regards me silently for a long moment. Finally, she nods. “Very well, Darick. Investigate, gather your evidence. But do not act without consulting me first. The stakes are too high for rash decisions.”
“Of course, Grand Elder,” I say, bowing my head slightly. “You have my word.” I pause for a moment. “The humans cannot learn of this attack.” It’s the last thing we need.
“I doubt the witches would make it public,” the Grand Elder replies. “They are notoriously secretive about their kind.”
I nod grimly. She’s right about that much, at least. Witches have been hiding in plain sight for centuries, masking their true nature from the oblivious masses. But this attack was brazen, committed right under the noses of an entire suburban community. It won’t be easy to sweep under the rug.
“Even so,” I say, “the impact will not go unnoticed by their covens and circles. We need to be prepared for the fallout.”
Arabella’s expression darkens. “Indeed. They will see this as an unprovoked assault on their sacred rituals.” She pauses, glancing at Valerian. The cold-eyed vampire gives a barely perceptible nod. “Which it was, if I understand your report correctly?”
I nod. “Lucien’s actions were reckless and dangerous, driven by his own twisted agenda.”
An agenda that I’m sure extends beyond the witches. If I know the man, he has his eye on a certain obsidian throne. Mine won’t be the only clan he’s targeting.
“And you’re certain these vampires were acting under Lord Marlowe’s orders,” Valerian points out coolly. “Who’s to say you weren’t simply dealing with a few rogue upstarts? It’s no secret that there is no love lost between you and Lord Marlowe. How are we to know this isn’t a ploy to throw him out of favor?”
I bristle at his condescending tone, but Arabella holds up a hand, silencing us both. “Enough, Valerian. Darick has always been one of our most capable leaders. If he believes Lucien is behind this, then he should be given the chance to prove it.”
I’m mildly surprised by her defense of me, but I don’t dwell on it. There are more pressing matters at hand. “Lucien’s agenda aside, this attack has put us all in a tricky position,” I say. “We need to move quickly to minimize the damage before the witches retaliate.”
“And how do you propose we do that?” Valerian asks, his tone laced with doubt. “Even if we can contain the human element, the witches themselves won’t stay quiet. Not after this.”
He’s right, damn him. The witches may value their secrecy, but they’re also fiercely protective of their own. An assault on a sacred ritual…they won’t take it lightly. And with tensions already running high thanks to the Bloodbane crisis, it could be the spark that sets off an inferno.
I exhale a sharp breath, frustrated. “I’m going to find the proof you need, Grand Elder. Put a stop to it before he can escalate things further.”
Arabella seems satisfied with my answer. “Very well. We will reconvene in a week to discuss our findings.” She rises gracefully from her throne, signaling the end of our audience.
I bow stiffly, tamping down the unease churning in my gut. As I turn to leave, I can feel Valerian’s icy glare boring into the back of my skull. He doesn’t trust me – and why should he? It wouldn’t be the first time a clan leader plotted to take down another. For all he knows, I might be the one with the secret agenda here.