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Victor takes a nervous swallow before speaking with false confidence. “The Authority is a threat to all things supernatural.” Before he can continue, he’s rudely interrupted by Galen.
“I assume you have proof, and this is not a statement you’ll leave with no support.” Victor’s obviously caught off guard, but he swallows his pride and continues.
“Have you not heard of the blood they were dealing to the vampires?”
“There’s been talk of treachery.” Or so we’ve heard. I hadn’t given the whispers much consideration until I’d been given word of Victor’s plan. “But from what I recall, the Authority is the one who put an end to that debauchery.”
“Lies. It’s all lies. I had allies within the Authority that have since been blamed and massacred.”
“I was under the impression that Alec was your ally.” My statement comes out as though it’s a question. I already know the answer though. I’m more than prepared for this meeting, as I always am. Although we’re across the world in our secluded territory, information is fed to us frequently on anything and everything that should catch our interest. We pay a healthy sum of gold for information that keeps us well informed. The whispers from our contacts in the Authority are what originally caught my amusement.
“He was. He is no longer.” My eyes narrow as I take in his appearance. Beads of sweat line his brow, and he reeks of deceit and betrayal. I run my thumb over the tips of my fingers, considering how I’d like to play this. After all, if I send him away, I have nothing but vaults of hoarded treasure collecting dust to return to. They don’t inspire life within me. They don’t give me the same spark they once did.
Cyrus speaks before I’m able. “So you believe the Authority must be dismantled, and you would lead in its place?” From what I gather, Cyrus’s assumption is correct. The words “rebellion”, “war”, and “dictatorship” resonate within me and wake my sleeping dragon. A low flame burns in my chest.
“I only ask for your aid if it will be needed.” I scoff at his deceitful response.
“Do you think we wouldn’t be needed?” I sit forward in the throne and stare into his fearful eyes. Bloodshed will occur no matter our involvement, but if we were to fight on their side, victory is certain.
“My Lord”—he lowers his gaze to the floor like a coward—“I do believe your assistance would be required.” I lean back and sneer. It takes a moment before the sniveling fool raises his head to meet my gaze once again. Of course we would be required. There’s no other reason he’d risk his life to see us. He needs us.
“There was some mention of gold, silver, and opal mines.” Cyrus gets to the point although his tone holds little interest. Destroying other beings, no matter what their nature, is simple enough. What matters is what we’d receive in return.
“Yes.” Victor nods his head enthusiastically, not realizing how little we care for our treasures at this point. There’s only so much wealth you can acquire before it merely fades into the background.
“Not interested.” Galen’s slowly spoken words leave an air of disappointment clouding the men before us. But before I can speak, the sorcerer’s vigor returns.
“Lord Arrington, if I may, there is something waiting in Shadow Falls that I believe you truly desire.” He takes a hesitant step forward, a brave thing for him to do. I wave my hand willing him to continue. “There is word of a woman, merely human, but she’s from a strong line of breeders.”
My body sways forward with awareness, but Galen fails to see where this conversation is headed. He speaks with disdain, “What of this woman?”
“There are whispers among the healers that she’s capable of carrying your young, my Lords.” The breath stills in my lungs as the words hang in the air. The fire crackles behind us and the heat seems to intensify. “She’s untouched, but she is known to have the fertility to carry many sons and daughters for you.”
“Who is this woman?”
“Isabella Faye. She is held within the walls of the Authority, yet she is not claimed by anyone.” My fists clench. I have eyes in the Authority, yet they haven’t sent word of this. How is it that this sorcerer has information that I do not?
“What use do they have for a human?” My brows furrow and my jaw ticks. I’m not sure what to believe from this liar’s lips, but the possibility of his words being true is enough to rouse the interest of all of us.
“It’s rumored that Alec is keeping her captive, unbeknownst to her. He knows the line will end with you three. He spoke of this frequently to me.”
“And what did you reply when he spoke of our demise?” An asymmetric grin grows on Cyrus’s face, but I haven’t the energy to laugh at his taunting. The possibility of her existence is enough to gain my desire for this conquest, and I’m hopeful it’s enough for Galen as well. I watch him as Victor stumbles through a response. Galen’s fingers gather his beard as he seems to contemplate his decision. I interrupt whatever babble Victor is attempting to speak to question my brother.
“What do you think?”
He hesitates only a moment, his fingers tapping in rhythm on the metal arm rest. “I’m intrigued. I will take a few days to consider.” I respect Galen’s decision. He’s always careful in his deliberations; it’s why the three of us remain living, so I will not push him. It will be easy to gather more information on whether or not Victor speaks the truth. I push the hope blooming in my chest down—deep down. I will not be made a fool of by a man of such low morals. No matter how much I crave what he offers.
“I understand.” Victor clasps his hands in front of him and bows. “Before I go, I’d like to present you with parting gifts, if I may.”
I nod slightly, and at my approval, he motions for the men accompanying him to leave and attain whatever these gifts are. I imagine it’s gold. Others tend to think that’s what we prefer.
Cyrus leans forward as Galen strums his fingers along his lip, no doubt contemplating the possibility of this Isabella being a mate. I catch Galen’s eyes and hold them, watching as they quickly flash reptilian and flicker icy blue in color. His dragon craves the woman. I snort and nod as my own dragon claws against my chest. There’s no need to fight over her, she will choose which of us she’d like to mate. My shoulders stiffen at the thought. I look back at my brother and he seems to be thinking the same.
Cyrus laughs and claps his hands to gain our attention. He smirks at us. “Maybe we should wait and see if this woman even exists?” I relax my posture and lean back once again.
“For once our little brother has a point.” Galen huffs a puff of cold air and settles against the hard throne.
“We shall see.” I won’t show any mercy if Victor has brought false hope to us. It’ll be his death.
