Page 673 of Coal Hearts

“Happy Hallows’ Eve!” Roland smirked.

“Tell us you have a good game tonight!” Ian grinned.

Victor preened and waited for the murmurings to die down. Flicking his velvet cape to cover his feet, he smiled like a dark magician about to bring all those he’d damned back to life. “As it so happens, I do have a particular game in mind.”

A roar of approval.

A splattering of applause.

“But first, allow me say a few words.” Victor smiled as silence fell again. “To start, I wish to announce some housekeeping, along with a new business opportunity. You were selected to attend tonight as you’re the most accomplished and have high pedigrees out of all my guests.”

Henri grabbed my left hand.

Peter my right.

We stood as a frozen trio as Victor shot us a look through the material and tipped his glass in our direction.

“First, and possibly the best piece of news this evening is...I’m going to have a son!”

Every Master broke into over-the-top cheers. “Congrats!”

“Now your Jewelry Box can continue for generations!”

“Do our memberships transfer to our boys, Vic?”

Victor nodded along. “Yes, yes. Okay, that’s enough. Hush. Quiet.”

Silence fell.

He smiled graciously. “Thank you for your joy on my behalf. It was confirmed this morning by Dr Belford. I’m so glad the equipment arrived early, and we now have a fully equipped maternity ward.” He smirked. “It might seem a bit over the top to create an entire medical ward for just one birth, but...that’s where you all come in, my friends.”

Striding around the stage, his cape flaring behind him, he pointed at each man. “Most of you have offspring already. You’ve proven you can sire. Up till now, my jewels have been forbidden to get pregnant. Partly for my benefit and for yours, but...if any of you wish to share your proven seed, then tell me who you would like, and I’ll arrange it.”

“Wait, what?” A few Masters turned up their noses.

“We don’t want fucking kids running around here, Vic.” Roland sneered.

“Speak for yourself. I’m down with raping for a purpose.” Wilson stepped forward. “Count me in!”

Victor looked at each man. “I’m aware you’ll enjoy the baby-making part but will want nothing to do with the results. Once you’ve achieved impregnation, the jewel in question will be sequestered until she is able to return to her duties.”

“So you’ll be introducing more stock if you’re planning on turning most of them into brood mares?” Travis asked.

“I will. In fact, my team is already gathering more gems as we speak.”

“Hell yeah.” Branson snickered. “Love getting my dick wet on new supplies.”

Peter shuddered beside me.

I squeezed his fingers.

“What are you going to do with the babies once you get them, Vic?” Ben dared to ask.

Victor smiled like a snake. “Sell them of course.”

“Sell?” Stewart choked on a mouthful of whiskey.

Henri bristled, most likely wanting to slap the only Masters on our side and order them to stay silent.