Page 4 of Chains of Blood and Darkness

“Okay.” Enzo held up his hands. “But she won’t be happy about us spying on them.”

I grimaced. “She’s not happy I made him my chauffeur, either. She’s not happy about a lot of things.”

Gianna, my younger sister, had defied me by marrying a vampire who was born, not turned, against my wishes. It was a bitter disappointment, especially since I had carefully arranged for her to mate with Anton Lange, an ancient and powerful vampire who now served as the headmaster of Legacy Academy in Colorado.

Despite my efforts to ensure her continued safety and status, she spurned the match I had so meticulously planned. Even when I offered for them to live at Crescent Manor, Gianna stubbornly refused, insisting on living with her husband in a townhouse near me that belonged to the family.

As a compromise, I “requested” that they visit me every Sunday. Dimitri, Gianna’s husband, was well aware of the consequences should he fail to bring my sister to theseweekly meetings. It was a small measure of control, but one I clung to fiercely in the face of Gianna’s relentless defiance.

The conversation with Enzo shifted toward the night’s business matters, including the auction at Crimson Stakes, a cornerstone of our empire, not just for its actual revenue but its value as a front for more covert operations.

As Enzo’s footsteps faded away, leaving me lost in thought in the solitude of my office, my gaze drifted to the Aeternum Stone beside me. Its once-vibrant light now flickered weakly, a somber reminder of the encroaching darkness that threatened our world. The stone’s magic, a gift from the witches that kept Dracula at bay and allowed our shadowy empire to thrive, was fading. Without the stone’s power, our very survival was in jeopardy.

Memories of battles fought alongside Dracula, my maker and onetime brother-in-arms, haunted me. His shift away from our shared path, fueled by a love I had never known, had created a rift between us that was filled now with nothing but enmity. I had turned against him, not just to lead but to protect what we had built from his strange new beliefs. Yet I was now dependent on a magic that was fading as rapidly as my certainty.

The chill that swept through the room was a grim reminder of the evil presence I felt always lurking in New Orleans. Dracula’s very breath seemed to brush the back of my neck, a sensation at once familiar and unsettling. I knew he was close, an ever-present threat to my city, my family, and to me.

I sighed and returned to my work as the day stretchedinto evening, a blur of preparations and strategies. The sky outside my window gradually deepened into the velvet of night. Time to get ready for the auction where I hoped to procure magical items that might restore the Aeternum Stone’s power.

Chapter Three

Angelo

As my limousine rolled up the winding driveway, I admired the elegant grandeur that was Simon Cartier’s Ravenwood Estates. The sprawling white antebellum mansion stood proudly beside the murky bayou, surrounded by tall oaks and immaculately manicured gardens. Its facade boasted towering columns and expansive verandas, exuding a deceptive air of tranquility that masked the estates’ true purpose. I had thought of buying this place and taking over Simon’s venture so many times, but I’d never gotten around to making him an offer he couldn’t refuse.

The moment I exited my car, I saw Trystan’s signature blue limousine looming large, out of place in its gaudiness and clamoring for my attention. An involuntary grunt of annoyance bubbled up, and my eyes rolled. The damnedwolves always had to show off their pack color. They weren’t the only ones flaunting their wealth though—I noticed Simon’s sleek red Ferrari parked a few spaces down.

I nodded to my driver. “Be ready for anything, Dimitri.” I initially only tolerated my sister’s marriage to Dimitri for her sake. I had always considered blood-born vampires to be weak. But he had quickly proved that notion to be nothing more than archaic thinking. He had risked his life for my sister—something I would never forget.

Enzo, too, considered Dimitri to be one of his most valuable enforcers—a testament to his unwavering loyalty and brutal efficiency. Even if he wasn’t as powerful as a made vampire, he had proven himself to be useful—especially as my chauffeur.

I glanced at Dimitri. “You got that? Be ready for anything.”

He caught my eye in the rearview mirror, a smirk playing on his lips. “Always ready, boss. It’s like my middle name, right after ‘Danger.’”

“By the way, you’ll be at dinner this Sunday?”

Dimitri rolled his eyes dramatically. “Oh no, I thought I’d skip the weekly family drama for once. Of course we’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it for the world…or an apocalypse.”

I narrowed my eyes. “See that it stays that way. I need to know that my sister is safe.”

Dimitri’s expression softened, a mix of love and fierce protectiveness flashing in his eyes. “Come on, Angelo. She’s not just your sister—she’s my mate. I’ve already died twice for her. Third time’s the charm, right?” His trademark grin returned, but there was an unmistakable intensity behind it. "Besides, I draw the line at unicorn shifters. Too glittery for my taste.” He met my gaze in the rearview mirror, all humor gone. “Your sister—my mate—has nothing to worry about. Never has, never will."

“Good.” I scanned the grounds. “Stay alert.”

He stood next to me as tense as a Doberman pincher ready to attack, but his tone remained light. “Sure thing, Captain Obvious. I’ll make sure to keep my vampire senses tuned to ‘paranoid overprotective brother’ frequency.”

Just then, a sleek gray limousine pulled up next to mine, and the dark Fae announced their presence with a flourish. Despite not being as powerful as the wolves, they still posed a threat to our kind and were a constant annoyance in our territory.

Keir Rankin, king of the dark Fae Mafia, climbed out of his vehicle with a regal air. The moonlight caught his long white hair and reflected off his sharp blue eyes as he glanced over at me. His smile was polite but lacked warmth. “Good to see you again, Santi.”

I gave him a brief nod before turning toward the mansion. “Likewise, Rankin. What are you interested in buying tonight?”

He shrugged nonchalantly and adjusted his sleeve carefully. “The usual. Stock is low. You?”

I let out a tired sigh. “The same.”

My agenda tonight was clear, if unspoken: acquiring new talent for Crimson Stakes; seeking out artifacts imbued with magic that might restore the stone; and adding to my private collection with art of unparalleled quality.

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