Page 55 of The Tenor's Shadow

“What?” Daniel’s voice was strained. “You can’t do that!”

“Darling.” Master Hughes patted Daniel’s hand, then addressed Anthony in a soft but commanding voice. “Your uncle is right. New York is the one place you have to avoid. Charles Azarian wouldn’t hesitate to throw every available vamp he has left at you.”

“What is his problem, anyway?” Anthony asked, his vehement tone betraying his anger and frustration. “Why is he coming after me? Why does he want to get at you two?”

Master Hughes sighed. “There is no ruler of the vampires, no king. Every coven is independent. If there were a leader, however, it would be me. I have managed, through some degree of skill and an even greater degree of luck, to negotiate a peace among the most powerful covens across the globe, with only a couple exceptions. The Azarian coven is the most powerful of those exceptions.”

Master Hughes’ eyes hardened, and Daniel rested a hand on his forearm.

“Charles rejects any check on his power. About a decade ago, he took out the bulk of his relatives in a bloodbath the likes of which we haven’t seen in centuries. He rallied the young ones to his side with promises of power and influence, and the freedom to hunt and kill as they liked. He sees me as the linchpin holding together the current peace, and he wants to use you as a bargaining chip to break that peace. Chaos and violence would be preferable to him, and allow him to expand his own rule.”

Freddie’s whole body tensed. He hadn’t known how eager Charles Azarian was to take out his master. It made him want to fly to New York alone and kill Charles himself.

“That’s not all.” Daniel's tone was deadly.

“No.” There was a hint of something that Freddie had never heard in Master Hughes’ voice. Was it shame?

“Charles was a lover of mine for many years,” Freddie’s master continued. “I thought he understood. We weren’t mates. There could be nothing more than friendly affection between us. But somehow he convinced himself that I was indeed his mate. I broke it off years ago, but…for him, this is not only political, it is personal. He still thinks I belong to him. Because of that, I believe he will not stop, even if it decimates his coven.”

Freddie’s stomach burned as if he’d swallowed hot lava. His mate would be in danger until Charles Azarian was dead. His blood hummed with resolve. No one would take his Anthony from him.

“He was my friend, once.” There was a deep sadness lingering in Master Hughes’ eyes.

“It’s too dangerous to go to New York.” Daniel said, the metal in his voice showing his resolve. “You can’t put yourself that close to him and his people. He’s unhinged.”

Freddie turned to Anthony. He was lost in thought, and Freddie couldn’t read his expression. After a long silence, Anthony spoke.

“I’m going.”

“Tony--”

“No, Uncle Danny. This is the biggest moment of my career so far. If I let this pass by, I may never get the chance again. I refuse to let some vampire madman stand in the way of my moment. I’m going.”

Master Hughes frowned, and his voice rang in Freddie’s head. You have to convince him.

“Don’t speak into my mind.” The harsh, insubordinate words flowed from his lips, and he could not stop them, as if he were an outside observer to his own body. He had never gone against his master, not in the decades he’d served, but he couldn’t stop himself. “Anthony is right here. He has a right to hear anything that is said about him. If my mate wishes to go, then he will go, and I will be there by his side to protect him.”

Master Hughes’ face grew dark. “He is human, and fragile.”

“Don’t talk about me like I’m not here,” Anthony said, his voice like ice. “This is my life we’re talking about. I make the rules. I’m going to New York.”

Freddie put his arm around Anthony’s shoulders. He would give his own life if it meant helping his mate achieve his dreams.

“Tony, I don’t like this.” Daniel’s face was white with fear. “You shouldn’t put yourself in danger. What if--”

“What if I had died here, in Barcelona? What if? There are no safe places. I’m going.”

“That is our decision.” Freddie’s words held a note of finality. They were mates now, and they would stand together.

The four sat there in silence, two in Barcelona and two in London, the air filled with tension and sadness and icy determination. Finally, Master Hughes spoke.

“I don’t condone this, Freddie, but I can’t fault you for siding with your mate.” Master Hughes had a look of resignation on his face. “I’ll help however I can.”

“Ollie--”

“Their minds are made up, love.” Master Hughes ran the back of his hand over his mate’s cheek, calming him, and then turned back to the camera.

“There will be a contingent of three vampires waiting for you in New York. More than that will attract attention.” Master Hughes’ eyes pierced into Freddie. “Do well by them. They will be putting themselves in danger, entering hostile territory with you.”

“Of course, coven master.” Freddie let out a shaky breath. He knew he had made the right decision, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t danger. What would they find waiting for them in New York?

“Tony…” Daniel was on the verge of tears.

“This is the biggest opportunity I’ve ever had, Uncle Danny. It could change my life.”

Daniel didn’t speak for a long moment, nodding as a watery smile appeared on his face.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Anthony replied. “Everything will be okay.”

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