Page 38 of Tainted Blood

“It belongs to Alexius,” I said, closing the box and sliding it to said man. It was not my style, even if it was gorgeous, and the idea of putting on a ring in front of these men, one that Alexius had won, seemed like setting myself up for rumors I wasn’t interested in.

Jamal, Isaiah, and Kamose all stared at Alexius and the little black box now in front of him. Alexius picked up the box, looked at the three of them, then tucked it away in a pocket in his jacket.

“While I don’t need it, I will accept this prize. Is there anything else you want?” Alexius seemed bored, leaning back to study them with a blank expression. I knew he was trying to end this sudden attention.

We’re too introverted for this.

“No, but the night is only getting started,” Isaiah said, shrugging. “I think I’ll join you for a drink, though.”

“I’m going to get to my ladies,” Kamose declared. “This was fun. Let me know if there’s another.” He tapped the table, then pushed away, leaving us.

As Isaiah and Jamal received their drinks, I kept looking around the room, watching others trickle in. Isaiah was right, the night was still young. The hunt hadn’t lasted long. Many vampires were just beginning their evenings, having taken their time getting ready to come out. I saw Gisela speak to Aelia, who dismissed her sons as Gisela sat down. Maxwell went to see Damek and Ivanna, while Lucas went to speak to the vampires from Athens, whose names I had already forgotten. Julia and Lyra walked in together but split up as Lyra went to see the other Ancients and Julia went to flirt with Damek, who ate it up.

One thing I did notice was how everyone stayed away from the Ancients, except for Lyra, who was one of them. No one walked directly by their small table, with a few people even taking a longer route around the room to avoid them.

“People watching is fun, isn’t it?” Isaiah asked casually, breaking my focus on what was happening in the room.

“Was I that obvious?” I sank a little.

“A little, but that’s all anyone here does until they decide to talk to someone. They watch, they wait, they wonder. Actually, I’ve been wondering… Jamal, where is your second, Tareq? He arrived with you, but he didn’t go hunting with us. He’s normally a joy at hunts, but I didn’t want to call out his absence earlier.”

“He’s been trying to get a place for his son with another nest and had a few phone calls to make on that front before joining the rest of us this evening. It’s been difficult since his son returned from Jacob’s nest—”

“What?” My neck nearly hurt from how fast I turned to Jamal.

“You might have known him, though he left right after Jacob’s death because he didn’t feel comfortable staying. Zahir, he was there for some time. He joined Jacob in the early eighteen hundreds.”

It was easy to recall Zahir. He’d been one of the older vampires who had left quickly. I hadn’t spoken to him often while I worked at the nest. He’d been quiet, keeping his distance from most of the human staff. Only a few times did I, or any of my group, need to help him with anything. He just existed and had been in the background for years. I never thought he was related to someone important. He never acted like it.

“It’s a small world,” I said, realizing Jacob had all sorts in his nest who I had never really given two thoughts about. They had just been there, and I worked for them. It had been easy to continue on with my life, never considering who the vampires were outside of the nest.

“He doesn’t like home, but he didn’t know where else to go after leaving the United States,” Jamal said with a sigh. “I like Zahir and want the best for him, so I’m not going to bother Tareq until he feels it’s been handled.”

“Neither of you thought to ask me?” Isaiah seemed insulted.

“You know he liked Jacob’s nest because it was quiet. Your nest isn’t.”

“He could stay here. It’s nice out here,” Isaiah argued. “I would leave a few of my other country-loving vampires with him to keep him company. Normally, this place has others, but I was hosting this. There’s no need for me to keep him in the city if he doesn’t want to be there.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.” Isaiah’s brows were still furrowed, his frown giving him wrinkles I’d never seen on his face. “Tell Tareq what I’ve said. I won’t hold it against him if he doesn’t think it’s a good fit, but I would like it if he passed the option on to Zahir.”

“I will. He’ll appreciate the offer even if it’s not accepted.” Jamal patted Isaiah’s shoulder, a friendly touch. It stopped as he saw something that killed his smile. “Ah, Ramman and Samas have arrived,” he whispered.

“They’ve brought out the blood tonight. Wonderful.” Isaiah didn’t seem pleased, either.

I turned to try to see the two Ancients known for trouble. They were strolling through the room, looking unbothered. Ramman held a glass decanter with no label, but it was obvious that the red liquid inside was blood. They found a quiet booth in a corner, looking like they were settling in for a bit of drinking. The only two near them were Gisela and Aelia, who ignored their presence to continue their own quiet conversation.

“The blood doesn’t bother me. I’m more worried they’re going to do a bit of their own hunting,” Jamal answered, his eyes sliding to me for a second.

“I’ve been warned, and Ramman isn’t my type,” I said, trying to smile. “I don’t plan on wandering off alone with anyone while I’m here if I can help it.”

“Good. I have no want or need to see a promising young vampire torn to shreds by Samas. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemies, to be honest.”

“Neither would I.”

“Samas wouldn’t get the chance,” Alexius growled softly.

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