Page 32 of Lucas
“The youngest.”
Trelane glanced at Romero. “Interesting.”
“A recent acquisition to the Family from Lafitte’s House.”
Lucas received another studied appraisal.
“Quite interesting.” Trelane took a seat on the other side of Romero as Lucas poured him a scotch.
The conversation turned to current events within various Houses, which Lucas soaked in. Not being part of a cadre meant this depth of information was only disseminated through assignments or word of mouth among Family members. Even then, it was diluted by rumors and suppositions. To hear two House leaders discuss strategies, politics, and relationships was like a gift from above. When they included Lucas in the conversation and listened intently to his comments, he couldn’t help but sit taller.
They were laughing in response to one of Trelane’s stories when the bodyguards returned a couple of hours later, each with a woman—one a vampire and the other a shifter, if Lucas had to guess.
Romero looked at the bodyguards and smiled. “Why don’t you take the limo and head home.” He glanced at Trelane. “You have a car?”
Trelane glanced at his watch. “Yes. It won’t be a problem to drop you home.”
The three of them spoke for another hour before Trelane stood. “I have a plane to catch at sunrise. Shall we call it a night?”
When they exited the club, the streets were quiet with dawn a couple of hours away.
“I drove myself. The car is just down the street.” Trelane led the way.
Romero sucked in a deep breath. “Even at this hour, the scent of jasmine and beignets fill the air.”
Lucas brought up the rear as the two leaders strode side-by-side. He scanned the shadows. They made it two more blocks before he heard the footsteps—hurried and coming from behind them.
The three turned as one to face four vampires who spread out as they slowed their approach. If they were surprised to seeTrelane, they didn’t show it. Lucas wondered who they’d come for.
Each side took a moment to size up the situation, then time stilled as they waited for someone to make the first move. Trelane didn’t appear to be in a waiting mood, and a dagger slipped into his hand as he charged the two in the middle.
Romero raced off to his right while Lucas turned toward the vampire on the left, who carried a sword. They had come to take heads and nothing less. Lucas ran straight for him, then ducked as soon as he saw his opponent lift his arm. He barreled into the vampire, hitting hard with fists to the midsection before slamming one into a jaw. The blade fell from the vampire’s grip, and Lucas kicked it away.
The vampire shoved Lucas off, landing a blow that knocked him to his knees. When the vampire kicked out, Lucas blocked his leg, knocking his adversary off-balance. The few seconds gave him time to get on his feet and take a quick glance at Trelane and Romero, who were holding their own. One of the opposing vampires had taken a dagger to the kidney and was trying to remove the blade, which was just out of reach.
Lucas stepped back when another strike came and, pivoting, swept the other vampire’s legs out from under him. He stabbed him in the gut, aiming for the liver. Lucas ran for the sword he’d kicked away. He must have missed the liver because he heard the vampire two steps behind him.
He grabbed the sword and, still on his feet, twisted, swinging his weapon like a bat. The vampire wasn’t expecting it, and his eyes went wide seconds before his head toppled to the ground.
With a lust for blood, Lucas turned to find Romero finishing off his opponent. Trelane had taken the sword from the vampire who was struggling to get on his hands and knees, blood dripping heavily from his midsection. Trelane didn’t waste time. He swung the sword like an executioner meting out justice.
Lucas turned to the last enemy vampire, who managed to stand and pull a dagger from his boot. He wanted to take the vampire’s head, but instead, slammed the side of the blade against it. The vampire dropped to his hands and knees, clearly dazed.
Romero staggered to Lucas’s side, blood leaking from his left arm. He managed to check the injury before Romero pushed him away. It was a deep gash but not life-threatening and would heal fast enough.
Trelane picked the remaining vampire up by the back of his shirt and pushed him against a nearby building. “Who sent you?”
The vampire smiled, his teeth red with blood. “Venizi sends his regards.”
Without a second hesitation, Trelane stepped back and swung the sword, and as the sound of metal hitting stone reverberated around them, the head bounced and rolled a few feet away. Trelane turned to Romero. “Sorry, my friend, for bringing trouble to your door.”
Romero’s eyes glowed an electric green, and he grinned at his friend. “I can always count on you to show me a good time.” He spat on one of the dead vampires. “I’ll be sure to let Lafitte know where Venizi can pick up his vampires.” He glanced around and pointed to the alley. “There should be a dumpster down there.”
Lucas wasn’t surprised Romero would call Lafitte. As the largest House in New Orleans, Lafitte had to be told of Venizi’s transgression of entering the city without acknowledgment. Without any witnesses, the Council would never officially hear of the incident, but Venizi wouldn’t be welcome in the city for some time—if ever.
They worked together and piled the bodies and heads into one of the dumpsters. Venizi wouldn’t bother collecting them, sothey’d either end up in the landfill or the police would eventually file them away as unexplained murders of unknown indigents.
Romero wiped his forehead. “I assume they thought you’d be alone.”
