Page 9 of Betrayed in Blood
I gave him a questioning look, but he shook his head as he placed a hand on the small of my back and led me to our seats at the table.
Dinner was mostly vegetarian dishes served alongside salmon and halibut. Wine was abundant as the servers kept the glasses filled, but I only sipped mine. While my mental faculties were back to normal after my nap, alcohol didn’t mix well with the pink potion.
Devon was tense throughout the meal, though he didn’t show it as Alejandro asked about our short time in Madrid. If they found our trip to the Renaud library strange, they didn’t show it. Then Ernesto spoke of the village and shared his extensive knowledge of its early beginnings centuries before. He touched on some aspects of Gregor’s tour but delved deeper into the connection between the townspeople and vampires.
I’d never heard of another place where vamps and humans knowingly lived simpatico. Though I wasn’t a traveler, I had to wonder if the same relationship existed in enclaves distant from the larger cities.
“You know…” Gregor looked at me as he spoke. “Those not from vampire Houses don’t realize how little we’re spread around the world. Places like Santiga Bay have a denser population because of the Council, but in the rest of the world, we aren’t as widespread. We tend to live in or around large cities like Madrid, New Orleans, Tokyo, and the like.”
“Is that so you can blend easier among the populace?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Sí, we don’t stand out as much. It’s also easier for locating nutrient sources and to maintain relationships among our own.”
It wasn’t lost on me that nutrient sources meant humans, but I nodded.
“It’s a behavior from centuries ago.” Devon picked up his wineglass and leaned back as the server removed his plate. “Back when wars were our way of life and when allegiances swiftly changed with each new monarch or leader.”
“And once a House is established, it’s very difficult to move it.” Gregor waved for a server to refill his glass. “At least for the aristocracy or those Houses that serve on the Council. It can be seen as an aggressive move when relocating to another city.”
“But it’s okay for the smaller Houses?” I asked. This didn’t seem to be anything Anna taught, or perhaps it was in her advanced courses. I held my snicker at the thought.
“It’s easier, but it requires a petition and agreement from the largest House in the city.” Alejandro leaned back in his chair. He didn’t speak often but paid close attention to the discussion, especially when Devon spoke.
“House Aramburu has remained behind closed gates for hundreds of years.” Devon glanced around the table. “Yet you seem to be quite aware of how vampire society has grown over the decades.”
Gregor laughed. “You know as well as I that nothing moves that fast in vampire society, and most keep to their own kind. Not many do business with humans, let alone shifters.”
Devon grinned. “Only those with no concern for the old ways or those who have been ostracized by it.”
“Or those hoping to take advantage of particular situations.”
“You’re speaking of Venizi.”
Gregor shrugged. “He’s not the only one pushing for traditional ways while taking a broader step into human affairs, but yes.”
“So, why did you close your gates?” Devon asked.
The table grew deathly silent, and my first instinct was to scan the room for the largest threat—Simone’s and Sergi’s training never far from reach. When my gaze landed on Erik and Ulrik, they appeared amused by the conversation, and while that made me feel safer, it didn’t completely settle me.
Sonja placed a hand on Gregor’s arm. “We’ve danced around the topic all night. I think it’s time we put Devon’s mind at ease.” Her gaze locked with mine. Volumes passed between us, yet I couldn’t identify any emotion. The connection was strong on a level I didn’t understand.
Sonja turned to Devon. “You’re wondering why Gregor married a human.”
I dropped my fork, and it clattered on the plate of my half-eaten cheesecake.
She smiled. “He didn’t know until we shook hands. I’ve lived among vampires for a long time, and one’s behavior sometimes changes to match those around us.” Alejandro placed his hand on hers, and she gripped it before releasing it. “Mariah is my biological daughter with Gregor, and she’s vampire.”
“My first wife perished long ago after giving me three strong sons.” Gregor’s eyes misted for the briefest of seconds. “I didn’t think I’d ever find love again. Marriage,” he shrugged, “maybe. But love. It’s a lucky man that finds it more than once.”
“So, you were born within the gates?” Devon asked Sonja. “I mean, it’s been centuries since Aramburu disassociated itself from vampire society.”
“I closed off my House after the Council made a decision I couldn’t agree nor live with.” He pushed away from the table but kept his seat, as if he needed distance from everyone to share his story. He called again for his glass to be filled.
I really hated that vamps could drink alcohol all night when, after two or three glasses, Ginger had me singing lame songs from the eighties.
“This was almost a millennia ago,” Gregor continued.
“When the Council gave the order to eliminate dreamwalkers.” Devon’s statement rocked me. Not just because he threw it out there like it was everyday news and not some decision the Council buried so deep that dreamwalkers became nothing more than a myth. No. It was that he boldly mentioned it with a House we barely knew.
