Page 142 of Claim of Blood
“A story for another time,” Adam said. “But Asili has never shied away from difficult choices when protecting his people.”
As evening approached, Adam gathered his expanded family and Court members for a formal dinner. The main dining hall, already packed to accommodate the number of guests, seated a formidable collection of vampires and their inner circles. The massive table all but groaned under the weight of crystal and silver, candles casting dancing shadows across faces both ancient and relatively young.
Adam sat at the head, with Leo to his right and Lander to his left. Gaspard had carefully orchestrated the seating arrangement to strike a balance between politics and protocol. Victoria sat beside Leo, her presence serving as a buffer between him and the less welcoming family members. Asili had been placed across from her, the two of them immediately falling into easy conversation about their respective territories. Raj held courtin the center, regaling Elisabeth and Johan with tales from Singapore while they shared stories of the Norwegian fjords. Bai maintained her usual reserved position, with Jian beside her, both watching more than participating.
Adam’s inner circle completed the gathering: Gaspard managed logistics from his seat, Oren maintained his security oversight despite his obvious discomfort with Asili’s presence, Ilona handled diplomatic protocols, and Maja finally joined them after her extended meetings with Nathaniel.
Real meetings, this time.
Servants moved silently around them, pouring blood or bloodwine into crystal goblets for the vampires and wine for Leo. The candlelight caught in the deep red liquid, casting ruby shadows across the white tablecloth.
“The fjords during solstice are beyond description,” Johan was saying, his hands moving expressively as he spoke. “The midnight sun turns the water to liquid gold. Mountains that touch the sky, ice that’s older than human civilization.”
Leo leaned forward, drawn into Johan’s vivid descriptions. “It sounds incredible. I’ve never seen anything like that.”
“The first time I witnessed it,” Elisabeth added, her hand resting on her husband’s arm, “I thought I was seeing magic. Real magic, not our kind.”
“It is magic, in its way,” Johan smiled at his wife. “Nature’s own form of supernatural power.”
“You must visit us,” Elisabeth told Leo, her eyes warm with genuine invitation. “Our home may not match Adam’s mansion in grandeur, but the view more than compensates.”
“I’d like that very much,” Leo replied, and Adam caught the sincerity in his voice. The idea of traveling with Adam, of seeing the world through immortal eyes, clearly appealed to him.
“Careful,” Raj called from down the table, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Johan’s definition of ‘rustic charm’ usually involves no central heating and hunting for your own dinner.”
“Says the man who lives in a palace with a staff of thirty,” Johan shot back good-naturedly.
“Forty-two, actually,” Raj corrected with pride. “And I earned every luxury through centuries of careful investment and shameless manipulation of colonial powers.”
Victoria raised her glass slightly. “At least you admit to the shameless part.”
“Honesty is refreshing,” Asili added with amusement. “So many of our kind pretend their wealth came through noble means.”
“Nothing noble about outliving your creditors,” Bai remarked dryly—her first contribution to the general conversation.
This sparked laughter around the table, even from some of Bai’s own people. Adam noticed how the shared humor began to break down some of the formal barriers between the Courts.
From Adam’s left, Lander watched the interplay with quiet attention. His fingers brushed against Adam’s under the table—a subtle touch that sent warmth through the bond between them. Adam returned the pressure, acknowledging the connection even as he maintained his conversation with the table.
Across from them, Maja’s sharp eyes missed nothing. She raised her glass slightly toward Lander, a private acknowledgment that made him straighten slightly in his chair.
“The business in New York continues to prosper,” Victoria was telling Asili. “The new shipping arrangements through the Port of New Orleans have been extremely profitable.”
“Your people understand discretion,” Asili replied approvingly. “That’s worth more than gold in my territory.”
“Speaking of territories,” Jian interjected, his tone casual but his eyes calculating, “how do you handle the human tourism industry? The supernatural element must be complicated.”
Asili’s expression grew slightly more guarded. “We’ve learned to make it work for us. Humans seeking vampire experiences often fail to recognize the real thing when they encounter it. They expect gothic castles and dramatic capes, not successful businessmen in modern suits.”
“Hiding in plain sight,” Leo observed. “Like Adam’s company.”
“Exactly,” Asili nodded. “The best camouflage is often the most obvious one.”
Bai’s attention sharpened on this exchange. “And when humans get too close to the truth?”
The temperature at the table seemed to drop a few degrees. Asili met her gaze steadily. “That rarely happens. And when it does, we handle it appropriately.”
“Appropriately,” Bai repeated, her tone suggesting she found the euphemism amusing.
