Page 6 of Claim of Blood
The dining room felt tense as the family gathered around the massive oak table. Uncle Stefan sat at the head, with Sabine to his right and Friedrich to his left. Katherine sat beside their mother while Will and Max took their places further down. Leo sat beside Felix, as far from the head of the table as he could manage.
Weber served the first course in silence, a creamy soup that steamed in expensive china bowls. No one spoke, just the occasional sound of spoons against porcelain.
Finally, Sabine broke the silence. “I got a call from Jurgen Eisner today. His son, Thomas, wants to meet Katherine after this operation.”
Katherine’s spoon stopped halfway to her mouth. “The Eisners are from one of the German clans, aren’t they?”
“One of the better ones,” Sabine confirmed. “Thomas is their second son, but he’s shown considerable skill. Four marks already, at just twenty-six.”
“He’s plain,” Katherine said flatly. “I met him at the Brussels conference last year.”
Stefan looked up from his soup. “You’re twenty-nine, Katherine. It’s time you did your duty as a von Rothenburg woman.”
Leo watched his sister’s jaw tighten, though her face stayed calm. As a female hunter from an old family, Katherine was expected to marry and produce the next generation of von Rothenburgs. It was an obligation she had avoided so far, but Leo knew the pressure was growing.
“I’ll consider Eisner,” Katherine said. “But I want options.”
“You’ll have them,” Sabine replied. “After this mission, we’ll arrange meetings with several suitable candidates. You’ll get your pick of the litter soon enough.”
“That’s the only good thing about it,” Katherine muttered.
“What about Friedrich?” Leo asked, surprising himself. “Is he getting a selection of broodmares, too?”
The table fell silent. Friedrich’s eyes narrowed.
“Friedrich’s match is already being negotiated,” Stefan said coldly. “Alexandre Fournier’s niece comes of age next year. The alliance would strengthen our position within the European command.”
“Isn’t Friedrich almost fifteen years older than her?” Leo pressed, unable to stop himself. “That seems—”
“Appropriate,” Stefan cut him off. “At least Friedrich can be with women.”
The barb stung. Leo felt his cheeks burn as Will and Max snickered behind their napkins.
“Unlike some,” Friedrich said coldly, “I put duty before personal desires.” His lips formed a silent word as he stared at Leo: “Faggot.”
Sabine’s lip curled slightly, though she said nothing. The family’s awareness of Leo’s sexuality was an open secret, only mentioned through veiled comments and clear hostility. The hunter community, especially the old families, adhered to rigid traditions that left no room for individual differences.
Weber arrived with the main course, and the tension briefly diverted as plates were distributed. Leo stared at his food, no longer hungry, and caught Felix’s sympathetic glance from across the table.
“I heard from Fournier this morning,” Stefan announced. “He’ll be in America in the coming weeks. His niece will accompany him.”
Friedrich straightened slightly, his interest evident.
“The alliance would be advantageous,” Sabine remarked, her tone businesslike. “Strategic connections are more important than ever with the landscape changing.”
Leo kept his eyes on his plate. The less he knew about Fournier’s movements—or Friedrich’s arranged marriage—the better.
Katherine cleared her throat. “Speaking of strategic positions, how’s the setup for tonight?”
“Everything is in place,” Stefan said, his voice deliberately vague.
Leo’s brow furrowed slightly. What setup? No one had mentioned anything beyond surveillance.
“Your surveillance shift at the mansion starts at eleven,” Stefan continued, not bothering to phrase it as a question. Stefan had already given the order the previous day.
Ignoring the unsettling feeling of being manipulated, Leo nodded, aware he was a mere piece in a larger plan.
“Remember,” Stefan’s gaze lingered on him, “observe only. Don’t approach the property.”
