Page 78 of Claim of Blood
“The Court needs both of you.” His voice carried a note of desperation he rarely showed. “It needs your centuries of experience and his fresh perspective. Your understanding of our world and his knowledge of our enemies.” He squeezed her hand. “I need both of you.”
Maja pulled her hand free, turning her glass between elegant fingers. “You’re asking me to trust him.”
“I’m asking you to try,” Adam said. “Not for his sake, but for mine. Because watching the two most important people in my life circle each other like enemies is...” He ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t lose either of you.”
“And if I try and find him wanting?” she asked, her voice controlled again. “If your precious Claim proves unworthy of your trust?”
“Then we’ll deal with that when it happens,” Adam said without hesitation. “But you won’t know unless you actually spend time with him instead of avoiding the mansion like he carries plague.”
Maja was quiet for a long time, her expression shifting through hurt, fear, anger, and finally something closer to curiosity.
“He really tried to negotiate with Marie?” she asked.
Adam’s lips twitched. “He did. Got thoroughly routed. Gaspard said it was like watching someone try to reason with a force of nature.”
“Foolish hunter.” Her tone was softer. “Marie hasn’t yielded kitchen sovereignty since the Boston Pack Alpha tried to reorganize her spice rack in ‘68.”
“He’s learning,” Adam said carefully. “About our world. Our people.”
Maja snorted. “Our household dynamics are hardly unique. They’re just... complicated.”
“Will you try?” Adam asked. “Not for him—for me?”
She was quiet for so long he feared he’d pushed too hard. Finally, she lifted her glass in a gesture that wasn’t quite a toast.
“I won’t pretend to like it,” she said. “And I make no promises about being pleasant.”
“When have you ever?” Adam’s voice held centuries of affection, but relief was clear.
“I can be perfectly pleasant,” Maja sniffed, adjusting her sleeve. “When the situation warrants it.”
“But you’ll try?”
Another long pause. “I’ll... consider it. But Adam?” Her eyes met his. “If he damages what we’ve built, I won’t hesitate.”
“I wouldn’t expect less,” Adam replied, though something cold settled in his stomach. “You’re my daughter. Protecting this Court is in your blood.”
“Good.” She took a measured sip. “As long as we understand each other.”
Adam laughed, though it held more relief than humor. “I’ve missed you, terrible child.”
“I’ve been right here,” she pointed out. “You’re the one who’s been... distracted.”
The sharp bite of silver in the air caught Adam’s attention, too concentrated to be mere jewelry. His fingers paused on the crystal glass. “There’s an unusual amount of silver in the room. Five distinct sources, spreading out.”
Maja’s attention sharpened, her ice-blue eyes scanning with practiced efficiency. “Ah. I see them. That one by the bar couldn’t look more obvious if he tried. Like a peacock attempting stealth.”
The back door opened, letting in a wash of cool air and the familiar presence of another vampire. Kenneth emerged, dusty blond hair catching the low light as he spoke quietly to his staff—a tattooed witch carrying a tray of drinks and Basilien, whose bear shifter nature was as obvious as the careful way he wore his button-down shirt, like a costume barely containing the predator beneath.
Adam sent out a gentle pulse of power, just enough to catch Kenneth’s attention. The younger vampire shivered in response, his eyes snapping immediately to their corner. His signature smile—the one that had launched countless social media tags—appeared as he approached.
“First, Daughter Maja, what an unexpected pl-”
“First. Daughter Maja. What an unexpected pl—”
“Kenneth.” Adam’s tone cut through the pleasantries. “I count five... enthusiasts. Armed.” He gestured subtly toward the wannabe hunters, about as stealthy as elephants in their positioning.
Kenneth’s smile wavered, turning businesslike as his gaze swept the room. He noted the social media influencers clustered at the bar, phones raised like modern shields. “Ah. This complicates things.” He glanced toward the entrance, where a massive figure filled the doorway—a wolf shifter.
