Page 131 of Claim of Blood
“I want to get rid of the tattoo,” he said. “The family crest. I don’t want it anymore.”
Felix’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?”
“Yes.” Leo nodded. “Would you... would you want to get yours removed too? We could do it together?”
Felix didn’t hesitate. “Yes,” he said, his voice stronger than before. “Absolutely yes.”
“They’re not our family anymore,” Leo said. “They gave up that right.”
“They never were,” Felix replied. “Not really.”
Leo felt something lift inside him. It hurt, but it was the kind of hurt that came with pulling out a splinter: pain that meant healing could finally begin.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Adam
Asthedoorclosedbehind Leo and Felix, the room fell silent. Adam leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly on the armrest where Leo had been sitting moments before.
“Solstice preparations,” he said, bringing everyone’s focus back. “Oren, report.”
Oren stepped away from the window. “We’ve had no direct attacks. No breaches. Nothing.” His voice was flat, troubled.
“And that concerns you?” Adam asked.
“Yes.” Oren crossed his arms. “It’s too quiet.”
“Sit down, Oren,” Adam said, gesturing to an empty chair. “You’re making me tired just watching you stand.”
Oren blinked, then lowered himself into the chair. It creaked under his weight.
Maja leaned forward, her platinum blonde hair catching the light. “Hunters don’t retreat. They regroup.”
“The main Rothenburg family is still in Boston,” Ilona said, “but not all of them.” She glanced at her phone. “My sourcessay they’re gathering in Peoria, south of Chicago. Other hunter families, too.”
“Chicago?” Lander tensed. “That’s too close for comfort.”
Ilona shook her head. “Chicago itself is quiet. Nathaniel’s contact in the pack there says they’ve hunkered down, but no unusual hunter activity in the city.”
“When was the last confirmed sighting?” Adam asked, his voice calm but eyes sharp.
“Those wannabes at the Over/Under last week,” Oren said with clear disdain. “But they weren’t real hunters. Just playing dress-up.”
“And true hunters?” Lander pressed.
“Not since the Rothenburgs retreated from PDC,” Oren replied. “Two weeks ago.”
“It’s like they vanished,” Ilona confirmed.
Adam’s fingers stopped tapping. “They could be planning something bigger.”
The room fell silent as everyone considered this possibility.
“The solstice is next Monday,” Gaspard said, looking up from his tablet. “We have one week for final preparations.”
“What are our vulnerabilities?” Adam asked.
“The solstice gives hunters every advantage,” Lander said. “Longest day. Maximum daylight hours. They know when to strike.”
