Page 140 of Claim of Blood
“Yes.” Victoria nodded solemnly. “They seemed convinced they were part of something much larger. A coordinated effort to ‘expose the truth’ and ‘free humanity from the shadows.’ Religious fervor mixed with military precision often leads to mass slaughter.”
Adam leaned back in his chair, frustrated. “I don’t know what to do with this information. We have no idea where they’re actually heading or what they’re planning. How do you fight an enemy you can’t locate?”
“That’s why I came personally,” Victoria said. “This isn’t just another hunter skirmish. The scale, the coordination, the secrecy—something feels different. More dangerous.”
A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Lander entered, his tall frame filling the doorway.
“Excuse me,” he said, nodding respectfully to Victoria. “Asili has arrived from New Orleans.”
Victoria’s face immediately brightened. “Asili’s here? Wonderful!” She turned to Adam. “I was hoping he’d come. We’ve been coordinating some business ventures between our territories.”
Adam noticed how Lander’s posture seemed different, more confident, more at ease than he’d been even a week ago. There was something in the way he carried himself that spoke of internal changes. “Thank you, Lander,” Adam replied. “Please tell him we’ll be down shortly.”
As Lander turned to leave, Victoria’s gaze followed him with undisguised interest. Once the door closed, she raised an eyebrow at Adam.
“There’s something different about him, too,” she observed. “Something has changed since my last visit. He moves like someone who’s found his place.”
Adam kept his expression neutral, though he felt a familiar warmth spread through his chest at her words. The bond between him and Lander had been growing stronger, more complex. He could sense Lander’s presence throughout the mansion now, a steady pulse of loyalty and something deeper. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet first,” he said, deliberately changing the subject.
Victoria smiled knowingly. “Your hunter. Yes, please. I’m quite curious to see what kind of man could capture the heart of someone who’s remained unattached for millennia.”
Adam sent a message to Leo, who joined them minutes later. As he entered the room, Adam felt the now-familiar surge of pride and possessiveness. Leo had adapted remarkably well to Court life in just a few short weeks, maintaining his strength of character while learning the complex dance of vampire politics.
“Victoria, this is Leopold von Rothenburg. Leo, my daughter Victoria, Master of the New York Night Court.”
Leo bowed slightly, his hunter training clear in the controlled precision of the gesture. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
Victoria approached him directly—a contrast to Bai and Jian’s dismissive treatment the previous day. She circled Leo slowly, her assessment open and unabashed, taking in everything from his posture to the way he met her gaze without flinching.
“A Rothenburg,” she said finally, stopping in front of him. “Impressive lineage. One of the oldest hunter families in Europe. And you’ve abandoned them completely?”
Leo met her gaze steadily. “They abandoned me first.”
A slow smile spread across Victoria’s face. “Good answer. Direct, honest, no self-pity.” She turned to Adam. “I approve, Father. He has a spine.”
The tension in Leo’s shoulders visibly eased as Victoria extended her hand. “Welcome to the family, Leopold. Though I suspect you’ll find us far more complicated than any hunter clan.”
Leo shook her hand in relief. “I’m beginning to understand that.”
Victoria began asking him questions about his adjustment to Court life, her manner warm and engaged. She seemed particularly interested in his observations about vampire society from an outsider’s perspective.
“And what surprises you most?” she asked, settling into a chair with the fluid grace that marked all of Adam’s children.
Leo considered the question carefully. “The bureaucracy, honestly. I expected ancient monsters, not administrative meetings and protocol discussions.”
Victoria laughed, a genuine sound of delight. “Oh, I like him even more. Yes, immortality does require a great deal of paperwork. Adam, where did you find this treasure?”
“He found me,” Adam replied, watching the interaction with satisfaction. Victoria’s approval meant more than he’d realized it would.
“We should greet Asili,” Adam said after a few more minutes of conversation. “Leo, would you join us?”
“Of course,” Leo replied, though Adam noticed the slight tension that returned to his posture. Meeting each new Court member was still a test, each introduction a potential source of conflict.
The three of them made their way to the main hall, where Asili awaited with his Court, another precisely twelve members in the traditional configuration. Adam watched as Oren supervised their arrival from a careful distance, his body language rigid and formal.
Asili stood tall and dignified in the center of the hall, his dark skin contrasting with the crisp white linen suit he wore. Despite being in his maker’s territory, he carried himself with the quiet confidence of someone who had built his own power base and earned his place among vampire royalty. His people arranged themselves behind him in perfect formation—respectful but not subservient.
“Victoria!” Asili exclaimed, his face lighting up at the sight of her.
