Page 141 of Claim of Blood
“Asili!” Victoria broke protocol to embrace him warmly, her formal demeanor dissolving into genuine affection. “It’s been too long since New Orleans.”
“Three years,” Asili agreed, returning her embrace with equal warmth. “The French Quarter misses your particular brand of chaos. The jazz clubs are still talking about your last visit.”
Victoria laughed, the sound echoing in the entrance hall. “You mean when I convinced that blues singer to perform at midnight in Jackson Square?”
“The one who thought he was serenading a beautiful woman, not a vampire?” Asili’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “He still asks about you when I pass by his club.”
Adam watched this easy familiarity with interest. The friendship between Victoria and Asili had developed over decades of mutual support—two rulers who had carved out territories in human-dominated cities and understood the unique challenges that brought.
Adam stepped forward. “Welcome to PDC, Asili. Thank you for coming.”
Asili clasped Adam’s offered hand firmly, his grip conveying both respect and equality. “The honor is mine, First. Your solstice gatherings are legendary.” His gaze shifted to Leo, curious but not unkind. “And this must be the hunter who’s caused such a stir across the Courts.”
“Leopold von Rothenburg,” Leo introduced himself, extending his hand without hesitation.
“A pleasure,” Asili said, inclining his head slightly as he shook Leo’s hand. “I’ve heard much about you. The supernatural community doesn’t often see hunters choosing our side.”
Leo’s expression remained steady. “I chose what felt right.”
“The best decisions usually do,” Asili replied approvingly.
From across the hall, Adam noticed Oren approaching with obvious reluctance. The security chief’s face was a careful mask of neutrality, but Adam could read the tension in every line of his body. Centuries of history walked in the space between maker and made child, and whatever had fractured their relationship cast a shadow over every interaction.
“Some things never change, do they?” Asili said quietly, though his voice carried enough for Oren to hear.
Oren’s shoulders stiffened as he drew closer, his professional demeanor intact but strained. “Asili,” he acknowledged with a formal politeness that felt painful in its distance.
“Oren,” Asili replied, his voice gentler than his maker’s. “Your arrangements are excellent, as always. My people are impressed with the security measures.”
“Thank you.” Oren’s response was clipped, professional. “Your rooms are prepared in the east wing, away from the main gatherings, as requested.”
Adam frowned slightly. He hadn’t known Asili had requested isolation from the other Courts.
“That’s considerate,” Asili said, though something flickered in his expression. “Perhaps we might find time to speak privately. For both our sakes, not just mine.”
Oren’s jaw tightened, the careful mask slipping just enough to show the old pain beneath. “I’ll see if there’s time,” he said, the words coming out flat and formal. “If you’ll excuse me, I have other arrivals to coordinate.”
Victoria sighed as Oren walked away, his posture rigid with suppressed emotion. “Some things truly never change. Centuries it’s been, and still this distance between you two.”
Asili watched his maker’s retreating form with an expression of profound sadness. “Some wounds take time to heal.”
“More time than even we have, apparently,” Victoria muttered, shaking her head. “What happened between you? Adam’s never said, and you both avoid the subject like it’s cursed.”
Asili was quiet for a long moment, his usual warmth dimmed. “Some things are better left buried. The past should remain there.”
But Adam caught the way Asili’s eyes followed Oren’s path through the hall, the longing carefully hidden behind centuries of practice. Whatever had broken their bond, it clearly hadn’t diminished on Asili’s side.
“Gaspard will show your people to their rooms,” Adam said, sensing the need to redirect the conversation. “Perhaps you’dlike to join Victoria, Leo, and me for a drink afterward? We were just discussing the hunter situation.”
“I would be honored,” Asili replied, his composure returning. “And thank you for including me, Leopold. It’s rare for hunters to be welcomed into our councils.”
As Gaspard appeared to escort Asili’s people to their accommodations, Adam noticed how the other Courts’ security personnel watched the new arrivals. Bai’s people maintained their professional distance, but there was a subtle shift in their positioning—recognition of another major power entering the territory.
“He’s well-respected,” Victoria observed quietly as they watched Asili’s Court file past. “Even among the traditionalists who usually distrust American Courts.”
“He’s earned it,” Adam replied. “Building a power base in New Orleans, especially after Haiti, required considerable skill.”
Leo looked between them. “Haiti?”
