Page 57 of You Will Obey

“You wouldn’t even spare a hundred vampires?” I asked.

“I don’t make a habit of making bad choices, my Liege,” Théoden said. “Sending a hundred vampires off to their deaths would have been foolish. Deacon’s pack has no abilities that would have been formidable against your attack like Josef’s. And my vampires were also vulnerable. I cut my losses, you could say.”

So, it was tactical and ambitious as he was one Machiavellian bastard. “Did you hope that I’d kill him?”

I could hear him release a soft sigh. “If you had, and I’d killed you, then it would have worked in my favor. Any remaining wolves, I’d have them pledge loyalty to me and Josef or die.”

I smirked, because he was cold blooded in his schemes. I actually respected him for that, Deacon too. As long as neither of them pointed that bullshit in my direction, I was cool with them. As for Théoden, he was so calculating, I wanted to see him in action in this fight, or at least get an account of it. “I see. Well, I can’t knock that reasoning. However, I will play devil’s advocate by pointing out the comparison.”

“I don’t understand, my Liege?”

“You didn’t want to send vampires to their inevitable death by fighting an enemy they had no chance of defeating. Yet, you ask Deacon to do the very same thing you felt was unwise,” I pointed out.

“You find me hypocritical, my King?” he asked and I could hear the humor in his tone.

“Don’t you?”

He sighed. “I will keep my word, my Liege.”

“From this day forward, you will. Ara apparently didn’t care how you got the job done, but you represent me now. I expect to see you be more honorable,” I said. I’d hold him to the same standard as I was going to hold myself.

“I will remove the brand once we survive this battle, my King,” Théoden said.

“Oh, no, you will not. I didn’t ask you to brand him, but you did, and without my permission. In doing so, you’ve given Deacon some of my essence, as my heartsblood is in your veins. You can sense Deacon now. Which means, I’m also making you responsible for him. If he’s challenged, I’m leaving it to you to take initiative to protect him if he needs it. Which means, your Sire will have to refrain from hurting him, or he’ll be crossing me. Also, now that Deacon has been branded, he and his pack are immune to dragon venom. That is the double edge sword of the brand or the gift, however you want to look at it,” I said. “Do you understand?”

“I do, my King” he said, not bothering to argue, which was wise on his part. No one told him to brand Deacon just because the wolf Alpha was giving him a taste of his own medicine. Actions had consequences.

“Also, you will be receiving a punishment of your own for branding a wolf. It’s something I’ve never allowed, as I don’t condone wolves being controlled. But seeing as this is Deacon, and as Alpha, it binds him to my army, so I’ll allow it. Still, you pissed me off by not asking for my permission. So, once this business with Alexander is behind us… Tylendel will deal with you. Am I clear?”

There was another pause and I could literally see the fumes of rage emanating off Théoden over the phone as this was probably an outcome he wasn’t expecting. But he made his bed… he could lie in it.

“Yes, my King,” he said finally, and that was good, because I didn’t want to have to ask again. That would have really annoyed me.

“Deacon will be sending wolves to New Haven, I assume?”

“Yes, my King,” Théoden replied and his tone was measured, which told me he was trying to keep his temper in check. He didn’t like showing his hand when dealing with others he couldn’t fully control. I got that much from him.

“Well, it would seem that Ara has acquired himself another wolf pack, and one with a very powerful ally. I wonder how happy he will be once he hears about it?” I asked.

“He is always pleased to gain powerful friends, my King,” Théoden said.

I smiled to myself. “Yes, I'm sure he is. Deacon’s wolves will be fighting alongside my dragons, who will also be guarding them. So, how fortunate for you to have so much help come to your aid in your time of need.”

“Very fortunate, my King.”

Damn, Théoden was one cunning son of a bitch, that was for sure. “I just called to tell you that. I’ll leave you to do your duties. Tylendel and Vex are on their way with two battalions, that should be more than enough,” I said.

“Thank you, my King. Very gracious of you,” he said, and there was no mockery in his tone.

“Stay alive, I don’t want to lose any of my Knights.”

“That is my plan, my King.”

“Good.” I ended the call and went back to looking over the weapons. I wasn’t expecting any vampires to take me on, but they might. I was young to supes by comparison. Younger than Deacon even. But any who did come to challenge me would soon learn that I was no easy target.

Chapter thirteen

Deacon

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