Shades of Prejudice (Claudia Richelieu: The Chimera Agent Book 6) by Isabel Campbell & Michael Anderle

Author:Isabel Campbell & Michael Anderle [Campbell, Isabel & Anderle, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2025-03-18T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Claudia awoke the following morning feeling like her intestines were tied in a knot. She hoped to see Sabine at breakfast, but Albert reported that no one had come to the castle since their return the night before.

“She will come back,” Mark assured her over an array of sausages and poached eggs.

Claudia forced down enough food to keep her stomach quiet, then decided she needed to distract herself until Sabine returned. She went looking for Lucia. The head of House Stormhaven was not to be found in the castle, and after several inquiries, Claudia learned she’d headed out for hunting early that morning.

“I expect she’ll be back by luncheon. We’re making her favorite dish today, per her request.” The rosy-cheeked cook smiled.

Claudia wandered the gardens through a light, misting rain, then went inside after seeing Lucia and her hunting company return. By the time Lucia had changed and was ready to eat, the sky had cleared, and the patio was dry enough to dine on.

Lucia smiled as Claudia joined her. “I don’t often get girl time. I’m glad you have a moment to eat with me.”

Hearing someone with so much status and power using a phrase like “girl time” was odd. Claudia thought they would have been good friends if she lived here or Lucia lived in Haven. Lucia was far older, but Claudia liked her more than she had expected.

Over Lucia’s favorite Cullen skink, smoked salmon, and shortbread, Claudia gave her a quick rundown of recent events. She held back some details, saying nothing about the games, The Book of Blood, or that Sabine had gone to meet Vex. When she finished, Claudia asked, “Have you ever heard of someone named Anaximander Vexithor?”

Lucia sipped her tea, then lowered her cup. “I can’t say I have.”

Claudia explained that Vex was the current leader of the Nightshades. “The Shadow Banes said last night that they and the Nightshades take turns pulling strings among high-standing European vampires. Would you know anything about that?”

Lucia set her teacup on a side table. “I have long suspected many brokers, real estate owners and managers, bankers, and tech and medical industry heads are vampires from varying factions. I wouldn’t be surprised if many of those are Shadow Banes or Nightshades or work with them. I have no concrete information as of now, but I can put out feelers to my contacts and see what I can find.”

Claudia smiled. “Thank you. Your help has been invaluable, Lucia.”

The older vampire smiled. “Of course it has. You made a good choice coming to Stormhaven.” Claudia suspected Valeria had sent them here for more than a roof over their heads.

Lucia’s green eyes sparkled. “Tell me, Agent Richelieu, how did one of Haven’s only born vampires and the daughter of a prestigious house come to join the Chimeras?”

It was well known among Haven’s citizens that the people who signed up at Arcadia were often vampires looking for a second chance. Some were former criminals, or people turned without their knowledge or consent.

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