Cassandra Pierce by The Vampires of Anarchy

Author:The Vampires of Anarchy
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781622413843
Publisher: Siren Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2012-08-29T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

“Brother, you haven’t had any serfs for three hundred years or more,” Valdemar said, tugging Ladislas’s hand from Jude’s. Jude suspected his intervention was prompted by the look of outrage on Marius’s face. “Spare us your boasting. And leave our cousin to his birthright. You prefer to sample a fresh neck every night, as do I. Surely Marius isn’t planning to ban one-night stands next…are you?”

“Not at the moment,” Marius answered. “Provided, of course, everyone continues to obey the law.”

“There, you see?” Valdemar’s good spirits returned. He clapped his brother on the shoulder. “You would find the responsibility of caring for a blood servant a most loathsome burden.”

Ladislas rolled his silvery eyes in annoyance, but he was spared the need to answer when a short, round, and flamboyant vampire hurried across the room.

“Marius! How excellent to see you!” “He looked Jude over as though he were some sort of show animal or a piece of recently purchased art. And this is your new…ah…companion, I presume?”

Marius’s face tightened even more, but he made a visible effort to be cordial. “Jude Taylor, please meet another of my cousins, Baron Ivan von Arnyek.”

Ivan flashed Jude a distracted smile and went on talking to Marius. “Have you talked to Leonid? He hasn’t changed a bit since I last saw him, some seventy-five years ago.”

Valdemar grew interested. “Someone dug up Leonid? Gods, I thought we’d seen the last of him. Where has he been all this time?”

“Turns out he was trapped by an earthquake while exploring one of his ruined castles. Seems another one recently shook him loose.” Ivan pointed to an incredibly tall and handsome man in a tuxedo and wide purple sash, making the rounds with a haughty expression. “Traveling three days in a cargo hold hasn’t improved his disposition, I can tell you. The only thing that stopped him from complaining nonstop all during the voyage was the sun coming up. I was tempted to lock him out on the deck of the ship more than once.”

“I’m glad to see he survived his ordeal,” said Marius diplomatically. “I am pleased to welcome him to the island. In fact, I’m glad all of you could make it to my modest gathering.”

“I hope we don’t have hours of tedious business to discuss. Has anyone been naughty?” Ivan asked.

“Every night,” Ladislas said. His cold, fanged grin made Jude shudder. He winked and turned away while his brother offered Marius a hasty nod and hurried after him.

“I was a bit surprised to find Simon McAffrey running this place.” Another vampire, this one with a thick Scottish accent, joined them. “The last time I saw him, he was standing in the middle of Aberdeen with a gaggle of his scruffy friends and about to be hanged. I’m not surprised the noose didn’t do its job. Still, I’m glad he managed to make something of himself.”

Ivan stretched his fleshy neck and scanned the room. “Has he? I’m willing to take your word for it, Duncan, but you won’t mind if I go and see for myself.

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