Part 17 (1/2)

”No.”

It was frustrating that he was being so d.a.m.ned coy. But he never did a thing without a reason so she just had to figure it out.

”She's from h.e.l.lenistic Greece, so she's about what, five or six hundred years younger than you are?”

”She became a Vampire in 160 BC.”

And Rowan knew Theo was born roughly around 800 BC.

”She has some sort of magical knowledge.”

He shrugged just barely. Enough that she knew she was on the right track.

”Victoriana is obviously part of Enyo's cadre.” A cadre was a group of Vampires who had a loose affiliation. Usually based on geography or perhaps who their Maker was or what their core beliefs were.

”I'm given to understand that, yes.”

”What's Marcilius's story? Is he just blinded by love or what?”

”Tut-tut, Petal. I can't give you all our secrets. We are on opposite sides of the table, after all. I am entrusted with millennia's worth of secrets and stories. I want you to succeed. I want you to be safe. But I cannot-and will not-reveal everything to you simply because you are curious. The Hunters have archives. I suggest you make use of them. You can't afford to be lazy.”

Yes, but there was only so much time she had left before the vote, d.a.m.n it. But she knew when to back off and so she did.

”One more question. This one from Rowan to Tages.”

”I indulge you far too much.” But he spoiled it with a small smile. ”Go on then.”

”You and Enyo? I mean, you know.” She waggled her brows at him.

He chuckled and the sound flowed over her like a caress. ”Back when we were a lot younger, she was...singular. She still is. But dangerous. Too dangerous to be around for very long.” He finished his tea. ”And since you asked about my love life, I ask about yours. Things are good between you and my Scion?”

She took a deep breath. ”Yes. Mostly. He's a Vampire, so he's arrogant and bossy and c.o.c.ky.”

”But he nearly got into a fight over your honor in a meeting here. He has publicly claimed you. I like that. He's strong enough to keep your interest, and you're strong enough to not get run over. And I'm powerful enough to end him should he ever harm you. It's a good situation for a father to be in.”

She choked as she tried not to laugh and finally gave in. She had no idea Clive had thrown down for her. Clearly she needed to get the full story from Clive when she had him alone. ”I'm going to tell him he came up in our conversation. Just to keep him on his toes.”

Theo took the teacup she'd just refilled for him. ”I expect nothing less, Petal. Try not to put me in a place where I'll have to be angry with you or have to lodge a complaint over killing one of my people. All right?”

She shrugged. ”I have a very strong feeling I will not be leaving here without some blood on my hands. You have my word any kill I make will be justified. But I cannot promise you that I won't have to execute a Vampire.”

On her way out an hour or so later, he stopped her with a kiss to her forehead. ”I want you to remember that in the time when I was young, the world was full of magic,” he murmured as the doors opened to let her leave.

So, yes, Enyo was the source of this magic bulls.h.i.+t. Great.

Chapter Sixteen.

Rowan and Celesse met with their a.s.sistants and the remaining members of the Hunter Corp. team. ”I can accept this wording.”

Rowan nodded at Celesse. ”Yes. I wish for more, but we could get nothing at all and the problem will remain. If we can get this voted on at the session after dinner, we can get out of here tomorrow and get this presented to the Full Partners the following day.”

”Anxious to get home to Las Vegas, are we?” Celesse smirked.

”I'm done with politics for a while after this. Still feeling all right after waking up?” Though the bundles seemed to have protected sleep, she wasn't sure how they'd work once people had woken up.

”Best night of sleep I've had since we arrived, and I'm feeling refreshed. Please do thank the kitchen staff for me. I've spoken to the rest of the HC staff and everyone feels better today.”

”The Vampires I've spoken with so far also report deep, uninterrupted rest. I also called the Motherhouse in London and advised them to take a look at Roth and Valerie to see how they are. If this was some sort of magical interference, they'll need a cleanse of some sort. I hope it involves enemas.”

Celesse laughed and then glared at Rowan. ”If it was magic, Roth's going to claim he wasn't responsible for the physical a.s.saults on you.”

Rowan sighed. ”Yes, and he'd be right. Probably. He still needed to be ejected, and Valerie still needs to be fired as she was a twit before she arrived. But if we can prove this was magical interference, I'd be a jerk to hold Roth responsible for something out of his control.”

”I doubt he'd be as understanding in your place.”

Rowan shrugged. ”Most likely. But I'm not a petty, power-hungry a.s.shole. All I can be is Rowan Summerwaite. So. Anyway, there was some big fight about it at the Motherhouse and now things have calmed because of my call. I can't bring the Hunter Corp. down because I don't like Roth Wesslyian. I mean, if I ever get a chance to punch him again? I totally would. But I can fight my own battles without burning s.h.i.+t down at Hunter Corp.”

”d.a.m.n it, Rowan. You've grown into a woman worth admiring. I haven't always been convinced you were ready for a full Partners.h.i.+p and you go and prove me wrong.” Celesse stood. ”Shall we go to dinner and get this over at last?”

”Yes, G.o.ddess, let's.”

Only, when they got out to the hallway, Roth Wesslyian stood with Rex Espy. Rowan tried not to goggle at them both. Honest to G.o.ddess, how was she supposed to get her job done with all this interference and political side talking?

”I wish I could say this was a happy moment. I'm always happy to see you, Rex, but this is not the time for nonsense. We've had enough.”

Rex held his hands up in entreaty. ”Understood. Roth wanted to come here in person to apologize for his behavior, and as we did find magical tampering with his state of mind, I thought it would be wise if I allowed it, but escorted him. Should we encounter any problems.”

”You must have run for the airfield like five minutes after I hung up the phone with the Motherhouse. He could have apologized when I returned to the Motherhouse in a few days.”

”Don't be angry with him. I wanted to do this right away.” Roth's tone bordered on civil but didn't quite make it.

”I'm not angry with him. I'm frustrated with this silly, petty nonsense. In case it's escaped your notice, this is a highly important meeting, and you've done nothing but be a distraction.”

Rex's face told her this was beyond his control, but that he would have no problem taking Roth out if he pulled any s.h.i.+t.

”I'm a Full Partner and I felt it necessary to come here.”

”You seem to have problems with your self-control. This is not a matter of what you want.” She s.h.i.+fted her attention to Rex. ”I am not convinced of the wisdom of this move. Mr. Wesslyian lost his s.h.i.+t in front of the most prestigious members of the Vampire Nation last night. Interference or not, they're not going to trust him-or me, for that matter-with this sudden reappearance. Which seems so very fortuitous for a man we all know doesn't want the amendment to pa.s.s.”

”I am opposed to this amendment, Rowan, but I do not a.s.sault people I disagree with. I apologize for that.”

She shook her head as she looked to Rex. ”I'm not all right with this.”

Celesse s.h.i.+fted with a sigh. ”Admittedly, I, too, am troubled by Roth's appearance. We have business to attend to, and this is not what we need right now.”