Page 8 of Besieger
Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, their glow and sparkle reflected and replicated in the many gilded mirrors along the walls. A fireplace was already burning when they entered, its warmth blending with the lingering scent of tobacco and a woman’s perfume. The predominant theme of the room was blue and velvet, and vases of different sizes were arranged around corners and near the couches.
“Although yourfriendappears to have more practice than yourself.”
At the wordfriendSilvio bristled. He made a poor attempt to hide it by looking down at one of the nearest vases, pretending to study it. The floor under his feet was pale blue marble, it complemented the heavy velvet curtains beautifully.
“Dulior can mask her thoughts to a good extent, but the Countess has visited us many a time, and there is little of interest in prying her mind open,” Ingenuar sat on a couch and crossedhis legs. “There is nothing to be ashamed of, especially for one such as yourself. This is the first time you are in a vampire coven, isn’t it? You have spent your years surrounded only by mortals and your relations,” H? paused, reflecting. “And what a curious family you are. Dulior never mentioned you had a brother.”
“I do not,” Silvio continued to inspect his surroundings. It had started to snow outside. Some of the snowflakes caught at the glass of the tall windows before melting, quickly replaced by new ones. The snow slowly piled against the shutters. “I made him.”
“Ah…”
Silvio waited for the All Father to comment further but he remained silent. There were plenty of couches and armchairs in the room, it did not appear to matter which one Silvio chose, so he remained standing with his hands clasped behind his back.
As Count di Flaviari he had partaken in a number of court intrigues and watched men and women vie for the favour of a marquis or baron. Only to be cast aside for someone else, younger and bolder. Silvio did not have a human’s cunning, let alone ambition for power, but this trip had given him a taste of freedom that intoxicated him beyond his limits. He wanted to keep tapping into the Coven’s vein and drink his full, but he needed to understand them first.
“Why have you summoned me, Ingenuar?” Silvio asked. It was absurd to feign ignorance when the creature in front of him could peel his mind layer by layer without him even knowing, powerless to prevent it.
“Surely my letter was blunt enough?” Ingenuar raised his eyebrows, and the movement of the skin—how it changed his features—was so human. His human age clearly reflected on his eternal body. “I am offering you the position of Regent in Europe. I have appointed mistresses in the East, and now I need a master to guide my children in the West. Someone who can help me navigate the current clash of empires. You will not be alone, of course. You are encouraged to choose a consort.”
“Do they need to be of my bloodline?” Silvio asked, remembering how Scarlett mentioned Ingenuar had created her.
“Not necessarily. It can be anyone, whomever you wish. But keep in mind that they will have the same authority as yourself, both here and in the smaller covens.”
“Can they surpass me and become Regent?”
“Yes,” Ingenuar smiled. His eyes drank Silvio in, the conversation visibly delighting him.
Something told Silvio that the All Father was studying him in the same way a mortal would, taking in all of him, by simply observing and making note of the little details: the way Silvio was standing; how stiff his body was; how eager the expressions crossing his face before he had time to conceal them; how hungry he was to ask questions and to learn more, but holding back, purposefully restraining himself from closing the distance between them. The mask he had put on tonight was beginning to slip.
“Then, if something happens to you, lady Scarlett…?” Silvio let the words hang in the air. He did not dare voice them further.
Can the Father of vampires die? If he walked into the sun, would he turn into dust and bone, or would he continue walking, basking in its warmth? Could the All Father cease to exist—and with him, all of us—like a single entity overflowing with blood?
“You will not die if I die,” Ingenuar laughed, he rested his hand on the armrest and brushed his fingers against the wooden carvings. It was pointless for Silvio to try and conceal his thoughts. It equally frustrated and excited him to be this vulnerable. “My death would result in nothing. To answer your initial question: no, I do not think Scarlett will take my place. She should, as is her right but…” he sighed and ran his tongue over his fangs, a frown distorted his features before he quickly replaced it with a mild smile. “I do not think the Council will allow it. The Coven is not interested in who is the Regent of France or Turkey, be it the vampire I have appointed, their consort or a usurper—it is irrelevant. What matters to the Coven is the vampire who rules over all.”
“What about the territory? Will I govern only France?”
“France and everything under her dominion,” Ingenuar nodded.
“And do all the French vampires have to live together?” Silvio asked, eager to know if the regency would grant him a household of his own choosing; one under his complete control.
“If you wish, and if you can achieve it. Vampires value their solitude. We come and go, like cats,” Ingenuar chuckled. “You can call them to court or demand tribute of new fledglings. Anything you wish as long as it avoids bloodshed and keeps the mortals unaware of our kind.”
And yet this whole place is crawling with mortal servants, Silvio thought. He recalled how the humans behaved, a plethora of emotions—fear, curiosity, desire—danced behind their eyes. How quick they were to answer to the snapping of undead fingers, eager to refill a glass.
“What of you, Ingenuar? What wouldyouneed of me?”
“At first, nothing really. Loyalty, and when need be, your company. You are free to visit the Coven as you like. The same applies for your mother and your consort, of course.”
“The other Regents—why are they not here?”
Silvio was faintly aware of how his questions were raining down, more bold and eager. Without noticing it, he had taken a few steps and was standing next to Ingenuar, looking down at him.
“They have been made aware of your ascent. You may visit them if you wish, I will send letters of introduction to the Ottoman Empire. I am sure theBasilissawill be curious to meet you. As for theSultana… you can try. She is the stubborn one,” Ingenuar paused, wetting his lips with his tongue. He appeared to be thinking, clicking his tongue when he was ready to speak. “Besides Emerick, have you made others?”
“No.”
“And him?”
