Page 40 of Vampires & Bikers

“I know, I’m sorry things… got the way they did. I wanted to clear the air, I guess.”

I nod. “I always felt we weren’t exactly on the same side when it came to empire business.”

He nodded. “There’s that. I used to feel that your way was… too direct, too confrontational? I prefer diplomacy and peace.”

I took a sip of the wine. It was excellent.

“Do you remember the Halaila incident?”

It comes to me eventually, a rebellion on an island by a rogue tribe of vampires who refused to stop hunting humans for prey. I had eventually suggested we torch the island and get rid of all of them. The plan was approved and carried out.

“I knew people on Halaila,” Harris said quietly.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

It made sense now, why he was always pushing back.

“I tend to be over-protective when it comes to friends,” he added. “My own family was wiped out during the virus. All I have left is Michael and the kids. They mean the world to me,” he said.

“Of course,” I said, but I didn’t really understand where this conversation was going. Vlas had brought on Harris as an advisor shortly after he became king and he’d always seemed to be second-guessing me. We were usually at odds about decisions but this invitation seemed to be an olive branch of sorts.

I waited for Harris to get to the point and eventually, he did.

“I wasn’t responsible for the assassination attempt the other day,” he said, “but I know who was behind it.”

“The prince?”

He shot me a quick look. “Which prince…? No, it was Alexandra.”

I wasn’t expecting that. “What?”

“She had been to see the king and was on her way down. I was watching the CCTV footage and saw her leave. I have it for you, if you like.”

He had the footage saved on his mobile. He handed it to me. I could see myself talking to Prince Dano and then walking away, the shudder as the dart missed me and Alexandra coming out behind a wall draping and rushing off.

My mind was whirling.

“But, why?”

“I’ve been trying to figure it out. She is with the Hattari, plotting against us,” Harris said. “Simple. You are on your way to figuring out who killed Matteo and she wanted to remove you. Plus, she hates you.”

“Yes, well,” I said, dryly. “There is that but she didn’t kill Matteo.”

“Are you sure? She was at the same lodge, pretending to help our cause when we now know she never had any intention of backing us. She supports the shifters.”

I mulled this over and told him of the vision she’d shown me.

Harris nodded. “Those can’t be manipulated, you’re right but how do you explain it?”

“Maybe she is working with a vampire, someone who wants to get rid of the king. Take over.”

Harris put down his glass. His face grew grave.

“That is a possibility I really would not like to consider.”

“It may be the most viable one,” I said. “I mean, what is going on with the king? Would you tell me? He collapsed the last time I saw him?”

Harris put down his glass. “He is sick,” he finally admitted. “He was exposed to poison a few years back and we never totally managed to stop the spread. We always knew it would get to him, but he has entered the final stages. He is not expected to last much longer.”

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