Page 21 of Dark Reckoning
The man straightened and I could tell by the look of agitation on his face that he didn't appreciate my response. Nor did I care. “Perhaps you misunderstood, My Liege. It is not a request. If you wish to avoid a war with my emperor, you will meet with him.”
“And he is where?”
“Just outside of Illinois, in his territory of Wisconsin.”
“And he expects me to come to him?”
“He expects that, yes.”
“My answer is no. If he wishes to see me, he will do so where I say. I'll meet him at the border of our states,” I said.
The ambassador didn't respond right away and I could tell he was in communications with his emperor telepathically. He cleared his throat. “He will come to you,” the vampire said.
“At the destination I stated?” I asked.
“No, Your Highness, here.”
“Here?” I cocked an eyebrow at that.
“Yes. For now, I will take my leave.”
I didn't bother to stop him. I wasn't too keen on having vampires from other emperors’ lines in my territory. I certainly didn't care to have an emperor coming to meet me on my own lands. I couldn't tell if this was going to be on amicable terms or not.
Nakago knocked on my door. I knew it was him, I could feel my child. Telepathically, I gave him permission and he entered, then shut the door behind him. “Is everything okay?” he asked me.
I sighed and rose from my chair, then walked over to the window to gaze down at the city below. It was nighttime, and the people were thriving, most having finished their workday. Vampires may not have gained any new powers, but we still maintained the ones we had. It would have to be enough.
“Sage and Adrian are on their way. Prepare a room for them, as I want them to stay overnight,” I said.
“Consider it done. What about Emperor Martin?” Nakago asked.
I turned to him. “He demands to see me. He insists on meeting with me here, in my own home—the arrogance! If he comes with a convoy, they will not be allowed within this sanctuary. If he thinks he'll be able to intimidate me in my own territory, he will be disappointed. Sage and Adrian should have the barrier put up by the time I'm to meet with him,” I said.
“About what you informed me of, I've told the others to lock down and alerted our strike teams to be on the lookout for those creatures. To kill them on sight,” Nakago said.
I raised my finger. “Hold on. Bring me one of them alive.”
“Consider it done.”
“I want to see it for myself, and who knows, maybe Sage and Adrian or the Council will want to see it, too,” I said.
“You're working with the Echelon Imperial?”
I shrugged. “According to Sage, he and Adrian had to join them today.”
Nakago's mouth dropped open and his eyes widened. “Holy shit... that... that makes them even more powerful, with influential ties. Do you know what this means?”
I nodded. “It means that I'm the only vampire emperor with not one, but two mages on the Echelon Imperial Council. When I meet with Emperor Martin, I want to make sure he knows just how mighty I am.”
Nakago nodded. “As for your brother, he is asking for you, he's worried.”
“Send him in then.”
“Yes,” Nakago said, then left my office.
A few minutes later, my brother entered and I walked over to him, kissing both sides of his cheeks. He was dressed in one of my outfits he had picked out himself from my wardrobe. He looked like my doppelganger and even though our scents and auras were different, I could tell it unnerved my vampires and some humans under me to see him. I'd survived five centuries without my twin, hell, even I was still getting used to having him back in my life. His long, blond hair was in a ponytail whereas mine was in a French braid. So beautiful and innocent to this world just like Louis.
“Have you learned much today?” I asked as I caressed his shoulders.
