Page 24 of Heart of Iron
The duchess spoke up.“There’s talk that the French are in discussions with the Illuminist fanatics from New Catalan.It’s an uneasy concept, to say the least.”
Verwulfen were a blue blood’s natural enemy, the only creature dangerous enough to kill a blue blood and do it easily.But in the eyes of the Illumination, any supernatural creature was an abomination that needed to be eliminated.The tales of New Catalan’s Inquisition was enough to make even the bravest shudder.
“And how am I to help?”Will asked.
“We’re not the only country with an interest in the proceedings across the Channel,” Barrons replied.“If the Illumination gains a foothold in France, they’ll have access to the northern waters, plus all France’s airships.We’re considering an alliance with the Scandinavians to prevent that.We have ships—the dreadnoughts—and the Scandinavians have their dragon-ships and air fleet.”
Bloodyhell.A husky bark of laughter erupted from his throat.“You think the Scandinavian clans would ally withyou?The Butchers of Culloden?Let’s not forget what’s been done since.All them verwulfen trapped in cages and bought and sold like fuckin’ slaves.”
Blade caught his arm as he took a half step forward.A caution.Will shook it off, trying to focus through the red-hot flare of rage.The beat of it thundered in his blood, echoing dully in his ears.
“Culloden was a long time ago,” the prince consort replied coolly.His guards had stepped forward as if fearing an attack, but he settled into a chair and flicked a piece of lint from his sleeve.
“It weren’t that long ago to some of us.”
“Culloden was a mistake.”The words came from behind, from Barrons.All heads turned in his direction and he shrugged, as if admitting a truth they were too embarrassed to claim.“You cannot slaughter an entire race without consequences.Wiping out the Scottish verwulfen clans was only ever going to incite anger.But it was done by our forefathers and there is nothing we can do about it, Will.”
“And the Manchester Pits?Where they throw us in with wild dogs and bears to bait?Or pit us against each other for blood sport?”
“They are private enterprises,” the prince consort replied, his fingers slowly drumming on the armrest.“Most of them owned by humans, actually.”
Which meant he didn’t give a damn.Will knew what it was like to be trapped behind bars, or cut open for the pleasure of a crowd.And yet there was nothing to be done… Verwulfen were outlawed in Britain and capturing them and using them as slaves was not only legal, but encouraged.
Staring at the prince consort with his pale bloodless face, Will could barely control the surge of anger that boiled in his gut.“What do the Scandinavian clans think o’ your policies?”
The prince consort’s fingers stopped tapping.“Do you know what they do to blue bloods in Scandinavia?”A tight little smile eased over his mouth.“As I am willing to overlook certain things for the greater good, so are they.This threat from the Continent is of far greater concern than a few individuals.”
Will shot a look of pure hatred toward the man.“Then I ain’t inclined to be obligin’.You’ll have to use someone else.”
Turning on his heel, the heat of fury burning in his cheeks, he jerked his head toward Blade.As far as he was concerned, this audience was over.
“Not even for ten thousand pounds?”The prince consort barely raised his voice, but Will heard it.
He laughed darkly.The Echelon.Thinking they could buy a man for his weight in gold.
He had one hand on the door handle when Barrons spoke up.“What if the terms were ones that interested you?”
“You can’t buy me.Not even you, Barrons.”
“What if the price was a change in the law?”
Will froze, hand on the doorknob.
As if encouraged, Barrons stepped closer, his boots sinking into the plush carpets.“If you help us sign this treaty with Scandinavia, then we would be willing to make certain changes to the law.No more cages or headhunters, Will.We would outlaw pit-fighting if you wished it.”
His breath caught in his chest, and he turned on his heel.The five blue bloods stared at him without expression.The sight gave him the impression that this had been the trap all along.“Why do you need me so much?Sounds like you’ve almost got it signed.”
“There are opposing factions in each camp,” Barrons replied with a grimace.“The Norwegian clans are furiously adamant that they don’t need us, and there are one or two Council members of our own who oppose this.”
Will took another look around.Not only councilors who’d voted for Blade to live then, but the ones who wanted this treaty to succeed.“And I’m to woo the Norwegian clans?”
“They’re old-fashioned,” the prince consort replied.“And crude.But they’re also a loud voice in the Riksdag.We would like to show that our two species can live amicably.”His smile widened.“And you are a perfect representative.You would appeal to them immensely.”
“I think ’e just called you crude,” Blade muttered.
Will ignored him.“If I can win the Norwegian clans over and see the treaty signed, then you’ll revoke the law that outlaws verwulfen?”
The prince consort nodded.
