Page 12 of Blood Currents
“Our son will be arriving soon,” Father said, and I heard something in his voice—a warning?“Perhaps we should conclude—”
“Actually,” the stranger interrupted, “I’m quite curious about the young heir.His cooperation will be… significant.Might I meet him briefly?”
“He shouldn’t arrive for another—” Mother began.
Perfect timing.I rounded the corner, arranging my features into mild surprise.“Mother?Father?”
The study door was already open, a figure in a dark suit emerging.My parents’ expressions—quickly controlled but not fast enough—showed they hadn’t wanted this meeting to happen.
In the mirror, I saw myself clearly.My parents behind me.
But where the stranger should have reflected was only empty space.
Vampire.
Echo hissed low in my ear, her chameleon body flattening against my neck like she wanted to disappear.Even her scales knew better than to shine.
Everything in me wanted to recoil.This creature represented everything we were supposed to fight against.But more than that—this was collaboration at the highest level.My parents weren’t just playing politics.They were actively working with our enemies.
What would Marigold think?The thought came unbidden, and I pushed it down.I couldn’t afford to think about her while I played these games.
“Ah,” the vampire said, and those ancient eyes studied me with predatory interest.“The young Lightford heir.How… promising.”
I let confusion color my features—the perfect amount for a son who’d walked into something unexpected but was too well-trained to show improper surprise.I’d trained in politics with the best, after all.
“I apologize for the interruption,” I said, giving a bow that suggested uncertainty about the proper protocol.Let them think me off-balance.
“Mr.Hanchett,” Father said, recovering smoothly but with an edge that suggested this wasn’t going according to plan.“A consultant on… educational methodologies.Elio, Mr.Hanchett was just leaving.”
“A pleasure,” I said, allowing youthful curiosity to show.“Educational methodologies sounds fascinating.Are you connected with the academy?”
My mother’s fingers tightened on her wine glass.They really hadn’t wanted me to meet him.
“In a manner of speaking,” Hanchett replied, those inhuman eyes never leaving mine.“I specialize in… developing potential.Perhaps we’ll have an opportunity to discuss it further at next week’s dinner.”
“Next week…” I began but then caught myself, looking at my parents with perfectly calibrated confusion.
“A family dinner,” Mother said smoothly.“We were about to discuss it with you.”
“I look forward to it,” Hanchett said, moving past me toward the exit.The scent of old blood and older magic followed him.“Your family’s continued ascension depends so much on… unified support from the younger generation.”
They hadn’t wanted me to meet him… yet they’d invited him to dinner.They were setting something else up.My thoughts whirled, my stomach along with them, and I was suddenly grateful I hadn’t eaten since lunch.
At the threshold, the vampire paused.“Do give my regards to your schoolmates.Education is so important at your age.The foundation for everything that comes after.”
Then he was gone, leaving silence thick with unspoken tensions.
“Elio,” Father said, his voice carrying barely controlled irritation.“You’re early.”
“I apologize,” I said, letting appropriate contrition show.“I just got your message.I didn’t mean to interrupt your meeting.”
“No matter,” Mother said, though her tone suggested otherwise.“Come.We have much to discuss.”
The three of us settled into our usual places in the study.Along the wall hung the portraits of all of our ancestors, those councilors and heirs before me.I wondered what they thought of this current collaboration as I took my usual armchair.
Echo climbed down and slid underneath the chair.We’d been playing this game long enough.She knew she was too honest for this conversation.
“Mr.Hanchett,” I began carefully.“Is he—”
