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the only clan in existence that had complete Council protection from
other clans. Some other families were not so lucky. Power struggles
between vampires often came at the pointed end of an assassin s
knife. Speaking of which&  So you think that my Germany is an
assassin?
 You ought to know by now that I rarely make accusations
without having at least a modicum of evidence to support my claim.
Edward sniffed. He handed the file across the table.  That is the
history of your demon as we know it. He was the prized pet assassin
of the demon Prince s father back in his day.
Santiago flipped open the file to find a portrait, obviously copied
from a larger one and printed on computer paper, staring back at him.
This Germany had a few differences from the one he knew but was
still recognizable. Long, black hair was braided back away from his
face. His skin was a few shades darker than it was in this incarnation,
and his lips were just a smidge fuller. He seemed bigger for some
106 Jana Downs
reason as well. The muscles in his arms especially seemed honed to a
far more deadly purpose. All of that could be overlooked as simply
his Germany from a different time except for the eyes. The eyes
stared at the painter. Strength and no small amount of cruelty
permeated the pitch-black gaze. He seemed utterly distant and
completely cold. This was not his Germany.
 This isn t Ger. This man is a killer, Santiago declared, closing
the file and refusing to look at any of the written accounts.
 That Germany was a part of a world far more deadly and cruel
than the current one he occupies. Our environments shape us. You
know that, Santiago, Edward corrected.  However, if you looked in
the rest of the files, it would show you he still goes back to his first
occupation from time to time. So, the question I must ask you is this.
Were you deceived and truly led to believe that he was here simply to
act as your assistant and lover during the duration of the stay to ensure
he could get close to someone at the Council? Or were you aware of
another purpose which would alleviate my concerns?
So this was the root of the problem.  I m no traitor, Santiago
said.  I was unaware of Germany s past, but rest assured that is not
his purpose here. He and his Prince want help building an army
against the current King of Demontia. Salvatore is the rightful heir
and from what I ve been told, Desmond is a cruel ruler.
Edward nodded.  So, he came along to garner Council support so
that he could approach other clans. Why not just send you?
 I was unconvinced until recently of the validity of their task, so
they sent Germany along on this trip with me. I was busy preparing
for these performances, and I had refused to talk to my progeny about
the possibility previously. Santiago was taking a gamble with being
so honest with Edward. There was nothing most vampires enjoyed
more than to find a way to play games in another person s troubles.
Older vampires especially were notorious for such things. Santiago
had personally never had the stomach for it. There was a reason he
hated dealing with the Council.
Ravyn s Dance 107
 Why? Edward pressed.
 I didn t want my family involved in any sort of conflict. I ve had
my fair share of war, and I ve been done with everything but art for a
long time.
 Then why the change of heart?
Santiago hesitated. Why had he changed his mind? The reason
dawned on him.  Because it s what Germany wants and he s
important to me. Too important since they d only spent one night
with one another. He was bloody well obsessed if truth be told.
Edward nodded, accepting his logic.  Now that I understand. I had
hoped it was something like that. I still will keep my eye on him, but I
see no reason to bring this to the attention of the Council. Do you?
Santiago shook his head. Edward smiled and took a sip of tea.
 Excellent. I m glad we had this chat. Santiago understood a
dismissal when he heard one.
 Thank you, Councilman. He scooted his chair back and stood.
He still felt the rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. It had
been a close call and a dangerous one.  What of Germany s request to
approach other clans? He only needed the approval of one Council
member to make it official.
Edward sipped, considering.  As far as I m concerned, you are
free to approach the other clans, but do it discreetly. I ll have a letter
of approval to your rooms at some point tonight dated back to the day
you arrived. Good luck, Santiago.
Santiago bowed gratefully.  Thank you, Edward. I will not forget
this favor. He couldn t wait to get back to Germany and tell him the
good news.
* * * *
 You re such a big fat liar.
Ger raised his head off the desk where he d been resting it next to
his journal as he wrote and looked up. Jeremy stood about a foot from
108 Jana Downs
him with a covered tray and the cutest all-black page s outfit Ger had
ever seen.
 What are you supposed to be? Ger couldn t resist poking fun of
the kid.  That tunic looks just so cute on you. Jeremy stomped his
soft, leather-clad foot.
 Knock it off, jerk. It s a medieval theme today, and Lillian made
me wear it. He shoved the tray in Ger s direction.  Here s supper, as
ordered by your vampire. He wrinkled his nose.  And you re such a
liar about not being his. You re totally his lover, aren t you?
Ger considered him.  What do you think? He put the tray on the
desk and pulled off the lid. His stomach growled loudly in approval. It
looked like some sort of baked lamb and asparagus.
 All the servants are talking about it, Jeremy snipped.
 Apparently, you were screwing loud enough to wake the dead.
Ger s eyes narrowed.  Watch your mouth, boy. You re not old
enough to talk like that. Jeremy rolled his eyes.
 According to you, I m not old enough for anything. The young
boy began stripping off the sheets of Santiago s bed. He threw them
into a pile on the floor.  You so did him.
Ger choked on the piece of meat he d just put into his mouth. He
went into a coughing fit so it took him a minute before he could
formulate a reply.  You little shit. What the hell are you doing?
 Collecting the sheets for the washing staff. Santiago has
forbidden everyone else from coming in here since you ve been
occupying his room. I m the only one. He said the last part proudly.
Ger felt his lips twist into a smile. He really was a cute kid. Jeremy
sighed dramatically.  Of course, catering to you is such a burden& 
Ger stood and walked over to help him collect the bedding.  I m
sure you have many other interesting things to do with yourself other
than coming to my room and harassing me. Like studying your
lessons or something. Jeremy turned and looked at him strangely.
 What? the Ravyn asked.
Ravyn s Dance 109
 I don t have studies. Councilman Lillian doesn t believe servants
should be educated. It makes them harder to handle. His voice had
gone oddly detached and completely emotionless. Ger frowned. He d
heard that note in other people s voices before, usually because they
had pain attached to a memory. It reminded him far too acutely of the
oppressed world he had left behind in Demontia. He couldn t imagine
being unable to use the written word. The simple act of writing had
been a comfort to him many times in the past, over the course of
several of his pasts actually.
 Do you want to learn? I don t have a lot of time to teach you, but
I can at least give you the English basics. He made the offer
recklessly. The Councilman Lillian did not seem the type that he [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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