Praying for Daylight (21 page)
Read Praying for Daylight Online
Authors: J.C. Isabella
I picked up where he left off. “He is the son of Maxwell Price. A man you all knew to be a traitor and murderer.”
Vladislav met my gaze. “A man is not guilty because of the life his father led.”
I hadn’t meant to imply that Samuel was guilty because of his father, but I could see how Vladislav would take it that way.
Not many people were aware of the vampire king’s origin. He was the illegitimate child of Vlad the Impaler—AKA Dracula. His familial roots did not dictate who he had become, and with Dracula having been killed just after his birth, Vladislav had grown up without the influence of a monster to shape him.
That being said, once you saw past his outside appearance of leathery, tanned skin, white-blond hair, and sharp fangs revealed by the curl of his upper lip, the vampire king was pretty cool. He particularly liked bowling, every Wednesday night, disco style.
“Sir, I am aware of that, and I meant no disrespect.” I continued at his nod. “Maxwell was involved with the Resistance, some say second in command. When our men arrested Samuel last night, he claimed his name was Bane.”
Maxwell had called himself Bane. He’d slaughtered seventy innocents in one night, both magical and human. For Samuel to use his father’s name, knowing what it meant…
Davy drummed his fingers on the table. “Samuel has no trouble voicing how deep his hatred for the Council runs. He would see each of us dead.”
“We did execute his father for treason,” I said. “Samuel made it clear he wants retribution.”
“He must not value any kind of revenge if he allowed us to arrest him,” Vladislav said.
“I sat with Samuel,” said my father. “At length, I gathered that he has a message for us, and he is waiting for a specific time to deliver it.” The concern in his expression brought new worry. In all my life, I had never seen him look so forlorn. “The man is insane, make no mistake. But he is merely the messenger, and so very loyal. He will not betray his master’s confidence.”
The question I knew everyone wanted to ask was, who was his master?
Was it Craven?
“Which is why we must prepare to fight the Resistance and focus on preventative measures.” Vladislav pounded his fist on the table. The sound vibrated through the room, shaking the floor and walls. “Damn it. We’ve fought them successfully before, and we will not concede this time.”
“Yes,” Andrew growled.
“I move we keep this information from our people—for now.” My father met each set of eyes fiercely in the firelight. “It is a new world we are living in, gentlemen. One of cell phones and the Ethernet.”
I grinned. “Actually, it’s the Internet.”
“Right, and if the information spreads too quickly, or is misinterpreted, our people would panic.”
Andrew managed a smile. “I learned how to update my status last night. My youngest, Garret, showed me.”
Davy nodded. “Welcome to the twenty-first century. You’re gonna love it.”
My father rolled his eyes and glanced at me.
“I don’t think we’re at risk of anyone tweeting about a magical war,” I said. “But I agree. Keep it secret for now.”
“Then it is decided.” Vladislav stood. “The Council shall prepare for war.”
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