His voice was cool and cultured, but there was something affected about it, as if he were trying to mask more humble beginnings.
In truth, Winter had never paid much attention to it. He’d been more concerned with Damon’s plans and schemes against his family. But there was no missing it now that he was seeing him stand next to Aiden.
His father was a sharp contrast with his alabaster skin and shoulder-length brown hair. His father had warm, golden eyes that reminded Winter of old coins. There was an inner light glowing from his eyes and a smooth patience in his tone.
There was no need to put on affectations. He might not know for sure, but he was confident Aiden was descended from royalty. It was in his regal bearing, cultured speech, and loving heart. It had to be true.
“Delacroix had a calm, reserved manner about him, but there was a fire and passion within him. There was no hiding it in his work. You can see it in the bold colors and the lush lines of his subjects.” Damon waved his hand at the painting, following the subject as she was preparing to have her throat cut by a soldier.
Aiden nodded. “Quite a talented artist.”
Damon smiled, but there was a calculated coldness to his eyes. “I knew we could agree on that. I’ve heard you have a keen eye for art.”
“I enjoy the visual arts, but my heart has always been turned more toward music.”
Damon hummed. “Julianna.” He paused, muscles ticking in his face before he said, “It was a shame to hear of her loss.”
“Yes, no one should be murdered in their own home,” Aiden said. There was only a hint of tightness in his voice, but otherwise he controlled his anger when Winter wanted nothing more than to rip Damon’s throat out with his fingers for even speaking of her. He might have his own personal troubles with Julianna, but she would not be disrespected or devalued by this shit stain.
“But that is the end we are all racing toward, isn’t it?” Damon countered. His face formed a look of concern, but Winter was not convinced. Something in his eyes, possibly, that spoke of other plans and emotions. “And it doesn’t need to be. We can find a common ground despite our disagreements and little squabbles over the past weeks.”
“My sons and I have kept to ourselves. We kept Julianna from other vampires and safeguarded the humans when necessary. We started no wars between clans. And yet, we have been targeted and harassed. Our blood has been spilled.”
Damon chuckled. “You can’t play the role of the victim here, Aiden, though I admire your nearly convincing attempt.”
Winter ground his teeth together to keep back any harsh words, and he did notice Aiden’s shoulders stiffen.
“The Black Wolf clan started a quarrel with us,” Aiden stated in a firm voice. “Minerva was determined to upset the order of our world. She was followed by the MacPherson clan and Nolan’s desire for power. Their attacks on my clan would not be tolerated, and they had to be stopped. However, neither I nor my sons have any aspirations for power.”
“And yet, you’ve been forming a number of alliances and steadily growing your ranks.” Damon scratched his jaw and lifted one mocking eyebrow at Aiden. “One might think you were preparing to overthrow the Ministry.”
“We are protecting ourselves and joining with other clans who grow weary of feeling threatened while the rulers who are supposed to be looking out for their interests do nothing.”
Damon hummed and nodded. “Oh yes, of course,” he said, not sounding as he believed it at all. “Though, I can hardly complain. Nolan was a controlling prick and would have been a nuisance eventually if it had not been for your sons. And then Minerva.” He shrugged. “She was just a crazy bitch that needed to be put down if she couldn’t be controlled. The idea that she could lead any kind of revolution for our kind was laughable.”
“Her only interests were the death and destruction of humanity, which leads ultimately to the death and destruction of our own kind.”
Damon nodded. “But it has all worked out in the end.”
Winter fought hard not to react to those words. They didn’t quite make sense, but they were enough to send a chill through his frame.
Aiden shifted from one foot to the other, his hands flexing a little at his sides. “I’m sorry but I don’t quite follow you.