How have things worked out?”
“I know the Variks have no faith in the Ministry. For the most part, the idea that a bloated bureaucracy could accomplish anything was ridiculous. We’re vampires. We’re not made to settle our disputes in a court setting. We fight it out and the victor claims the spoils. It’s more natural. We need a strong leader.”
“So you cleaned it out,” Aiden said softly.
Damon smiled smugly as he strolled over to a large painting entitled Medea About to Kill Her Children. The pale woman looked as if she’d dragged her two struggling children off to a darkened grotto, a dagger clutched in one fist. Damon grinned broadly at the painting as if he approved of the horrible creature’s desperate act.
“I thought it was all quite artfully accomplished. Some of it took a little nudging and a few whispers, while others I just ordered to get the task done. In the end, I didn’t even need to kill them all,” he admitted. He chuckled as he looked over at Aiden, his gaze hardening. “I am the strong leader the vampires need to pull us into a cohesive people. They will follow me.”
“Or they will die,” Aiden finished.
“Yes, but it’s what’s best for everyone.”
Aiden looked forward at the painting, a frown digging deep lines into his face. “It’s an interesting proposal. Where does that leave the Variks?”
Damon made a noise of agreement in the back of his throat as he stroked his chin with index finger and thumb. “Quite the conundrum, isn’t it? I could have you and your clan slaughtered as the rebellious faction you are. I would imagine killing you and your sons would be enough to bring the Montgomery clan in line,” he mused. He waved his hand a little in the air as if mentally debating that option. “Or…I could leave you alive as an emissary of sorts for me. You would continue to oversee the Montgomery clan as well as all those other little disgruntled groups since they seem to like you so much. You would hand down my orders and see that they are followed.”
Winter struggled to keep his expression blank at such a proposal. Working for Damon would be hideous, but it would buy them some more time to spy and plan. They could come up with a safer way to take out Damon and all his little minions.
“Naturally, you’re shocked by my generosity,” Damon continued with a wide grin. “But keep in mind that I would need assurances that you and your sons would behave themselves and follow my orders.”
“And what reassurance can I offer that would assuage your worries?” Aiden asked carefully.
For the first time since they’d entered the Delacroix room, Damon turned and looked directly at Winter. The blood in his veins froze and his mouth went dry. He could so easily guess what Damon wanted.
“I want him,” Damon announced.
“I beg your pardon,” Aiden gasped.
“I want your son, Winter. I want the personal executioner of the Varik clan. The spy. The only vampire whose name causes a ripple of fear through all of our kind. I want him.”
Aiden was already shaking his head, but Damon held up one hand to stop any words that were about to fall from Aiden’s lips.
“I won’t harm a hair on his head unless I must. I only wish for him to officially leave the Variks and join my clan. He would work for me. Be my spy and my executioner. And as long as you and your other sons abide by my wishes, he will continue to live and serve me.” Lowering his hand, Damon gave a small nod of his head. “You may take a couple of moments to think about my kind offer.”
Lacing his fingers together behind his back, Aiden turned from Damon and slowly strolled across the room, seeming to take in the other Delacroix paintings. Winter joined him in his walk, knowing they couldn’t speak since Damon would hear everything.
As Winter saw it, they had two clear options. Winter could grab Aiden and part the veil between worlds. Once invisible, they could escape and prepare for war.
The other option was that Aiden take Damon up on his offer. Winter joined Damon’s clan, giving up both his family and Fox, in order to keep them all safe. While a miserable existence, it would hopefully give him the chance to be close to Damon and eventually kill the vampire.
Winter stood silently beside Aiden, his heart racing but he was also strangely