“We thought –” Julian began but Lucien again interrupted.
“We’ve established that you didn’t.” On his last word, he leaned slightly toward his son and saw a muscle in Julian’s cheek twitch. “That vampire should be nowhere near Leah.”
“Father,” Isobel whispered, “it was my idea. Etienne wanted to take you off guard. He said it was because he knew you would not wish his visit so he didn’t want to forewarn you of it but I know it was so he could take you and your concubine by surprise. I decided if I didn’t agree to come with him, he’d do it himself. So I talked Jule and Magdalene into coming with us and Cressida is, well… Cressida so she’s here too. Now your mortal is protected. Even Cressida wouldn’t allow Etienne to harm your concubine if he should do the impossible and get past you.”
“There are a number of ways to harm Leah,” Lucien replied. “Many of which you can’t know. However, if you’d phoned and warned me of this visit, I could have explained them to you.”
Julian was openly curious. Isobel’s face went blank which meant she was equally curious.
Julian had the brute strength of his father and thus didn’t play his cards close to his vest. He could best practically anyone (save Lucien) and, if challenged, didn’t hesitate to do so. Lucien’s son was hot-headed and acted on his emotions therefore he was lucky he was a strong, capable, intuitive fighter.
Isobel, being petite, had to rely more on her cunning for most vampires were stronger than her and almost all were bigger. Her focus, craftiness and endurance were the most dangerous weapons in her arsenal and she used them well. Also like her father.
“You’ve already tamed her,” Julian guessed.
“Indeed,” Lucien replied.
“Oh my God,” Isobel breathed. “You’ve taken her as lover? Before The Council agreed?”
Lucien’s response was to lift his chin in the affirmative.
“Brilliant,” Julian muttered failing at fighting his grin.
Isobel’s body jerked to face her brother. “Jule! Are you nuts?”
“No,” he was still grinning but now it was directed at his sister. “There are a couple tasty mortal morsels I wouldn’t mind having. It’ll be nice to have that door opened.”
Isobel’s body jerked back to face her father. “Father!” she snapped. “Listen to him! This could mean –”
“I know what it means,” Lucien cut her off, “and I don’t give a f**k.”
“Can’t wait to meet this Leah,” Julian murmured, still grinning.
Isobel ignored her brother and spoke to her father. “I understand what you’re doing, why and you know you have my loyalty, no matter what,” she paused then repeated in a voice that vibrated, “No matter what, Father. But this is too fast. Vampires everywhere are having the same thoughts as you and Jule and we’re not prepared.”
“It took me ten minutes to talk The Council into considering my request, Bel,” Lucien replied quietly. “I’m sensing they understand that they may need to reconsider things not just for me and Leah but for all vampires.”
“Yes, perhaps,” Isobel allowed. “But this is going beyond you and your mortal and Rafe and her sister and even Julian wanting to get himself some. Orlando was seen at A Feast with his concubine and they were embracing. And Hermes selected his new concubine only a week ago and, just like you, he moved in with her the night of her Bloodletting.”
Lucien knew this as Avery had told him just that morning. He couldn’t say it was unwelcome news. Orlando was vicious in battle and Hermes equally coldblooded. Both, like Lucien, Cosmo and Stephanie, were roundly feared. It was surprising news that they’d acted so swiftly but it wasn’t disadvantageous. If it came to it, his army was clearly amassing and their ranks were such others would avoid challenging.
Isobel kept speaking. “So now it seems The Council’s hand is being forced. They don’t like that. They so much don’t like that, even if they were to find in your and your concubine’s favor, they’d find against it just to retain a vestige of control.”
Lucien’s jaw got hard before he said, “Leah.”
Isobel’s head twitched to the side before she asked, “What?”
“You call her my concubine, my mortal but her name, Bel, is Leah,” Lucien returned and Julian looked to his boots again but Lucien kept his eyes locked on his daughter.
Her face went hard before she replied, “I’m not like Etienne.”
“No, I know. I know your words are said out of concern for me. But that doesn’t change the fact that she is not my concubine, my mortal, she’s Leah,” Lucien replied.
He watched his daughter’s face pale. “But she is, Father. Regardless of the taming, of what you’re doing, she’s still your concubine.” She hesitated before asking, “Isn’t she?”
“She is. She’s also Leah,” Lucien stated.
“I don’t get it,” Julian put in.