the loafers, actually, although they are fabulous. I meant... for putting me on the no-buy list. I know Z talked to you."
Rehv smiled. "So you're getting clean, huh."
"I'm going to do my best to stop."
"Mmm." That amethyst stare narrowed. "I think you're going to make it, too. You've got that kind of resolve I've seen in the eyes of people who come into my office a lot, and then one night, for whatever reason, they decide never to come again. And that is that. It's good to see."
"Yeah. You're not going to catch me around here anymore."
Rehv's phone went off, and as he checked the caller, he frowned. "Hold up. You might be interested in this. It's the de facto head of the Princeps Council." As he picked up, the male's voice was part impatience, part boredom. "I'm doing all right. You? Yeah. Yeah. Terrible, yeah. No, I'm still in town, call me a stalwart."
Rehv leaned back in his chair and played with his envelope opener, the one that was shaped like a dagger. "Yup. Uh-huh. Right. Yeah, I know, the vacuum in leadership is - Excuse me?" Rehv let the opener fall onto the blotter. "What did you say? Oh, really. Well, what about Marissa? Ah. Indeed. And I'm not surprised..."
Phury had to wonder exactly what kind of bomb had just been dropped.
After a while, Rehv cleared his throat. Then a slow smile spread across his face. "Well, then, considering how you feel... I'd love to. Thank you." He hung up and his eyes lifted. "Guess who the new leahdyre of the Council is?"
Phury felt his mouth fall open. "You can't. How the hell can you - "
"Turns out I'm the oldest surviving member of my line, and there is a rule that females may not serve as leahdyre. As I'm the only male of the Council, guess who's coming to dinner." He eased back in his leather chair. "They need me."
"Holy... crap."
"Yeah, if you live long enough, you can get to see just about anything. Tell your boss it's going to be a pleasure doing business with him."
"I will. I absolutely will. And listen, thank you again for this. For everything." He went over to the door. "You need me, ever, just call."
Rehvenge dipped his head once. "I will, vampire. Sin-eaters always collect on favors."
Phury smiled a little. "The politically correct term is symphath."
As he left the office Rehv's low, slightly evil laughter rolled like thunder.
Phury materialized in front of the Brotherhood mansion and straightened his robe. In his desire to make a good impression, he felt like he didn't live under its roof anymore.
Which he supposed made sense: His head had had a change of address.
It felt awkward as hell to walk up to the house, go into the vestibule, and ring the video screen like a stranger would. Fritz seemed likewise surprised as he opened the door.
"Sire?"
"Could you let Wrath know I'm here and that I'd like to talk to him?"
"Of course." The doggen bowed and bounced quickly up the grand stairs.
While he waited, Phury looked around the foyer, thinking of how his brother Darius had built the place... how many years ago?
Wrath appeared at the top of the stairwell, and there was wariness on his face. "Hey."
"Hey." Phury lifted his hand. "Mind if I come up for a few?"
"Sure."
Phury ascended slowly. And the closer he got to his room, the more his skin tingled, because he couldn't help thinking of all the red smoke he'd done there. Part of him wanted some so badly he was nearly wheezing for a draw, and his head began to pound.
Wrath's tone was hard. "Listen, if you came here for your drugs - "
Phury held up his hand and in a hoarse voice said, "Nope. Can we do this in private."
"Fine."
When the study door was shut, he did his best to throw off the cravings and start talking. He wasn't completely sure what came out of his mouth. Primale. Cormia. Scribe Virgin. Future. Chosen. Brothers. Change.
Change.
Change.
When he finally ran out of gas, he realized Wrath hadn't said a thing.
"So that's where I'm at," Phury tacked on. "I've already addressed the Chosen and told them that I'm going to get us a place over here."
"And where's that going to be?"
"Rehv's great camp upstate."
"Really?"
"Yup. It's safe up there. Secure. Not too busy, not a lot of humans. I can protect the ones who come over here more easily. This whole thing, it's going to have to be gradual. A couple