Wild Country (The World of the Others #2)- Anne Bishop Page 0,156

at each other, then at him.

“What do you think, Mr. Sanguinati?” Jowly Man asked. “We could sweeten the pot a bit. Help fund your next mayoral campaign and make sure you get reelected, if you get my meaning.”

“There is no need for whatever you mean since there are no elections,” Tolya replied. “I am the leader of this town.”

“What if someone doesn’t agree with your policies and wants a chance to run things?” Skinny Man asked.

“Then there would be a fight for dominance.” He smiled, showing a hint of fang to remind them that they weren’t dealing with another human. “But it is unlikely that there would be such a fight. The Sanguinati are here at my invitation and are in charge of the businesses that are of most interest to each of them.”

“So the Sanguinati are in charge of … ?” Parlan Blackstone asked.

“The bank, the train station, the post office, the hotel, and”—Tolya raised a hand to indicate the conference room and the rest of the building—“the government.”

“And the sheriff?”

“Wolfgard. He prefers biting humans to talking to them, which makes him excellent at enforcing the town’s laws.” Tolya leaned back in his chair. “Gentlemen, it’s clear you’re under some misunderstanding about how permission is granted to reopen a business or start up a new endeavor. Simply, in order to run a business here, you must live here. You must work in the business you have chosen. Everyone here has a purpose. No one is idle. If you have mates and older offspring, they will be expected to work in their trained professions, or, if those professions are already fully staffed, we will find another kind of work for them that matches their skills in some way. As part of the resettlement package, you are given the business property and its current assets as well as a house, which you can choose from any that are within the town’s new boundaries and are not presently occupied. You will sign a contract and agree to reside in Bennett for five years—assuming you do not break any serious laws and end up being killed or eaten. If you must leave to attend to other businesses in other cities, you will inform my office of your destination and when you expect to return. Your family does not go with you unless you are leaving Bennett for good. If you do not return by the expected date, your claim to the business and residence are forfeit and you will not be allowed to return.”

Tolya watched the men turn pale or sweat. Only Parlan Blackstone looked calm and mildly interested.

“This isn’t a human-controlled town,” he said with a softness that made them all flinch—even Blackstone. “This is a mixed community ruled by the terra indigene. The predators you can see are the most genial of the ones who will keep watch over what you do. But even we will kill you without hesitation if we consider you a threat to the town or its other residents.” He waited a beat. “Would you like to talk it over and give me your answer tomorrow? Visitors can stay for up to five days. If your business here requires more time, you can apply for an extension.”

“What?” Jowly Man blustered. “You would just throw us out of the hotel?”

“We would dispose of whatever wasn’t consumed, yes.”

He was glad neither Stavros nor Vlad was around to hear him talking like some vampire gangster in a human-made movie, threatening his would-be victims. Vlad might be appalled. Stavros probably would laugh himself silly before applauding. Then again, Stavros had often played to the vampire stereotype found in human books and movies as a way to deflect prey from realizing what his being called the Toland Courtyard’s problem solver actually meant.

The four businessmen hustled out of the room, and Tolya expected them to be on the next train out of Bennett.

Parlan Blackstone gave him a measuring look and remained seated.

Feeling a hum of anticipation, Tolya waited.

* * *

* * *

I played the wrong hand, Parlan thought. Should have come in on my own, playing the first respectability card, instead of using those blowhards as straw men. Now the deal might be soured past saving.

A clan of Intuit gamblers and outlaws had every reason to avoid dealing with the terra indigene. Too much danger with little or no profit. So he’d never met any of the Sanguinati. Had heard plenty of whispers, sure. But that wasn’t the same as looking across the