Page 5

I followed, and as my head rose, an icy pressure weighed against my neck. Kaleb’s fingers pressed deeper before he released, his touch lingering as he sat beside me. It was his way of notifying me of a private discussion after our gathering.

He’d always done this for two reasons: either I had done something that offended him or because he required information. In truth, I had no idea what details he wanted.

Unless it came along after the meeting.

The second oldest, Noah, glided down the stairway rail and landed precisely on both of his feet. Deep, raven hair swayed as he skipped across the room. He bounced onto his chair, where it rested to the right of the imitating throne, and cobalt blue eyes studied our faces. “What a bore you all are!” His voice trembled against the silence, breaking the leftover calm. “Quiet, as always. Don’t you think, Brother?"

The eldest, Christopher, descended the stairs with straight shoulders, his pure-blonde hair pulled into a braid that hid a book underneath his arm. He took his place silently beside the imitating throne to the left, his legs crossing as he settled into the cushion.

After our mother’s passing, the seat was left bare in remembrance of her presence.

“Nothing could compare to you,” Kaleb said while his eyes rolled. “You're as lively as ever.”

“Why, of course! It’s gathering day, after all. I’m beaming with excitement to hear what Christopher must announce. Aren’t you, Jacque?”

“I don’t think my excitement could beat yours, Brother," he responded, his tone hinting at amusement.

Our meetings amongst each other had always followed such structure. I had to wait to speak if I was asked to speak at all. Our gathering represented a space for the three oldest to discuss and for the three youngest to listen.

I, on the other hand, was cemented in the middle, a position that held no weight in the midst of the very little authority I was supposed to have.

Our routine had long begun.

Before Noah could pick at another brother, Christopher cleared his throat. “The Mubaraks’ disappearance has been fully confirmed. The rumors of them resurfacing from last week have quickly been disproved, and I’ve received news from the Ambrogios regarding Cabinet and High Parliament.”

The Six Regal Families had a long history within the vampire race, inscribed by humans as the first lineages to rise from the shadows and into a world ruled by humans. After millenniums, it was only until the early eighteen-hundreds that our ancestors established their government, holding positions within what’s now known as the Ministry.

While the Mubaraks shared a seat alongside the other families as Heads of Ministry, the Ambrogios were thought to be nearing their ruling period as the head held the position of Secretary, right beside the Premier, the highest sitting position within the Ministry and the head of our name, That Man.

Along with the feud against the humans and the current disappearance of a Regal Family, the Ministry has long been disputing if the Sephtis name should continue as Premier or if a new one should be appointed. With That Man’s constant preference for human matters, the Ministry’s decision grew clearer with each passing day.

Pathetic.

“Do tell,” Kaleb said, his eyes vibrant with curiosity. “Is That Man finally losing his position as Premier?”

“No,” Christopher affirmed. “The Ministry has gone mad with such a sudden occurrence. That Mans sprung to dealing with human matters while burying the disappearances away from both media. Heads of Ministry, on the other hand, have been withholding their final decision regarding his position. If he’s able to settle the Treaty and avoid conflict, it could work in his favor.”

Kaleb sneered, his eyes fueling with fire. “With his ruling, he’s had a dying name, a near-war with humans, and protests from vampires against his administration, yet he’s still able to hold his title? Despicable.”

“Oh my, Kaleb!” Noah exclaimed. “You’re missing the grander picture! He will ruin our name, our reputation. We’d be better off dying out!”

Kaleb’s laughter roared as he motioned forward from the couch. “Are you so ignorant to believe that our reputation hasn't already been ruined? It’s been from the very moment our brother was born. "Don't you think so?” His eyes dawned on the eldest, yet Christopher didn’t meet them.

“An entire lineage has vanished. No traces of their last moments have been stumbled upon, and no distant relatives have been discovered to take their place. Either it will end in our favor or not. Do what you will with that information.”

Christopher exited the gathering room as everyone concluded their bows. The room was quick to disperse, my brothers eager to retreat to their chambers. I wished to do the same, but Kaleb’s touch hovered over my skin like a shadow, forcing me to step into the foyer, turn under the main staircase and make my way down into the vault.

Through the years, the vault evolved from an empty space underground only accessible to guardians and maids to a meeting point for brothers that desired to escape without fully leaving. When I descended the spiral stairs, the purple-toned lights highlighted the two separate corridors that wrapped around the expansive pool.

The right led to the first door, the music room where each of my brothers' instruments sat, surely collecting dust; then was the second door, the entertainment cave, filled with a range of coin-operated machines to bar games without alcohol. It was typically used by Jacque and Jacob, and at times Raphael too when I could accompany him.

The left corridor led to the family infirmary, meant to treat if one of us was deeply wounded. It never occurred, though, and only recently were the spaces turned to one specific affair: feeding. To the farthest of the corridor was the blood cellar, where my brothers' meals remained stored for whenever they deemed hungry or bored.

I stepped down onto the steps that leveled from the pool’s surrounding section, seven pillars masking my sight once I halted. They stood around the pool’s large borders, closing the gap between the corridors and the water. My breath was a whisper along with the cold air, one that grew hollow as I took in the ambiance.

It was still, similar to every part of this household, except it echoed within its own silence. If Noah had been here, the water would ripple onto the floor with his harsh ongoing sprints. If Jacque and Jacob were in the entertainment cave, their jest would echo through the closed door.

If Kaleb was in the feeding space, I’d hear his icy laughter trailing through the corridor— one that traveled rapidly to my side.