Page 60 of Claim of Blood (Blood Bound #1)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Adam

As the door closed behind Leo and Felix, the room fell silent. Adam leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly on the armrest where Leo had been sitting moments before.

“Solstice preparations,” he said, bringing everyone’s focus back. “Oren, report.”

Oren stepped away from the window. “We’ve had no direct attacks. No breaches. Nothing.” His voice was flat, troubled.

“And that concerns you?” Adam asked.

“Yes.” Oren crossed his arms. “It’s too quiet.”

“Sit down, Oren,” Adam said, gesturing to an empty chair. “You’re making me tired just watching you stand.”

Oren blinked, then lowered himself into the chair. It creaked under his weight.

Maja leaned forward, her platinum blonde hair catching the light. “Hunters don’t retreat. They regroup.”

“The main Rothenburg family is still in Boston,” Ilona said, “but not all of them.” She glanced at her phone. “My sources say they’re gathering in Peoria, south of Chicago. Other hunter families, too.”

“Chicago?” Lander tensed. “That’s too close for comfort.”

Ilona shook her head. “Chicago itself is quiet. Nathaniel’s contact in the pack there says they’ve hunkered down, but no unusual hunter activity in the city.”

“When was the last confirmed sighting?” Adam asked, his voice calm but eyes sharp.

“Those wannabes at the Over/Under last week,” Oren said with clear disdain. “But they weren’t real hunters. Just playing dress-up.”

“And true hunters?” Lander pressed.

“Not since the Rothenburgs retreated from PDC,” Oren replied. “Two weeks ago.”

“It’s like they vanished,” Ilona confirmed.

Adam’s fingers stopped tapping. “They could be planning something bigger.”

The room fell silent as everyone considered this possibility.

“The solstice is next Monday,” Gaspard said, looking up from his tablet. “We have one week for final preparations.”

“What are our vulnerabilities?” Adam asked.

“The solstice gives hunters every advantage,” Lander said. “Longest day. Maximum daylight hours. They know when to strike.”

Maja’s voice softened. “They know we’ll still gather. Solstice is sacred. The Mother worshipped Re—sunlight at its peak holds meaning for all vampires.”

“Which makes us predictable,” Oren added.

Adam’s face hardened. “Show me what we have in place.”

Oren stood and walked to the corner, grabbing a small table. With one hand, he hauled it to the center of the room, and with the other, he unrolled a large map across its surface.

Adam rose first, moving purposefully to the table. The others followed, gathering around the map in a tight circle.

Oren pointed to the marked sections. “We’ve doubled patrols at all boundary points. Vampires covering evening and overnight shifts.”

“The pack handles daylight hours,” Lander added. “Nathaniel assigned his strongest members.”

“And the wards?” Adam asked.

“The coven completed them yesterday,” Oren confirmed. “Full perimeter. In exchange, our people patrol their warehouses.”

Adam moved away from the map first, returning to his armchair. The others followed his lead, settling back into their places around the parlor. Lander sank into the chair to Adam’s right while Oren returned to his post near the window.

“We should finalize plans for the full court meeting next week,” Gaspard said, checking his tablet. “Friday afternoon?”

“Make it Thursday,” Adam replied. “I want an extra day to adjust if needed.”

Gaspard made the change. “And what about our visitors? The family arrives starting Wednesday.”

Ilona consulted her phone. “Raj confirmed for Wednesday evening. Victoria and her New York Night Court arrive Friday morning.”

“Bai and her made-son Jian both arrive Thursday,” Gaspard added. “They’re coming together from the LA Night Court.”

Lander looked up, surprised. “I thought Jian and his Court weren’t coming until the week after the solstice?”

“They changed their plans when they heard Bai was attending,” Ilona said.

“Wonderful. We’ll need more staff,” Lander said. “I’ll ask Emilia and Nathaniel for recommendations. People we can trust.”

“And Claudia?” Maja asked, her voice flat. “She claims her Court will be here tomorrow.”

Ilona smiled. “I bet they show up Wednesday. Claudia likes to be in the middle of everything—including the week.”

Adam’s expression softened slightly. “We’ll prepare for tomorrow and be surprised if she actually arrives on time.”

“She won’t,” Maja said without looking up from her notes.

Oren’s face soured. “I’ve already received Bai’s security team schedule. Not Victoria’s, not Raj’s—just Bai’s.” He shook his head. “I’d forgotten how much fun dealing with her team was.”

Adam cocked an eyebrow. “Was that... sarcasm, Oren?”

Lander’s mouth twitched. “Did hell freeze over when I wasn’t looking?”

Oren’s face remained impassive, but his eyes narrowed slightly.

“There’s one more request,” Ilona said. “Asili Uhra, the New Orleans Ruler, has asked permission to attend.”

Oren shifted uncomfortably.

“Asili is your child, yes?” Adam asked, though he knew the answer. “The first of three, if I recall.”

Oren’s expression remained carefully blank. “Yes.”

“I’m open to hosting them,” Adam said. “Oren?”

“Yes,” Oren said simply. “Thank you.”

Gaspard groaned. “Where am I supposed to put them? We’re already at capacity.”

“They’ll have to use someone else’s guest rooms,” Ilona suggested. “Or the underground quarters.”

“I’ll figure something out,” Gaspard muttered, tapping furiously on his tablet.

“Let the New Orleans Court know they’re welcome,” Adam told Ilona. “What about other responses?”

“We’ve received congratulations on your claiming from everyone,” Ilona replied. “Except Francois’ Court. And the Mother, of course.”

Adam’s expression didn’t change. “Not surprising.”

“The old French prude was never any fun,” Maja grumbled.

Lander smiled slightly. “My parents would agree with that assessment.”

Maja straightened, refocusing on Adam. “About Felix and his research... is this truly a good idea?”

Oren frowned. “It’s a security risk. An unnecessary one.”

“I disagree,” Gaspard countered. “Wouldn’t it be nice to know? We assume so much about our magic... but wouldn’t it be helpful to understand how it actually works?” He looked around the room. “The covens have their grimoires, their histories. Why not vampires?”

“The Coven won’t be happy about this,” Ilona said quietly. “Not with their recent history.”

“It wasn’t the PDC Coven’s history, it was New York’s,” Gaspard countered.

Ilona’s expression darkened. “Carl’s lineage was nearly wiped out when Victoria discovered their research. That’s close enough to home.” She glanced at Adam. “Carl may cause problems.”

Adam was quiet for a moment. “I’ll speak with Emilia and Carl personally before Felix begins anything. Their concerns are understandable.”

“We can always shut him down if necessary,” Lander said, though his face betrayed his discomfort with the idea.

Adam watched Lander carefully, noting his expression. Felix seemed sincere, eager. What Adam didn’t say aloud was the slight pull he felt toward the man. It wasn’t like the pull to Leo, but something was there.

“I’ve made my decision,” Adam said, cutting off further discussion. “Everyone has their duties, and we only have a week.”

“What about movement restrictions for the Court?” Lander asked.

“No mandatory restrictions yet,” Adam replied. “But increase security for anyone who leaves. Double escorts minimum.”

“And Leo?”

“He stays with me. Or you,” Adam said firmly. “The same for Felix. He doesn’t leave the property.”

Maja cleared her throat. “There’s another matter. The Court’s reception to Leo has been... varied.”

Adam’s eyes narrowed. “Explain.”

“They’ve accepted him as your Claim,” Maja said carefully. “But now Felix? And this research? Most have had negative experiences with hunters.”

“Anyone who disagrees can leave,” Adam said, his voice cold.

Maja’s response was surprisingly agreeable. “I’ll personally tell anyone who disagrees to bugger off.”

“Meeting adjourned,” Adam announced. “Lander, stay.”

As everyone filed out, Lander remained seated, his expression carefully blank. When the door closed behind Gaspard, Adam stayed in his chair, staring at nothing.

“Despite what you said, you disagree with the research,” Adam stated.

Lander shifted. “It feels risky. Felix is an unknown.”

“Yes,” Adam agreed. “But sometimes risks yield rewards.”

Lander looked down at his hands. “Because of Leo?”

“Because knowledge matters, and it’s long past time we acknowledge that,” Adam corrected. “But watch Felix closely. His passion could be dangerous for all of us.”

Lander stood to leave. At the door, he paused. “The solstice will go smoothly,” he said, though it sounded more like hope than certainty.

Adam rose, crossing the room in quick strides. He caught Lander’s arm before he could exit, turning him around.

“Wait,” Adam said.

He pulled Lander close, one hand sliding up to cup the back of his neck. Adam drew Lander’s face down and kissed him deeply. The claim between them flared to life—a hunger that demanded satisfaction. His fingers tightened in Lander’s hair, pulling just enough to make him yield.

Lander tensed at first, body rigid with surprise. Then, like ice melting under sudden heat, he surrendered. His spine softened, shoulders dropped, breath catching. A small sound escaped his throat as his hands found Adam’s waist, gripping his shirt.

Adam backed him against the door, their bodies pressed together.

He needed to dominate, to make Lander understand who he belonged to, regardless of what other connections might form.

His tongue swept into Lander’s mouth, demanding and receiving submission.

When Lander’s knees weakened, Adam caught him, one arm wrapping around his waist.

When they broke apart, Lander’s pupils were blown wide, his lips reddened from the kiss.

“What was that for?” he asked, voice rough.

Adam kept his hands on Lander, holding him close. “I feel the pull toward Felix,” he said simply. “But I feel it through you.”

Lander’s mouth opened, then closed. He tried again, words failing him.

“I won’t act on it,” Lander finally managed. “I can’t.”

“That’s your choice to make,” Adam said, his thumb tracing Lander’s jaw. “But I’ll support whatever you decide.”

“I’m yours,” Lander said firmly.

“Yes,” Adam agreed. “But that doesn’t mean Felix can’t be yours too.”

Confusion crossed Lander’s face. “I don’t understand.”

Adam kissed him again, softer this time. “Things are changing, Lander. The magic is changing.”

“How do you know?”

“I don’t know how I know,” Adam admitted. “But I can feel it.”

Lander studied Adam’s face. Then, surprising them both, he leaned down and pressed his lips gently to Adam’s. The kiss was tender, almost fragile.

“I’ll think about it,” he said quietly before pulling away. “I need to see to my duties.”

After Lander left, Adam returned to his chair. He rubbed at his chest, feeling a deep ache settling there. Something was coming—he could sense it in the way the air itself seemed to hum with anticipation.

The next week was going to be a nightmare.