Page 63 of Claim of Blood (Blood Bound #1)

Chapter Thirty-One

Adam

Victoria’s arrival on Friday afternoon brought a welcome return to tradition after Thursday’s chaos. Her motorcade comprised exactly twelve people—eight vampires and four humans—as Court protocol dictated. Adam watched from the entrance, genuinely pleased to see his second-made child.

“Victoria,” he said, stepping forward to embrace her warmly.

Despite her small stature, barely reaching his shoulder, Victoria’s presence dominated the space around her. Her chestnut hair was swept into an elegant updo, her piercing brown eyes missing nothing as she surveyed the entrance hall with the practiced awareness of someone who ruled her own Court.

“Father,” she replied, returning the embrace before stepping back to examine him. “You look... different.”

Adam smiled slightly. “A claiming will do that, I’m told.”

“So the rumors are true.” Victoria’s eyes brightened with interest. “I’ve been eager to meet this hunter who’s captured your attention after all these centuries. The New York Court has been buzzing with speculation.”

“You’ll meet him shortly,” Adam promised. “First, let’s get your people settled.”

He led her through the mansion, noting her subtle reactions to the numerous guests already filling the halls. Unlike Bai and Jian’s overwhelming entourage from the previous day, Victoria’s people moved with practiced efficiency, requiring minimal direction from Gaspard’s staff.

“Bai and Jian have brought quite the army,” she observed, her tone neutral but her disapproval clear as they passed several of their security personnel in the hallway.

“Fifty-seven people in total,” Adam replied. “Operational concerns, apparently.”

Victoria’s mouth tightened slightly. “Leaving myself exposed in New York to come here, and they arrive with a small militia.” She shook her head.

“The Lauder Coven is circling like vultures, waiting for any sign of weakness. I had to leave Manuel in charge, with strict orders to kill anyone who challenges our borders.”

“You’ve handled worse,” Adam reminded her, pride evident in his voice. “Remember the Blackwood incident?”

A smile flickered across Victoria’s face. “Vampires, who called themselves a Court, thought they could overthrow me because I looked like ‘just a girl.’ They learned otherwise.”

“You’ve built something remarkable in New York,” Adam said seriously. “I’m proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

Victoria’s expression softened. “That means more than you know, Father. But it also means I can’t stay long. Three days, perhaps four at most.” Victoria sighed, as though she truly regretted her brief visit. “And what of Raj? Has he arrived yet?”

“Yesterday. With his usual disregard for safety, just three vampires as his entire staff.”

“Irresponsible,” Victoria muttered. “Even for him. Though I suppose Singapore is more isolated than Manhattan.”

Once her people were settled, Adam led Victoria to his private study. As soon as the door closed behind them, her formal demeanor softened completely.

“It’s good to see you,” she said, genuine warmth in her voice. “New York feels very far away sometimes.”

“You could visit more often,” Adam suggested, pouring each of them a glass of bloodwine from the crystal decanter on his desk.

Victoria accepted the glass with a graceful nod. “The New York Court demands constant attention. As one of the financial centers of the human world, it attracts power-hungry vampires like moths to a flame. Every month brings new arrivals, thinking they can claim territory in my city.”

“And they learn otherwise,” Adam said with dark amusement.

“Eventually.” Victoria’s smile was sharp. “Though the lesson is often permanent.”

Adam settled back in his chair. “Which makes me wonder why you’ve come now, with the city in such a delicate state.”

Victoria sipped her bloodwine, her expression growing serious. “We intercepted hunters passing through New York last week. Three of them.”

“And?”

“My people questioned them thoroughly.” Victoria’s tone became matter-of-fact, but her eyes darkened. “It took two days. They were well-trained—better than usual. Professional grade equipment, military-style coordination.”

Adam leaned forward. “What did you learn?”

“They were headed to Peoria, Illinois. But here’s what’s interesting—they had no idea what their final mission was. Just orders to report to Peoria for a briefing.”

Adam set his glass down. “That confirms what Bai and Jian mentioned at dinner last night.”

Victoria leaned forward. “Peoria wasn’t their final destination. Just a staging area. And they weren’t the only family.”

Adam’s interest sharpened. “How many others?”

“At least a dozen other families, possibly more. All converging on Peoria.” Victoria’s expression grew grim. “They spoke of a ‘final gathering’ before moving to the actual target.”

“Where were they going after?”

“Somewhere north. The hunters didn’t know the exact location themselves—they were operating on a need-to-know basis.” Victoria’s eyes dropped briefly. “And unfortunately, they died before revealing more. The interrogation was intensive.”

“North of Peoria?” Adam frowned. “That would take them further away from Porte du Coeur, not toward it.”

“Indeed.” Victoria traced the rim of her glass thoughtfully. “But to where? And why? That’s what troubles me. If they’re not targeting us directly...”

Adam studied her face. “Did they also speak of revealing the supernatural world? Bai and Jian mentioned something about a ‘revelation’ and ‘demonstration.’”

“Yes.” Victoria nodded solemnly. “They seemed convinced they were part of something much larger. A coordinated effort to ‘expose the truth’ and ‘free humanity from the shadows.’ Religious fervor mixed with military precision often leads to mass slaughter.”

Adam leaned back in his chair, frustrated. “I don’t know what to do with this information. We have no idea where they’re actually heading or what they’re planning. How do you fight an enemy you can’t locate?”

“That’s why I came personally,” Victoria said. “This isn’t just another hunter skirmish. The scale, the coordination, the secrecy—something feels different. More dangerous.”

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Lander entered, his tall frame filling the doorway.

“Excuse me,” he said, nodding respectfully to Victoria. “Asili has arrived from New Orleans.”

Victoria’s face immediately brightened. “Asili’s here? Wonderful!” She turned to Adam. “I was hoping he’d come. We’ve been coordinating some business ventures between our territories.”

Adam noticed how Lander’s posture seemed different, more confident, more at ease than he’d been even a week ago. There was something in the way he carried himself that spoke of internal changes. “Thank you, Lander,” Adam replied. “Please tell him we’ll be down shortly.”

As Lander turned to leave, Victoria’s gaze followed him with undisguised interest. Once the door closed, she raised an eyebrow at Adam.

“There’s something different about him, too,” she observed. “Something has changed since my last visit. He moves like someone who’s found his place.”

Adam kept his expression neutral, though he felt a familiar warmth spread through his chest at her words.

The bond between him and Lander had been growing stronger, more complex.

He could sense Lander’s presence throughout the mansion now, a steady pulse of loyalty and something deeper.

“There’s someone I’d like you to meet first,” he said, deliberately changing the subject.

Victoria smiled knowingly. “Your hunter. Yes, please. I’m quite curious to see what kind of man could capture the heart of someone who’s remained unattached for millennia.”

Adam sent a message to Leo, who joined them minutes later.

As he entered the room, Adam felt the now-familiar surge of pride and possessiveness.

Leo had adapted remarkably well to Court life in just a few short weeks, maintaining his strength of character while learning the complex dance of vampire politics.

“Victoria, this is Leopold von Rothenburg. Leo, my daughter Victoria, Master of the New York Night Court.”

Leo bowed slightly, his hunter training clear in the controlled precision of the gesture. “It’s an honor to meet you.”

Victoria approached him directly—a contrast to Bai and Jian’s dismissive treatment the previous day. She circled Leo slowly, her assessment open and unabashed, taking in everything from his posture to the way he met her gaze without flinching.

“A Rothenburg,” she said finally, stopping in front of him. “Impressive lineage. One of the oldest hunter families in Europe. And you’ve abandoned them completely?”

Leo met her gaze steadily. “They abandoned me first.”

A slow smile spread across Victoria’s face. “Good answer. Direct, honest, no self-pity.” She turned to Adam. “I approve, Father. He has a spine.”

The tension in Leo’s shoulders visibly eased as Victoria extended her hand. “Welcome to the family, Leopold. Though I suspect you’ll find us far more complicated than any hunter clan.”

Leo shook her hand in relief. “I’m beginning to understand that.”

Victoria began asking him questions about his adjustment to Court life, her manner warm and engaged. She seemed particularly interested in his observations about vampire society from an outsider’s perspective.

“And what surprises you most?” she asked, settling into a chair with the fluid grace that marked all of Adam’s children.

Leo considered the question carefully. “The bureaucracy, honestly. I expected ancient monsters, not administrative meetings and protocol discussions.”

Victoria laughed, a genuine sound of delight. “Oh, I like him even more. Yes, immortality does require a great deal of paperwork. Adam, where did you find this treasure?”

“He found me,” Adam replied, watching the interaction with satisfaction. Victoria’s approval meant more than he’d realized it would.

“We should greet Asili,” Adam said after a few more minutes of conversation. “Leo, would you join us?”