Page 65 of Claim of Blood (Blood Bound #1)

Across from them, Maja’s sharp eyes missed nothing. She raised her glass slightly toward Lander, a private acknowledgment that made him straighten slightly in his chair.

“The business in New York continues to prosper,” Victoria was telling Asili. “The new shipping arrangements through the Port of New Orleans have been extremely profitable.”

“Your people understand discretion,” Asili replied approvingly. “That’s worth more than gold in my territory.”

“Speaking of territories,” Jian interjected, his tone casual but his eyes calculating, “how do you handle the human tourism industry? The supernatural element must be complicated.”

Asili’s expression grew slightly more guarded. “We’ve learned to make it work for us. Humans seeking vampire experiences often fail to recognize the real thing when they encounter it. They expect gothic castles and dramatic capes, not successful businessmen in modern suits.”

“Hiding in plain sight,” Leo observed. “Like Adam’s company.”

“Exactly,” Asili nodded. “The best camouflage is often the most obvious one.”

Bai’s attention sharpened on this exchange. “And when humans get too close to the truth?”

The temperature at the table seemed to drop a few degrees. Asili met her gaze steadily. “That rarely happens. And when it does, we handle it appropriately.”

“Appropriately,” Bai repeated, her tone suggesting she found the euphemism amusing.

“We all have our methods,” Adam said smoothly, redirecting before the conversation could turn darker. “The important thing is maintaining the balance.”

“Balance,” Raj mused, twirling his fork theatrically. “Such a tedious concept. Where’s the fun in balance?”

“Says the vampire who once started a war between two colonial powers because he was bored,” Victoria said with fond exasperation.

“That was diplomacy!” Raj protested. “And profitable diplomacy at that. The spice trade routes were completely monopolized until I introduced some healthy competition.”

“You armed both sides and sold to whoever paid more,” Maja pointed out.

“Like I said, profitable diplomacy.”

As the main course arrived, the conversation continued to flow around various topics. Adam observed the subtle dynamics playing out across the table.

“The solstice is approaching,” Adam said as dessert was served. “I trust everyone has prepared?”

“Everything is in order,” Victoria confirmed simply.

“As always,” Bai added with a slight nod.

The others murmured their agreement, the discussion mercifully brief. Leo listened without asking questions—perhaps sensing this wasn’t territory for outsiders to explore, even claimed ones.

As the evening concluded and guests dispersed, Adam thought over the dynamics that had played out over dinner. Leo had held his own admirably, earning Victoria’s approval and even grudging respect from some others. The various Courts had established their relationships for the gathering ahead.

The tension between certain family members remained—Bai’s disapproval, Oren’s discomfort with Asili’s presence—but the foundations were set for the days to come.

Adam caught Leo’s eye across the table. Despite everything, the danger, the uncertainty, the complex family dynamics, he couldn’t regret claiming this man. For the first time in millennia, he felt a genuine connection with another being.

The solstice was still three days away, but already he could feel the pressure building. Something was coming—something that would change everything.

No one had expected Claudia to actually arrive when she said she would.

She’d sent a message the previous day stating she would arrive at midnight on Sunday, but Adam had explained to his staff that Claudia’s sense of time was flexible at best. So, when the ancient converted school bus rumbled up the driveway at precisely 12:01 a.m. on Sunday morning, the entire security team was caught off guard.

Claudia, for once in her long existence, had done exactly what she said she would do.

Adam was in his study with Leo and Lander when Oren called to alert him. By the time they reached the front entrance, Claudia’s entire Court was spilling out of the garishly painted vehicle, laughing and talking over each other in a chaotic jumble.

The bus itself was a sight to behold—a 2030s school bus, one of the last gas-powered models ever manufactured, transformed into a mobile hippie palace.

The nearly 50-year-old vehicle sported a psychedelic paint job in swirling purples, oranges, and golds that seemed to move in the moonlight.

A chimney had somehow been installed through the roof, smoke still belching from it in great heaves, along with the engine’s exhaust. The smell of burning oil mixed with incense and what Adam strongly suspected was marijuana.

“brOTHER!” Claudia’s voice boomed across the driveway as she emerged from the bus like a force of nature.

She wore a flowing silk dress in vibrant blues and purples that barely reached her knees.

The thin straps left her shoulders bare, and the fabric bounced around her thighs as she moved with cheerful energy.

Her dark hair hung loose to her waist, decorated with small braids and silver charms that caught the moonlight and jingled with every step.

“We made it!” She threw her arms wide, jewelry jingling on her wrists. “Isn’t it WONDERFUL!”

Her entire Court wore similarly revealing, casual outfits.

Flowing skirts, loose pants, tank tops, and sandals dominated their wardrobe choices.

Adam kept his face neutral, though he wished his sister would dress more appropriately for Court gatherings.

Claudia had never believed in “stifling her spirit with confining clothes,” as she’d put it centuries ago.

Leo stared in undisguised shock. “That’s your sister?”

“The Roman,” Adam confirmed, unable to keep the fondness from his voice despite himself. “Second-oldest after me.”

Claudia bounded up the steps and threw her arms around Adam with typical exuberance. “Look at you! Still so serious!” She pulled back, examining his face with bright eyes. “But something’s different. The claiming suits you, brother.”

Adam returned her embrace with considerably more restraint. “Welcome, Claudia. I see you’ve brought everyone.”

“All eleven!” she confirmed proudly, gesturing toward her colorful entourage. “We bought this beauty at a flea market outside Denver. Fixed her up ourselves!” She turned to gesture at the smoking, rattling bus. “Isn’t she MAGNIFICENT!”

“She’s certainly unique,” Adam managed diplomatically.

Claudia’s attention shifted abruptly to Leo, her eyes widening with delight. “And this must be him! The hunter who stole my brother’s heart!” Without warning, she enveloped Leo in a crushing hug that lifted him off his feet. “Oh, I like him already! Such a beautiful aura!”

Leo shot Adam a helpless look over Claudia’s shoulder.

Claudia released Leo and turned to Lander, her expression suddenly shifting to something more knowing and intense.

“And you... well, well.” She studied him with a scrutiny that made everyone uncomfortable, her usual bubbly demeanor replaced by something ancient and perceptive. “The magic is changing indeed.”

Adam tensed. “Claudia—”

“Oh, don’t worry,” she said, waving a hand dismissively as her bright personality returned.

“I won’t say anything inappropriate. But we should talk, brother.

Soon.” Her serious expression vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

“But first! Where are we sleeping? The bus gets a bit cramped with all of us, and we’ve been traveling for DAYS! ”

Gaspard appeared, looking slightly shell-shocked by the spectacle. “I’ll... show you to your rooms. We’ve had to make some adjustments due to the number of guests...”

“We can share!” Claudia declared cheerfully. “My people are very good at cozy arrangements. We’re like one big family!”

As Gaspard led Claudia and her lively Court into the mansion, Leo turned to Adam with wide eyes. “She’s... not what I expected.”

“Claudia defies expectations,” Adam said dryly. “Always has.”

“She knows about us,” Lander said quietly, his voice tight with concern. “About the bond between us.”

Adam nodded grimly. “Claudia has always been more attuned to the deeper magics than most. If she senses changes too...” He didn’t finish the thought.

The implications were vast and unsettling. If the magic that governed vampire existence was truly shifting, if the rules that had defined their kind for millennia were changing, what did that mean for everything they understood about themselves?

Later that night, after ensuring Claudia’s Court was settled (and that none of them were smoking anything inside the mansion), Adam found Claudia waiting in his study.

She had changed from her travel clothes into a simple wrap dress, but her feet remained bare, and her hair still held its collection of charms and braids.

“The magic is different,” she said without preamble as soon as he closed the door behind him. “You’ve felt it too.”

Adam moved to his desk, pouring himself a glass of bloodwine but not offering her one. Claudia rarely drank during serious conversations. “Yes.”

“It started with your claiming Leo,” Claudia continued, settling cross-legged in one of his leather chairs like a child despite her ancient age. “But it’s more than that now. The blood bonds are changing. Expanding.”

Adam sat across from her, studying his sister’s face. For all her eccentricity, Claudia possessed an intuition about vampire magic that even he respected. “Lander and I—”

“You claimed him, too,” Claudia finished matter-of-factly. “Without meaning to, perhaps, but the bond is there. Weaker than with your hunter, but growing stronger daily. I can feel it humming between you like a live wire.”

Adam was quiet for a moment, processing her words. “Is it dangerous?”

Claudia shrugged with characteristic casualness. “Change is always dangerous. But necessary, more often than not.” She leaned forward, suddenly intense despite her relaxed posture. “This is only the beginning, brother. Something much larger is coming.”

“The hunters—”

“Are a symptom, not the cause,” Claudia interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. “They sense the change too, in their own limited way. It frightens them because they don’t understand it.”

Adam set down his glass, leaning back in his chair. “What do you think is happening?”

“Evolution,” Claudia said simply. “Our kind has remained static for millennia. The same rules, the same limitations, the same careful balance between power and restraint. But magic isn’t meant to be static. It grows, adapts, transforms.”

“And Leo is the catalyst?”

“Leo is the key that opened the door,” Claudia corrected.

“But the door was always there, waiting. You’re the First, Adam.

Your magic runs deeper than any of ours.

When you formed a true bond with someone outside our kind.

..” She gestured vaguely, then paused, her expression growing thoughtful.

“Though perhaps ‘outside our kind’ isn’t entirely accurate. ”

Adam’s attention sharpened. “What do you mean?”

“There’s magic in him,” Claudia said simply.

“Dormant, buried deep, but it’s there. Old magic.

Witch blood, I’d guess, though he probably doesn’t know it himself.

” She tilted her head, studying Adam’s reaction.

“Your bond didn’t just connect you to a hunter, brother.

It connected you to someone with their own magical heritage.

That combination created possibilities that didn’t exist before. ”

Adam studied his sister, noting the certainty in her voice. “You sound like you’ve been expecting this.”

Claudia smiled mysteriously. “I’ve been feeling the stirrings for decades. Small things at first—bonds forming more easily, magic responding differently to emotional connections. But your claiming accelerated everything.”

“What should we do?” Adam asked directly.

Claudia’s expression grew serious. “Exactly what you’re doing. Follow the blood. Trust the bond. Don’t fight the changes.” She stood, stretching like a cat. “And prepare for resistance. Not everyone will welcome evolution.”

“The other Courts—”

“Will adapt or be left behind,” Claudia said firmly. “This isn’t something that can be stopped or controlled. It simply is.”

As she reached the door, she paused and turned back. “Oh, and Adam? Make sure your hunter wears his grandmother’s ring tomorrow. For the solstice.”

Adam’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know about the ring?”

Claudia’s smile turned mysterious, her eyes twinkling with ancient secrets. “Old magic recognizes old magic, brother.” She winked.

“Claudia—”

But she was already slipping out the door, leaving Adam with more questions than answers. Her knowing smile lingered in his memory as her footsteps faded down the hallway.

After she left, Adam remained, staring out at the night sky through the tall windows. Claudia’s words echoed in his mind, mixing with Victoria’s warnings about the hunter threat and his own growing awareness of the changes happening within him.

The solstice was tomorrow. Already, he could feel its energy building in the air, a pressure that seemed to resonate with whatever magical transformation Claudia claimed was occurring. Different perspectives, but all pointing toward the same conclusion: something unprecedented was approaching.

For the first time in his long existence, Adam truly didn’t know what the future would bring. The uncertainty should have frightened him, but he felt something unexpected—anticipation.

Change was coming, and perhaps it was long overdue.