Ezra stood in front of the full-length mirror, carefully buttoning up his dress shirt. The fabric was cool and smooth against his skin but his mind wasn't on it.
He dragged himself back to the present, staring back at his reflection. He gave himself an approving nod. He radiated an aura of subtle power and composed control. In fact, he looked like a rich heir.
A small smile tugged on the corner of his mouth as he secured the last button. His mind went back to the events of twenty four hours before, when he'd won the bid at the auction.
The applause that followed his successful bid had been more than polite. It had been laced with envy and respect. He'd done exactly what he intended to do. He'd stood out in a room where the only thing that mattered was how much money one had, commanding both attention and admiration.
The feeling had been amazing. A part of him was telling him that he was just getting his due as a predator but the part of him that had been human was reminding him that there was a ti when the event would be sothing beyond his wildest dreams.
The thought of those envious glances. The subtle nods of acknowledgent. He sighed. He could now understand those who said power corrupts.
He knew his instincts as a vampire was subtly affecting him and he also knew it could be controlled. But it would be so easy to give in to it.
He was broken out of his thoughts as the door to his room bursts open. Gen stord in, her expression a mixture of disbelief anf frustration.
"Is it true?" She demanded, her voice sharp, cutting through the silence.
Ezra turned to face her, his smile fading into a look of mild concern and confusion. "Is what true?"
She stomped to his bed and sat, crossing her arms with her eyes narrowing as she stared at him. "Is it true that we're broke?"
Ezra sighed, nodding slightly. "Yes, it's true. I spent most of what we have at the auction."
Gen groaned in frustration. "We never agreed to spend that much."
"I know." Ezra began buttoning his sleeves. "But the expense was necessary. And there were competing bids. If I didn't use my Aura in ti, we'd have been in debt."
"Fuck." Gen swore. "See, you don't understand. We're planning on moving. Moving covens who plan on being solitary like us don't have it easy. The Population Law states that all vampires must be registered under the banner of either a count or the City Lord."
"That ans we'll have to spend money to stay under a count and not be their official subject. Money which we don't have anymore. Money we'll need to set ourselves up. Money we'll need to protect ourselves."
Ezra couldn't help himself. He chuckled, saying, "Don't worry, Gen. This just ans we definitely have to get our money back from the Necromancer. Which we've made progress on by spending as much as I did at the auction."
Before Gen could respond, Olivia entered the room, tapping rapidly on the tablet she was holding. She had an excited air as she entered. Ezra and Gen stared at her before exchanging glances. It wasn't exactly common to see an excited Olivia.
"Whatever was spent was worth it." Olivia said, glancing up at Ezra. "The data you bought? It's very... comprehensive. And here's the best part. It's from Harlow Industries.
The personal venture of Jas Harlow, City Lord of Faewall."
"Wait, what?" Gen's eyes widened at Olivia's words. "We have Jas Harlow's weakness?"
"I won't call it a personal weakness but in the hands of another vampire, it's enough to threathen what he's built." Olivia answered.
"Damn. How did this kind of information even get here? Who the hell sold it?" Gen asked Ezra.
"No idea." Ezra shrugged. "But I could find out if we're really curious about that."
"There's no need." Olivia tapped the tablet in her hands a few more tis. "It was probably an inside job. One or two of Harlow's personal subjects in need of fast cash or sothing. It seems like things in Faewall are not as rosy as they seem."
"And we're heading there." Gen said. "Do you think we'll have to go head-to-head with Harlow?"
"Let's no go that far." Ezra answered. "We're definitely not strong enough for that." He paused. "Yet."
Gen grinned at his words, her mood shifting.
"But that doesn't an we shouldn't be prepared." Olivia nodded in agreent at Ezra's words. "It's better to have this card and not need it than to need it and not have it."
"Now you're speaking my language." Gen stood from the bed, stretching with renewed energy. "I wouldn't mind taking down a City Lord or two, especially when I finally get to the fifth ring."
Ezra pulled on his overcoat, turning to look at Gen with a raised eyebrow. "You know, I never asked. Why are you always looking for fights?"
Her grin faded slightly as she answered. "I'm preparing. For when we have to kill the council."
Ezra and Olivia exchanged confused glances. "The council?" Olivia asked. "Why... would you want to kill them?"
"What's our main objective? Claiming the progenitor's throne." Gen's eyes hardened, her voice low and serious as she stared at them.
"Do you really think the council will let Ezra claim the throne in peace? They'll fight him to their dying breath. Whether we want it or not, we'll have to fight them."
Ezra nodded slowly, the weight of her words sinking in. He'd known but he hadn't fully considered the implications of his ambitions.
How far others might go to stop him.
"You're right, Gen. It's sothing we need to be prepared for."
He glanced at the clock, realizing it was ti for him to leave. He stepped forward, kissing both Olivia and Gen on the cheek. "I'll be back soon."
As Ezra teleported to the Old Museum teleportation room, his mind was on Gen's words.
She had said she fought in preparation for fighting the council. He knew she wasn't lying, but he suspected that wasn't the whole truth.
It wasn't just about his throne. She had to have a personal grudge on the council.
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