21. Unexpected Guests

ASHER

This was going far better than I had anticipated when I started plotting to show Quinn the world my mother had helped ensure I knew as a child. While it certainly helped that my relatives accepted her with open arms, I was more comforted by the fact that she seemed more at peace than the night I was forced to tap into the nightmare.

I kept my arm draped around her waist as I led the way back upstairs. Since Aydin had started coming down the stairway, I could only assume the hostess had stopped by to inform him it was time for our reservation. There was no way I could miss the slight smirk painted on his face.

The bastard had heard all the squeals my pet had uttered and naturally assumed sex had been involved with the making of wine.

"Gwen did mention the table had been changed." Aydin halted several steps up. "It seems Dario has another VIP in the building, seated on the second floor. Said VIP would like you to join him for dinner."

Normally, I wouldn't mind the request for my company over an Italian meal ─ but this was during the time of war. If my uncle hadn't already expressed that angels were banned from the grounds, I would've assumed it was Marcillo that wanted to push his luck. My lips curled into a weary frown. "Did she happen to mention who it was?"

The demon shook his head. "He wouldn't give his name, but she insisted he smelled like a vampire."

I flexed my jaw, struggling against the overwhelming urge to grit my teeth. Vampire meant Zane Morialti. He was a cocky son of a bitch that didn't care to think about the consequences of his actions, not when he controlled every part of Asia with an iron fist. Hell, it was even making me contemplate the idea of rescheduling the dinner and telling him to fuck off.

The Morialti family was not one I could trust to bring around my pet without him attempting to lay a claim to her. As long as Quinn still had a small piece of humanity within her, it was still enough to stir his interest.

Quinn peered up at me, sensing the sudden tension ripping through my body. "Is everything alright?" she questioned softly.

Aydin's quizzical expression echoed her words. It wasn't a secret to my kind that I didn't care for Zane and how he ran things. While he was content to leave his streets stained red, I preferred to keep a better handle on my rage.

There wouldn't be a kingdom to grow if I was willing to burn everything down for the pure sport of it.

Drawing in a slow breath, I reluctantly gestured for Aydin to lead the way. "You will stay behind me until I decide whether we are staying here to enjoy our meal or if we're leaving. This is not something you can challenge. Do you understand, pet?"

"Y-Yes."

Tugging her closer to me, I followed the demon up the remainder of the steps. I could feel my body being weighed down with even more tension for every step I took toward the second floor. Just reaching the top of that stairway was enough to leave my lungs unwilling to draw in as much fresh air.

While I was skilled with maintaining that calm demeanor to everyone around me, the tension haunting Quinn's body revealed that the bond we now shared allowed her to see past that rock wall keeping everyone else out. She knew what emotions were brewing within me, fanning that flame, when no one else had a damn clue. Fortunately, a peek through my peripheral view revealed she was managing to keep it masked just as well as I was.

Fascinating.

Once we reached the top step, I immediately surveyed the level for Zane. I didn't care for the idea of sharing a table with the cold bastard with the hope that he wouldn"t attempt to sink his fangs into something that was already mine. Yet, a quick glance over the lack of filled tables revealed he was nowhere in sight.

Only one table was occupied by a man whose aura was drenched in magic. The long brown hair alone was all I needed to know this wasn't Zane Morialti. He paid absolutely no attention to our arrival, his fingers dancing above the chess pieces displayed before him. Every movement he made brought them within centimeters of a piece, yet he would never officially touch them. Each close call would light it up with a brief, pale green glow through a symbol on the piece's side.

The light faded away as soon as his hand was out of range.

Aydin shifted his body, easing out of our path. "Apparently, he could sense our arrival as soon as I brought you onto the grounds." He kept his voice low with those forest green eyes locked on the distracted man. "He put in the request with Dario to have you join him. It seems he's very eager to meet you."

I drew in a slow, deep breath as I took this stranger in. It didn't require getting any closer for me to realize that he was indeed a vampire, yet his aura revealed he was far older than any that I had come across during my travels. Still, the magic humming within his veins certainly wasn't one that I recognized. It flooded me with both curiosity and the typical weariness I was accustomed to being haunted with.

"Should I remain on guard?" Aydin inquired softly.

"No." I shook my head slowly. "Go fetch Dario. Quinn needs to eat and I won't tolerate any type of delay because of a change in plans."

"Yes, sire." He bowed his head before moving past us and retreating down the stairway.

The vampire waiting for us raised his chin slightly, just like my pet would do when she wanted to express defiance. If it wasn't for the slight tug on those lips, I would have assumed he intended to do the same. "You're a cautious one, Asher Aeternus. Your reputation certainly precedes you." Eerie white eyes finally flickered my way. "No one survives as long as we do without picking up such a trait."

Quinn's arm tightened around mine. It was clear that she had no desire to get any closer until I made it known what I thought about this mysterious guest, yet she wasn't going to hold me back if an approach was my intention. She kept her pace matched with mine as we strolled toward his table.

"You speak from experience," I murmured, reaching out to take a chair and pull it out for my pet. With the table bearing the ability to host up to eight people, I was able to put us both across from him. As soon as she eased down into the chair, I tucked it underneath her and settled down in the one beside her. "Which means you should also be aware that I don't care for being at such a disadvantage. Clearly, you've heard about me."

His unique colored eyes had already returned to the chessboard in front of him. A small smirk emerged on his face. "If you had picked up a whisper about me, Asher, then I would be slipping. My survival depends on keeping to the shadows. I'm sure your companion might be able to relate to that in some manner."

My pet tensed up. It was an involuntary reaction, but it wasn't one that she could prevent. While the nerves within her were already performing such a nervous dance, that head didn't bow. Her jaw remained lifted with the same defiance that I was accustomed to seeing. It was clear that the changes were already taking place within my timid pet, her fading humanity eliminating the wary creature I had bought.

The woman sitting beside me would make a fine queen.

I flexed my jaw, determined to prevent myself from gritting my teeth. At the rate I was going, I was bound to break a tooth. "If you intend on doing this little meeting of yours without clarifying as to who you are, I will put a stop to it now. I don't have the time to play a game like that, nor do I have the patience."

"Yes, yes. I am fully aware of the war you have on the horizon." The vampire responded with a dismissive wave that fanned the growing embers within me. He relaxed in his seat, finally pulling his hand away from the chess pieces. "Alas, I didn't ask for this meeting to keep my identity locked within the shadows." His eyes shifted back toward me and a pleased smirk painted his face. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Asher Aeternus. I am Ashivanx Alexei."

It had been my goal from the start to uncover his identity, yet I wasn't expecting to have that juicy piece of information thrown into my face so quickly. I drew back with a sharp inhale, my gaze glued on him. "You want me to believe you are the last of your bloodline? We've all heard the rumors of the bloodbath in Asia several centuries ago. There were no survivors."

My pet's gray eyes drifted toward me, those eyebrows furrowed. The concern lurking just beneath the surface was clear enough for me to spot, while masked from our host. Should I be concerned?

I shook my head slightly to ease that heavy concern from her shoulders. I'd already done several brushes with my own magic against his and I had detected no intention for harm. There was no need for her to panic. "If this is the tale you would like me to believe, then you should probably be anticipating the next question. What proof do you have to offer for me to believe you are who you say you are?"

Ashivanx's lips twitched into a pleased smirk. "I offer the same proof I know you currently bear upon your body. The emblem of my bloodline." He turned his head slightly. It was such a subtle movement, yet it revealed the black ink kissing his skin.

The air caught in my throat. A tribal dragon bearing a shattered crown.

It was no secret that a family emblem could be mimicked by a typical tattoo artist, except there were key details that only someone legitimate from that bloodline would know. Every single one of us carried a runic symbol that would be built into the tattoo to help expose who was of true blood and those who were attempting to become that wolf in sheep's clothing.

I didn't even have to lean forward to spot the small runic symbol carved directly into that broken crown. I'll be damned. There was still a survivor from the Alexei bloodline and the cocky bastard had put himself directly in my path. From the tales that were still spun about this vampire, I knew there was nothing he did without a reason. If he'd come here, it was all tied into the game he was playing.

Ashivanx relaxed, allowing his hair to fall back into place and conceal the tattoo.

There was a part of me that was under the impression that he would continue the conversation, yet the growing silence slamming off of the glass walls simply revealed otherwise. It only took a moment for me to catch the faint sign of footsteps coming up the stairs and head in our direction. Turning my head slightly, I expected to find one of the waitresses employed here to be the one on her way over. A hint of surprise coursed through my veins when I found it to be Dario instead. The edges of my lips twitched. "Since when do you take orders for customers, uncle?"

The demon responded with a soft snort. "I think we're both fully aware of who is sitting at that table with you, Asher. Only a fool would risk the rest of the staff finding it out, as well."

"You assume that is a risk I wouldn't have already handled," Ashivanx murmured. He rested his weight against one of the arms and studied the chess pieces. "It is just one of my many talents that I can conceal who I am. No one is allowed to see unless I grant them that ability and it also carries with it an air of precaution. Should one attempt to tap into your memories, they would simply see a random face."

"Y-You can do that?" Quinn breathed.

His white eyes flickered in her direction. "Most of the older paranormal with…more pure bloodlines…carry with them unique abilities that the lower classes often envy us for. No one would survive to the ages we are without those handy gifts."

My pet's gaze ducked immediately. It wasn't the intention of our guest to bring up the bloodlines in that manner, yet it wasn't something she could ignore. It had been the bane of her existence since she was old enough to understand she had mixed blood running through her veins. While our bond growing did help eliminate that human side of her, there was still that small fraction that couldn't be destroyed until I was allowed to take her again.

Ashivanx surprised us both by leaning forward, bringing his face within centimeters of the back row on the chessboard. His light-colored gaze was firmly locked on my pet, who was struggling to resist the urge to peer right back at him. "I'm sure by now the prince sitting by your side has already told you there is no need to be ashamed of the blood that ran through your veins. One whiff is all anyone needs to take for them to realize what demonic bloodline you carry within you, precious."

It hadn't been my intention to release a growl. Hell, I didn't even realize that I was doing it until I could feel the noise rumbling in my chest and both pairs of eyes swung my way. That didn't mean that I had an ounce of regret swirling within me from the mere fact that it still happened.

"Possessive, aren't you?" Ashivanx mused.

Quinn's cheeks flushed with a dark blush. It was one thing to experience my undying need to fuck her and remind her that she was mine, but it was another thing entirely for me to shift gears until I was acting like a jealous teenage mortal. Not that she was willing to complain about my behavior. The way her delicious aroma started pooling into the air warned that it was definitely a turn-on for her.

If I wasn't careful, that chair was going to be soaked by the time this meeting was over.

Even Dario was struggling to muffle his laughter. This was not normal behavior for me and he was thrilled to see a part of myself that had always been buried.

"Don't push your luck." I glared at the vampire.

He responded with a click of his tongue. Instead of acknowledging the underlying warning that I had hoped he would, he simply shifted his gaze toward my uncle. "Perhaps you could bring us what the kitchen feels is best. It's been a good century since I last enjoyed a true Italian meal and I'm curious as to what their creativity would bring to the table"

My uncle offered him a slight nod before his attention shifted toward me.

I released a noise mixed between an irritated hiss and an exasperated sigh. "I have no problem with that recommendation."

Tucking the pad under his armpit, the demon leaned toward me and hissed, "Behave, Asher. Just because he doesn't oversee the vampire race doesn't mean you want to screw up the chance to establish a critical alliance. He's still pulling vital strings around the world."

Ashivanx uttered an amused snort, wagging his fingers at my uncle. "I don't enjoy the sensation of strings tied around these. I prefer chess pieces. Easier to move." Spreading his hands, he relaxed in his chair and allowed those pale eyes to stray toward me.

The fact that my own flesh and blood seemed to choke on his words was enough to help dissipate some of the irritation swirling within me. I blinked, my lips curling into a frown as Dario chose to make a rapid retreat without attempting to offer anything further. "Did you just…?"

"Crack a joke? Yes." The vampire released a small yawn, reaching out to retrieve the glass of wine nearby to devour the last of the crimson liquid. "I have walked the earth for many centuries and it is rather pointless to keep such a cold demeanor every second of my existence. Back to my previous point…" He peered at Quinn. "It doesn't matter how things began in the beginning for you. A foot in two different worlds is not a tainted bloodline."

My breathing slowed as the vampire uttered words that I hadn't anticipated a man of his age even bothering with. I threw a quick peek at my quiet pet only to find her entire expression had changed. Hell, even her energy had ceased to be so nervous. Now she was humming with curiosity. It was certainly far better than to have her on edge. I remained silent, focusing on pouring us both a glass of wine.

Although Quinn broke eye contact long enough to acknowledge the glass being placed in front of her, she didn't keep it away from Ashivanx for long. "Why are you telling me this?" Her voice was soft.

I curled my fingers around the stem of the glass while I shifted my other onto her upper thigh, using the physical contact to help ensure her nerves didn't get the best of her again.

Ashivanx's lips curled into a wide grin. "Precious, I can sense that bundle of nerves just waiting to break free again." That smirk grew even more as I released another low-warning growl. He didn't even stop his gaze from straying toward me. "Do you know why they attempted to eliminate my entire bloodline, Asher?"

"I'm sure you'll enlighten me." My voice was low, barely concealing the rising irritation swirling within me.

He spread his hands, that grin still remaining dominant despite feeling the increasing weight of my own temper brushing against his aura. "I am a pureblood vampire, just one of seven sons of Cassian. Just because I choose to lay with a human doesn't mean that every single offspring from that point on will be nothing more than a hybrid. Every seven centuries, one is born that can be changed by another and essentially become a pureblood."

I tapped a finger against the side of the wine glass while I maintained eye contact with the cocky bastard. "Is that why you've chosen to surface now? The descendent you've been waiting for has been born?"

"Perhaps." Ashivanx cocked his head slightly. "That is not the entire reason, however. I chose to come to Vegas and ensure our paths crossed because rumor has it that you're gearing up for war. From what I hear, there might be an angel prince falling before long."

Narrowing my eyes, I allowed for a moment of silence to pass while I chose to use that moment to take in a slow breath. The irritation was still swirling within me with enough strength that I knew it wouldn't take much to cause it to flare up again. If it was anyone other than Ashivanx Alexei seeking an audience with me, the meeting would already have been put to an end. "You've come to me with an offer of an alliance?"

"Not just an alliance with me, Asher." He lifted his jaw slightly. "My bloodline isn't the only one the Morialti family tried to remove from the history books. Come to find out, Neixis and his descendants attempted to do the same with the Azerro bloodline."

That was enough to make me straighten. All of my attention was now fixated upon the ancient vampire. While that seemed to please him, I found myself struggling to process that information. "You found a survivor, didn't you?"

Quinn threw a quizzical glance over at me.

"I did." Ashivanx raised his wine glass with a silent toast. "So this is my proposition to you, Asher Aeternus…Allow me to establish a meeting between you and Avion. Not only could he benefit from an alliance with you, an established prince who has helped expand the family empire beyond the borders of Europe…but you could also help him solidify his standing amongst his own people. You know as well as I that Zane Morialti will not accept bowing to another."

Scoffing softly, I eyed him through narrowed eyes. "I very much doubt you have revealed yourself to the new king." I was fully prepared to take a sip of the wine when a soft snicker from the vampire had me choking on it. Shifting forward to avoid getting any more of it on myself, I glared at him. "You did. That is not quite what I expected from someone who enjoys maintaining secrecy like you have been."

Ashivanx released an amused snort. "What better way to fight fire than with fire? The boy is aware enough to maintain his hold on the throne. Both of you will benefit greatly from the other."

I nudged the wine glass away to avoid the temptation of taking another drink. "You say this as if Avion Azerro will offer me valuable strength that I won't find elsewhere, Ashivanx. What army could he possibly have behind him after his bloodline was almost erased?"

For a moment, it seemed like the ancient vampire couldn't quite decide how he wanted to react. There was a hint of annoyance that leaked into those piercing pale eyes, quickly followed by a hint of amusement. Still, all of it disappeared as a set of footsteps came up the steps. He gestured at the chessboard with his hand, causing it to dissipate with a slight shimmer.

Dario drifted into my eyesight, barking out orders to the three women that had followed him.

Both the brunette and the redhead leading the way each carried two plates, to which three of them ended up in front of each of us with the final one set in the middle. The last woman, a weary blonde, scurried up long enough to add two wine bottles that bore a label with the restaurant"s name.

Clasping his hand behind his back, my uncle surveyed each one of us. "The chefs have chosen to make you a prawn risotto with zucchini, as well as some of our freshly baked bread that just came out of the stone ovens within the last hour. The wine…" He gestured at the bottles. "I'm sure you'll recognize the flavor choices."

Even with Ashivanx sitting across the table, there was no way I could miss the slight twinkle in his eyes. That was all I needed to realize that my uncle had used some of his own magic to speed up the wine-making process and ensure Quinn's own creation ended up on the table in time for dinner. I didn't make an attempt to silence the pleased noise clawing its way up my throat as I immediately leaned forward to pop the cork on one of them.

My pet's attention shifted toward my direction as soon as I got the bottle open. Her gray eyes widened slightly at the familiar peach smell.

Dario bowed his head slightly, his gaze shifting between Ashivanx and me. "I do hope you enjoy your meal." He shooed the waitresses away, bringing up the rear down the stairway while I filled both of the wine glasses.

Although I did pull both of the glasses together so I could fill them both, I didn't expect for Quinn to reach past her own and bring mine to her lips. It had my mind flashing back to the final dinner I had shared with my father where she willingly took a sip of the wine tainted with angel blood. It certainly had my movements slowing as I watched her swallow. There was only a small part of me that was concerned that maybe I was putting too much trust into my mother's family and I despised the idea of how her life would be at risk just to ensure mine wasn't.

The blood of a Jinn would certainly tear through a demon's body fast, yet she wasn't entirely demonic yet. It would shred her apart from the inside out in record time. So when she simply hummed with contentment and set the glass back down in front of me, I couldn't argue with the surge of relief tearing through my veins.

Ashivanx watched the scene unfold before him with a mixture of amusement as well as a sense of understanding. "Strange, isn't it?"

I waited until Quinn retrieved her own glass before I grabbed mine and drew it close. "Just what do you consider to be strange, Ashivanx?"

"We come from two different sides of the world and yet many of our customs are the same." He relaxed in his chair. "Those of us that are graced with the right to rule must depend on our queens to help protect us from our enemies. Even if we aren't fond of the idea that they must risk their own lives to do so."

Pressing my lips together, I gestured at the open bottle in case the ancient vampire had the slightest desire to taste my pet's creation. When he responded with a shake of his head, I settled for a quick sip. As the liquid washed over my tongue, I was slammed with the peach first until the grape flavoring took over. There was absolutely no sign of the familiar burning sensation that would often accompany the alcohol, although I didn't find myself mourning over that loss. The sweet flavors merged well together.

Perhaps I could use this combination to help Quinn prepare herself for various blood of the paranormal races that might be used against us. The better her chances were that she could adapt and merely end up buzzed instead of dead on the floor, I'd take it.

I fired off a quick text to Dario with the request that he get as many bottles as he could from that mixture. With us staying at a hotel here in Vegas, I didn't want to have the entire supply delivered there. Most would get sent on to Montana for when we returned while a small crate would wait for us here. Once the text was delivered, I returned the phone to my pocket. "So you are offering an alliance between the three of us. Why? What do you stand to gain from this?"

Ashivanx didn't offer a response when he watched Quinn also grab a quick taste of my risotto. He simply stabbed a prawn and dragged it through the rice to cover it. Tossing it into his mouth, his expression shifted slightly to pure delight. "Fantastic seasoning on this…"

"Ashivanx." I hardened my tone just enough to recover his attention. While my pet had now focused on her own meal, I had yet to touch my plate. Right now, I wanted answers.

The vampire sitting across from me only appeared mildly annoyed that I just couldn't seem to do anything but remain wound up tight. "I think we both got to where we are today by investing heavily in strategy, Asher Aeternus. You've expanded on your father's empire while weakening your enemy's. I have restored control of Asia to the rightful heir. It would appear we could work well together when it comes to possible…problems."

Lifting my jaw, I scoffed quietly. "The Alexei family are the original rulers. Why have you chosen not to challenge the Morialti?"

He offered a dismissive movement with his fork before he stabbed another prawn. "I have no interest in ruling my own kind again. I would much prefer to offer assistance when it is necessary and spend the rest of my time doing what I desire."

"You mean that you would prefer to be Avion's ace should the need arise."

Ashivanx smirked, but that was all I was going to get for the time being. He was more interested in devouring his meal than indulging in more details.

"It sounds like it would be a wise investment."

Quinn's voice was so soft that I didn't realize she had spoken until I could feel that familiar heat radiating off of her. When my eyes swung her way, the muscles within her jaw flexed. She hadn't meant to interject into the conversation, especially when she was still struggling to adjust to the ways of the demonic world and everything that came tied to being mated to royalty.

While I was surprised that she'd added something to the conversation, that shock quickly shifted into pride. I cocked my head to the side, studying her intently. "Do you feel that I can trust him?"

That seemed to get Ashivanx's hand to still with his fork just a mere few inches from his mouth. Those piercing pale eyes had also fallen upon my pet with intrigue.

The nervous energy had returned to Quinn's aura with full force. It was taking everything she had not to duck her head and keep her gray eyes locked on her half-eaten risotto. Yet there was a side to her that was growing. It refused to be suppressed. With a deep breath, she set her fork down and rested her hands on her lap. She stared back at Ashivanx dead on, causing the vampire to grin. "When I wasn't…heavily invested in the organization, I would take the time to study the royal families from the other paranormal races. The Alexei bloodline was well known for their unwavering loyalty. That was rumored to be one of the reasons the Morialti family sought to dethrone them."

"I'm impressed." Ashivanx set his own fork down. With one swift movement, he had the cloth napkin unrolled. He dragged it along the side of his mouth while he eyed her. "She's not wrong. My father made it quite clear that certain races were worth investing in while others were not. As we both know, the angels aren't quite as pure as they would like the rest of us to believe and the Jinn have never been known for actual loyalty."

It was clear the gears weren't done turning in my pet's head. Her eyebrows furrowed and those stunning gray eyes swung my way. "Is that why Marcillo tried to poison you with their blood?"

I finally picked up my own fork and scooped up some of the rice. "Jinn blood is toxic to the rest of the races. They are the only race that would be willing to stab their allies in the back."

"Hence why they have none."

"You still need to answer my question, pet." I arched an eyebrow at her, causing those cheeks to flush again. "Do you think I can place my trust in Ashivanx Alexei?"

She raised that jaw sharply with a surge of defiance that had me swelling with pride ─ and sporting one hell of a hard-on. "Absolutely."

A soft chuckle rumbled from Ashivanx's chest. "I like her." He retrieved his glass of wine, tossing his head back to finish it off.

My upper lip curled to expose my demonic fangs. "Why? Because she believes you are worth investing in for an alliance?"

"Hell no." The vampire grabbed his own personal bottle of wine to refill it. "I mentioned before that your story is a familiar one to me, Quinn. You were born with mixed blood. My own descendants will face the same fate and I expect them to rise from those ashes the same as you have. For a being that is…converting into a full-blooded demon, you are handling the change quite well. It was not a mistake for you to join the conversation when you have every right to do so."

I cocked my head to the side. "I must admit that I agree."

Her gray eyes widened as shock tore through her veins. "Y-You do?"

Relaxing in my chair, I found it far easier than I thought it would be to focus on my pet and where the conversation had shifted to. "Quinn…I do not want a queen that is only seen and not heard. That was the fate that fell upon my mother. It…didn't end well for her. That is why my uncle expressed the same request to the both of us, why I have sworn to you I will never snuff out that light. I want you to take part in these conversations that will affect us both."

"He wants a queen that is not hesitant to express her own opinion," our vampire guest added softly. "Not one that will be suppressed into silence."

Quinn's blush deepened even more. Although she had managed to obtain the boldness to join our conversation and contribute to it, that side of her hadn't grown enough yet to where she could avoid succumbing to the withdrawn behavior entirely. She ducked her head, focusing on getting more risotto on her fork.

Still, I didn't stop the pleased grin from breaking out across my face. I shifted my attention back toward Ashivanx. "Very well, then. My queen believes an alliance would be ideal for the both of us. I will accept your proposal and meet with the new king. As long as he realizes that I will not be leaving the country until after the tasks have been faced and I have taken the throne with Quinn by my side."

"By all means, Asher Aeternus. I was there when the old ways of your people were written." He raised his glass with a pleased smirk. "I will take care of things on my end. We will speak again when the time is right. For now…I wish you both the best of luck." His white eyes flickered between us. "Long live the alliance."