âRight⊠yeah⊠wait; whatâs going on?â
âItâs all right,â she pointed out, noting his glare. âThat kind of thing is quite normal.â She supposed she could even understand, on some level. The people she was surrounded by every day were extraordinary, wonderful and wholly worth caring about. Despite its dangers and problems, Ava thought of herself most of the time as living a very charmed life, that she got to be so close to them as she did. They made living well that much easier, all of them in distinctive ways.
The intensity of his eyes was really unfair, she thought. It was like, he could look at you and youâd think he saw everything. She was a blind child in comparison. It was a dark fire, the quality, and honestly, she might not have minded the burning as much as she should have. His words struck deep and very close, and she wondered what he would say if he knew. That she was, in some sense, at least, just like those women. Infatuated, and a little bit silly about it. Heâd probably find her just as annoying, and the very suggestion hurt. Sheâd definitely been doing the right thing, not letting anyone know. It was for the best. This way, at least, she could be helpful, keep the admirers at bay for a few minutes of relative peace and quiet, and if that was what she was given, that was what she would accept. There was no need to be avaricious.
Any reply she might have made, however, was cut off abruptly with Nikkiâs sudden movements. She must have caught a glimpse of something over Jasperâs shoulder, because she was flinging fire in the next moments, and a man sheâd only barely noticed thanks to her preoccupation jumped to her aid. There was no mistaking the synchronicity of their movements, and Ava concluded that they knew each other, and well. But what was the meaning of this? Vincent left her with a pair of hunters, but she brushed them off and went immediately to Erysâs side. She was as safe with her friend as she was with any Hunter.
Jazz, Morgan, and Vincent stood arrayed in front of Nikki and her unknown friend, several of the vampiric guests arrayed on the other side of the room. Most of them looked confused, but several of them were clearly livid, and Theodor von Nacht only looked as he always did: like he knew everything that was hidden to everyone else. Heinrich, Ava likedâin his own sort of way, he was a good person, even if a ruthless one. But Theodor, on the few occasions they had met, had frightened her deeply in a way nothing else had⊠not until she was held hostage like bait on a string.
Ava grasped Erysâs elbow lightly as the woman crossed her arms, partly to inform her friend that she was present and wanted to support her, and partly because she needed an anchor. It may not look like it just yet, but there was a storm coming, and she was fairly certain its name was von Nacht.
âI have never forgotten who you are. But it is time that I reminded you of who I am.â
âHow dare you lay hands on my nephew!â One of the vampires exclaimed, and when Jazz glanced down at the body, he almost groaned. It was true: while the assailant was a noble, he recognized the man as being the relative of a purebloodâand not one of those who was particularly inclined towards making peace with the Hunters. This was not going to end well. The presence of both himself and Vincent was stopping anyone from making a move, but it was not stopping them from shouting at each other.
âDamn right they should have!â the Association Presidentâs daughter shouted back. âHe was trying to kill the Headmaster!â One of Jasperâs eyes twitched only minutely. It was true, what she was saying, and at perhaps any other time, he would have appreciated the support for Nikkiâs cause, butâŠ
âSilence, human! This is none of your affair! This is a vampire matter, and it will be settled by vampire custom!â âŠHeâd been worried about that. Vampire custom basically dictated that Nobles were subject to the will and whim of purebloods. They were, according to the ancient laws, lower beings. Some of the rules were positively draconic, but they were still the rules. Jazz was seriously hoping that nobody else here knew the one that applied in this situation, but of course, he would never be so fortunate.
âAs it happens, the claim here is legitimate,â put in a smooth tenor, and Theodor stepped forwards, immediately drawing the attention of all those present. He was just as ancient as the rules, and Jasper honestly wouldnât be surprised if heâd written this one. He liked to protect what was his, and he liked to force other people to kneel before him. The law here would have allowed him opportunity for both. âIn the event that the claimed of a pureblood is killed by a⊠lower form of life,â his eyes passed coldly over the others and latched onto Nikki with obvious cruelty. It was clear he knew who she was, and was taking advantage of the opportunity this had presented. âThat pureblood has the right to the life of the killer. Takarada can demand the girlâs life as blood-price for her deed.â
Of course heâd bring that up. And it had to be Nikki; sheâd both initiated the attack and struck the last blow. âWhat is Takaradaâs claim?â Jasper asked, swinging the gazes in his direction. Just being a nephew was not enoughâNikki was his cousin, and as such, they could be considered to have equal status. If Takarada wanted blood-price with only a nephewâs claim, then Jasper had the right to step in an duel Takarada for that.
It was apparent that the councilman thought himself absolved of that difficulty, for he smiled. âShiro was betrothed to my daughter as of a week previous. On her behalf, I advance the betrothal claim.â
That⊠was a problem. The betrothal claim was defeated only by marriage claims and those for parents and children. He could advance neither for Nikki, which meant that either this place would become a bloodbath when he refused to hand her over according to custom (and doubtless, Morgan and whomever her friend was, plus no few of the others would agree), or⊠there was only one choice.
âThen your claim is the same as mine, Takarada,â Jasper said coolly. âThis woman is my intended.â He inwardly apologized to, Nikki, Morgan, Ava, and everyone else this would inconvenience, but he could easily release her from the contract once the incident blew over⊠he hoped. Theodor would be watchful. Indeed, his grandfatherâs eyes widened, but he was trapped, unable to speak out against Jasperâs declaration without clearly taking a side, and then everyone would have to wonder why he wanted one woman dead so badly. Jasperâs eyes, reflecting an eerie red in the light, swung to Takarada, who suddenly looked much less confident. Wisely, he did not want to duel Jasper, especially not for a relative he probably didnât care about. He doubted this Shiro was ever supposed to have survived his engagement with Takaradaâs daughterâfew purebloods would willingly marry their children to nobles, relative or not.
Takaradaâs mouth compressed into a thin line. âV-very well. I will not demand blood-price. I accept my nephewâs folly.â
âWhat? Just like that? I swear, youâre all so barbaric!â the Hunter-woman spat, and she and several of her people left. Jasper could understand whyâit was patently ridiculous that his actions in forcing Nikki into a betrothal she doubtless did not want were the only things that had saved her life, and not the obvious fact that she was acting to save the Headmasterâs life. But it had been the only thing he could do, and he hoped she understood that.
âI suggest,â he said quietly, but with unmistakable authority, âThat we disband for the evening.â This got the rest of the Council, sans Vincent and his grandfather, to leave as well as the remaining hunters. Theodor lingered for a moment, a calculating look in his eyes and a small smirk on his face.
âWell-played, Jasper. I must admit that Iâm impressed by how far youâve come.â But his grandson was not in the mood for games, and glared daggers at the man until he chuckled darkly and turned on his heel, taking his leave without a hint of fear for anyone and everyone in the room. Jasper only swallowed thickly, and sighed.
âI do not believe any of them shall be returning for more talks tomorrowâŠâ And that was currently the least of his problems. He was about to get hit with a barrage of complaints, anger, and probably confusion and disappointment, so he slowly turned to face his friends and family, resolved to weather it all as it came. He deserved no less, for putting them in this position in the first place.