Damon chuckled. “You can’t play the role of the victim here, Aiden, though I admire your nearly convincing attempt.”
Winter ground his teeth together to keep back any harsh words, and he did notice Aiden’s shoulders stiffen.
“The Black Wolf clan started a quarrel with us,” Aiden stated in a firm voice. “Minerva was determined to upset the order of our world. She was followed by the MacPherson clan and Nolan’s desire for power. Their attacks on my clan would not be tolerated, and they had to be stopped. However, neither I nor my sons have any aspirations for power.”
“And yet, you’ve been forming a number of alliances and steadily growing your ranks.” Damon scratched his jaw and lifted one mocking eyebrow at Aiden. “One might think you were preparing to overthrow the Ministry.”
“We are protecting ourselves and joining with other clans who grow weary of feeling threatened while the rulers who are supposed to be looking out for their interests do nothing.”
Damon hummed and nodded. “Oh yes, of course,” he said, not sounding as he believed it at all. “Though, I can hardly complain. Nolan was a controlling prick and would have been a nuisance eventually if it had not been for your sons. And then Minerva.” He shrugged. “She was just a crazy bitch that needed to be put down if she couldn’t be controlled. The idea that she could lead any kind of revolution for our kind was laughable.”
“Her only interests were the death and destruction of humanity, which leads ultimately to the death and destruction of our own kind.”
Damon nodded. “But it has all worked out in the end.”
Winter fought hard not to react to those words. They didn’t quite make sense, but they were enough to send a chill through his frame.
Aiden shifted from one foot to the other, his hands flexing a little at his sides. “I’m sorry but I don’t quite follow you. How have things worked out?”
“I know the Variks have no faith in the Ministry. For the most part, the idea that a bloated bureaucracy could accomplish anything was ridiculous. We’re vampires. We’re not made to settle our disputes in a court setting. We fight it out and the victor claims the spoils. It’s more natural. We need a strong leader.”
“So you cleaned it out,” Aiden said softly.
Damon smiled smugly as he strolled over to a large painting entitled Medea About to Kill Her Children. The pale woman looked as if she’d dragged her two struggling children off to a darkened grotto, a dagger clutched in one fist. Damon grinned broadly at the painting as if he approved of the horrible creature’s desperate act.
“I thought it was all quite artfully accomplished. Some of it took a little nudging and a few whispers, while others I just ordered to get the task done. In the end, I didn’t even need to kill them all,” he admitted. He chuckled as he looked over at Aiden, his gaze hardening. “I am the strong leader the vampires need to pull us into a cohesive people. They will follow me.”
“Or they will die,” Aiden finished.
“Yes, but it’s what’s best for everyone.”
Aiden looked forward at the painting, a frown digging deep lines into his face. “It’s an interesting proposal. Where does that leave the Variks?”
Damon made a noise of agreement in the back of his throat as he stroked his chin with index finger and thumb. “Quite the conundrum, isn’t it? I could have you and your clan slaughtered as the rebellious faction you are. I would imagine killing you and your sons would be enough to bring the Montgomery clan in line,” he mused. He waved his hand a little in the air as if mentally debating that option. “Or…I could leave you alive as an emissary of sorts for me. You would continue to oversee the Montgomery clan as well as all those other little disgruntled groups since they seem to like you so much. You would hand down my orders and see that they are followed.”
Winter struggled to keep his expression blank at such a proposal. Working for Damon would be hideous, but it would buy them some more time to spy and plan. They could come up with a safer way to take out Damon and all his little minions.
“Naturally, you’re shocked by my generosity,” Damon continued with a wide grin. “But keep in mind that I would need assurances that you and your sons would behave themselves and follow my orders.”
“And what reassurance can I offer that would assuage your worries?” Aiden asked carefully.
For the first time since they’d entered the Delacroix room, Damon turned and looked directly at Winter. The blood in his veins froze and his mouth went dry. He could so easily guess what Damon wanted.
“I want him,” Damon announced.
“I beg your pardon,” Aiden gasped.