Chapter 13
Piper
Istared in horror at President Vincent. Tristan choked on air behind me and a quick look at Bishop told me this was old news to him. How he knew me was a mystery, but not one that needed to be solved right now. Currently, I was more worried about the man standing in front of me, holding all the cards.
Getting over my shock, I grabbed the handles of my daggers and narrowed my gaze on Vincent. "I suppose I should say it's an honor you know who I am, Mr. President."
His lips ticked up into a smirk, and Vincent waved his hands in front of him, a large gold ring on his right hand shining in the stage lights. "No need for such formalities, Piper. Call me Vincent."
"Fine, Vincent," I snarled with more venom than I meant to. "What now? Introductions are out of the way. Do we fight now?" I shot a cautionary glance around the still empty auditorium.
Vincent tucked his hands into his pockets and walked slowly to the edge of the stage. "If you would like. But I, myself, prefer the more civilized approach. At least, at first."
My brows rose to my hairline. "I apologize if I find that a little hard to believe. From what I've seen, you hunters are just as barbaric as the vampires you hunt."
A hand clamped down on my shoulder, and without looking to see who it was, I reached back and grabbed them by the wrist, twisting it and shifting to the side as Billy had taught me. Tristan gasped in pain, but I didn't release him, unsure if he was still on my side or not.
"There's no need for violence. No one here plans to harm you. At least not yet anyway. Besides, why would you attack the only hunter here who defended you? Bad form." Vincent shook his head and clicked his tongue.
With reluctance, I released Tristan and took a few steps back from him. I hated to admit it, but Vincent was right. That didn't stop me, however, from being cautious.
Turning back to Vincent, I decided I didn't like being talked down to. With the stairs too close to the smiling Bishop and pouting Tristan, I grabbed the edge of the stage and threw myself up and on to it.
With a small smile that was anything but pleasant, I crossed my arms over my chest and cocked a hip. "Now that we are on even ground, why don't you tell me what you want? If you know who I am, then you've probably figured out why I'm here."
Vincent scanned my defensive form and nodded in one swift movement. "I see no reason to go on with pretenses. We both know you're here to save your vampires, but for the life of me..." He huffed and moved his hands from his pockets to cross them over his chest, his fingers in his armpits as he thought. "I can't figure you out."
I furrowed my brow and then shrugged. "What's to figure out? You're attacking my guys who are the least dangerous vampires out there and I want it to stop."
A choking laugh came from Bishop, and he scoffed, "Least dangerous, my ass."
I turned my head slightly to face him, but didn't take my eyes off of Vincent. "Yes. If you hunters are such experts in vampires, then you would be able to figure out which ones are actually a danger to society and which are simply trying to live a semi-normal life."
Vincent threw his head back and laughed. "This is why I am so intrigued by you, Piper Billings." He ran a hand through his curls and shook his head as he began to pace. "You've only known about vampires for how long? Two years?" I jerked my head in agreement, not bothering to ask how he knew that. "And in that time, not only have you been able to ensnare one of the most prestigious and oldest families, but you have drawn the attention of an ancient. It's because of you we were able to take down Boris. And I believe it’s you we owe thanks to for taking out Valentine, or I suppose your vampires are responsible. Either way, it was in response to their devotion to you."
I swallowed hard at the mention of Boris and Valentine, but put on a brave face. "I didn't do it for you. They were monsters." Ignoring the chortle coming from the peanut gallery, I glared at Vincent. "The kind of monsters you should be hunting. Not the Durands."
Vincent nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. Yes. I agree wholeheartedly. And that is why, Piper Billings..." He stopped before me and offered me a small smile. "I would like to offer you a deal."
I gaped at Vincent while Bishop jumped from his seat, cursing me and everything that was holy.
While I stared at the man in front of me, wondering if he had been hit in the head one too many times, Bishop threw the biggest hissy fit of the century.
"President, you can't be serious! She's vamp bait. She let one of our captives go and now you want to work with her?" Bishop added a few more expletives that even had my ears burning.
"Bishop." Vincent didn't even move his gaze away from mine. "Get out."
"But President—"
"Now." Vincent's gaze flicked to Bishop in a final warning before the man huffed in defeat and stomped as loudly as possible out of the auditorium. "Tristan."
"Yes, President?" There were fear and respect in Tristan's voice.
"Do you have anything to say?" He formed it as a question, but everyone in the room could tell it was more of a warning.
Tristan, being the smart guy he was, quickly replied, "Nope. Nothing. I follow your lead, always."
"Good." The smile returned to Vincent's lips as he returned his attention to me. "Now, can you tell me, Piper, why exactly all these vampires seem so intrigued with you?" He reached out and took a strand of my hair, which had fallen from my ponytail, and rubbed it between his fingers.