Meredith.
Draven's eyes narrowed slightly, but his voice stayed calm. "I'm listening."
Brackham rubbed his palms together, that false politeness barely concealing the gleam of ambition beneath. "If your people happen to capture one of those… creatures—one of the vampires alive, I would like you to bring it to me."
I blinked, turning toward him sharply, startled by the audacity in his tone.
Draven studied him for a heartbeat before asking quietly, "And what exactly do you plan to do with it, Mayor?"
Brackham gave a short, awkward laugh. "Nothing dangerous, I assure you. I just want to lock it up—a public display of strength, you could say. If the rest of them realize we have captured one of their kind, perhaps they will think twice before coming into my city again. It's… protection for my people."
I didn't even have to look at Draven to know what he was thinking. His stillness said enough.
Through the mind-link, Dennis's laughter burst out first, low and amused.
