Brothers to the Death (The Saga of Larten Crepsley) Read Free

come with him. There was no dishonor in serving the wishes of a Prince, no matter how experienced a General you might be.
    Larten hadn’t spoken much with Arra. Their nights were packed with meetings and fact-finding outings, and by day they slept. Besides, he wasn’t sure what to say. He had made his admiration of her clear in the past, but that was before he’d renewed his relationship with Alicia. His French amour might only be a close friend now, but he still hoped that she would one night ask to be more. Any romantic entanglement with Arra would have felt like a betrayal. It was easier to keep out of her way and avoid a potentially complicated situation.
    “The world is changing,” Franz said. He was still smiling, but not as widely as before. Larten had sensed a change in the atmosphere over the last few nights. The Nazis had grown impatient and Franz was having a hard time hiding his mounting frustration.
    “The world is forever changing,” Mika said.
    “True,” Franz nodded. “But now more than ever. Faster than ever. A storm is coming. We will all need friends if we are to survive. You will find us friends of the highest caliber. Strong. Loyal. Dependable.”
    “What are you like as enemies?” Mika asked casually, and although he said it with a chuckle, Larten saw Franz’s face darken.
    “Why speak of us that way?” Franz growled. “We have no wish to be anything but your allies.”
    “You misunderstand me,” Mika said. “If we become your friends, your enemies will be our enemies. If you go to war, it will be
our
war. I want to know how you plan to deal with those who don’t share your vision for the future.”
    “I see.” Franz was beaming again. “First, it is important to recognize that we do not seek war. We hope to expand and redraw the boundaries of our once-great nation, to again be a force of true power in the world. Ideally we will exert our influence peacefully. If others resist and threaten us, we will of course fight—and win—but war isn’t something we wish to actively pursue.”
    “Yet there are some you long to destroy,” Mika pressed. “People of certain nations and religions…”
    “
Destroy
is the wrong word,” Franz purred. “We believe this world would be better without certain types of people. We have always been up front about that. But vampires share those beliefs. You cut loosethe old and infirm, those of low character, base creatures who would drag you down. We seek to do the same. Surely that cannot be an issue for proud, pure warriors such as yourselves?”
    Mika nodded slowly, considering Franz’s words. This was the heart of their debate, even though they had largely skirted the issue so far. Vampires came from all corners of the earth, regardless of color, race, or creed. If you were strong, determined, and honest, you could join the clan and be entitled to respect. The Nazis weren’t so eager to include people of specific backgrounds.
    “What do you think?” Mika asked suddenly, turning to Larten.
    The orange-haired vampire blinked and stared at the Prince. Larten still wasn’t sure why Mika had invited him to be his second. The ravenlike Prince had said little to the General. He hadn’t asked for Larten’s views or discussed matters with him in detail. Until now.
    As Larten struggled to form a polite, diplomatic response, Mika shook his head. “Don’t tell me what you think I want to hear. And don’t worry about our hosts. I want your true opinion. Share your thoughtswith me, openly and honestly. That is the vampire way,” he murmured to Franz and the officers who flanked him. “I hope you won’t be offended.”
    “Of course not,” Franz said, but he was squinting at Larten suspiciously.
    “On which particular points do you wish me to comment, Sire?” Larten asked.
    “All of them,” Mika said. “I want your general reaction. Tell me what you think of the National Socialists and their desire to merge with us.”
    “I dislike and