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

distrust them,” Larten said bluntly. Some of the officers gasped, but Franz silenced them with a sharp gesture. He was glaring at Larten, but he said nothing, waiting to hear the rest.
    “They are cruel,” Larten went on. He didn’t enjoy airing his feelings this way, but Mika had asked him to be open, and Larten would never disobey the demands of a Prince. “Vampires are hard, yes. We ask much of ourselves and those who would be part of the clan. We execute the mad, the weak, the injured, the old, or urge them to make an end of their own. In that respect we are like these humans.
    “But those we treat harshly have chosen the path of the night. They left their human ways behind when they joined the clan. They understand why we treatthem so pitilessly. They acknowledge our rule, live by our laws, accept death when they are no longer fit to fight.
    “The enemies… no, the
victims
of the Nazis have no such choice. These people hate without reason. They pass judgment on innocents. In that way we differ. Vampires are harsh, Nazis are vicious. We are merciless, they are monstrous.”
    One of the officers cursed and leapt to his feet. He drew a pistol and leveled it at Larten. Before he could fire, Franz barked a command and the officer angrily holstered his weapon and sat. When he had control of the room again, Franz faced Larten and sneered. “You understand nothing of us or the problems we face.”
    “Perhaps,” Larten said calmly. “But I was asked for my opinion and I gave it.”
    “Do you share his view?” Franz snapped at Mika.
    The Prince smiled thinly. “In any group you will find people of differing beliefs and standards. I’m sorry if my assistant’s criticism upset you. I simply wanted to know where he stood on this issue.”
    “And now you know,” Franz said. “But where do
you
stand?”
    “I will have to think about that before I give myanswer.” Mika rose and offered his hand. Franz hesitated, then shook the Prince’s hand.
    “We have been patient,” the officer said softly, “but we cannot wait forever. I must know if you are with us or against us, and I need to know soon.”
    “You shall,” Mika promised. “I’m close to making a decision. There are just a few minor matters I need to think over. You will have your answer shortly.”
    Franz didn’t look happy, but he nodded curtly and took his seat, watching with narrowed, hostile eyes as the Prince and his followers slipped out of the room and returned to the fabulous hotel suite where they had been quartered.

Chapter
Three
    Mika said nothing to Larten on their way back to the hotel, and retired to his room as soon as they got there, giving no indication whether or not he approved of what Larten had said. Gavner shared a worried glance with his master, then went to his own room. A distracted Larten nodded goodnight to Arra in the lobby, but as he climbed the stairs he realized she was following him. He glanced over his shoulder questioningly.
    “It’s time we had a chat,” Arra said, then brushed ahead and waited for him at the door to his suite.
    Arra cast a scornful eye around the room when she entered, unimpressed by the florid furniture and antiques. “Do you sleep in the bed?” she asked.
    “Where else?” Larten replied.
    “I laid hands on a coffin when I came here,” she said. “I’ve had it shipped from one hotel to another. Beds are for humans.”
    Larten smiled. “You sound like Vancha March.”
    “A most noble vampire,” Arra nodded, then sat on the least comfortable looking chair and studied Larten seriously. She hadn’t changed much since he had first met her. By no means beautiful, but pretty in her own way. She’d picked up scars in battle since she’d become a vampire and was leaner than when she’d served as Evanna’s apprentice. But she wore the same brown clothes, and in the dim light she could have passed for a teenager.
    “You spoke passionately tonight,” Arra noted.
    “I said what was in my