Chapter 447: Dorian Ashford

"Should we send him away?" Lucian asked.

"No," Victoria said immediately. "Dorian may be dangerous but he’s not an enemy. And if the second branch of the Morvaine family sent him....if they’re paying attention to what’s happening here, we need to know why."

"Then we meet with him," Lilith said. "Carefully. But we meet with him."

Sebastian looked like he wanted to argue. But he also recognized the political reality. Refusing to meet with a representative from the Morvaine family’s second branch could create enemies they did not need.

"Fine," Sebastian said. "But we do this in the main hall. Public. Witnesses. And Lilith stays between me and Lucian the entire time."

"Agreed," Victoria said.

***

They made their way to the main hall, the large formal space used for pack gatherings and important meetings.

Pack members were already assembling. Word had spread fast that an unknown vampire had requested entrance. Warriors positioned themselves strategically around the room. Ready for violence if it came to that.

Lilith stood in the center of the hall with Sebastian on her left and Lucian on her right. Victoria and Elena positioned themselves slightly behind her.

The main doors opened.

Callum entered first. "Dorian Ashford of House Ashford. Representative of the second branch of House Morvaine."

Then the vampire entered.

Lilith’s first impression was power.

Dorian Ashford moved with the kind of predatory grace that came from centuries of existence. He was tall, maybe six and a half feet, with aristocratic features and dark hair pulled back in a way that emphasized sharp cheekbones and a strong jaw.

His eyes were the pale silver that marked old vampires. The kind who had lived long enough to see empires rise and fall.

He wore elegant dark clothing that looked expensive without being ostentatious. And he carried himself with the confidence of someone who had nothing to fear from anyone in the room.

But his attention....his focus went immediately to Victoria.

Something complicated flickered across his expression. Recognition. Nostalgia. Pain.

"Victoria," Dorian said. His voice was cultured. Smooth. The kind of accent that suggested old money and European aristocracy. "It’s been a long time."

"Fifteen years," Victoria said. Her voice was steady despite whatever emotions she was feeling. "You disappeared after Celeste died. No one knew where you went."

"I went hunting," Dorian said simply. "The men who killed her. The organization that sanctioned it. I found them all. And I made sure they paid for what they took from me."

A moment of heavy silence.

Then Dorian’s silver eyes shifted to Lilith.

"And this must be Lilith Morvaine," he said. "The girl who returned from the Veil. The one carrying power that has the entire supernatural community mobilizing."

"I’m Lilith," Lilith confirmed. "And you’re here because.....?"

"Because the second branch of House Morvaine has questions," Dorian said. "And concerns. And a vested interest in what happens to the last living member of the direct bloodline."

"The second branch abandoned us," Victoria said sharply. "After the massacre. After Thalia went dark and I went into hiding. They offered no help. No support. No alliance. So forgive me if I’m skeptical about their sudden interest now."

Dorian’s expression didn’t change. "The second branch was protecting itself. The curse that marks the direct descendants is dangerous. Divine punishment has a way of spreading to those who get too close. We kept our distance to survive."

"Convenient," Lucian muttered.

Dorian’s eyes flicked to him. Assessing. "You’re one of the Blackwood Alphas. The ones bonded to Lilith. My condolences on the loss of your brother. I understand he sacrificed himself for her resurrection."

"Nicholas made his choice," Sebastian said, his voice hard. "And it’s none of your concern."

"On the contrary," Dorian said. "Everything about Lilith Morvaine is now the second branch’s concern. Because whether she realizes it or not, she’s the last hope for our entire bloodline."

"Explain," Elena said.

Dorian turned his attention to the priestess. "Elena Markov. The life witch hiding from Vampire Lord Keres. Interesting that you’re here. Does Keres know where you are?"

"That’s not your concern either," Elena said coolly.

Dorian smiled slightly. "Fair enough. To answer your question, the Morvaine family is dying. The direct bloodline is nearly extinct. Victoria is corrupted and dying from blood magic. Cassandra is half dead, Thalia is insane and demon-touched. And Lilith..." He looked at her directly. "You’re the only one left who carries pure Morvaine blood from the direct line. The only one who can inherit the family’s true power. The only one who can potentially break the curse that has plagued us for generations."

"I’m not interested in breaking curses for a family that abandoned me," Lilith said.

"You should be," Dorian said. "Because if the direct bloodline dies completely, if you die, Lilith....then the second branch becomes the primary Morvaine line. We inherit everything. The power. The legacy. The political influence. And the debt."

Understanding dawned.

"You’re afraid the debt will transfer to you," Victoria said. "If Lilith dies, if the direct line ends completely, the Veil’s punishment might expand to include the second branch."

"It’s not a might," Dorian corrected. "It’s a certainty. The debt is tied to Morvaine blood. Right now it’s concentrated in the direct descendants. But if that line ends...." He paused. "The debt will find new targets. And the second branch will become the cursed line. Marked for divine punishment we didn’t earn."

"So you need me alive," Lilith said.

"We need you more than alive," Dorian corrected. "We need you powerful. Strong enough to either break the curse or control it. Because Lilith....if Thalia claims you, if she uses that binding covenant to drain your power or corrupt you the way she’s corrupted herself, the direct line dies anyway. And we all suffer."

"What are you proposing?" Sebastian asked.

Dorian looked at him. "An alliance. The second branch offers protection. Resources. Political influence to slow the other factions mobilizing against Lilith. Safe havens if she needs to leave Blackwood territory. And training from Morvaine witches who understand bloodline magic better than anyone."

"In exchange for?" Lucian demanded.