King Luciver slammed his palm down on the carved stone table. "Somebody explain to me," he growled, his fangs elongating just slightly with rage, "why there are things happening outside my kingdom and I am the last to know!"
"Tell me how an entire rogue vampire army waltzes into werewolf territory, slaughters Alpha King Magnus Sinclair—the princess's own father—and not a single one of you knew? How?!"
The council remained silent, eyes downcast. Even the usual sharp-tongued nobles, who were often eager to outwit each other in debate, now seemed like chastened children before a furious parent.
"Commander of the army!" he barked, and a tall, broad-shouldered vampire stepped out from the arc of guards near the door.
The commander bowed deeply. "Your highness, with due respect, I do not believe this threat originated from within Blood City. The movements are erratic. These weren't trained soldiers."
