Belmont

I strolled into the familiar room. Normally, it felt airy and bright, but today it was crowded with people, making it feel stifling somehow. 

Lumiere had called everyone to a meeting, but Clocksworth stood at the center of attention. My chest tightened when I saw him. He exuded leadership and confidence as he stood in the middle of the room, his gaze fixed on the desk, a cigar clenched between his teeth. Behind him was a large whiteboard displaying pictures of various vampires and a sketch of a house and its surroundings. It hit me that it wasn't just any house—it was a racetrack. Not some quaint little villa, as I'd initially thought. 

Most of the group had already gathered, and as I scanned the room, I slid onto the edge of the desk, feeling a warm hand on my shoulder almost immediately. "Are you ready?" a voice whispered softly in my ear. I glanced up at him with a serious expression. 

 "No." 

 "Think of the bright side, Bel. Once this is over, we're out of here." 

I gave a brief nod, though I found it hard to believe him. Another thought was creeping into my mind. If I wasn't being hunted anymore after all this, could I go back to Conor? If he still wanted me, that is. My thoughts wandered as my eyes swept over the room and the people gathered there. Lumiere sat slightly behind Clock in a large armchair, completely absorbed in scribbling notes in a notebook. Marianne rested one leg on the armrest of his chair, looking restless and bored. I still didn't understand how they could be a couple—they were so wildly different. 

 My gaze moved to Roch, leaning against the wall on my side of the room, arms crossed as usual, looking stern. When our eyes met, he gave me a small nod. He was so different now, I thought to myself. Once upon a time, I had truly hated him. But now, he was a steady presence, someone I leaned on more than most. He'd always been there for us, and that made him special. 

 Last of all, Masson entered the room, with Dominic trailing behind him. The young, short vampire stopped in front of the map, studying it with his usual broad grin. "You're enjoying this way too much," I chuckled, but he only grinned wider in response. 

 "Viva la revolution!" he laughed, giving me a hearty slap on the back. Dominic, however, didn't look as amused, and I suspected he took life far more seriously than his boss. 

 "Keep an eye on him, Nico."

 "Always." His reply didn't surprise me, but I wasn't expecting the smile he gave me. 

 There was only one person left in the room, but I hesitated to look at him. Gaston. I still had mixed feelings about him and what had happened. More than anything, I wanted to kill the idiot. Who the hell did he think he was? Six years ago, I had done everything to get his attention. I would have killed to make him notice me. I'd done everything he asked, but it always landed me in trouble. Then, when I finally refused to follow his orders—for my father's sake—all hell had broken loose. 

 What had that kiss meant to him, anyway? And how the hell did he dare? After everything Clock had done for him and now that he'd finally earned some respect? My thoughts spiraled, and I struggled to accept his role in all of this. Annoyingly, I had noticed how much he had actually changed, and I hated myself for letting him get closer. We'd even talked like normal friends recently. Had I encouraged him? But how the hell was I supposed to know how he felt? He had been the bane of my existence. Was this some kind of sick joke? I glanced at him briefly, and he met my gaze steadily, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. Theo is going to kill you, I thought, telling myself I'd sort everything out after the mission, once everything else was done.

 "Is everyone here?" Clocksworth's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, pulling me back to reality. We had a lot to discuss, and this wasn't the time to drift off into the clouds. "Levis has invited all the so-called important, high-ranking vampire lords and princes along with their entourages to a horse race this Saturday," he began. 

 "Everyone will be there," Lumiere emphasized. 

 "So, we're going to take the opportunity to wipe out all of France's vampire elite at once?" Alex laughed smugly from his seat. 

 Clock nodded. "That's the plan." 

 "That's your worst idea yet," Roch muttered. 

 "You don't have to come," Lumiere snapped. 

 But Clock shot the blond a look. "Take it easy."

 "We're aware it's a risky plan," I interjected, "but we can't let this chance slip through our fingers, can we?" Roch sighed but said nothing more. I knew he wouldn't refuse if Clock asked him to stay.

"It's a wild plan," Marianne declared with a manic grin. "But really, what other options do we have? Shouldn't we just charge in, wreak havoc, and then make a mad dash for it?"

"Explosives," Roch agreed with a nod. "Plenty of explosives." 

 Clocksworth pulled out a red marker and began writing on the map. "Marianne, you and your team will spread out in the stands. You're there to blend in, but you'll also plant the explosives." She met his gaze and gave a firm nod. "Roch, your team will be dressed to blend in with the security staff. Julienne has prepared access passes and badges for you." 

 "Got it, boss." 

 "You'll spread out, keep your eyes open, and inform the rest of us where the targets are," Clocksworth continued, turning to the sixteen-year-old. "Masson, you and your team will split up—some in the stables, some in the parking area. Dominic will oversee the ticket booths, and you'll handle the catering area." 

 Alex grinned. "I'll look sharp in a tuxedo."

 "Lumiere will attend as a guest," Clocksworth said, glancing toward him. "He's sent word that he and I are at odds and that he wants to discuss the situation with Levi. That's earned him an invitation." He locked eyes with Lumiere. "It's no coincidence that he'll be seated closest to the princes. Remember, the goal is for him to take them out himself." 

 "But if he doesn't get the chance, we'll kill them?" 

 "Yes, Masson. If it comes to that, we take them down."

Clocksworth

I waited patiently until everyone had left the room—everyone except Gaston and Belmont. I had seen Gaston's glances, and I was furious. I didn't know what it was, but I suspected something had happened between them, something that had made Bel take a step back. He seemed vulnerable and uncertain in some way, which stirred the monster within me, wanting to tear Gaston into tiny pieces and protect my love at all costs.

Bel sat on the edge of the desk, and I deliberately walked over and stood behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist as I shot a questioning glance at the other man. "What do you want, Gaston?"

He stepped forward and locked eyes with me, causing me to raise an eyebrow. That alone was incredibly disrespectful, but it was his words that made my blood boil. "Why didn't I get a group to lead?"

What kind of whiny schoolboy was I facing? I leaned forward, stubbed out my cigar in the ashtray, and held his gaze firmly while trying to remain calm. "You're part of Marianne's group; she has plans for you."

He scoffed. "That wasn't the answer to my question. I want my own group."

That was the last straw. I felt my body dissolve into a black cloud, only to suddenly appear behind him with one hand around his throat. "You, Gaston, are just a lackey, one of many, and you're not worth a rat's ass. Do you understand?" I hissed. 

Suddenly, scenes flickered before my eyes. Just like when I killed Calvo's men, I saw the memories of my prey, but this time, I wasn't prepared.

Belmont walked alone across a schoolyard; he couldn't have been more than ten years old. Gaston and his friends surrounded him, taking his backpack and throwing away his cap. They laughed and mocked him.

Gaston's grin in the darkness; they were a few years older now. "If you want to be a part of us, Bel-Bel, you have to steal a car for me." 

Another memory flashed before my eyes; Belmont stepped through a door into a rundown building. He looked a little younger than when I first met him. He had a split lip and several bruises on his face. He approached Gaston and handed over a bundle of cash. "Everything's sold," he mumbled quietly. Gaston counted the money and tossed him a bag of pills. "You said this was the last time, Gaston. You promised I wouldn't have to do it again," the scrawny young boy pleaded, desperate and on the verge of tears in front of him.

"You know the deal, Bel-Bel. If you do what I say, we'll leave your dad alone."

Belmont bit his lip and whispered, "Who is he?"

"Deliver it to Joul." 

Bel took the bag and left the room with his shoulders slumped.

The scenery changed; Gaston ran through a forest, spotting Bel darting between the trees. He aimed and shot, shouting at his men that the bastard had tricked him after everything he'd done for that little shit! He was going to pay for this! "I'm going to kill you, Belmont!"

Again the scene switched and now Gaston stood in front of Belmont; it was dark around them, but I recognized where they were. They were here, in this castle. They talked; Bel was furious and shouted at him. Until... Gaston kissed him!

The images vanished as quickly as they had come. With a roar, I threw him against the wall. "If you want to kill him, Belmont, go ahead," I spat as I vanished in a cloud of smoke and reappeared at Gaston's feet. I grabbed his throat again and lifted him so his feet dangled above the floor. "You're a worm, Gaston, a slimy little worm. How the hell could you believe you'd ever be given any kind of responsibility after all the liberties you've taken?" I squeezed harder around his throat. "I've seen your looks, and I know what you've done," I whispered, my mouth close to his ear. "I let Belmont handle it himself because I trust him." I saw him struggle to say something, but my grip was so tight it was impossible. "But now I'm taking over, and you're not going to like what I have planned for you..."

I saw the panic in his eyes, but he had gotten his chance. I had let him be, for Lumiere's sake. I pulled out my phone and typed a text, and a moment later, Dominic stepped through the door. "Loyson, drag this traitor down to the dungeons." 

Dominic questioned nothing, taking a firm grip on Gaston's arm and nodding at me. "And use the silver chains," I muttered.

I saw Nico flinch; his grip tightened around Gaston. "Anything else, Boss?" 

 "If he tries to run, you have my permission to make sure he changes his mind." 

 "I understand." He glanced at Gaston with a curious look and muttered low, "What the fuck have you gotten yourself into?" before dragging the terrified piece of shit out of the room.

I sighed heavily and ran my fingers through my hair; I could feel Belmont's eyes on me, and I tried to calm myself before turning to him. "Why didn't you say anything, Bel? If I'd known what he'd done to you, I would have—"

Belmont stood up and placed a finger over my lips. "Let me handle this." 

 I looked at him questioningly. "What exactly are you asking me?" 

 "Let me kill him."