Hanako Tepes's Arc

Chapter 1 of 8

Hanako Tepes wed Dracula to bind two vampire clans into one. Now someone in his court wants that union broken, and Walachia burned with it. She has hunted the traitor for weeks and trusts no one. Tonight she needed one ally, and only one man in this kingdom shared her blood. The blades rang across the Minamoto Arena. Eighty new recruits stood on the tiers, waiting for the Minamoto way to fail. Her uncle Jiro drove her back with his gold-and-silver katana. She met each strike with her own diamond-edged blade. Sparks bit the stone floor. He was a general of Dracula's armies and prince of their clan, and he fought her like she was a stranger. That was mercy. Anything less would have looked staged. They broke apart, even, both still standing. The recruits roared. Jiro lowered his sword. "They believe now," he said. "Good." Hanako wiped her blade. "Clear them out. I need to speak with you." He waved the soldiers off. When the last one left, the arena went quiet. She lifted her golden headdress and set it on the stone. Only then did she face him plainly. "I came for a duel and a warning," she said. "Someone in Dracula's court means to shatter my marriage. If the union breaks, the clans go to war. Ours dies first." Jiro's face did not move. "You have suspects." "Three." She counted them on her fingers. "Alexis Tomar. She runs Dracula's spies and answers to no one but him. Her people move through every court in the world. Perfect cover for a traitor." "Go on." "The countess from Styria. Carmilla. She talks her way into thrones. She wants a clan of her own. Mine would do." Hanako paused. "And the Van Helsing girl. A hunter, in Dracula's castle, with a loaded crossbow. He calls it a truce. I call it a knife at the door." Jiro stood still a long moment. "You could take these to Dracula." "Dracula loves his court too much. He would warn them." She stepped closer. "You are my blood, uncle. I need one person who will not sell me to the highest chair. Is that you?" He looked at the empty tiers, then at her. Something worked behind his eyes. He owed Dracula his sword. He owed her his family. "I serve Dracula," Jiro said at last. "But the Minamoto come before Dracula. And you are Minamoto." He picked up her headdress and handed it back. "I am with you. Tell no one else." Hanako took the crown. Relief cut through her, sharp and brief. "Then we start with the spymaster." "No," Jiro said. "Alexis Tomar already knows you watch her. My couriers told me tonight. She has asked to meet you. Alone." The relief drained cold. Hanako had her ally at last. She also had a meeting she never called, with the one suspect who now hunted her back.