“That was actually one of the first threats he ever spat at us,” Max said, coming over to fill Bennett’s goblet. “It was right after Etienne’s murder. Napoleon strutted into the council’s chambers, plopped down in his father’s chair, and assumed it would automatically be his.”

“That was rather cheeky of him.”

“I agree, and when Napoleon found out it wasn’t automatic, and we would not give it to him, he threatened to kill us all,” Max said, taking his place behind the desk. “If I remember correctly, he said he was going to build an army. He was going to have tens of thousands…no, wait. That’s not right,” Max said, pausing to remember that night. “He was going to have hundreds of thousands of vampires solely dedicated to him.”

“Planning on going vegan, was he?” Bennett said through a smile.

“Yes, he’s never quite grasped the concept of why destroying our food supply wouldn’t work to our advantage,” Max said, sniggering. “Anyway, like I said, that was the first time he threatened to kill us, but he’s done it many times over the years.”

“And you put no credence to it?”

“Until they figured out how to store transfused blood successfully, we kept a watchful eye on him, but once the process became standard practice, we decided his threats were baseless.”

“Why?”

“My companies are the ones that supply our kind with blood. I know exactly what all the covens are getting, and if Napoleon were building an army, he’d need a lot more than what he’s supplied with. His orders have ticked up some over time, but that’s understandable. All of our flocks have grown larger over the years,” Max said before taking a taste of his wine. “And why exactly are you asking about Napoleon’s make-believe army?”

“When I went to his house to drop off what was left of his men, Ivan got a tad bit heated. Napoleon pulled him aside and whispered something about their army not being ready.”

“Napoleon whispered…around you?”

“Yes,” Bennett said, mirth shimmering in her eyes.

“He is such a dolt,” Max said, letting out a hearty chortle.

“Do you think he could have been the one who killed Diego way back when? It would align with his threats.”

“True, except Diego was on Napoleon’s side. Like Concepcion, Simeon, and until recently, Hector, Diego believed, as Napoleon does now, that vampires should rule the world or at least a much larger part of it. They were all allies, and a friend did not kill Diego. An enemy killed him.”

“Why? Because they beheaded him?”

“No, because they didn’t just behead him. Diego was, for all intents and purposes, cut into pieces.”

Bennett peered at Max. “That sounds personal.”