Max would never complain about Zoom again. Upon returning to his study, he rang up every council member except Simeon and told them what he knew. They were stunned to hear Flanna Durant was still alive and eager to hear if she knew anything further about her family’s murder. They were appalled Napoleon would send his people to kill children and babies, and they were livid that a guardian had lost her life. Even Concepcion, in all her haughty glory, was saddened by the news of the death of the attractive woman she’d met at Max’s party, so when it came to a vote, their decision was unanimous. Max was to find out if Simeon had any part in the attacks Napoleon had orchestrated, and then they’d deal with him accordingly, as they would with Napoleon once they knew all the facts. The last detail went unanswered. None on the council doubted Bennett would retaliate, and they were hard-pressed to find fault even though they knew they’d have to.

Having turned off all the Zoom screens filling his monitors, Max had no sooner turned to pour himself a drink when the study door opened. In walked Simeon, flanked by four of Max’s people, and while their clothing was casual, the scabbards strapped to their belts were not.

Like the vampires sent to protect Gunnar, Lisa, and the Rooney family, they were members of what Max had christened the Elite Sentries. Trained in weaponry and hand-to-hand combat, the eight men and women were the best of the best in Max’s coven, and their duties were simple. They were to protect Max at all costs, along with anyone Max deemed worthy of such protection, and Simeon hadn’t made that list.

“What the hell is going on?” Simeon said, marching across the room. “How dare you send these goons to my room armed with swords with orders for them to bring me to you? Who do you think you are?”

“I’m the man who owns this house,” Max said, glowering at Simeon. “I’m the original who rules this coven, and I’m the one who found Bennett strung up like a gutted animal so many years ago…and that, my friend, has never, ever left my mind. Now, sit down. We have some things to talk about.”

“I will do no such—”

“I said sit,” Max bellowed, pointing to the men and women standing behind Simeon. “Or by God, they will make you sit.”

Simeon blew out a breath and threw himself into a chair. “Now, what in the hell is this all about, and why are you suddenly bringing up that whole Archer thing? Napoleon and I served our time, so you really just need to let that go. Continually revisiting the past is boring, Max. It’s like you’re stuck on stupid.”