Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2858

The bureaucrats and power players of City of Hope all lived here.

In the central assembly hall, several figures sat scattered about, making the vast space feel even emptier. Every single one of them looked pissed off.

The City Lord, Uriah Gibson, demanded, "Petyr, what the hell happened? How did your people get completely wiped out just like that? And it caused such a massive scene! A whole building was blown sky-high. You know what I want is prosperity and order, what I need is tax revenue."

He shouted, "I don't need gang wars every damn day, bringing negative attention to my city. How am I supposed to maintain control? How is the City of Hope supposed to thrive?"

Petyr's face was pale and sinister, though he looked no older than 50. He wore luxurious red silk robes and sat barefoot in a high-backed chair, a glass of crimson liquid before him.

Uriah's complaints did not seem to faze him in the slightest. He lifted his drink, drained it in one gulp, then rose and left the hall.

His cold voice echoed back through the chamber. "I'll have this cleaned up within a day. In this city, anyone who causes trouble, especially anyone who touches my interests, will wash away their sins in blood!"

The statement was both a declaration that his authority was not to be challenged and a veiled warning to the others present. After all, the relationships between the City of Hope's three Chiefs and the City Lord were murky at best.

Plenty of people would love to see Petyr take a fall. For instance, Augustus Cabrera, another Chief.

Augustus sneered with a smile that did not reach his eyes. "Some damn Holtrien shows up out of nowhere and runs wild on our turf. Doesn't touch anything else, just hits Petyr's territory and crew. Are we supposed to take that as proof that Petyr's washed up? That any random nobody can push him around now."

His mocking laughter was completely undisguised.

Uriah's weathered, wrinkled face broke into a slight smile. "Mr. Ludendorff, you truly have a sharp sense of smell. Petyr is indeed a vampire Marquis. What's in his glass isn't wine, it's blood."

Marshall Ludendorff asked with interest, "Human blood, or from some other species?"

Uriah replied, "Petyr only drinks human blood, and it must be fresh."

Marshall tossed the glass aside and nodded, offering no further comment.

Augustus, standing off to the side, paled slightly. 'Ludendorff? Is he from that terrifying bloodline family in the Western Dark Clans?'