Cassius had been dealing with his own human concerns, something to do with the Chinamen in Limehouse, when the Duke tracked him down. He didnât seem surprised. After the Duke had killed every human in the room, Cassius merely smiled and shook his head. âNow, was that really necessary? Now Iâm going to have to repeat myself to their replacements.â
âWhy did you do it?â the Duke growled. He was still crouched over the body of his latest kill, glaring up at Cassius. The other vampire seemed unconcerned, mostly because he thought his position and influence kept him safe. He was used to playing political games.
âIt was a favor. I needed influence, this other party offered it to me. You neednât concern yourself with whom; your part has been played already.â He shrugged. âIncidentally, I must compliment you on a particularly tasty slave you got yourself.â
The Duke sniffed deeply; under the overall stench of blood, he could scent Cassius, his clothing, and subtle undertones of⦠âAbby.â
Cassiusâ eyes widened slightly, but he nodded. âI forgot how⦠atavistic you tend to be. Such a throwback to the ancient predator ways.â
âI canât be a throwback if we donât evolve, if Mr. Darwin is right,â the Duke snarled. On the Origin of Species had come out nearly a decade before, so it had filtered down even into a vampireâs library. He still hadnât moved from his crouch, and his hands moved along the body, searching it under cover of the Dukeâs cloak.
Cassius waved a hand negligently. âYes, yes, whatever you wish to term it. I am indeed sorry for disrupting your party, but it was all part of the game. Iâm afraid you really must learn to be a better player.â
âActually, you needed to learn to judge your risks better,â the Duke said in a low voice. If Cassius picked up on the change in verb tense, he gave no indication. âIn the culture I grew up in, we take slights to hospitality very seriously. You came to my party, and you damaged my possessions, and made no restitution or apology. But whatâs worseâ¦â
And the Duke moved, blindingly fast, even for a vampire. Cassius angled to get out of the way, but not only was he too slow, his physical reflexes dulled by disuse, but he had expected the Duke to attack with open hands. Instead, something plunged into Cassiusâ chest, and he had time to blink in horror at the Duke, as the other murmured, ââ¦you made me break a promise.â
The Duke let go of the pair of carved wooden chopsticks heâd found tucked into the Chinamanâs belt. Cassius staggered backward, his heart pierced, and then collapsed. All of a sudden, his age caught up with him, as is the tendency with vampires, and the Duke watched as his body moldered and rotted away before his eyes, leaving naught but dry, crumbling bones. Before those bones could dessicate to dust, he was gone, back into the night, looking for his next prey: Abby.
If Cassius had been older or wiser instead of devious and ambitious, he might have learned that experienced players did not involve the Duke in their machinations for a very good reason -- the Duke reacted violently and with finality to serious slights against what was left of his honor. It was something Abby should have known, as well, but she probably also expected Cassius to have changed his clothes since the party. If he had, the Duke might never have found out who had orchestrated the whole incident. Because of that oversight, that mistake, she was now targeted in a way she had expected never to be. But she didnât know it yet, which was the Dukeâs main advantage.