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Aden pulled Freddy and Travis back, wanting all three of his va broke out It was a common tactic to pick off an opponent’s vampire children in an effort to weaken him before the battle Aden didn’t want the distraction, but he also didn’t want to lose any of his vampires He loved the had either, he couldn’t say which it was, but he knew their deaths would pain hihten your shields," he warned all of them

"Sire" Three voices answered as one

Bastien’s low-voiced warning presaged Salvador’s appearance fro Not that Aden needed the warning To his vaht, the Mexican va as reported Maybe stronger

"Rareat Aden," Salvador responded with a sneer "Your name was everywhere in the ballroo you’ll be the next Lord of the Midwest"

Aden dipped his head in acknowledgement, already bored with the theatrics

"I even saw you kissing Raphael’s ass, ood it will do you It’s not Raphael ill decide this"

"Perhaps not," Aden conceded, unconcerned "But you’re a fool if you think he can’t affect the outcome"

Salvador bristled at the sideways insult, just as Aden had intended The Mexican’s poas lapping across the clearing in big looping waves, as if he wasno atte his aggression would dissuade Aden froether

Or perhaps he washimself seee, Aden would assume he eaker than he really was

But Salvador was badly underestiht to fool hiht leash as always Even knowing that Salvadorthe fool, it was simply bad form to permit one’s power to slop all over like that Besides, it would be much more fun to see the shock on his opponent’s face when he realized who, and what, he was really up against

Salvador stalked out froht He was of better than average height, with a wiry build, and his posture was stiff with hostility His hands were clenched at his sides, his body leaning forward slightly, leading with his jaw

Aden watched hi hand on Bastien’s shoulder and strolled into the light hi smile drift over his face and said, "Last chance, Salvador You can still go ho, cabron Only one of us will be walking out of here tonight"

Aden’s amusement fled He liked to think, after otten over the fact of his illegitimate birth But that didn’t mean he had to accept the insult from the likes of Ramiro Salvador

He loosened the hold on his power just a little, letting it waft around the clearing like a gentle breeze, still only the s his fangs on full display "That all you got? Oneman Walk out of here"

Aden bared his own teeth in a blatant challenge "Too late"

He released his power in a flood, his eyes hooded with satisfaction as he took in the wide-eyed realization on Salvador’s face Deep inside Aden, the part of his Vaift that he rarely tapped and that very fe existed ca in the scent of the Mexican’s fear, like a dog in soth from it The more rational part of Aden’s brain waited to see if Salvador would surrender, half-hoping he would But that deep part of hi with pleasure at his enehtand die