Free Isadora (Masters Among Monsters Book 2) by Ella Frank

sighed as he leaned back in his chair. “Like you disciplined young Isadora?”
    Diomêdês glared at the egomaniacal male looking him in the eye. “Isa does not walk around believing she is far superior than her fellow kind.”
    Vasilios gave a cocky smirk. “Alasdair emulates greatness,” he said, smoothing a hand down his tie. “You cannot fault him for that.”
    “He is arrogant like you. He does not think of the consequences to his actions.”
    Vasilios was over the altar and in front of Diomêdês before his words had ended. Although he had to look down to meet Vasilios’s gaze, the authority that radiated off the other vampire made it apparent who was the more dominant of the two.
    “I think of every consequence and action I take, brother. Do not forget why and how you stand here today. If it were not for my actions, you would be rotting at the bottom of a lake, would you not?”
    Diomêdês narrowed his eyes at the reminder. “You would be correct.”
    “And was it not your actions that led you to that predicament? Do not be so quick to condemn one’s lack of temper and foresight when you once had so little of it yourself.”
    When Vasilios spun away from him, Diomêdês sensed an uncertainty in the male. One he’d never felt before. An inner turmoil roiled through his entire being.  
    “What we suspected, the gods? It is true, isn’t it?”
    Vasilios clasped his hands behind his back as he continued walking farther from him. “I am not certain, but I believe so. Yes.”
    “And the human you fed tonight?”
    Vasilios halted and pivoted his way. “I do not believe he is human at all. However, he is most certainly connected.”
    Diomêdês made his way around to one of the large chairs behind the altar and sat. He pushed the hood back from his head and rubbed at his aching temple. “Yes, but to whom is he connected? The gods or us? Did you see how strong he was? How fast? It is a bold move you have made. One which could—”
    “I know,” Vasilios said as he came up the steps and placed his hands on the cool marble. Then he looked him directly in the eye. “To answer your question, brother, it’s both. I believe he is now connected to us both. I know you do not much care for the human culture, but surely you have heard the term ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer.’”
    “He is a threat to us.”
    “Right now, he is a tool for us. Beyond that, I will see what his use is to me.”
    “To you?” he asked. “And what of the rest of us while you decide if he is going to continue to warm your bed?”
    Vasilios flashed beside him, and clasped his chin in a firm grip as he said, “I am becoming tired of justifying myself to you, Diomêdês. First in front of Alasdair, and now here. You best quit while you are ahead or the gods or whoever it is hunting us down will be the least of your problems.”  
    Clenching his teeth, Diomêdês refused to cower from the furious male holding him at bay.  
    “Do I make myself clear, brother ?”
    “That you do.”
    Vasilios released him and straightened, running his hands down the lapels of his jacket as if his activities had crumpled it. “I am pleased to hear it. Now, when they return—”
    “The human male who took her is mine.” That point was not up for discussion.
    “I take no issue with that. Do with him as you will. However, you may wish to know that, when Leonidas was feeding from me, I saw something rather interesting which concerns the one he is to bring to us.”
    Diomêdês sat forward, his attention piqued, and waited for him to continue.  
    “It appears that my newly acquired yielding was having dreams. Visions he was writing on paper. This other male sought out his musings and stole them. One can only assume there is a reason, and if he knows how to bring down Thanos and capture your Isa, then—”
    “He too is connected.”
    “This is my deduction also.” Vasilios tapped his lower lip. “I am not sure death should,