Chapter 2

— And what's your opinion?

— I didn't understand anything.

— That's a bold statement. Well done. Then bring them here, I'll read them.

— But they're at your place.

— Then go get them, they're there because of you.

The girl didn't argue and, turning around, left the office. Alexander was left with his hand still in the air. He almost slapped her on the backside but managed to stop himself at the last moment. Of course, he was just joking and didn't mean anything by it, but try explaining that to the child's parents.

"I need to control myself; this informal setting is making me lax."

But no matter how much he reminded himself of the need for discipline and strictness, his soul craved recklessness. The onset of night only exacerbated the situation. The rain had passed during the day, and a breeze brought the scents of the forest and earth through the open window, mingling with the aroma of the berry brew on the table and shutting down his rational thinking. It must be great for the hunters right now, running through the forest, collecting blood, free and unrestrained, while you sit here and read boring papers that nearly every vampire in the community writes for the triumvirate. Everyone wants to contribute and make life better.

A knock on the door brought the vampire back to reality.

— Come in.

The guest was Sergey, who timidly poked his head into the office and, only after making sure that Yulia was not there, confidently walked inside. The secretary had quickly tidied up and was firmly stopping any attempts to approach the boss without her permission.

— And where is your little Cerberus?

— She went on an errand, — Alexander answered the scout and couldn't resist adding, — I almost slapped her on the backside just now!

The old friend whistled at this candid remark but, sitting down in a chair, decided that the situation required more than just a whistle.

— You should be careful. Her father is in the gendarmerie, and they won't understand you with such behavior.

— As if I don't know that myself! — the vampire exclaimed but then awkwardly added, — It just happens, harmless office flirtation.

Sergey laughed out loud.

— Do you believe that yourself? Besides, it's harmless here, but in the States, it's sexual harassment.

The triumvir merely waved his hand in annoyance at this comment and asked a new question.

— What did you come for?

But the comrade was in no hurry to answer. Instead, he used magic to pull the cup of drink towards himself and took a big gulp.

— Delicious! — he shared his feelings afterward.

Watching the audacious guest, Alexander quietly counted to himself. The scout, ignoring the office owner, drained the cup in two swallows and set it aside.

— So what was I talking about?

— About how good the drink Yulia made for me is!

Sergey looked at the triumvir in confusion and only after a few seconds realized that he hadn't said anything relevant.

— Have you heard about the Sprouts? — he finally asked, bringing his thoughts back in order.

— When I was at Casa, the Duchess mentioned there were disturbances.

— Disturbances! — the guest laughed loudly again, — It's an actual war! Though just in one particular settlement.

— Because of the missing nuts? — the triumvir speculated.

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