164

Dimitri had tried to handle things in a diplomatic way, in a way that would lead to an understanding. Offering him money was not just a matter of giving in, it was an instinct to preserve his own clan. If a city questioned his business model, regardless of the outcome of the dispute, he had no doubt that many other cities and many other clans could begin to be infected and make the same demands.

But that rookie boy was playing hard to get, the only way out of the confrontation that he was leaving him was to leave the city, give in, surrender, and that was unacceptable. No matter how powerful that boy sitting in front of him was, the Tarmien were a large clan and compared to other minor clans, an old clan with some power. The situation was completely intolerable.

"Who do you think you are to give us an ultimatum?!"

"Should I understand from your tone that you are giving up the ten-day deadline? In that case we will begin your extermination today..."