"As of this moment, there is no blood hunt against Nines Rodriguez," LaCroix said. I bit back a sneer. "The Kuei-jin have revealed their plot. They want us to war against each other?! Well, to that I propose an alliance with the anarchs. Together, we Kindred shall drive out these foreigners once and for all!"
"The anarch's will never enter an alliance with you," I said, matter-of-factly. LaCroix arched an eyebrow at this and walked over to the window.
"Whether they trust me or not, the Kuei-jin are the greater threat," he said, then turned back to me, walking towards me slowly. "They do trust you, however. After all, you've been working for them all this time." My breath caught in my throat, my heart stopped and the whole world stood still. He smirked and stood in front of me.
"I-…" I began, desperately searching for the words to deny it.
"Spare me your explanation," he said, softly. "Your affiliation is a trite concern next to your accomplishments. You alone can bridge the two Kindred communities and sound the Kuei-jin's death knell." I remained silent, afraid to speak. Were all the carefully laid plains going to collapse beneath me now? LaCroix reached out and took a lock of my hair in his hand. He twisted it gently around his fingers, eyeing the way the light caught it.
"Go to the Last Round, immediately," he ordered, his voice casual and soft, as though he were telling me the weather of the day instead of organizing plans for war. "Tell them the Kuei-jin have admitted to killing Grout and that the blood hunt against Nines Rodriguez is officially over. Tell them I have realized the true threat the Kuei-jin pose and wish to negotiate a pact." He paused, his eyes leaving the strand of hair and meeting mine.
"It is critical you see the anarchs immediately," he said. "But then, you were going there anyway, weren't you?" My neck was starting to hurt from looking up at him, my head tilted far back because of how close he stood. Still I said nothing, fear stealing my voice.
His hand dropped, but he didn't step back.
"Tell me, darling," he said in the same soft voice. "What makes Mr. Rodriguez a better man than I?"
"Everything," I spat, glaring. LaCroix reached out and tapped the bottom of my chin with his index finger.
"Hope you're right, dear," he said. "I would hate to see your lovely face streaked with tears on Mr. Rodriguez's account." He bent down and pressed his lips to mine in a very brief kiss. I turned my head, glaring at the wall.
"Go," he said. I spun on my heel and all but ran out the door.
DHMB: Thanks for all the reviews, as always, keep 'em coming.