13 The war

Quinn walked through the hallway of the Bramford mansion, and next to him was Preston who asked, "You are certain things will go as planned?"

"I am confident, Preston," Quinn said. "This war with the enemy is long overdue." He paused before the door to his study and turned to face Preston.

"I will see it end. Now, make the necessary arrangements for our guests, and the ball."

Preston bowed and walked away, Quinn pushed down the doorknob, and the door to his study opened.

Quinn walked in to see a lady leaning against his bookshelf, her eyes burned red.

He gave a side head gesture and said, "Tessa! What are you doing here?"

"Hi sister, how are you doing, sister," she said. "Oh, I'm fine, and doing great, thanks for asking. Welcome home, brother."

Quinn walked further in and closed the door. "I'm sorry. I was a bit carried away."

"Keep it. If you must know, we are losing, Quinn. Newbies are being recruited every day, but with caution, and from different places all around, yet, the casualties on the side of the enemy is nothing compared to ours. Tell me you found her."

"I did, and she has no idea of her powers."

"Did you come back with her?"

"No," Quinn noted his sister's disappointment. "But I did extend an invitation. She should be here the day after tomorrow, latest. Or tomorrow if we're lucky."

"Then what next?"

"Watch it all slowly unravel."

"The royals have been out of the fight for long. The enemy is beginning to worry. They know we have a plan in motion, but they just don't know what it is.

They keep pushing, we keep pushing. I will say we are currently at a standstill. However, what plans have you made for her? How do you intend to recruit her?"

"There's nothing marriage can't fix," Quinn said.

Tessa arched a brow and took a step forward. "Marriage?"

"Yes."

"I didn't see you as the kind that wished to settle down." She smiled.

"Well, at least, it would balance the scales of the conflict. No. It would tip the enemy off the board."

"Esvele speaks of a greater threat," Tessa said. "She fears it's close, and wishes for this to be over as soon as possible so that we can concentrate on the main enemy."

"And you believe her?" he asked.

"I've never been one to doubt her words."

"Alright. Then, I'll keep it somewhere in mind."

"How were you able to survive in Devonshire?" Tessa asked and moved to sit in her brother's seat. "Tell me all about it."

Quinn sat in the seat across hers. "I had to ration my blood supply. My two male servants came in handy.

Preston of course took care of their health, and he made sure they ate meals to help them build their blood. I wasn't in my full element.

Still, I'm not, and I intend to become so real soon. In minutes, I hope, provided you have someone for me to feed on."

Tessa smiled. "You did well to cover suspicion. Anyway, there is food in the dungeon.

I had several humans stacked up there. Don't worry. None are high born. Just local commoners no one would miss."

"Thank you," he said. "Also, when she comes, I'll like you to befriend her."

Tessa shook her head. "I'm like you, brother. You know how to pretend.

I don't. It's why I said never to talk about me to anyone. Now, I'm sure she knows about me."

"I didn't call your name. I just said someone, I think."

"You think? Well, if that's what you said, then my problems are over and this is a false alarm because I won't do it. I had to hold down the fort and command the troops on your behalf.

Do you know at some point, I began to fear for your life. You going in there with no form of protection."

Quinn grinned. "Whether I'm low on blood, and barely taking any, I'm quite difficult to kill, or overpower. Even the enemy do well not to underestimate us…"

"As we don't underestimate them. I for one would rather be on the battlefield than play housewife."

Quinn needed to convince her. "See it this way, Tessa. We need her. Without her, we'll just keep going in circles, or, the enemy will find a way to break the circle and come hard for us.

We would take on heavy losses, and knowing who we are, we would either flee, or be forced to surrender. Whatever role you play aids in this conflict."

"If you wanted to convince me, that wouldn't work," Tessa said. "I may have little knowledge about how to be a lady, but shopping and all that trifles, I have maids for that."

"You would be doing this family a great honor. She for one is delighted to meet you. Did you know about the scandal her father was involved in?"

"Everyone heard it," she said.

"She's been without friends since then," Quinn said. "She would adjust to this. I just need you to help me out."

Tessa exhaled. She looked at Quinn, and he wondered what was going through her mind.

"Alright. When she comes," she said, and stood from his seat.

"Thank you," he said, and watched her as she walked past him.

"Better feed," Tessa said.

Quinn heard the door close. He looked to the seat his sister just left, and he stared at it blankly.

He thought about Nesta and how much he already missed her. However, did he really care about her, or the war?