A Closed Door

"I want Southside."

The silence that followed Vladimir's words was heavy. 

Both men sat, staring at each other. 

Solomon looked on in muted shock. The man was not satisfied with having the woman he wanted and the same well the whole war was about. What more did he want?

Vladimir stared at Solomon, his eyes gleaming with calculation. Why would Solomon throw away the Ascension well, which he currently had his hand on, for a ragtag group of Subjects?

Solomon leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, thinking of Vladimir's proposal. He wanted Ivo and Armand out of the way because when Yuri falls, there'll be no one else for them to rally under. He'd have Ezra out in the open with no protection from another Count.

Solomon didn't own Southside and what he didn't have, he couldn't give away but that wasn't what Vladimir was asking for.