Then Ethan shifted his attention to the silver-haired young man from before.
"And you," he said, "have raised an important point."
A brief silence followed, as he intentionally allowed his acknowledgment to settle among them.
"Ebenholz's plan will move forward," Ethan declared at last, "but not recklessly."
The hall grew utterly still.
"The bites," he continued, "must be done carefully and purposefully. Those who initiate a bite will be responsible for keeping their parasite in check. With the connection shared through blood, this should not be difficult."
"We begin slowly," Ethan said. "We observe the Empire's response. The towns and cities closest to our borders will be our first test. Only after we study their reaction will we expand to their larger cities."
He rose from his throne, every step dripping with authority. The vampires instinctively lowered their heads as he walked past the long table of elders. But just before his figure reached one of the pillars, he paused.
