Night's Templar: A Vampire Queen Novel (Vampire Queen Series Book 13) by Joey W. Hill Page A

servants primarily because it was easier for them to tolerate and interpret his bullish nature. Glancing toward Brian again, he saw the young vampire’s focus shift from Mariela to Debra, his handsome expression softening.
    “Something amiss, Lord Brian?”
    “No, my lord. It’s simply… I hope you won’t interpret this the wrong way.” He lifted a shoulder. “With the proposed changes for servants currently under consideration by Council, and the research I’ve done of late about fertility, and…some changes that have occurred between me and my servant, I have a heightened sensitivity to their feelings.”
    His green eyes reflected his personal struggle with that. “Detachment is important not only in science, but in the vampire-servant structure of our world. However, I admit I am wrestling more often of late with the moral implications of too much objectivity.”
    “You think me cruel.”
    “No, my lord. We are not a compassionate species, but you are the least sadistic of those in the upper ranks of our kind. There are those in our world who would take that as a near insult, and I hope you will know that is not how I intended it.” Brian offered a half smile. “You do not flinch at making tough decisions, ones that might be seen as cruel, but are for the greater good of our species. I respect that.”
    “But?”
    Brian grimaced. His father was a well-respected Region Master in the UK, so Brian had no difficulty balancing deference with honesty. It was part of what had helped him make his case with the Vampire Council. An audience with even a single Council member could catapult most lower-ranking vampires into stammering silence. “I am sorry for Mariela, my lord,” Brian said simply. “I think she loves you well. I know you will care for her feelings in this matter, though, and I am glad of that.”
    “Do you love her, Lord Brian?”
    Brian looked startled. “Mariela?”
    “No. Debra. Your servant. Do you love her?”
    Not very long ago, the question would have been taboo. It was still unthinkable in much of the vampire world. The changes happening at the Council level had not left that level officially, because the Council didn’t have a majority resolve on the matter. But two sitting Council members, Lyssa and Mason, had openly declared their devotion to their servants. Being two of the most powerful vampires made it difficult to castigate them for something that had always been considered forbidden. On top of that, Lyssa had given birth to Kane, and Mason and Jessica had recently celebrated the arrival of their daughter Farida. It was visible and well-timed proof of Lord Brian’s fertility findings, that birthrate might be related to the depth of emotional connection between vampire and servant.
    The dwindling birthrate for born vampires was a far greater concern to Council than even the relationship of human servants to vampires. It had weakened the arguments of dissenters like Belizar, Stewart and Carola who disliked the idea of emotional parity with servants.
    There was a third on the Council who, while not as open about it, was just as committed to her servant. Uthe located them now. Lady Daniela was dancing with Dev, him holding her close in his arms, her leaning into his body. Sex and intense intimacy was part of the vampire-servant relationship, but when intimacy became love, it was fairly evident, if one looked closely enough.
    “I am not trying to trap you, Lord Brian,” Uthe said absently. “Are you in love with your servant?”
    “Yes, my lord. I am.” Brian turned to face him. “From an objective standpoint, I’m not sure if that will skew my research results on matters related to the vampire-servant relationship, but Debra and I are working on ways to minimize subjectivity.”
    “No one would expect any less of you, Lord Brian. As such, none of us have those concerns. Thank you for your honesty. If Lady Lyssa approves, I will have Mariela come to Debra for the procedure