Chapter 12

Much to Julien’s dismay, Rowan’s guarded mask crashed between them. He had hoped that Rowan’s willingness to share his past—despite how cryptic—would spark a new step in their guard and prince relationship. 

It was too much to ask for, Julien realized, as Rowan was more than eager to get out of his quarters and resume his duties like their conversation had never happened. It annoyed Julien to no end. 

Three days had passed before Rowan initiated any conversation since then, and it had nothing to do with his past at all. 

“We’re to visit the blood bank in the inner city,” he announced in the morning while handing Julien’s partner for the night to another guard. The guard bowed as best he could, holding the half-drowsy man around his shoulder before closing the door behind him. Rowan continued, “Lord Ivan would like us to investigate the business and the rise of human protests.”

Julien considered his next words carefully. “I’m surprised you didn’t argue it was a terrible idea, especially if he’d like me to go.”

“I’m not in a position to argue with the lord,” Rowan quipped. Julien almost grinned at the sarcastic response; that was progress.

“You argue with me,” Julien said. “And I’m a prince.”

Rowan tilted his head. “Who makes irrational decisions and requires an older bodyguard.”

Julien scoffed. “Age is but a number. Besides, as far as coercion goes, I could out best you in my sleep.”

“You wouldn’t attempt to coerce me.”

“I wouldn’t,” Julien reassured. “It would be weird, and I doubt it would work. You could probably physically break out of one easily.”

Rowan didn’t respond to that, instead saying, “While I dislike this idea, multiple guards will be with us, and there appear to be multiple security and safety measures at the premises.”

“Oh, fun,” Julien said. “More babysitters. You’ll be happy.”

Rowan tilted his head toward Julien’s closet with his signature stoic look. “Get dressed.”

Julien let out a fake gasp of shock. “Ordering a prince around, how brash.”

Rowan ignored him as usual, leaving Julien to get ready.

---

The journey into the city was less than ideal; conversation was dull between them, regardless of Julien’s many prompts and teasing. The most emotion he got of Rowan was a simple huff. 

Julien would have to take the small victory. It wasn’t long before the two and accompanying guards to see the commotion and concern for visiting the blood bank; a massive crowd was gathering in the plaza and streets. 

Not far from the expansive neoclassical-clad building, Julien could see the source of the animosity and negativity upon entering the city. With how loud the human protestors were, Julien wondered if it was even worth heading into that, for it couldn’t be good for his heightened hearing. But Rowan kept walking, guiding them to their destination without concern for his hearing. The few Rosenthal guards fell into a steady pace behind them. 

“That blood should be ours!” One individual cried from behind the line of guards leading to the entrance of the Capillary. Another shouted, “Bloody thieves!”

Julien glanced at them from the corner of his eyes before leaning toward Rowan. “You’d think they’d better educate themselves on how our blood bank works.”

While it was true that most of the blood donated to blood banks owned by the Rosenthals was sold to wealthy vampires and dhampirs in the city, a good portion of it was also sold to hospitals and small businesses that looked into cures and treatments for diseases; treatments that often benefited humans. 

“Much of the city houses mortals,” Rowan said. “They likely want more funds and resources for their hospitals.”

Before they could enter the establishment, Julien turned toward him. “It’s not like blood is our livelihood too.”

Rowan led them up the marble steps, glancing behind them before opening the wooden doors. The two castle guards that had joined them stayed by the doors, monitoring those who came in and out of the establishment. 

“Welcome to the Capillary, Your Highness.” The director, Anton Bartholomew, bowed. He wore a three-piece suit and a deep red tie to match the color of the walls behind him. If Julien hadn’t known better, the establishment could’ve passed as the vampire’s home. “It is lovely to service you and…your guest.”

“My guard,” Julien corrected. “I thought you were aware of my father’s overprotective antics.”

Julien hesitated on the word ‘father,’ but Anton hadn’t noticed. 

“Why, of course. I shall show you around the premises.” He gestured down the halls. “Lord Ivan instructed me to show you everything our establishment offers. I’m certain he will be pleased to hear that business is going well.”

“Despite the protests? The humans outside would say otherwise.”

Anton let out a nervous laugh, evidently not used to quick remarks. “We do our best to educate those who view us as monsters who only wish to serve those with an appetite for blood. While it is difficult to get them to listen, they pose no threat to how our business is run.”

“And there’s no truth in what they say? No one is coercing them to donate their blood, correct? It’s all done properly and consensually.” Julien smirked, remembering the signs he had passed on his way in. “There’s proper protocols and safety measures to collect and distribute blood?”

“Our donors go through an extensive checklist to ensure they fit the requirements,” Anton stated. “That includes our clientele and partners.”

Julien nodded, poking his head through one of the glass doors. “That’s good to hear. Please, show us around, if you will.”

With Rowan a step behind him, Julien followed Anton around the halls, occasionally stopping to outline the uses of each room. 

As they passed a few rooms labeled for blood donors, Julien’s eyes lingered on the patients inside, nervously fiddling with their clothes or glancing around the sterile white rooms. Anton insisted they followed a list of requirements, but they didn’t look to be completely willing donors even through the glass windows. 

But accusing Anton and the establishment would only start trouble, especially if all the paperwork and claims Anton made were true. Either way, it would stress tensions between the Rosenthal clan and their business with blood banks like this one. 

Julien only hoped that the protestors’ claims weren’t true after all. 

Anton droned on about his business model, claiming they had found the perfect balance to accommodate humans and those who relied on blood to survive. Julien looked to Rowan at every outrageous claim, hoping his eye rolls and disgusted faces would get his guard to react, but Rowan remained ever so stoic, focused on following behind the prince. Occasionally, Rowan would linger further behind as vampires and dhampirs left various rooms, likely due to their conversation in Rowan’s quarters; with both the Coalition and the Liszt clan on the prowl, it was impossible to tell who could be a potential threat. 

Julien would glance back, watching Rowan’s gaze linger on a passing individual before meeting his. Anton’s tour was merely background noise as they went down another hallway. 

“We distribute much of our collected blood to other blood banks, mostly within the city, to preserve the blood during transport. While fresh blood is arguably the best, much of our vampiric clientele live on the outskirts of busy cities, many remaining in smaller farming or fishing villages in other provinces.” Anton gestured to a wing dedicated to research. “Here, our scientists are looking into ways of preserving the taste and shelf-life of blood for those individuals. With many of these protests occurring, it’s been difficult for rural vampires and dhampirs to find willing individuals to fee from, let alone obtain a steady supply of blood bags.”

While Julien would rather suffer Rowan’s silence than listen to Anton longer, he did find this part of the tour intriguing. He turned to Rowan. “Look, maybe they’ll find a way to make B+ blood not taste as rancid and bitter. Maybe I’ll grow to love it as much as you do.”

Rowan pursed his lips with an unamused stare. 

“Don’t give me that look,” Julien said. “Who even likes B+ blood?”

Anton glanced between them before directing them back toward the main hallway of the building. A few vampires passed by, bowing their heads in Julien’s direction before disappearing through a set of doors. 

“And here is where we process our transactions,” Anton said, pointing to the few sets of doors they had passed at the entrance. 

As Julien passed by another window with a view of vampires in suits holding briefcases, he couldn’t help himself. “And it’s not just about the money, I presume?” 

Anton stilled in his tracks, glancing at the rooms closest to them. The sign beside the door listed several options, including blood bags, gallons, and even kegs. Underneath those were the pricing, infographics, standard procedures, and payment policies. 

“We do our best at the Capillary to ensure both parties are equally satisfied.”

Julien resisted the urge to let his fangs show, knowing Anton was throwing silly half-lies right before him. It was clear which parties Anton favored to do business with, most likely not compensating the human donors even remotely equally as what his clientele purchased blood for. 

Still, he reigned it in, holding back from saying more, knowing that his actions did have consequences. Starting something could lead to a cut-off blood supply for the Rosenthal estate. He’d need to have the Capillary investigated further or at least monitored in the meantime. A shiver went down his spine at the thought of being even slightly responsible for such a task. If it were up to him, he’d send one of his older siblings to investigate; after all, shouldn’t this be the responsibility of a prince who would most likely take over Ivan, not the second to last prince?

“If you would like, I can send my secretary to send our annual reports to Lord Ivan himself,” Anton said, gesturing back the way they came. “I think it would please his lordship to see the growth and increase in supply over the past few years.”

“I’m sure he would,” Julien said dryly. “Before we head out, I think it would be impertinent that you also send in the procedures and legal documents both parties sign upon donating and purchasing blood.”

Anton tilted his head. “Whatever for, my prince?”

Julien bit back a scowl before quickly thinking of a proper response. Julien needed to be cautious if he were to get to the bottom of what appeared to be a manipulative and unjust business. Julien focused on his next words as best he could, mixing an ounce of subtle coercion—just enough to convince the man. “I think it would be in both of our interests that we clearly understand your business model and how it may benefit the future of our partnership with your blood bank and others. Granted, there are no inconsistencies; I believe it would expand your clientele and ensure a greater profit. Wouldn’t you agree?”

With a hesitant nod, Anton nodded in agreement. “Why, of course. I’ll have my secretary send that over as quickly as possible.”

“My gratitude,” Julien replied, extending his hand. “I am sure my father will appreciate the in-depth report.”

“Anything for the lord.”

“If that concludes everything, I shall take my leave. The Rosenthal family appreciates working with you.”

“It is I who should thank you,” Anton said before bowing as they exited the front doors. “Safe travels.”

---

The crowds in front of the clinic had exponentially grown from earlier, likely a result of hearing a Rosenthal prince had arrived. Julien loved attention, but nothing like this; the sheer sound of their shouting hurt Julien’s ears. Though he would’ve enjoyed telling them that he was flattered by the attention they showered him with, he only wanted to get out of this crowd and enjoy the comforts of the estate. 

He’d return to the Blue Vein if he wanted a rowdy crowd, even if it meant running into the Coalition again. At least then, the majority of the crowd actually was looking for him and knew how to approach him. 

Movement from the corner of Julien’s eyes had him turning, narrowly catching the human’s enraged face. Before either he or Rowan could question his motives, the man lurched over the barricade; hand extended past one of the guards along the path. 

Julien stilled as the human’s hand around his wrist tightened. It was as if they had gained vampiric strength in that instance, their nails digging into Julien’s tender wrists. But Rowan stepped in no sooner than Julien could react and shake the assailant off him. Julien watched as Rowan’s eyes narrowed, glowing sinisterly, his fangs extending as his vampiric features exaggerated, completely masking his typical stoic and human-like appearance. 

He couldn’t help but stare at his face as Rowan nearly dislocated the man’s arm, turning him around to push him onto his knees. If the shock and slight discomfort of the interaction hadn’t happened, Julien would’ve been equally impressed and mildly turned on by the gesture. 

Rowan hadn’t even attempted to use coercion or brute force, merely apprehending him with the appropriate strength without harming the human. The power of control and self-restraint was admirable. 

A few of the blood bank’s guards stepped in, hauling the man away as a few witnesses asked Julien if he was alright. Still shocked and comprehending the incident, it wasn’t until Rowan’s face returned to normal—sans the extended fangs—did Julien realize his guard was talking to him. 

“Are you harmed?”

Julien gulped. “No. He just grabbed my wrist.”

Rowan glanced him over before guiding Julien passed the human protestors with a firm hand along his back. They had other guards with them, and Rowan didn’t need to stand this close either, but Julien appreciated the gesture. Along with his hand placement, Julien couldn’t get that fierce look of Rowan’s out of his head from earlier; something about it struck him as protective and oddly possessive.

Once out of earshot from the protestors and any potential workers at the Capillary, Rowan said lowly, “You coerced him.”

“Did I?” Julien said coyly. “Was it that obvious?”

“Anton is a secretive man. He wouldn’t have willingly agreed to hand over sensitive material.”

“So you agree that it seems suspicious? The Capillary is doing way too well to deserve the attention of human protestors. Something’s going wrong there. Those humans did not look as willing as he claimed.”

Rowan hummed. “I agree.” And with his hand still placed along the prince’s back, Rowan added faintly, “You controlled your coercion well.”

Julien nearly tripped over his feet at the compliment. He cleared his throat, thanking his guard awkwardly before pulling away from his touch. 

The entire way back, Julien couldn’t stop replaying those words, wishing there might be some other meaning underneath.