As Larten struggled to form a polite, diplomatic response, Mika shook
his head. “Don’t tell me what you think I want to hear. And don’t worry
about our hosts. I want your true opinion. Share your thoughts with me,
openly and honestly. That is the vampire way,” he murmured to Franz and
the officers who flanked him. “I hope you won’t be offended.”
“Of course not,” Franz said, but he was squinting at Larten
suspiciously.

“On which particular points do you wish me to comment, Sire?”
Larten asked.

“All of them,” Mika said. “I want your general reaction. Tell me what
you think of the National Socialists and their desire to merge with us.”

“I dislike and distrust them,” Larten said bluntly. Some of the officers
gasped, but Franz silenced them with a sharp gesture. He was glaring at
Larten, but he said nothing, waiting to hear the rest.

“They are cruel,” Larten went on. He didn’t enjoy airing his feelings
this way, but Mika had asked him to be open, and Larten would never
disobey the demands of a Prince. “Vampires are hard, yes. We ask much of
ourselves and those who would be part of the clan. We execute the mad, the
weak, the injured, the old, or urge them to make an end of their own. In that
respect we are like these humans.

“But those we treat harshly have chosen the path of the night. They left
their human ways behind when they joined the clan. They understand why
we treat them so pitilessly. They acknowledge our rule, live by our laws,
accept death when they are no longer fit to fight.

“The enemies… no, the victims of the Nazis have no such choice.
These people hate without reason. They pass judgment on innocents. In that
way we differ. Vampires are harsh, Nazis are vicious. We are merciless, they
are monstrous.”

One of the officers cursed and leapt to his feet. He drew a pistol and
leveled it at Larten. Before he could fire, Franz barked a command and the
officer angrily holstered his weapon and sat. When he had control of the
room again, Franz faced Larten and sneered. “You understand nothing of us
or the problems we face.”

“Perhaps,” Larten said calmly. “But I was asked for my opinion and I
gave it.”

***

The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Brothers to the Death, Chapter 2