"Maria, darling," Leo said, striding over and embracing the woman warmly.

Liam's attention was immediately drawn to her. She was willowy, with jet-black hair cascading over a sun-kissed caramel complexion. There was an aura about her, a commanding strength that suggested she would be as formidable in a fight as she was in a corporate boardroom. His gaze caught on the necklace she wore: a silver skull resting elegantly in the hollow of her décolletage. Her beautiful brown eyes sparkled with a sultry fire, and when she spoke, her voice was a rich, sensual contralto.

"Hello, Cruzito. It's so good to see you and my wayward son," Maria said, her tone warm as she wrapped an arm around Joseph.

"Mamá," Joseph sighed, but Liam could see the happiness lighting up his face at their reunion. Nearby, Kara had risen from her seat and moved to stand by Liam.

"Maria, this is Liam, my friend," Leo said, pulling Liam forward with a proud grin.

Maria wasted no time, immediately hugging Liam tightly and pressing a kiss to his cheek. She then stepped back, holding him at arm's length, her sharp gaze assessing him thoroughly. A soft smile tugged at her lips. "Cruzito, I think he's more than just a friend. This one shines like the sun, and I can see you intend to stand fully in his light," she said, her voice gentle but knowing.

"I'm pleased to meet you, Doña Maria," Liam said, bowing slightly.

"Please, just Maria," she replied with a gracious nod.

"Mamá, where are Mirena and Reynaldo?" Joseph asked, breaking the moment.

"They're in the guest quarters. André and Teresita were tired and hungry, so they stayed with them. Your siblings are quite protective of their blood matches — I think the coven may see two weddings in the near future."

"That's wonderful, Mamá! I'm looking forward to catching up with them before Yule." Joseph's smile widened as he pulled Kara closer. "Oh, and Mamá, this is Kara."

Maria's eyes sparkled with delight as she turned to Kara. "Ah, so you're the mysterious woman who has captivated my son. It's a pleasure to meet you. He speaks of you often—and highly."

"Mamá!" Joseph groaned, his face flushing with embarrassment.

Maria's innocent smile belied her teasing tone. "Am I embarrassing you, mi jito?" She turned to Kara with warmth. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kara. We will talk."

"Mamá!" Joseph looked positively stricken, which only made Leo and Liam burst into laughter.

"Perhaps we should sit, Mamá," Joseph suggested, his tone pleading. "You're just in time for the main course."

As they made their way back to the table, where the waitstaff had quietly added a place setting for Maria, Claude entered the room with his usual flair to introduce the evening's centerpiece.

"Now, for the main course," Claude began, his voice smooth and polished. "For our mortal guests, we present tenderloin of Wagyu beef, served with a foie gras sauce, violet potato crystals, and black garlic purée. For our immortal guests, we offer a blood service featuring Highland red deer, Spanish fighting bull, and Pyrenees mountain hare. Both courses will be paired with a 1967 Château d'Yquem. Enjoy."

The waitstaff swept in, placing plates and goblets before each guest with silent precision. The rich aroma of the dishes filled the room, mingling with the faint sweetness of the wine as the dinner resumed with a renewed air of warmth and laughter.

*****

Don Antonio sat at his imposing desk in the VHA tower, his steely gaze fixed on Don Bernardo, who sat nervously across from him. In the corner, Elena lounged on the couch, casually flipping through a magazine, her presence a silent but potent reminder of the power in the room.

"Don Bernardo," Antonio began, his voice cool and measured, "can you explain what possessed you to walk into the home of possibly the most powerful Vampire in the world and attempt to throw your weight around?"

Don Bernardo looked as though he might collapse. Sweat glistened on his brow, and the fear in his eyes betrayed his dwindling hope for survival.

"Don Antonio," he stammered, "VHA procedure dictates that any Vampire returning to Spanish soil must report their presence prior to arrival. Mr. De La Cruz failed to adhere to that requirement."

His words clung desperately to the lifeline of bureaucratic protocol, but even he knew it wouldn't hold.

"Mr. De La Cruz made overtures to this office days before he even left New York," Antonio snapped, his voice slicing through the room like a blade. "Did you even bother to check the communiqués for the past week before barging into his home and creating a scene that could have sparked an international incident? DLC Industries' tax revenue keeps the Spanish economy afloat. Do you have any idea what would happen if Leonidas decided to relocate his headquarters to the States? It would be an unmitigated disaster."

Bernardo's pallor deepened, and he looked on the verge of being physically ill. "Don Antonio, I — I'm very sorry. I lost my head. I didn't understand the importance of Mr. De La Cruz. He hasn't returned to Spain in decades. It's entirely my fault for failing to do my due diligence."

"See to it that such an accident doesn't happen again," Antonio said coldly, his expression unyielding. "Or you may find yourself assigned to the Donations Department for a month. They're always looking for Type O donors."

The icy smile that followed sent a visible shiver down Bernardo's spine. "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. I won't forget your mercy."

"See that you don't," Antonio replied, dismissing the apology with a flick of his hand. "Now, onto more pressing matters. Tomorrow, we will host a very special guest. Harrison Sinclair will be in Spain on business, representing a significant organization. You will brief him on all the intelligence you've gathered on the De La Cruz manor and its activities. He will attend Mr. De La Cruz's Yule celebration as our guest."

Don Antonio stood, signaling the meeting was over. Bernardo scrambled to his feet, bowing slightly as he made for the door.

"Yes, sir. I'll prepare the dossier immediately," Don Bernardo said, his voice shaking with relief.

As he reached the door, Elena's voice, honeyed and sweet, cut through the room. "And Bernardo," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "no more mistakes, hmm?"

"No, ma'am," Don Bernardo stammered, practically bolting from the office.

Elena waited until the door clicked shut behind him before setting the magazine down. "So," she said, her tone light but her eyes sharp, "the Order of the Unseen is sending an operative to investigate Leonidas. Or rather, not Leonidas — Liam von Anderson. The Order is worried Mr. von Anderson might be Leo's long-awaited blood match."

Antonio nodded, his face unreadable. "As always, Elena, you cut to the heart of the matter. We need to tread carefully. Our connection to the Order must remain hidden. Harrison is already known to Leonidas; they move in the same social circles. Including him in our entourage for the Yule celebration should be simple enough."

Antonio moved to the window, gazing out at the dazzling cityscape cloaked in darkness. For over two centuries, he had watched this view change. Once, it had been a castle, then a manor house, and now, a modern skyscraper. Despite the years and the evolving architecture, the sight remained breathtaking, a timeless reminder of his enduring reign.

"We must play this perfectly," Antonio murmured, more to himself than to Elena. "The stakes are far too high."

*****

Following a dessert which included a Valhrona chocolate sphere with a blood orange sorbet center and a blood gelato with gold leaf served with an aged port reduction, the group divided. Diana, Edward, and Mercy retired for the night, leaving the rest to catch up in Leo's study with mugs of coffee or glasses of warmed blooded rum.

"Maria, how are things in Mexico?" Leo asked as he sipped his rum.

"The coven is doing well, we are expanding and negotiating cooperation deals with the South and Central American covens. Next year will see a unified Central-South American Alliance of Covens," Maria said, smiling.

"And the Corona De Fuego will be interwoven through it working to provide support in logistics and intelligence," Alexi added, sipping his rum.

"How much does the VHA know about your activities?" Leo said, as he sat next to Liam holding his hand.

"We have been moving quietly to avoid notice. Everyone knows the Corona De Fuego was disbanded when Don Fernando left us, so nobody is looking in our direction."

"Tristan, where do we stand with RSVPs for the Yule festivities on the 21st?" Leo asked.

"Leo, the African Covens will attend, as well as representatives from the EU Covens," Tristan reported. "Romania, Slovenia, and Croatia send their regrets but extend their wishes for a happy Yule. The Asia and Indian Covens will attend as will the Russians and the Canadians. The American Covens send their regrets as well. The Australians have not responded but knowing the Pierce siblings they will show up late just to piss in the pool."

"I am not looking forward to dealing with Gideon and Marlowe," Leo admitted, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Alexi, I want eyes on them at all times and Maria, can you please run interference for me with them? They have a healthy respect for you."

"Leo, it isn't respect, it's fear," Maria replied coolly. "The last time we were at the same gathering, Gideon made the mistake of not being polite and I had to teach him some manners."

"And I thought Marlowe was going to piss herself when she saw Mama holding her brother by his throat two feet off the ground," Joseph said, laughing.

"Well then, he's in good ... hands with you," Leo replied. "I can't stress how important this Yule is. It is Liam's first exposure to the traditions that we vampires have observed for centuries. It must be flawless. We are putting the world on notice that I'm back."