"As recompense for the burden lifted from my shoulders," the Archduke spoke at last, "and as small aid toward your quest, I shall grant you a single boon."
"State what you desire."
Quinlan's reply came without a heartbeat's pause.
"Be my ally who works toward my goals, shares with me all the knowledge I want to know, and kills my enemies-"
A sound escaped the vampire, dry and unhurried. His shoulders shook once. The fangs gleamed.
"The newer generations possess a boldness I had thought long extinct." The amusement remained, but the red gaze sharpened. "I told you already, Primordial. My days of conquest lie behind me. My services are not for hire."
Quinlan clicked his tongue.
"Worth a shot."
The refusal was expected. He'd known it from the moment he asked. But the image of rolling into a battlefield with an Archduke Vampire at his side had been too delicious to let pass without a try.
So he tried again.
