Maximilien Hess: I prefer Maximilien if you don’t mind.
Very well. How is life treating you these days, Maximilien?
Same old, same old.
You’re over a thousand years old. Can life still surprise you?
It can, and it does.
Are those good or bad surprises?
The new breeds were an unfortunate surprise. The collaboration with Miss Cantacuzino, however, fell in the opposite category.
I take it you are contented with the way things turned out?
It could have been better, many lives were lost, but it could have been much worse, too. We learn as we live.
Even you?
Even me.
I’m sorry if it looks like I’m staring. I’m just thinking about what to ask you next. Interviewing people is not exactly my area of expertise.
You’re a writer. How hard can it be?
You’re obviously not one. Things don’t work that way. We’re used to making things up, not dragging information out of people … And I know exactly what you’re doing. You’re trying to switch the focus of the conversation on me rather than talk about you. Smart.
Thank you. It usually works. People love to talk about themselves, and I’m genuinely interested in listening. It’s a win-win situation.
Only that writers are used to talking about other people. Even when they talk about themselves, they make things up more often than not. That would be of no use to you.
So I’m stuck with this interview. Very well. It won’t hurt more than a new breed bite.
You make it sound so tedious. How do you know what a new breed bite feels like?
I was there when the new breeds attacked and then at the lab. I fought along our joined armies. Of course I know what a new breed bite feels like.
Sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you. It’s just that, given the way they talk about you, it sounds as if you walk on water or something. The enemies drop dead just by looking at you.
I wish it were that easy! Unfortunately, it’s not. I fought along their side, and of course I got injured not just once. It hurts like hell, but other than that … What most people don’t get is that it’s not about being invincible. It’s about survival. You should be able to understand the concept.
I’m sure many of us do. But how important is one’s survival?
It ranks as high as protecting the ones you love. Or it should.
Not higher?
Ideally not.
Still, there must be a balance. There must be a limit.
Like saving the world? We achieved that, didn’t we?
Like a side effect? Is that how it’s supposed to work?
Does it matter the reason behind it as long as it gets you the desired result?
The problem with that logic is that there are a lot of paths on the way from A to Z. Lots of things can go wrong. There can be many unexpected casualties.
You sound like Liana.
Thank you, though I’m not sure it’s a compliment.
She survived the war, didn’t she?
So she’s a survivor.
And a fine leader too.
You sound impressed. Were you surprised to discover she’s a good leader?
When I came to Romania, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I was flying in blind so to speak. I hate doing that.
Because it’s not safe?
Safety and Romania don’t belong in the same sentence when it comes to vampires. I’ve had pandurs assigned to protect me from their own people. That was all kinds of messed up.
But you survived.
Lucky for me, there’s corruption everywhere. But I must admit there were several moments when I wished I were anywhere else.
Like that episode in Sibiu?
The worst blood I’ve ever tasted! It nearly did me in.
I don’t buy that.
Maybe not, but you would believe it rather than accept the idea that I could be lying to you. Humans tend to dismiss threats too big for them to control.
And vampires don’t?
We’re more proactive than that. We did take action as soon as the first signs of new breeds appeared.
I suppose we should thank you for alerting us about the threat. And fighting next to us.
It was a big risk, but it was worth taking. It affected us too so the sooner we put an end to the threat the better.
Why are you smiling?
You got me talking.
Not about specifics…
It’s still more than others have succeeded doing.
Then I’m not that bad at this after all. I’d pat myself on the back, but I reckon it’s better if I wait until we’re done here.
Yes, you do that… I’m sorry I have to cut our meeting short, but we have tickets to the opera this evening. You’re welcome to give it another try next time.
Is that a challenge?
Take it any way you like
Thank you for your time, Maximilien.
The pleasure was all mine, Miss V.
(Previously published on Diane's Book Blog during The Impaler Legacy Omnibus blog tour.)
The Impaler Legacy Omnibus is available on Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes.
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