The furry-handed guy glared at their escort. "Why are the others here? Your orders were clear."

"But Jerome, I...I mean, he..."

Andreas interrupted. "As a representative of a visiting court, I have the right to bring my delegation with me."

Jerome looked them over, then ordered the big vamp back to his post. The wolf pointed at Ari but spoke to Andreas. "Why is this female wearing a holy item? It will do her no good and is an insult to the prince."

Which item was he objecting to? The silver cross or the holy water? They weren't big enough to do much damage. The amulets were much more powerful, but he hadn't mentioned those. In any case, she wasn't handing over the gift from her grandmother.

"It is mere jewelry," Andreas responded in an even tone. "Surely the great Prince Sebastian would not be bothered by such a trifling thing. As you can see, I am not."

"She must leave it behind," the wolf insisted.

Ari tilted her head. "No, but I will take it off." She looked at Andreas. "Perhaps you could keep it for me?"

"My pleasure."

Ari unfastened the clasp and slipped the bracelet into a pocket of Andreas's jacket. She had antic.i.p.ated her bracelet would raise an objection. In fact, she'd counted on it to distract him from other possible weapons.

The giant werewolf wrinkled his nose with displeasure, and for a moment Ari thought he would try to confiscate the charms. She tried her best to look like a spoiled but helpless female. Not something she had much practice in, but her blonde hair and slender frame often conveyed that impression. She offered a slightly apologetic smile and dropped her lashes submissively. Argh. The wolf sniffed her once, sneered, and promptly lost interest.

"If this one is your chosen consort, she may come. Select one other. The rest will remain here."

Ari kept her eyes down but was amazed they were allowing her to enter the court chambers without a thorough search. Had Sebastian's court grown complacent, too sure of their power? Didn't they know she was a cop and likely to be armed? Maybe the big wolf had so little respect for females that he didn't think of her as a potential threat. Whatever the reason, it was a serious breach of security. Ari would have fired him on the spot.

That Jerome had mistaken her for a consort kind of rankled, because she didn't like the implications of servitude tied to the word, but if the deception would get her inside Sebastian's court, Ari was willing to play along. She waited to see what Andreas would say.

He lifted the other brow, as if in disbelief at Jerome's impudence, then turned his back on the wolves. He spoke to his companions as if Sebastian's people weren't there. Andreas kept his voice bland, but his eyes glittered with mischief.

Ari suddenly realized he was enjoying this test of wills.

"I am afraid Sebastian is having some kind of security problem," Andreas said. "Otherwise, they would not be restricting visitors. Under the circ.u.mstances, we will honor their request. Oliver, you will accompany us. Marcus and the werelions shall remain here, prepared to a.s.sist the wolves with this unknown peril." The corner of his mouth twitched. "I would not want Sebastian to be endangered while his people are concerned with offering us their hospitality. Understood?" He waited until everyone nodded, then he flashed a brief smile and turned back toward the wolves. "We are ready to proceed."

Jerome's whole body bristled with suspicion. He glared at Andreas, clearly thinking he'd been insulted-but not quite sure. Andreas looked back at him with studied indifference. Finally the giant wolf mastered his temper and turned away, jerked his head at his partner, and together they pulled open the double doors.

Andreas wrapped his cool fingers around Ari's left hand, and they entered the court chambers together. Oliver walked on Andreas's left side.

Ari's immediate impression was they had transported through time and s.p.a.ce to a high school gymnasium, poorly decorated for a Roman or Grecian-themed school prom. Walls were draped with white cloths; white columns and statues stood here and there. If it was intended to be elegant, it had failed. Tacky came to mind. The Riverdale delegation crossed a wide polished wood floor and stopped in front of a raised platform at the far end. The stage was carpeted in black velvet with a white, pillowy couch placed in the center.

Lounging on the couch, as if posed for a photography shoot, was a squat figure clothed in a voluminous black robe, trimmed in vivid red. Sebastian, the vampire prince. Since Ari had seen him before, his comic appearance didn't startle her, but she still had to stifle an urge to snicker. Maybe it was nerves.

Sebastian was short and thick, with a ridiculous mustache, reminiscent of the brushy appendage once favored by Hitler. In a further attempt at dramatic effect, he'd surrounded himself with bright red pillows. Larger pillows, matching in color, lay around the floor, occupied by four human females. Ari stiffened as she took a closer look at the women. Each girl-for they were very young-was dressed in a red, low-cut gown, displaying budding cleavage. Gold chains draped from their throats, ankles, and wrists. It was degrading, but Ari didn't see any obvious sign of pain or discomfort in their placid expressions. On either side of the sofa, and behind it, stood eight vampires.

A b.i.t.c.hy-looking vampiress in black leather with a human male at her side stood closest to Sebastian and was probably his first lieutenant. The blond male next to them might have been good-looking if he'd lose the frown. He and an older male muscled like a wrestler gave off strong power vibes. Ari chalked off the two female vamps in short skirts and skimpy tops as decoration. Three additional males who looked so similar they were either brothers or clones had to be court guards. The entire group was unnaturally silent. No one spoke, smiled, or gave any indication of welcome.

Except Sebastian. His toothy grin spread from ear to ear in a chilling parody of the Cheshire cat. "Greetings, my friends! We are delighted to see you. We so rarely have guests, especially esteemed visitors from the United States of America." After this grandiose greeting, the Toronto prince scooted off the couch and strutted toward them with his hands extended. Ari didn't want him to touch her and fought the urge to back away.

Andreas dropped her hand and glided forward. "I bring you Prince Daron's compliments," he said, inclining his head a token amount. "Our goals are peaceful, and we ask for safe pa.s.sage in your territory."

"It is granted," Sebastian said, sweeping his arms in a magnanimous gesture. "Come, Andreas, why so formal? Are we not old friends?"

"We are certainly old acquaintances."

Sebastian paused at the implied difference. He heaved a dramatic sigh. "Do I detect a problem? Have you come on an unhappy errand, old friend?"

The two vampires stood almost ten feet apart, but tension rippled between them. They were surrounded by auras of power, invisible to most but with such substance it seemed as if Ari only had to put out her hand to touch the vibrating threads.

"Not so much unhappy as tedious."

Sebastian tilted his head. "How so?"

Andreas seemed to ponder his answer. "A matter of protocol, I believe. Certain representatives of your court have visited Riverdale without presenting themselves to Prince Daron. In each case, their behavior has resulted in acts that might be interpreted as hostile. Even challenging. Of course, these incidents and the resulting need to eliminate some of your a.s.sociates have caused Prince Daron great distress. I have come on his behalf to request your a.s.sistance in preventing further similar activities." Andreas's face remained bland throughout this formal speech, but no one listening could have missed the not-so-subtle warning.

Sebastian regarded him in stony silence. The b.i.t.c.hy-vampiress behind him snarled and took a step forward. Sebastian's head snapped in her direction. "Quiet, Marta! Did I ask you to interfere? Keep your place."

Marta made no verbal protest, but the minute Sebastian looked away, her jaw hardened.

The rest of the room waited.

Sebastian stepped over to one of the seated human girls and ran his fingers over her face. "I must admit, Andreas, you have surprised me." He drew out his words as he leisurely bent forward to stroke the girl's throat. When she dropped her gaze and sighed, Sebastian continued. "I was sure you were coming to me with an apology. We too have had unfortunate incidents, and I was almost certain I could smell Daron's stench on the offenders."

Ari barely breathed as she waited with everyone else to see where this ominous beginning would lead. Although Sebastian's tone was mild, almost uninterested, with a singsong lilt, his eyes glowed with dark malice. Something truly evil lurked inside his somewhat silly facade.

Andreas gave a careless shrug. "Supposing that were true, would it not be all the more reason for us to clear up any misunderstandings, resolve potential conflicts?"

"Such diplomatic words. Is this the way of your new vampire community?" Sebastian sneered. "Flowery language with no substance? Come now, Andreas. The game grows tiresome. Daron owes me. He has been the offender."

"Tiresome, maybe, but I disagree with your conclusion. In what way does Daron owe you? What exactly is your complaint?"

Hmm, this was getting interesting. The diplomacy in the room had grown thin. If the two vampires continued down this road, the Riverdale delegation would soon find itself in big trouble. Hadn't Andreas said this was a peace mission? No fighting allowed.

Sebastian gave up caressing the girl and slowly turned his head toward Andreas, his mouth curling into a sneer. "Was I not plain? How remiss of me. I consider myself a plain-speaking man. I was accusing Prince Daron of sending saboteurs against my court. That would make you a hostile delegation. Not worthy of, or ent.i.tled to, hospitality."

Sebastian drew the edge of his fingernail down the girl's throat, and a small trickle of blood appeared. Eight pairs of eyes riveted on her throat as Sebastian's vampires reacted to the sight.

Good G.o.ddess. Ari's throat tightened watching their response. Hadn't they fed recently? Would Sebastian starve his own vampires just to gain an edge?

It was extremely painful for vampires to go without blood. And it made them vicious and even more unpredictable than usual. This was a bad sign. A very bad sign. Andreas stiffened beside her; he'd drawn the same conclusion. Sebastian had never intended to engage in peaceful negotiations.

Her witch blood began to stir, fingers tingling. If there was killing to be done, she silently vowed that Sebastian would be the first to go.

"Any actions by Prince Daron were the result of serious provocation, originating from this court." Andreas's eyes narrowed. "An a.s.sa.s.sination attempt, the murder of one of his lieutenants, attacks on others. Not to mention the demon." His voice held an edge, a bare shadow of the tension cloaking the room.

In the stark silence that followed, Ari watched the Canadian vampires standing in back of the prince's sofa. Marta looked ready to spring; the blond male watched Sebastian and Andreas with a deepening frown. The gloves had come off, and if it turned into a fight, she'd have to keep the rest of them busy while Andreas dealt with Sebastian. She slipped her hand into her pocket to find the hilt of the dagger. Until she was attacked, her oath denied the use of witch fire. Her fingers closed on the cold handle.

Then Sebastian giggled, a sound as inappropriate as unexpected, and his deceptive grin returned.

"Daron is alive, and so are you. Why the complaints, Andreas? These small disagreements have been going on for centuries." Sebastian turned his head, his beady eyes focusing on Ari. "We have neglected our manners, Andreas. Please introduce your companions. I believe I have previously met your lovely female." He glided forward again and stopped about five feet away.

Ari's witch blood clamored with alarm bells. She clenched her fists to hide the magical sparks threatening to burst from her fingers. Sebastian was too close. Way too close. Not even an instant away in vampire speed.

"Your memory is accurate," Andreas said, his jaw clenched so tight it would have hurt a human. He followed the elder vampire's lead. "Ms. Calin is the Guardian for Riverdale's Olde Town district. She visited Toronto about a year ago. I think you also know Oliver."

"Yes, yes, Oliver and I have met," Sebastian said dismissively without looking at the other vampire. Sebastian's focus remained fixed on Ari. "I remember the Guardian very well. Very well indeed. We shared a few interesting moments. Does she belong to you, Andreas?"

"I belong to no one," Ari snapped before Andreas had a chance to speak. Sebastian was the same bully she'd seen before. Still a nasty, annoying toad.

"How very fortunate. I am delighted to hear that."

What did he mean? Why would Sebastian be delighted? It didn't sound like she was going to like the answer.

"Without a master, you are fair game, my sweet guardian. It might be fun to play with you."

"Not interested," she shot back. Even though she was appalled at the idea, she schooled her face into indifference. Inside, her stomach churned. The thought of hooking up with Sebastian, of having his hands on her, was repulsive. She could only imagine what he considered "play."

Andreas stepped between Ari and Sebastian. "She is under my protection."

So quickly Ari barely saw him move, Sebastian glided around him and stopped in front of her.

"I do not think that is true," Sebastian purred. "She claims no master." He reached a hand toward her. Ari stepped to one side, and Andreas moved to separate them again. He was stopped by Sebastian's out-flung arm. The prince's other hand flashed out, closing like a vise over the hand Ari had instinctively raised in defense. Sebastian laughed. "Peace, Andreas. I will not harm her." He looked at Ari with scorn. "You are interesting, my dear, but someone needs to teach you your proper place." Sebastian's voice grew deep and richer as it filled with power. "You will kneel in my presence," he boomed.

His hand forced her arm down. Not a hard thing to do considering his superior strength. But instead of kneeling as commanded, Ari bent toward him in a strange caricature of a formal bow, until they were staring into each other's eyes. She'd learned a lot from Andreas about strengthening her mental blocking in the last three months. A year ago, Sebastian had rolled the outer defenses of her mind fairly easily, but that was when she was inexperienced and unprepared. Not today. She met his gaze long enough to surprise him before she glanced away.

He yanked her arm roughly downward, and she had to give way or have it break. She crashed to her knees, but he suddenly released her hand with force, flinging her backward. Her head smashed against the floor; the lights dimmed as dizziness took over. For an instant Ari was too stunned to move, only vaguely aware that Andreas had grabbed her attacker and spun him around. Sebastian's power flared, and the two vampires were thrown apart, their auras repelling each other. They froze in place, knees bent, hands up, curled into claws. Predators with fangs fully extended.

"You claim this female?" Sebastian snarled.

"I do. She is under my protection, and the protection of Prince Daron."

What the h.e.l.l? Surely they weren't going to use her as an excuse to fight? "Stop this," Ari demanded, struggling to sit up. "I'm not a bone you can snarl and fight over."

Ignoring her, the alpha vampires remained riveted on each other. Testosterone hung thick in the air, but the sudden rush of vampiric power was far more alarming. Ari's skin crackled with Andreas's energy, but it was nothing compared to the storm emanating from the older vamp. If this turned into a real fight, Andreas would need an army of help. A big army.

"Your claim is not good enough," Sebastian said, speaking only on Andreas. "This is my territory, my rules. Do you wish to test me? Is that the real reason you are here? To try your hand for my throne?"

Uh-oh. They'd dropped the last pretense of diplomacy. Sebastian had looked for a reason to start something. Maybe that had been his plan from the beginning. In any case, she doubted if anything would stop them now. Sebastian's body shimmered with growing energy. Hadn't Andreas told her the old ones didn't do their own fighting? Guess that didn't apply if they were p.i.s.sed enough. Sebastian's circle of power expanded with each pa.s.sing moment. Not a physical change so much as an invisible field that built around him.

"I did not come seeking your crown," Andreas said. "No challenge was intended. Ours is a diplomatic mission." His words sounded reasonable, but the look on his face was anything but conciliatory.

"You lie." Sebastian curled his lips, his disdain raking Andreas from head to toe. "You have grown stronger since we last met, but no wiser. Do not make the mistake of thinking you can take me."

"Paranoia clouds your perceptions. But if you force a fight, you leave me no choice. I will not walk away."

That tears it, Ari thought. Some diplomat! Someone was going to die in the next few minutes. And things weren't looking good for her side. She glanced at Oliver. He was focused on Sebastian's lieutenants, who seemed as stunned by developments as Ari.

Ari was still lying on the floor propped up by her arms, too dizzy and mesmerized by the mounting h.e.l.l storm to move. Andreas's defiant words broke the spell. She pushed to her feet, her magic coming to life as she slipped the silver dagger from her pocket. It was cool, rea.s.suring in her hand, although she questioned her ability to successfully use it against the prince. Considering his ma.s.sive recuperative powers, the blade would have to be held in his heart until it stopped beating. That would take incredible strength.

Her greatest weapon, the lethal, crimson witch fire, was limited by her oath. Was she justified in using it if Andreas was attacked? Would that be close enough to self-defense? It certainly wouldn't fit defense of the helpless. Would she have to break her oath?

And what of the risk to Andreas? How could she turn the fire on one combatant without endangering the other?

As Sebastian's power expanded, his vampire court began to stir, not moving toward the confrontation, but shifting with nervous uncertainty. His last orders to the vampiress Marta had been to stay out of it. Given his reputation of brutality against his own people, would they choose to support him or stand clear? For now, they simply watched, apparently shocked by the mere idea that someone would challenge him.

Sebastian and Andreas began to circle, pushing their power outward against each other, ill-matched in many ways. Experience against youth. Power against athleticism. The first advantage went to Sebastian as Andreas staggered under the vise of Sebastian's energy squeezing him like a huge, iron fist. He managed to shake it off, but in a pure energy struggle, Andreas would eventually lose to Sebastian's superior power.

The air crackled. Pressure levels rose, pouring over everyone in the room with a shrill whine. The human girls clapped their hands to their ears in apparent agony, crawling and stumbling away toward the edges of the room. Sebastian's vampires hissed and snarled, eyes rolling with fear and primal urges.

Ari heard automatic weapon fire in the hallways and was vaguely aware that Lilith and Russell had burst into the room. She clutched her dagger, wishing it was in Andreas's hands rather than hers. He would have the greater strength to wield it.

So why not try? Maybe she could get the idea across to him by using this mystical bond. If their magics were so determined to link up, this would be a d.a.m.n fine time.

Ari ignored the wild energy scalding her skin and concentrated on forming mental images of the silver dagger, showing it flipping through the air from her hand to his. Could the images penetrate the powerful fog created by their battle? Would Andreas understand?

She stole a quick glance at him, looking for some sign. The pressure of the competing powers had flushed his skin and eyes to an unnatural red. Heat shimmers rose around him, as if his blood was starting to boil. Horrified, Ari's concentration faltered.

Sebastian suddenly flashed forward, his fat fingers stretched toward the younger vampire's throat, but Andreas launched himself into the air. With an athletic twist gymnasts would envy, he flipped over Sebastian's head. The vampire prince screeched with uncontrolled rage and whirled in pursuit. As Andreas landed on his feet, he turned his head toward Ari, and she pitched the dagger to him. He s.n.a.t.c.hed the hilt in one hand and turned in a fluid movement to meet the onrushing prince.

As soon as she released the dagger, Ari shot the blue flames of a heavy stunner toward Sebastian, followed by a handful of magic dust from her pocket. The double whammy was just enough-Sebastian's focus flickered to Ari for one fatal instant. Andreas took advantage by plunging the dagger into the elder vampire's heart. He rode the body to the floor, using his strength to hold the dagger in its lethal position. Sebastian bucked and writhed, but before anyone else could react, it was over. Sebastian's power exploded outward, knocking people and furniture against the walls. And then was gone.

Oliver leaped forward to place his body between Andreas and Sebastian's vampires. Lilith and Russell raced to the front with their guns ready. Ari had already lifted her hands toward the stage, not to use the witch fire, but to call upon a greater magic. She chanted the summons that would bring the sentient fire spirits, the ancient salamanders.

Fire poured from her fingertips, not the lethal streams of witch fire, but snake-like flames that responded to her bidding and formed a ring around the stage. Sebastian's vamps halted in place, trapped and confused.

Tails flickering, the glowing eyes of the ageless fire spirits hovered, awaiting Ari's command.

She was almost as shocked as the vampires. She'd only called the fire salamanders once before-by accident. Since that time she'd studied her magic books, talked with her witch mentor, practiced the summons, but she hadn't been positive she could do it again. The proof crackled before her.

Now that Ari had the upper hand, she took a deep breath and searched her brain for some way to end this. There were eight enemy vampires inside the room, countless numbers beyond the closed doors. She had the two werelions, Oliver, and Andreas, who was down on one knee, covered with blood. If she wanted to avoid a bigger bloodbath, whatever she did next would have to be good. She took a confident step forward.

"Acknowledge your new prince," she said in a loud, firm voice. "Prince Andreas!"

Chapter Four.

"Prince Andreas!" Oliver's voice echoed in the silent room, as he followed her lead by turning and bowing to Andreas.

Shock quickly turned to confusion and fear, as Sebastian's people realized their prince was dead and they were at the mercy of Ari's fire.

"Sebastian is dead," Ari said, fighting to calm her pounding heart. "Defeated in battle by Andreas. You were all witnesses. You have a new prince. Acknowledge him."

The fire crackled ominously as the spirits lashed their tails. She didn't need to add the "or else."

"Wait. No one else has to die tonight." Andreas slowly got to his feet and straightened. He was soaked in blood, his and Sebastian's, but he stood on his own without wavering. "Sebastian alone was responsible for what happened here." With one hand he pushed the hair off his forehead. "Release his people, Arianna, so that we may discuss this."