"And the lesson being?" Jacob asked dutifully.

"Never underestimate the power of a woman," he said simply, adding a casual shrug. "Come, sweet, I believe you are out of champagne."

He swept Kestra away, leaving her breathless laughter in their wake.

When Kestra met Damien he'd been extremely polite, gracious, and grateful, practically overflowing with pleasure when welcoming Noah. Now, some time later, with his wife firmly secured to his hip, the Vampire was giving her a different depth as she watched him with more efficient perception.

Kestra had recently noticed that her ability to evaluate and map power had also left her with a heightened sense of awareness when it came to reading others. She had always been perceptive in taking another's measure, but now it was as close to telepathy as one could get, without the actual awareness of thoughts.

As she and Noah conversed with the Prince, this awareness kicked into overdrive. There was strain around his edges, ever so faint, and something she suspected only his loved ones would notice. He was tired, physically, his energy depleted in what she suspected would be life-threatening ways should he encounter trouble on a hunt. He was flush and warm, clearly having hunted earlier, so it was not a nutritional deprivation. Emotional? Perhaps, she thought, considering how close he had come to losing his wife.

That sobered her greatly. She did not know if the mating between them was as physically interdependent as the Imprinting was for Demons, but Jasmine had claimed he would never survive the loss of Syreena. She supposed she meant his devastation would have been impossible to endure. Had she been literal, too?

Kestra glanced at Noah from under her frosted lashes, her heartbeat picking up with sudden anxiety. For her and for Noah, it was indeed literal. If anything ever happened to him, she would have little more than two weeks to live. A death sentence she didn't deserve, nor did she appreciate the lack of control over her own life that it implied. Her existence hinged on his safety.

Kes hid the sudden rigidity of her body and the smarting behind her eyes under the guise of a delicate cough. Her ears were roaring and she tried to breathe and refocus on what Damien was saying to Noah. How had she even gotten off on this morbid tangent? Noah had lived nearly seven centuries. Did she think he would suddenly forget how to survive?

"Without Stephan, I am afraid the network we have been trying to put into place over the world has begun to unravel. Not so much the European sectors," Damien explained as Kestra's hearing slowly returned to normal. "They will always be easy to manage with Jasmine and me in such close company. It is the other continents I am concerned with. There were far more than two Vampires acting against us that night. I am afraid the reason we cannot find them, or Ruth and Nico for that matter, is because there is too much room out there for hiding."

"I agree. They will avoid the Nightwalker regions: Russia, England, France, New Zealand, Alaska, Romania, and, as you said, most of the European continent. At least until things are not so hot for them. But that leaves North and South America, Asia, and Africa open to becoming hideaways. There are less hospitable choices as well, of course, but they will want to lose themselves in a heavy human population."

"Also, they will want a playground," Damien added grimly. "Vampires can never go long without games to play. For games to be fun for Vampires of this lawless ilk, I would say screwing around with the lives of humans will be a high priority."

"On a mildly better side," Syreena put in, "I believe we can now expect that a slaughter with speed and viciousness through the Nightwalker species will not be easy to accomplish again. The Mistrals and the Shadowdwellers were given an unfortunate clarion call. They will be more on guard, more organized."

"As will we," Noah said soberly. "We have been too complacent. Our young will need a new set of rules now. They are the most vulnerable."

"We should think about it. All of us," Kestra pointed out firmly, not able to soften it because she felt so passionately on the topic. "Biologically speaking, most females aren't equipped to attain the strength and power levels that males can achieve. Protecting them will need more than just a strong consideration."

Damien didn't even blink. "Female Vampires are as powerful as the males, or can be if they desire it. There are many on the network."

"Female Vampires aren't in threat by Vampire rogues, though," she countered sharply.

"Kestra is right, you know." Syreena's hand went absently to her healed throat. "Powerful or not, women are at risk."

"Who are you charging with the supervision of the network?" Kestra asked.

"I had not..." Damien hesitated, then looked away briefly as he made a soft sound of frustration. "I was caught up in other things and have not designated Stephan's replacement."

Grief. Guilt. Pain. Worry. Love. Kestra saw it all swirling around the Prince in a flash. He had indeed been caught up. Now she understood the exhaustion and strain. This had taken a toll in a way Damien was obviously not experienced with. She found it hard to believe he had never suffered great loss before, not after a millennium of life, and Noah had told her that Vampires tended to be emotionally callous. Obviously Damien had changed when he'd fallen in love with Syreena, leaving him more vulnerable than before.

"I would recommend a continental and global hierarchy of command," Kes offered. "It's too much for a single leader to manage. Seven commanders, one per continent, to whom hunters can report progress and occurrences. Then a single general or marshal to whom those commanders report. I think that'd speed up the warning process. Having Jasmine run between the courts is inefficient." She smiled to soften the remark. "The one who marshals the other leaders can be situated in Europe. I know you believe they'll avoid Europe now that we're on guard, but we are also the ultimate quarries. No point to being a rogue if you can't go hunting for power. Best to maximize coverage where the most game hangs out."

Kes felt Noah's arm slide warmly around her waist and she easily hooked her hand onto his shoulder as he drew her to his side with an appreciative little squeeze. She could feel his pride and delight easily; it was radiating off him like sunlight. She had the sudden urge to blush and fought it off with impressive aptitude.

"Kestra!"

"Hmm?" she asked when Syreena exploded out her name.

"Sweetheart," Syreena said with excitement, patting Damien's arm hard in her effervescence. "Why not have Kestra take Stephan's place controlling the network? She has military experience, she is obviously soldier enough to hunt and fight, and she has the ear of the Demon King. Sometimes right between her teeth." Syreena laughed teasingly at her own joke. "She's in Europe. And I hear she has some kick-ass power."

"She has the perfect power to fulfill that kind of role," Kestra was surprised to hear Noah say, "as well as the perfect command and organizational skills."

"But," Kestra said for him politely, arching a knowing brow at the other couple, making them chuckle.

"But," he agreed with a light laugh, "her ability to handle her own power is new yet. If she decides to do this, I would recommend you let Jasmine fill the position temporarily, giving Kestra several months to learn the ins and outs of her power and how to apply it to the military skills she already possesses. She learns damn fast, so I would say by Beltane."

"Five months. Hmm," Damien said speculatively. "Jas can still live in the citadel, an important detail, I assure you. With Stephan gone, her presence here is essential."

"I gather," Noah agreed with grim understanding. "If you do not wish to split her attention, I could-"

"No." Damien held up a hand. "Jasmine will be an excellent choice. We are secure here so long as we keep loyal Vampires heavily staffed, which I am already doing. If she works her command from here, it will be no different than what she does now. I think a project like this will be good for her. Kestra, if you accept the role as marshal over the net, when you are not training your power, you can be choosing your new soldiers. Familiarize yourself with the Vampires already cast out in the net. Choose your commanders from the hunters you meet. That would mean spending time in foreign courts like Siena's and Tristan and Malaya's as you gather the hunters they will offer."

"Better they come to my court, where she is protected and secure."

Kestra barely had time to bristle before his hand slid up to massage the nape of her neck. It made her second-guess her ire, as he knew it would. She realized this was a gentle reminder that, while her power was still young, she would be restricted in how far and how long she could travel from him.

"If she accepts," Syreena noted.

She felt their eyes turn to her, all but Noah's because he would always know before anyone else what her decisions would be.

"I am curious why you would choose someone so green and so landlocked. You should at least choose someone who can fly or travel with speed."

Syreena laughed as if Kestra had made a joke.

"Travel from the Demon court? With all those Mind Demons at your fingertips? Or you can choose an assistant of any element who can travel with speed."

"As for green," Noah spoke up with a sidelong look at her, "Druids power up really fast. They master their broader skills with incredible speed. Your secondary skills-militia, command, battle strategy, and evaluation of power and ability-you have been practicing those for a great deal of your life already. You will simply be building as you go. I would pit your mercenary tactics against a hyped-up Vampire any day. And I have."

Noah looked directly at her as he reminded her they had been together the moment she had bested a supernatural creature so much more powerful than she had been. Together in her thoughts. She gave him a slow, cocky smile before turning to Damien.

"Well, when he puts it that way, how can a girl refuse?" She laughed when they did. "Baby, you are such a romantic," she purred teasingly.

"Ah yes, they are so sexy when they appreciate our power," Syreena said loftily.

"I make it a point to never underestimate your power, love," Damien said, his grin easing the tension bracketing his features. Kestra could feel him relaxing at last.

"Mmm, well, I'm still pretty pissed that bastard got the drop on me," Syreena muttered, sighing her consternation.

"Sweet, you were understandably exhausted," Damien reminded her, placing a soothing kiss against her brow.

"That's no excuse," she said.

"All that matters," Noah interjected, "is that you are well and he is dead." He lowered his voice so only the four of them would be privy to his next remarks. "Besides, if I am not mistaken, the energy burn left behind in that room was indicative of one hell of a heat cycle, Syreena." The Demon King's eyes flashed with emerald amusement. "Damien is right, you were understandably exhausted."

Kestra snickered midsip of her champagne, sending bubbles up into her sinuses. Her coughing laughter eased their hostess's blush and they all joined her.

"Why do you think we had to wait two weeks to throw this party?" Damien said dryly. He had thoughtfully reached out to prevent Kestra from taking another sip of her champagne until after his remark.

It turned out to be a huge consideration. Kestra lost all composure, her laughter turning heads and sprouting grins among their friends.

"A toast," Noah said, raising his glass suddenly to the hosting couple. "To...to the fruits of our labors."

"Hear! Hear!" the entire room chorused, though their interpretation of Noah's implication was far different.

"I will definitely drink to that," Syreena said passionately.

Damien just grinned and touched his glass to the Demon King's.

Kestra needed to get used to a great many things as she adapted to Demon culture, but nothing was as much fun as mode of travel. Though they had used the aid of a Mind Demon to teleport to Damien's holdings, they did not leave by the same method. The longer foray home would take place in the form of smoke, a form utilized and guided by Noah. But to Kestra's ongoing delight, that form meant nothing to her senses. She was able to see, feel, hear, and experience everything as if she were flying like a fictional superhero. And because Noah was directing their travel, she didn't have to think about where she was going or how to get there. It was glorious, and a perfect thrill for her daredevil tendencies.

Noah, of course, could feel every moment of her delight, and it was as if he were seeing the experience afresh for himself. He wouldn't have thought such a thing possible for someone who had been traveling in such ways for centuries, but her enthusiasm drew him in. He found it a strange bittersweet experience, the way she so easily embraced the experiences of her new life. Yes, he wanted her to enjoy and even revel in his world; it would make everything so much easier for her.

But the more she rejoiced in everything else, the longer a shadow it cast on the one thing she held in reserve.

Him.

Not in their lovemaking. No, he had no complaints about that. And in her way he supposed she used that physical connection as a method of reassurance, expressing what she refused to acknowledge even to herself. She used it to coddle him so he didn't feel upset because he loved her so very deeply, and yet she turned away from all self-examination of her feelings. Never mind an honest verbalization. It stood to reason that he resented this at times. He would rather she just be natural and not try to effect what she thought he expected. If not for their connection of thought, he might have misread her confusion of signals long ago.

It was something he needed to discuss with her. He had allowed it to go on for too long. It was frankly uncomfortable for them both when she wasn't acting out of honest compulsion. He didn't want that. She didn't want that. Noah had no idea why she'd gotten the idea in her head in the first place. Although, if he had to make a strong guess, he would say it had come from spending a great deal of time with so many Imprinted couples of late. This party at the citadel had been only the latest gathering.

Politics and mending relationships and training schedules had made the castle a tizzy of Imprinted traffic. Gideon and Legna, Jacob and Isabella, Corrine and Kane-even Elijah and Siena had shown up regularly as Elijah was forced to pay greater attention to Demon matters than to his wife's abroad. Noah was coming to realize that Elijah would be forced to resign soon. He had been hanging on valiantly in the face of so many new foreign threats, as it was his forte and he knew Noah needed him badly, but the King and the Warrior Captain had both come to the grim conclusion that had Elijah been there, the guard would never have failed to protect Kestra from the Vampire attack.

But Elijah's interests were split now, and it was showing. Not that Noah begrudged him his happiness in the least. But the business of protecting his people must take precedence. He needed a suitable solution, because Elijah would not be an easy man to replace. They would be putting their heads together a great deal over the next few months, Noah thought. Meanwhile, until Elijah helped him choose his successor, things would be status quo. Noah's only regret, his only concern, actually, was that Elijah would come to visit even less than he already did when this came to pass. He sorely missed the Captain's irreverence, which kept them all from taking things too seriously.

Then again, Kestra was a pretty little replacement package. She reminded him of Elijah. The wit, the deadly turn her mood could take, her skills, and her outright enthusiasm for destruction. For battle. Yet their peaceful ways settled well on her. She would just rather be out on the front lines fighting to preserve that peace than letting others do it for her. He respected that. It would make for a sound monarchy, he realized, as he thought about Damien's proposal and her role in it. Like a chessboard. The King settled back and protected, bearing the political brunt and the regular office work required of him, while the aggressive Queen directed the methods of protection and faced down threats.

He rather liked the idea.

He didn't have egomaniacal ideals. He was powerful and could fight, but that wasn't the kind of King he wished to be. He only interceded, as he did in the instance of the threat to Syreena, when the political ramifications called for it. He had always been satisfied to surround himself with advisers who were one hundred percent focused on their roles and tasks when it came to altercations. Elijah. Jacob. Bella. And now Kestra. He only grew richer for it. In so many ways.

They were about to exit the borders of Romania when a shimmer of sensation echoed over Kestra and Noah. Fear of inexplicable origins struck them. Not expecting this, Kestra panicked. Noah's experience served him a little bit better.

Easy. It is just a trick, Kes. He spoke softly in her racing mind. Someone is trying to draw us out.

The single sentence made all the difference in the world. Noah hesitated for a moment because she was with him. Would it be better to hit the ground and face the enemy? They would only chase after them if they tried to run. Was the area below them a geographical advantage for the enemy? Or was it merely opportunity?

Opportunity. They must have followed us. They had no way of knowing we would pass this way.

Bless her little strategic heart, Noah thought with delight. She was right.

Okay, baby. Get ready. As soon as I land and solidify us, you need to power up.

I'm already there, Kikilio.

A heartbeat later they landed square on their feet on the ground. As directed, Noah shuddered with immolation as it covered his arms. With her back so close to him that their hips were touching, Kestra's body flared with luminescent green. She committed herself, however, instantly forming a grenade-sized bomb in her hand. Both turned their full attention to the forest around them, seeking their threat.

"Kikilio?" he questioned in an amused whisper. "You have been spending time with Bella."

"You didn't think I was going to live in an environment where others could talk over my head in a language I don't understand, did you?"

"I see."

"So I finally know what Kikilia means," she added.

"I did not realize it was an issue," he mused, his sharp eyes watching shadows.

Before she could respond, the first attack exploded around them.

Or rather beneath them.

The ground suddenly gave way under their feet, collapsing even as water sprang up in a geyser between them, forcing them apart, severing their protective stance. Before they could draw breath they were plunged into a rapidly growing hot spring.

Kes didn't waste a single second. She surfaced and kept her eyes on the tree line as she swam furiously for the still-expanding shore. She didn't have to look behind her to see Noah was doing the same in the opposite direction.

She was relieved that one of the lessons she'd already mastered was the reabsorption of the energy she used to make her bombs. She was grateful Noah had insisted on it. Otherwise the energy grenade would've been abandoned in the water so she could swim and they would have been racing the explosion as well as the imminent danger around them. They'd learned that her bombs didn't start to count down until she actually let go of them, separating them from the energy aura she built them from. Rather like pulling a pin or lighting a fuse.

Kes, it is Vampires. The remaining rogues, no doubt. Be prepared for anything and everything. There is a pack of them.

They're going after you. They don't know who I am, so you must be the target. Kestra's heart was pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears as she surged out of the water.

The first thing she did was reach for the delicate silk of her gown. It was in her way and she had to shed it and her sandals ASAP. She tore the skirt clean away up to her thighs as she crouched low to the ground. In that flash of time, a shadow leapt out at her. It was the long shape of a sturdy pine one second; the next, it was surging up over her skin and plowing her down to the ground. She rolled with it, instantly realizing that there was a solid form to this supposed shadow, and that meant infliction of pain was highly possible.

On the opposite side of the water, Noah was in a similar predicament, only this shadow struck before he even had proper footing on the shore, split into three, and overwhelmed him within a matter of seconds. Noah's head crashed into the ground, stars bursting brilliantly inside his eyelids. He felt his assaulters getting a fast grip on him. They were choreographed as to timing and placement as they pinned him to the ground by his hands, waist, and legs, indicating that this was far better planned than a random assault.

Still, planning would do them little good. The Demon King tried not to laugh as he sent a sheet of immolating fire down the entire length of his body. As flame rippled down over his skin, popping and hissing as water evaporated, his assailants scrabbled for distance, crying out. And then Noah felt the crash of a wave of water.

The damn spring.

Steam exploded violently around him when the water doused his body. The wave continued, following him as he tried to roll free. He could not catch his breath, and no matter which way he struggled to move, the water followed. He realized he was in real danger of drowning under the onslaught if he did not focus. He rolled onto his hands and knees, tucking his head down as the crashing force of the water intensified. He sought outside himself for energy, and a half dozen sources flared into his awareness. He knew one of them was Kestra. He even had a fair idea which one it was because she resonated so differently from the others. If he cast a wide net and sucked in energy without discretion, Kestra would fall into the zone. She was still too young to bear the brunt of a full power drain, especially the one he would have to use to overcome such powerful adversaries. Also, if there were others lying in wait at a distance, he would be leaving her totally defenseless and himself to face further threats alone. Instinct told him that the forethought behind this attack would make that an unwise course of action.

Noah staggered, falling face-first into the drowned forest floor that was fast becoming a swamp. He needed to breathe. He needed oxygen. He felt something strike his back, and his face crashed into the deep water as his head was forced under. The fall of the water continued as his hands were stepped on to hold them in place. Again, waist and legs followed. Now he was at a distinct disadvantage. Vampires didn't need to breathe. He, unfortunately, very much needed oxygen. The Vampires were wickedly strong, and four against one were impossible odds without the use of his element. Well, part of his element. But he didn't need fire to gain advantage. Noah went for the nearest and most critical target. He focused on the Vampire holding his head beneath the water.

Kestra whipped her legs around her attacker, ignoring which end was up and settling for winding up on top by the time they finished skidding across the forest floor. The Vampire was slim and slippery as hell. He was also extremely strong. She barely had time to savor her dominant position before she was hurled off and away. She landed in the underbrush with a curse. Then he was on her again, his hand going for her throat and his knees crashing down painfully on her thighs. His other hand was only able to catch one of hers, but still he now effectively pinned her to the forest floor. He flashed a vicious pair of fangs and began to crush her throat beneath the clutch of a single formidable hand.

Kestra flashed phosphorescent green. Surprised, the Vampire blinked against the sudden flare of energy. It seemed almost as if he was fascinated for a moment. A moment that gave her an advantage. Her free hand curled into a circle and a small sphere the size of a Ping-Pong ball gained shape in her palm. Meanwhile, the Vampire realized he was about to face an unknown power and he took steps. His force against on her neck increased and he freed his hand from hers. She only had a second to think when he yanked his arm back and she saw gleaming in the moonlight. It was the worst thing to do when being choked, but she yanked her chin all the way up as those gleaming fingertips whipped across her shoulder, neck, and face, sharp razorlike nails scoring deep into her skin. Kestra's head jerked to the side with the force of the slices. She initially felt nothing save the nick of one against her cheekbone because the nails were so sharp. Pain would come later. But she had protected herself using the method she had described to Noah when he had teased her for her morbid choices on conversational topics.

While her pain was delayed, however, there would be no such luck for her attacker. Turning her face back up as his strangling hand forced blood to well swiftly out of her new injuries and tucking her chin back down to open a small portion of her airway, Kestra met the avaricious eyes of her assailant. He was leaning closer, clearly looking to taste her blood. Hands still free, Kestra reached out and jerked the Vampire by his belt.

He reared up, perplexed when he felt her thrust her hand down the front of his pants. His grip on her throat loosened with his shock and he looked down into the icy glitter of her eyes as she smiled at him.

Then she mouthed a word to him since she couldn't speak.

Boom.

The little ball had left her hand several seconds before that, of course, so by the time comprehension dawned, it was far too late for the Vampire. Still, he reacted as expected. He surged off her with a shriek of terror, grasping at his endangered crotch. Kestra was only aware of one thing. The Vampire was about to become debris and she needed to get the heck out of Dodge.

She took a hoarse, scraping breath and rolled back into the hot spring.