"When I returned to England after Alger was killed, we shifted our focus to identifying as many of the dark lords as possible, figuring out where their clans are located, and counting their numbers. Alger had already begun this work for his own reasons, and so we had a starting point for my own research. It seems Alger had a premonition of his death that he never shared with me. I found out too late, when I began to examine his papers. He thought the investigative work he was doing would help those of us who were left behind to survive, and that his pa.s.sage to America would be his salvation."

Olivia looked down momentarily, trying to control the sorrow I knew she felt each time she talked about Alger. Her sire had been murdered by Reedrek on his way to Savannah, a senseless act of evil that had led directly to this day and this meeting.

Olivia got herself under control and went on. "In the past few weeks we have fanned out across Europe. Some of the more intrepid among us even volunteered to infiltrate the evil clans, pretending to have been ousted from London. The deadline for returning with any information was three days ago, just enough time for me to organize their findings to present to this a.s.sembly."

Here, Olivia's composure faltered again. Her mouth quivered, but she lifted her chin and continued. "Only a few returned. One of our spies managed to make her way back home, but has not spoken since and cannot sleep in the day or night. She begs for death."

Olivia took a deep breath and said, "The others did not return at all."

A few moments of silence pa.s.sed before Gerard asked, "The one who cannot speak or sleep-can she feed?"

"Oh," Olivia replied, "she feeds." A look of horror registered on her face that made my blood run colder.

Holy c.r.a.p. What did that mean? I glanced at William, who looked all steely around the eyes. He didn't like what he was hearing either. "So did you get no information at all on the clans?" he asked. "And have you notified the Abductors of our losses?"

"No on both counts. It's as though they disappeared off the face of the earth. And sending in the Abductors too soon will expose our plans.

"The spies who came back safely gathered what knowledge each clan had of the others, or at least what they were prepared to speak of to a newcomer. So some of this information is secondhand and a bit dated, but I suppose it's better than nothing."

"Tell me something, Liv," Tobey said. "Before you start in on all the heavy stuff, is there any good news in all of this?"

Olivia pondered the question for a moment. "The only thing we have going for us is the fact that the clans of the old lords are not as organized as we are, and the lords themselves still don't get along very well. There are loose affiliations, of course. Most clans can claim kin with most other clans, and bonds of communication are sometimes still maintained, if sporadically. But, there 's no movement to a.s.sault us en ma.s.se, necessarily." Olivia herself didn't seem to go all smiley with this news, though. She remained as somber as ever. "That is, unless they're canny enough to let our spies escape with deliberately false information."

"Always a possibility," William observed.

"If that's the good news, then what's the bad news?" I asked.

"The bad news is, there is at least one clan whose numbers are so large and whose members are so vicious, that it could be a formidable opponent on its own, without having to band together with any other clans." Yeah. That was pretty bad, all right. Before she launched into a more detailed report on that clan and the others, Lucius interrupted her with some question about who her spies were and how they penetrated the other clans. I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. A huge sideboard at the back of the banquet hall was covered with large decanters of blood, some iced down in crystal bowls, others kept warm in chafing dishes with golden ladles. Alongside was the usual spread of the finest domestic and imported liquors. I spied one of the decanters moving out of an ice bucket on its own. It hovered and tipped long enough to pour a tumbler of blood, and then seated itself right back where it had come from. I quietly left the circle of vamps around the hologram.

While the others were focused on Olivia's grave news, I sauntered as casually as I could back to the sideboard like I was going to pour myself a c.o.c.ktail.

When the tumbler went up from the surface of the wood, just as I expected it would, I grabbed it out of the air and slapped Werm hard on the back of his invisible head, Three Stooges style. Then I grabbed him by the jacket collar and, angling my body to hide what I was doing as best I could, dragged him out the door into the hallway between the banquet hall and the kitchen.

"What's the matter with you?" I demanded.

Werm struggled to regain his footing as he started to take shape again. "Ow," he said, rubbing his head.

"Is that all you can say for yourself? Ow?" I drained the gla.s.s and slammed it down on a service cart.

Werm smoothed the front of his black T-shirt where I'd twisted the material. "Sorry. I just thought I was...better off knowing than not knowing. Now, after what I've heard, I'm not so sure."

I sighed, almost feeling sorry for him and what he'd gotten himself into. "Yeah. I get your meaning," I said. He looked pitiful and scared. More pitiful and scared than usual, that is. I was developing a soft spot for this weird kid, even though I ought to be kicking his a.s.s. "That invisibility thing is pretty good. Have you had to practice hard?"

He looked up finally. "Uh-huh, it was pretty hard at first but I think I've got it down. I can control it pretty good."

"Good. That could come in a mite handy one day. But let me tell you something: If I ever catch you using that skill to spy on me and get in my business, I'm going to use my a.s.s-kicking skill to put a hurt on you. A hurt that'll make you want to go to the beach at high noon. Do you understand me, boy?"

"Yes, Jack...sir."

"Good." I slapped him on the back hard enough to make his earrings clank together. "Now you run along. We'll talk tomorrow."

Werm headed for the door, shuffling his boots forlornly. When he'd almost reached the kitchen door he turned back. "Are we going to survive, Jack?" His pale blue eyes were wider than usual.

"h.e.l.l, yeah," I said. "You bet your skinny a.s.s we are."

He straightened his shoulders and smiled a little before he went through the door. Why was it, I wondered, that I didn't feel any better?

When I took my seat in the circle again, Lucius was still grilling Olivia on her methods. He looked to me like one of those guys who resented any woman who knew more than he did.

"That's enough, Lucius," William warned him. "Olivia still has a lot of information to impart. I vouch for her trustworthiness."

Lucius didn't look happy, but he shut up, using one manicured hand to slick back his already slicked back hair.

"Tell us about this vicious clan," William said.

Olivia took another deep breath. "They're ancient, powerful, and mysterious. The vampires in the other clans speak of them in hushed whispers. And their numbers are reported to be in the scores."

William looked grave. "Where are they?"

"Southern Russia, near the Black Sea," Olivia said, looking right at me, although she couldn't have seen me.

Oh, lord. That had to be Hugo's clan, and Olivia wanted me to know it. When we talked the day she told me about Diana, she had said she wouldn't mention Hugo's clan until she knew more. Evidently, she knew more now. She was struggling with how she could report the news without thinking about Diana, and she was using eye contact with me to do it. I was tempted to go get another drink. A really big drink.

"You said his clan had the strength in numbers to attack us without help from other clans. Is there any indication they intend to do so?" William asked.

"Not that we found," Olivia said. "Then again, two of our members disappeared in that area."

"If they did attack, how would they get here? Water or air?" Iban asked.

"No idea," Olivia said, shaking her head. "We had one short report from one of our spies, but nothing since."

"You're just a font of useful information, aren't you?" Lucius asked.

I was ready to call the guy out when Travis spoke again. "It seems to me the young lady has done a remarkable job of gathering information in such a short time. Her group has been bold and risked much and paid a high price. I don't see that you have done as much. I do not believe that she deserves our scorn. If you disagree, perhaps we could discuss it further outside."

Lucius settled back in his seat, his complexion reddening like a thermometer with the temperature rising. This was not a guy used to being told to shut the freak up. But he'd been told just that twice in the last hour. Far as I was concerned, it couldn't happen to a nicer vamp.

"I'm sorry I don't know more," Olivia said.

And then William let me-and Olivia-hear one of his own thoughts loud and clear. But you do know more, Olivia, as we both know. I can't imagine why you are keeping information from me, but I suggest that you tell me all. And soon.

William I used my will to search Olivia's mind. Unfortunately, the hologram technology, despite its ability to transmit a physical image, was not as effective on nonphysical phenomena. Olivia's image sputtered, and she looked for all the world as if she'd swallowed a cannon ball. Struggling to speak, she only nodded.

"Who is the leader of this formidable clan?" I asked insistently. "If he's so old and powerful, I should know him."

"They're led by a potent master vampire of Reedrek's bloodline. In fact, Reedrek was his sire. He's considerably older than any of us a.s.sembled here."

Reedrek. Not a good development for me and mine. They'd certainly come for him. And when they did, they would have revenge on their minds.

"His name?" I asked in growing temper. Why was Olivia, once so eager to collect information, being so obtuse?

"Hugo," she said, nearly in a whisper.

I felt like I should lean closer to hear but just then a great sense of fear-along with Reedrek's accompanying wave of triumph- flowed over me, nearly smothering the equally strong rush of fear from Olivia. In the past she 'd been recklessly brave, but in this instance, she looked truly afraid. Whatever she'd learned had cowed her.

In the dark of his tomb, Reedrek had mentioned someone named Hugo. And I'd laughed in his ugly, reeking, doomed face. But I had no memory of ever meeting an offspring by that name. In vampire kinship, he would be my brother. Why hadn 't Reedrek brought him along when he'd attacked Alger and then me? It was a tantalizing question that I needed to ponder.

"Is there anything further, Olivia? Anything of use to us in this meeting?"

Olivia made a strangled sound, which was immediately followed by a crash in the back of the room. I whirled in that direction to find Jack, sheepishly picking up pieces of a lamp that had somehow toppled to the floor near him.

"Sorry about that," he said, shrugging. "Wasn't watching where I was going."

Allowing Jack to feel my displeasure at the interruption, I turned back to Olivia just as her image faded out.

"I'll keep you posted," she said. Then she was gone.

Eight.

William Everyone began speaking at once. It took a good ten minutes to focus their attention again.

"This new information changes everything. We must consider a defense of Savannah first," Iban said. The others, one by one, agreed except for Lucius.

"Where are you keeping this sire of yours-Reedrek?" he asked.

"In a safe place-one from which there is no escape."

"Why didn't you have him killed outright?"

Why hadn't I? Had I gone soft, as Reedrek had accused? I'd like to think I'd kept the old inveterate liar alive for information.

But it was more likely that I was my sire's tainted offspring and had wanted to pay him back with a small dose of torture for the pain he'd caused, for what he'd done to Diana. As Jack might say, that was my story and I'd stick to it.

"I kept the b.l.o.o.d.y b.a.s.t.a.r.d alive to repay some of the old debts he owes me and mine."

"Why don't you bring him here so we can question him?" Lucius suggested. "He must know something of this Hugo."

Jack snorted and shook his head. "He's buried so far under that we'd have to get a deep-core oil drill to reach him. If we could drill through granite, that is."

I frowned Jack into silence. No use being too specific. "Whatever answers came out of Reedrek's mouth would just be lies.

He's so twisted and blackhearted he'd do anything to hurt us."

Tobey whistled through his teeth. "And this Hugo is worse than that?"

"It sounds that way," I said, but my thoughts had shifted elsewhere. Surely the Abductors must know of Hugo and his clan. I needed to get back to my office and to my computer. "Right now, I'll turn the meeting over to Jack so he can discuss using human resources as a defense strategy. We mustn't make hasty decisions. It's almost dawn in England and I intend to make more inquiries before first light. We'll reconvene here tomorrow night, one hour after sunset, and put all our ideas on the discussion table."

Before leaving, I beckoned to Eleanor. "After Jack finishes, I leave them in your capable hands."

She rested one of those hands against my chest, over my unbeating heart. "And I'll keep them as busy as they want to be. I only wish my house was finished and ready."

"I do too, love. Lucius can be such an a.s.s at times-"

Eleanor touched my lips with her fingers and smiled. "Not to worry, I interviewed his staff. Remember, I've been in the business of pleasure for a long time...yours included. I have several things lined up to keep him happy whether he admits it later or not.

Some of my best customers have the loudest complaints." She removed her fingers and gave me a soft kiss. "Will you meet us at the suite? I'm sure we can find something you might be interested in, too."

The outright challenge in her eyes t.i.tillated my mind and body, but I had other things to accomplish before dawn. "I'm positive that would be the case, sweet. But I'll have to wait."

She feigned a pout before glancing beyond my shoulder to the roomful of men. Vampires or not, she was in her element. I could see she couldn't wait to begin.

"I leave you to it, then," I said.

Iban caught me as I moved to the door. "Do you mind some company?"

"No, not at all. But aren't you interested in a bit of recreation?" I knew Iban already had a cadre of humans around him. He didn't need Jack's humans-are-our-friends lecture.

Iban shook his head. "I guess I didn't sleep as well on this trip to the East Coast. Too many preparations, what with the movie and this meeting. I feel a bit, how would you say? Stretched." He glanced back into the room. "I won't be getting any rest around here tonight. You've certainly stirred everyone up."

"That was my intent." I opened the door and allowed him to proceed with me onto the veranda. "It'll be quieter at my place in town. You can put your feet up while I investigate."

Once at home on Houghton Square, I left Iban in the care of Reyha and Deylaud, in front of the fire with a good supply of blood at hand. As I left the room for my office, Deylaud began reciting Miguel Cervantes from memory.

Downstairs I switched on the power in my office and the computers whirred to life. The technology of the new millennium never ceases to amaze, even as it sometimes infuriates. My former life as a mortal in the sixteenth century was as different from my life now as from that of one of the fabled Martians modern humans seemed to fear.

A few Martians could not compare to hordes of killer vampires who looked very much like humans and could hide like rats underground. If the old sires mounted a war, the naivete of the human population would be the first casualty. Their childhood fears of things that go b.u.mp in the night would be a reality.

Our human fears five hundred years ago were of a different sort and somewhat more personal. We feared G.o.d and the Church, crop failure and witchcraft. And most of all, a return of the plague.

Now, five hundred years later, on this crowded planet there were global worries: famines, wars, tsunamis, and random bombs without specific targets. And the Internet, apart from being a wondrous tool, could foment revolution or, as in the case of b.l.o.o.d.ygentry.com, hide a different agenda.

My buddy list revealed two of the Abductors who frequented the Presumed Undead chat room. A benign pastime: watching humans debate whether the undead walked among them. I signed on and dropped in on a discussion of whether some celebrities named Keith Richards and d.i.c.k Clark were covering up the fact that neither was often seen in public during the day.

I had no opinion on either. The entire rock and roll phenomenon has barely been around for half a century; I am only just getting used to motorcars, and they at least have reached their centennial. Now, if someone could come up with proof that this Keith fellow had composed one of Beethoven's sonatas, that would be worth discussing.

I'm interested in the Ukraine. Any Russians here?

Russians? What's that got to do with rock? one of the pro-Keith debaters replied. An opposing voice chimed in, Hey man, you're right. The Beatles-"Back in the USSR." John Lennon-definitely undead.

Half of the Beatles are dead, you moron. How could Lennon be undead and get shot by Chapman?