Stefan caught me staring at him. He raised one eyebrow questioningly, but I simply smiled at him and gave a little shrug of my shoulders. I could only hope that my promise to personally hand over both Ferko and Odelia was also buying me brownie points with the nightwalker. I was anxious to get out of this city and home again, but Iad be willing to stay another night to aid him in hunting those two down if it meant getting him to aid me when I attempted to overthrow Macaire.

Beside me, Macaire pushed to his feet as the music shifted. He turned to me and offered his hand. aItas been years since I enjoyed a waltz. Will you join me?a I hated the fact that I hesitated. I knew that I was safe here at the ball and would easily be protected by the crowd of humans, but I still didnat trust him. He had to know that he was close to finally being rid of me. With stomach churning, I placed my cold hand in his and rose gracefully to my feet. We wordlessly walked out to the center of the dance floor and twirled about the area in an elegant waltz that was a faint echo of days long past. Like Macaire, it had been centuries since I had last waltzed as well.

A faint smile lifted my lips against my will as the memory of my last waltz spun through my brain.

aWhat happy memory has gripped you?a Macaire inquired.

aMy last waltz,a I replied. aWith Valerio, in the middle of a dirty, blood-splattered alley in Munich too many years ago. We had spent an enjoyable evening out and he started humming a waltz.a aIt is a shame about what happened to Valerio. The naturi, particularly this Rowe, are becoming quite a nuisance,a Macaire said, clucking his tongue.

The naturi were far more than a b.l.o.o.d.y nuisance, but then Macaire wasnat the one being hunted by a fanatic and their queen. The naturi were a danger to our entire race along with the human race. To make matters worse, they risked exposing our secret as the battles grew bigger and closer to major cities. It was too early for the Great Awakening. The humans just werenat ready to know about us yet without it exploding in our faces.

I shook my head, hating to get into this argument while on the dance floor. aWe need to develop a plan to go after Aurora. Once she is finally destroyed, we may finally be able to properly handle them. The naturi may be content to slip back into the quiet oblivion of the woods. They lived for centuries that way when the worlds were closed. Iam sure they can do it again.a aYouare suggesting coexistence.a aI wouldnat mind if we quietly whittled down their numbers over the years, but if weare not careful, we risk all-out war, which would eventually expose us to the humans.a aYes, it is too soon for that,a Macaire agreed, surprisingly. But then, his life was quite comfortable now without the humans knowing. Why rock the boat? He only needed to get rid of Jabari and me. Then, with any luck, his own coven could move in and take over after wiping out our constantly absent liege and the all too quiet Elizabeth.

aI would like to see the coven start making plans for the hunting and destruction of Aurora when we return,a I said. aHer death should dishearten the rest of the naturi and cause them to return to the shadows.a aWhat about this Rowe? He seems quite powerful and determined to have your head at any cost,a Macaire suggested.

aHe will, naturally, be eliminated with Aurora. I donat think the naturi would rally around him, considering that heas been exiled, but Iad rather not take the chance.a aI think you should definitely bring up your thoughts before the coven when we return,a Macaire said.

I wanted to snicker. If I survived my time in Budapest, I had now developed a new role for myself in his life. I had no doubt that in his mind Iad become the one that would hunt down Aurora and kill her. But then I had always known that would be my job in the end. I had come the closest so far, and in truth I wanted to be the one that killed her.

As the music ended, Macaire and I bowed to each other and then silently returned to the raised platform.

We remained at the ball until a couple hours before sunrise. As we stepped outside of the ballroom, Macaire disappeared from sight, heading off to whatever location he was using for his daytime rest. Stefan offered me his hand with a smirk before we disappeared and reappeared in my hotel room. The nightwalker gave me a quick nod and then disappeared again, heading to his own secret daytime lair.

I frowned. The hotel room was completely empty. Unfortunately, the room was still in such disarray that I couldnat tell if there had been a struggle. Closing my eyes, I reached out for Danaus.

Where are you? I demanded when I finally reached him.

Getting Sofia settled, he replied immediately, to my relief. Weare in a hotel near the airport outside of the city. Sheas getting on a plane for London just after sunrise.

Youare sending her to Themis?

Just to London. If she wishes to seek out the researchers of Themis, that is her decision. I donat want her to be linked to us if she falls in with Ryan.

I would have preferred to wipe her memory before she arrived in London, but there wasnat time for me to get across town and back before the sun rose. Iad be cutting it far too close, and there were too many in this town that already wanted me dead.

Did you have any problems with Veyronas men? I inquired.

None. I should be back to the hotel by sunrise to watch over you. I want to see her safely on the plane.

I cut off the connection between us before I said something snide. Shuffling into the bedroom, I pulled off my boots and removed all of my knives before plopping down on the bed. I closed my eyes, forcing myself to ignore the growing anxiety within my chest. Would Danaus return to my side before the sun rose? I knew that I could always contact Stefan and have him take me to Valerio, but I tapped down the urge. The hunter had promised to protect me. I would hold onto that promise as I let sleep finally take me.

Chapter Twenty-Four.

My ribs throbbed as if some of them had been broken. I lay with my eyes closed, mentally searching out the pain. It didnat make any sense. My ribs hadnat been injured at the Solstice Ball and yet I could tell that at least two were in the process of mending.

aGet the h.e.l.l up!a shouted an angry voice. aThe sun set more than an hour ago. I want to get out of here.a I lurched into an upright position and instantly regretted it as pain shot through my frame from my fractured ribs. My head knocked against a cold concrete wall as I tried to inch back down, creating a new pain that succeeded in scattering my already broken thoughts. I blinked and looked around the small dark room. Instead of pastel walls and heavy curtains, there were plain concrete walls and a steel door with a small window at the top. I was in a dungeon of some sort.

Standing in the far corner with eyes narrowed on my p.r.o.ne body was Rowe. I dug my heels into the concrete floor and pushed so I nearly slid up the wall in my desperation to put some distance between myself and the lethal naturi. Panic spread through my frame as a cold sweat broke out down my back. I had been trapped with my enemy while asleep. I had been completely vulnerable, and yet Rowe hadnat killed me, for some bizarre reason.

aWhat are you doing here? Where am I?a I demanded when I finally found my voice. I couldnat understand it. The last thing I remembered was falling asleep on the bed in my hotel room. Had someone grabbed me when I was unconscious? Had someone touched me and brought me here to this concrete prison?

aYouare here for me to kill,a Rowe sneered.

aWhereas here? Where are we? Who brought me here?a I fired back at him, my brain chunking along at a slow pace because I just couldnat accept the notion that someone had gotten to me when I was at my weakest. Why hadnat Danaus been there to protect me? Why hadnat . . .

Because he had been busy protecting Sofia, I thought dismally. Something inside of me broke. I slid back down the walls to sit on my heels, hanging my head down so Rowe couldnat see the tears in my eyes. Danaus had abandoned me for a human, and Iad been captured as a result. Or worse, Danaus had been killed while protecting Sofia. A part of me didnat want to try to reach out and discover whether he was still there. I couldnat decide which was worse: his death or his betrayal.

aStill with me, sparky?a Rowe mocked, snapping his fingers a couple of times.

I lifted my head and glared at the naturi, fighting the urge to set him on fire. He was stuck in here with me and had ample opportunity to kill me, yet he hadnat. He was also the only one who might know where we were or who had us, though I had a couple guesses. aStill here, you f.u.c.king pirate. But where is here?a He leaned back against the wall, relaxing his stance somewhat, which was surprising. I had the upper hand. I could set him on fire in the blink of an eye. His gift allowed him to call down lightning at will, but there were no windows to the outside, no way he could call down the thunder, so to speak. I could only guess that he was relying on my sense of fair play, since he obviously didnat strike when he had ample opportunity. aI thought you would recognize it. The place belongs to one of your kind.a aYouare going to have to be more precise than that. Unlike naturi, there are a few nightwalkers in the area, from what Iave seen,a I retorted, causing his features to twist.

aThe nightwalker that commands this territory. The one they call Veyron, I believe. From what I have seen, weare at his place, locked in the dungeon,a he explained through clenched teeth.

I sighed as I bent my knees before me. Sure, I could go at Rowe now and destroy him. It was more than a little tempting, but it also wouldnat help me. I needed to get out of there, and I had a feeling I would need his help.

aI can make a guess at how I got to be here,a I said, running one hand through my hair to push it out of my eyes. I frowned when I ran across a clump of dried blood on my scalp, bringing a smile to Roweas lips. aDid you have to knock me around while I slept?a Rowe shrugged, still smiling. aI had to make it convincing.a aSure.a aI only stopped because it was far too easy.a aAnd you need me alive so you can hand me over to Aurora,a I reminded him.

aYeah,a he muttered, looking away from me. I think he was beginning to doubt that his plan to get back into Auroraas good graces through my hide would work.

aHow did you get here?a I repeated.

Rowe sighed and shook his head at me. For a second I didnat think he was going to tell me, but he finally spoke in a low voice. aI knew which hotel you were staying in and planned to grab you myself when the sun finally set. Unfortunately, I wasnat the only one with that plan. A group of six showed up: humans, lycanthropes, and a witch. Grabbed you before I could. One of the lycans spotted me, and the witch grabbed me with a spell before I could get away. When I found myself locked up with you, I didnat exactly see this as a bad thing.a aWhat about Danaus?a I demanded, pushing the words past a lump in my throat.

aShot him.a Pushing off the wall, I was across the room in a blur, grabbing the naturi by the collar of his shirt and slamming him against the opposite wall. aWhat do you mean ashot hima? Is he dead? Did they kill him? Was he coming after me?a The smile on Roweas face grew as he saw me twisting at his mercy. I was trapped. The walls of the cell felt as if they were closing in on me and the floor was crumbling beneath my feet. I had to get out of there and find Danaus. Pulling Rowe off the wall a little, I slammed his back into it again with more force, causing his smile to slip slightly. aTell me what you know.a aOr what? Youall kill me? Wonat get any information that way,a he mocked.

I narrowed my eyes at him and leaned in so the tip of my nose was nearly touching his. aI can torture you slowly. Iave gotten very good at it over the long centuries. Trust me, youall be screaming answers before I am done.a Rowe stared at me for a long time, his teeth clenched. aHe never got into the hotel. They shot him as they were carrying you out. He may not even know they have you. Donat know if heas still alive.a I released Rowe and walked back over to the other side of the cell. He took the opportunity to put his foot against my b.u.t.t and shove me away from him. I stumbled into the far wall, catching myself before my face smashed into it. Twisting around, I growled at the naturi, fighting the urge to lunge at him.

aDonat touch me again!a he snarled.

I chuckled at him as I straightened into a standing position. aI thought youad like it. Youare the one that kissed me all those years ago.a The anger slipped from his features and he smiled as well. When I was kidnapped by the naturi centuries ago, Rowe had tried to get me to betray my kind by convincing me he was a poor human about to be executed by the naturi. He kissed me as a last ditch effort to break me. It nearly worked. Even now my lips burned with the ugly memory.

aThat was a special circ.u.mstance,a he said in a low, amused voice.

Leaning my shoulders against the opposite corner, I took a deep breath and slowly released it. aWe need to figure a way out of here.a aBrilliant grasp of the obvious you have,a Rowe said snidely.

I ignored his comment. If I didnat, I would be forced to smash his smug face in. aAny suggestions?a aHe was told he would be released unharmed if he would simply kill you for us,a announced a sweet voice from the other side of the door. I crossed the tiny cell and peered through the window in the door to find Sofia standing on the other side in a gauzy pink dress that floated around her like a thin wisp of smoke.

aGet me out of here, Sofia,a I commanded, wrapping my fists around the bars in the window.

aI donat think so,a she said with a little shake of her head. aYouare too dangerous to be left running around. Youave already slaughtered the werewolf pack. Whoas on your hit list next?a aYou are if you donat get the key and get me the h.e.l.l out of here,a I snarled, rattling the door a little in its frame. The metal groaned and squeaked, but otherwise didnat budge.

aNo, Veyron and the others certainly wouldnat like that.a aSet me free and Iall protect you. Iall return you to Danaus. I can help you,a I offered.

Peels of laughter fell from her like the tinkling of bells. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and took a step backward to regain her balance as she laughed at me. aFree me? Who do you think led Veyronas people to you?a My hands loosened from where they gripped the bars and slid back down to my sides as my mouth fell open. aYou tricked us. Convinced Danaus you were some helpless human desperate for his help. You knew he would come after you,a I murmured.

aAnd youare an old nightwalker stuck in your old ways. You donat meddle in the affairs of other nightwalkers, particularly when it comes to their human pets.a aYou tried to separate Danaus and me,a I said, still stunned by their plan.

aOf course.a Sofia took a step closer to the door. aWe figured if we couldnat kill you, the hunter easily could since he was able to get so close to you. When he failed, we thought maybe the naturi could. Unfortunately, heas proving to be useless. I guess weall have to figure something else.a ab.i.t.c.h,a I snarled through gritted teeth. Focusing on her, I sent my powers out from my body and wrapped her in flames. I wanted to see her writhing in pain as the fire ate away at every inch of her flesh. She had deceived Danaus, separated us, and now she was trying to kill me.

But the flames never touched her. Sofia spoke a single, inaudible word and the flames swirled around her like a liquid shawl of fire. The flames danced and crackled with energy, but they never touched her. She looked up at me with glowing eyes. d.a.m.n it, she was a witch. It had all been an act, an elaborate hoax.

aSorry, Fire Starter. You canat kill me, but donat worry, Iall be sure that Danaus knows the truth the moment before he dies,a she said, then sauntered back down the dark hallway, leaving me alone with Rowe.

aGet back here, Sofia!a I screamed, pressing my face against the bars. aGet back here so I can kill you!a aOh, yeah. Thatas going to win her over,a Rowe said sarcastically beside me.

aShut it, pirate!a I snapped, pushing away from the door to pace the cell. Unfortunately, it was only a few feet wide. aI need to concentrate. We need to make a plan.a aA plan for getting out of here?a aAnd killing all those that put us in here.a aI would be game for that,a Rowe said, surprising me.

I looked up at him, my brows furrowed over my nose. aA temporary truce?a aExtremely temporary. Just until we get out of his house.a I nodded, and returned to my corner in the cell. I lowered my eyelids so I could still partially see Rowe but was able to concentrate on what was going on outside the cell. I could sense Sofia and a scattering of other humans, but she appeared to be the only magic user in the house. I couldnat sense Clarion. Ferko was also in the house, but there were no nightwalkers about. The hour was still relatively early. I could only guess that they were all out hunting, not expecting me to actually survive the day locked up with Rowe. And in truth, I couldnat blame them. The only reason I could guess that I was still alive was because Rowe thought he had more use for me as a living ent.i.ty to barter with.

I took another calming breath and reached out nervously with my powers. Rowe had said Danaus had been shot, and Sofia seemed to think that he was still alive, but I was afraid to find out for sure. My powers crept slowly across Budapest, fanning out in all directions. I could have reached out directly but was afraid he wouldnat be there.

Mira! Danausas voice rang true and clear in my head.

I stifled a half sob at the touch of his powers. He was alive and he felt strong to me. Danaus! Youare alive. Rowe said you were shot.

I was. Where are you? Is Rowe with you?

Ferko and some others grabbed me. I think Iam at Veyronas. They grabbed Rowe, too. Are you all right?

Fine. Roweas there? Heas with you? he demanded.

Yes, weare both locked together in what looks to be the bas.e.m.e.nt. Weare going to try to break out. Where are you?

Near the hotel. Iam going to grab a taxi and get to Veyronas. Wait and let me get there first before you strike.

No, stay where you are. Iall get Stefan to come get you. Weare going to need the help. I paused and took a deep breath. Sofia is a witch.

Miraa"

No, listen to me. It was all a plot to separate us. Sheas a witch.

Mira, you canata"

I canat explain now. Just trust me.

Send me Stefan, Danaus said. He didnat sound happy, but at least he was willing to come get me out of my prison.

I looked up at Rowe to find him watching me expectantly. aAlmost got the troops rallied,a I said, then turned my attention to Stefan. He was a bit more pliable than Danaus. He didnat care about Sofia, only where I was and how he was going to set me free. While he preferred to come get me directly, he at last agreed to fetch Danaus before appearing at Veyronas place.

aHelp is on the way,a I said, finally turning my full attention back to the naturi watching me.

aSo I would hope. Are they going to break us out of here?a I walked over to the ma.s.sive steel door and frowned. aThey are going to act as support. I was hoping we could get out of here on our own.a aAnd then what?a he asked, not moving from where he stood against the wall. aYouave summoned up your little soldiers, but there are no other naturi in Budapest to a.s.sist me. How far does this truce extend? The cell door? The front door?a I held onto the tiny bars in the windows and stared down at the rough concrete ground. aI should kill you now for what you did to Valerio,a I muttered, but then shook my head. aBut you could have killed me while I slept and you didnat. That earns you a free ticket out of this house. However, if you strike at me or mine even once while weare on the property of this house, I wonat hesitate to kill you. The truce extends as long as you behave. That goes for me and mine.a aAgreed.a I turned my focus to the door in front of me and the string of problems I had yet to face. I wasnat ready to contemplate the fact that I had just struck a deal with the worst of my enemies. Iad face that nightmare some night when I was home safe, away from the naturi and the coven.

Chapter Twenty-Five.

Rowe pressed his hand and cheek against the cold steel door, sensing for any kind of spell that might have been wrapped around the opening. Not only was the naturi well versed in nature-based magic, but in his years of struggling to come up with a way to free his people, he had also become an expert in blood magica"the very thing that got him exiled. His hand slid across the metal in a slow caress, while I stood back from the opening, waiting to see if anything went awry. My skills did not lay with magic spells and other bits of hocus-pocus.

The naturi pushed away from the door and brushed off his hands. aThereas no spell barring our way,a he announced. aIn fact, as far as I can tell, thereas no spell in all of this bas.e.m.e.nt area. Apparently, no one thought we would survive to attempt an escape.a aAt least, they didnat think youad have the strength to escape alone after you killed me while I slept,a I added. aWe should get moving. My companions should be arriving shortly and theyall need our help.a I wrapped my hands around one corner of the window in the door, while bracing my left leg against the stone wall. Rowe did the same on the opposite side of the door and we pulled. Alone, we were both stronger than the normal human, but neither of us were capable of pulling loose the steel door that was firmly bolted into the stone wall. However, working together, the door folded like a piece of warm cheese. A loud metallic screeching echoed through the stone bas.e.m.e.nt, announcing our escape attempt. We had to get moving before someone arrived to investigate.

Climbing through the opening, I reached down to my side for my knife, to discover it was missing. I had forgotten that Iad taken off all of my weapons as I collapsed into bed. I was completely unarmed. I glanced over at Rowe, who simply shook his head at me. Apparently, his captors had taken the time to disarm him.

No matter. Iad tear Sofia apart with my bare hands if it came to that. She had caused me enough problems to last a lifetime and now it was time to take her life.

We hurried down the hallway to the entrance of the bas.e.m.e.nt, not making a sound except for the occasional rustling of our clothes. I climbed up the stairs first and poked my head through the trapdoor, to find that we were actually in a subbas.e.m.e.nt below the real bas.e.m.e.nt. On stone slabs there were an array of wood and metal coffins where Veyron and his companions obviously slept during the daylight hours. A quick count revealed more than a dozen coffins. Apparently, they subscribed to some of the old ways despite their talk of escaping the old-fashioned precepts of our people. I hadnat seen a grouping of coffins like this except for the underground rooms at the coven meeting hall.

aCan we burn them?a Rowe asked as his eyes scanned them, searching for any that might still be occupied.

aWhy bother? Weare going to kill them all eventually,a I said with a shrug. The naturi smiled unexpectedly at me. Of course, he would be pleased with any plan that worked toward the demise of my kind.

aI think youare starting to come around to my thinking,a Rowe whispered as he led the way to the only door in the vast dark bas.e.m.e.nt.

aHardly. I just donat take kindly to creatures that try to kill me,a I replied, following close on his heels.

aIam still here.a aYou donat want me dead. Otherwise, you would have completed the task centuries ago,a I said smugly, earning a low growl in response. I ignored it, though as I sensed the distinct presence of Stefan and Danaus close by. They had arrived at Veyronas and were currently seeking entrance into the house. I fully expected Sofia to invite them in. She needed to see to it that the rest of my party was disposed of properly, which would meet with Macaireas ultimate plan. He wanted Danaus and me dead. Unfortunately, Stefan was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, caught up in the cross fire.

aLetas go. Theyare here,a I said, giving him a little shove in the middle of his back to keep him moving up the stairs and through the door, which opened into the main hall. I peered through a small crack that Rowe had opened. The light was nearly blinding after walking around in pitch-darkness since awakening that evening. I couldnat see anyone, but I could hear Sofiaas soft, desperate voice as she pleaded with Danaus and Stefan to help her escape Veyronas clutches. She claimed that Veyronas men had grabbed her again during the day and were threatening to kill her. She was plotting something, ensuring that Danaus and Stefan would be entangled in such a way that their deaths would be imminent.

The sound of approaching footsteps caused Rowe to pull back and soundlessly close the bas.e.m.e.nt door. I threw out my senses to find six nightwalkers and three lycanthropes approaching my companions. Sofia was simply the bait in this trap.

aWe need to get in there,a I whispered, trying to get around Rowe so I could escape the dark prison.

aUnarmed? Weall be slaughtered in minutes,a he snapped. aYour friends are surely armed. Let them whittle down their numbers a bit before we go jumping into the fray.a aCoward! Surely youare not afraid of a handful of weak nightwalkers and a few pathetic werewolves?a I goaded.

aNo! Iam more concerned with the nightwalker I made a deal with stabbing me in the back because itas convenient. I would prefer to get the numbers down to something more manageable before I go jumping in.a Laying my hand on the doork.n.o.b over his, I took a step up the stair, crowding him. aRemain, if you like. Iam going. But know this, you may be missing your only chance to strike at your kidnappers.a A low groan followed behind me as I snuck out of the bas.e.m.e.nt and down the hall in my stocking feet. In the light, I could finally see that I was dirty and splattered with my own blood. I hadnat had the chance to clean up from the new wounds Rowe inflicted on me while I slept. My palm itched to hit him, but it would do no good now. We had to take care of Ferko and Sofia before we left the house. Veyron and the others would have to be taken care of at another timea"I was feeling too weak and we needed time to plan.

Rowe and I came upon the same large room where we had met Veyron for the first time. The garden room was ablaze with light, as if trying to cast away the evil spirits that lurked in all the shadowy corners. The wall of windows was black, reflecting back the furniture and occupants of the room. Sofia clung to Danausas arm, pleading with him. The hunter placed one hand over hers, comforting her. I nearly set the house on fire. Stefan stood off to the side, looking completely bored.

Nightwalkers and lycanthropes are surrounding you, I warned Stefan. There was no talking to Danausa"his eyes were only on Sofia.

I sense them, he replied blandly.

Then do something useful. Find out where Veyron and Odelia are. She wonat confess to Clarionas location.