aWhat did he want?a aHow should I know? Iam not the keeper of Budapest,a she replied sarcastically.

I sighed dramatically. aStefan.a Stefan moved forward to grab her and she screamed, aHe wanted you dead! He wanted you dead!a aAnything else?a aYou and the human. He wanted you both dead, no matter what it took. We were to do whatever it took to kill you both. It didnat matter who got caught in the cross fire,a she admitted between broken sobs. She covered her face with her right hand as tears streaked down her bloodstained face.

aAnd Mich.e.l.le?a aWh-Who?a she asked.

aMich.e.l.le. Vamp you had killed,a I supplied. The edge retuned to my voice and I was about to hand her over to Stefan when she finally spoke.

aShe didnat belong here. She had no business being in Budapest.a aNo business?a aShe wasnat welcome herea"we have enough pretty female nightwalkers in Budapest. There was no room for more.a aSo you had her killed? How many others have been killed for that reason?a aDozens,a she said, looking up at me with a confused expression.

I shook my head as I turned away from her in disgust. I had heard of hunting and toying with fledglings, but even that practice seemed to be dying out. However, I had never heard of nightwalkers being killed because there was simply no room in a city for another attractive nightwalker. Ferko was right. Odelia had been jealous and ordered Mich.e.l.leas death because she was threatened by the potential compet.i.tion.

I merely had to wave my hand and Stefan was on Odelia in a flash as I walked back toward the double doors. Her bloodcurdling screams echoed through the room until they vibrated through my brain and rattled my teeth. The tearing of flesh and the breaking of bones was sickening, but in truth I hardly noticed. Those sounds had been background noises from my nightwalker childhood. They couldnat move me now.

Danaus frowned as he looked at me, purposefully keeping his gaze from Stefan and his work. aWouldnat it be more painful to stake her out in the sun?a he inquired.

aSheas asleep as soon as the sun rises. She would never feel a thing. Your idea is a slow death, but itas also very merciful. Stefan is quick and messy, but she dies in pain, which is what he wants.a After a couple seconds Stefan walked over, dripping Odeliaas blood, a rare smile on his face. He might have lost an a.s.sistant that was important to him, but he had personally destroyed both of her killers with his bare hands. He couldnat ask for better justice. And in both instances, Ferko and Odelia had been my gifts. Stefan would now be more willing to fight at my side for the rest of the evening. At least, I hoped it worked that way.

aVeyron and the warlock?a he asked, pleasing me. Apparently he had a taste for blood this evening and was ready to get his fill.

aThey are waiting in the bas.e.m.e.nt,a I said with a frown. aThe entrance is single file down a set of wooden stairs. If we head down in a line, they will be able to easily kill us all. Let me go down first and scout it out so you can appear in their midst.a aLike we did up here,a Valerio said, and I nodded.

aYouare doing quite well in your role as bait,a Stefan teased.

I was doing quite well as bait, but I wasnat enjoying it. In fact, I was downright terrified by the idea of heading down into a bas.e.m.e.nt full of nightwalkers and a warlock without my powers. If my companions hesitated, I was staked. Sensing my unease, Danaus placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. At least he would not let me die without a fight. I just hoped that the others felt the same way.

Chapter Twenty-Nine.

Air from the bas.e.m.e.nt wafted up the stairs, smelling of dirt and mold. A heavy energy snapped and crackled from both Clarion and Veyron as they prepared for me to enter the place where they had decided to make their final stand. I resisted the urge to look back over my shoulder at Danaus and the others as I descended the wooden stairs into the bas.e.m.e.nt. The heels of my boots clomped on the stairs, sounding like the drumbeat to a funeral march.

I frowned as I turned the corner and found that the coffins that had filled the bas.e.m.e.nt before were now leaning against the walls, leaving the floor open for the fight that awaited us. Roughly a dozen nightwalkers were arrayed before me holding all manner of weapons, ready to attack me at the first indication from Veyron, who stood at the back of the pack. I would have to push my way through all the nightwalkers in order to get to him. To make matters worse, he was standing with his back against the wall, making it impossible for my companions to pop in behind him for a quick slaughter. This was not going to be a quick and easy fight.

And that didnat even begin to take care of the problem that Clarion presented. I wracked my brain as I slowly descended the stairs on effective ways to take out a warlock without the use of my powers. The only ace I potentially had up my sleeve was Danaus, a.s.suming the warlock wasnat aware of the hunteras unusual gift.

At the foot of the stairs I found Clarion standing at the back of the room near Veyron. He leaned one shoulder against the wall in his neat suit and tie, looking as if he had just come from a business meeting. In his right hand he held a gold pocket watch, which he glanced at before looking up at me with a questioning gaze. I could guess what he was wondering. How was I going to handle this situation and survive?

And then it hit me, bringing a broad grin to my face as my gaze shifted to Veyron, who squirmed slightly. I didnat need to handle both of them. Only one of them was truly my enemy. The other one could still be made into my ally . . . if I could deliver what he wanted.

Stepping onto the concrete floor of the bas.e.m.e.nt, I dusted off my hands and stopped a few feet away from the nearest nightwalker, smiling. aFerko and the lycanthropes are dead. Sofia is dead. The humans are dead. Odelia is dead,a I listed as I dragged my gaze over each one of the nightwalkers that stood ready to attack me. aDo you really want to join them?a aYou canat stop them alone!a Veyron laughed from the supposed safety of the back of the room. aYou donat have your ability to control fire now. Youare nothing. We will crush you.a aIn other words,a I said sarcastically, turning my gaze to the nightwalkers before me, ahe will allow you to die trying to kill me so he doesnat have to get his hands dirty or endanger his life. He will let you die for him.a aWho doesnat want the honor of being able to claim that he killed the infamous Fire Starter?a Veyron asked sweetly.

aIf itas such an honor, why donat you come here and try yourself?a I countered, smiling at him so my fangs showed. Veyron went quiet and I chuckled in the silence. aI thought so.a I walked to my left, leaving an opening to the stairs while placing my back to the wall. aThis fight is between Veyron and me. Not you. Take whatas left of your lives and leave here while you still can.a There was a soft rustling among the nightwalkers as they looked around at each other, surprised by this unexpected offer. This wasnat an opportunity they would receive under most circ.u.mstances. But then, I wasnat like most nightwalkers. I was worse.

aYou canat do that!a Veyron shouted.

aOf course I can. I am keeper of this domain. I am an Elder on the coven. I can offer them their lives if I so wish it,a I said with a laugh. aBut if youare going to go, go now.a There was a soft shuffling among the nightwalkers as a handful of them edged toward the stairs, cautiously moving around me. They were obviously distrustful, and they had every right to be. They had attempted to stand against me, to betray their keeper. They couldnat be allowed to live so they could betray me again at a later date.

Kill the ones coming up the stairs silently, I told my companions waiting for me up on the first floor.

Meanwhile, the ones that remained attacked at once. Blades slashed through the air and fists came crashing down, aiming for tender parts. I came alive in a flurry of action. With fighting quarters so tight, I opted for my small knives, allowing me to get close and personal with each of my opponents. I delivered a round of slashes and stabs that left three of my attackers rolling on the ground, gripping gaping wounds that would take several minutes to close. Stabbing one opponent in the stomach, I released my blade and slammed my fist into his chest. I grabbed his heart and pulled it free before he could fall over. Seeing his black heart in my hand, the remaining two attackers that I had yet to reach backed off immediately.

aI have survived six centuries, battled both naturi and bori. I have slaughtered nightwalkers, shifters, and warlocks with my bare hands. Do you think in all that time I havenat learned to kill without my powers?a I growled.

aKill her!a Veyron screamed, earning a deep laugh from me, which simply danced around the dark room, leaving them jumping at shadows.

aLeave here,a I commanded. Those that had the power to scramble out on their own two legs scurried up the stairs, where they were met with a silent death by my dear companions.

Dropping the heart, I licked some of the blood that was dripping from my fingers as I turned my attention to Veyron and Clarion. I smiled and c.o.c.ked my head to one side as I looked at them, trying to decide how I would continue. There was a good chance that Clarion could crush me with a single spell. Besides, I wasnat sure I could manipulate Danausas gift without him standing in the room with me.

I might need to use your powers, I warned Danaus. Iam hoping to avoid it but I might not be able to.

Do you need me there?

Stay where you are. All of you. I wanted to at least present the image of taking care of Veyron alone.

aClarion, I would appreciate it if you released my powers now,a I announced patiently.

The warlock arched one eyebrow at me and straightened where he stood. aAnd why would I do that?a aBecause I can more effectively torture Veyron that way.a aWhatas to stop you from trying to use your powers on me?a I dropped my sticky hands to my sides and narrowed my gaze on him. aMy business is not with you, is it? Youave just been maneuvering everything so this city would be cleaned out of all the rabble.a Clarion gave a slight shrug of one shoulder and I smiled. Lifting my right hand, I snapped my fingers and a small teardrop of fire appeared. I suppressed a sigh of relief. I was not accustomed to not having this gift at my fingertips. While Clarionas magic had not gotten rid of my ability to manipulate fire, he had successfully suppressed the creation of fire within the house or around it. But now I had it back.

aClarion! We had a deal!a Veyron screeched. The nightwalker turned to lunge at the warlock, but with a wave of my hand a wall of fire formed a semicircle around him, keeping him pinned against the wall. Veyron pressed his back against the wall while standing on the tips of his toes in an effort to get as far as possible from the flames. aMira!a You can come down now. Just follow my lead. Iam still digging for some information, I directed the others. Their footsteps pounded down the stairs. I didnat look over my shoulder, but I could feel Danaus in the lead, his powers rushing ahead of him and down into the dark bas.e.m.e.nt. With a thought, a ball of fire appeared near the foot of the stairs, offering up a globe of light against the pitch-blackness that had barely been penetrated by the dim pair of bare lightbulbs that hung overhead.

aNow that the gangas all here, letas have a little chat, Veyron,a I said, making sure that Clarion understood I wasnat including him in this nasty business. I had other, better, plans for him. aI want to know why Macaire came to you.a aWh-Why would Macaire come to me? He doesnat have any business here,a the nightwalker stammered.

aPlease, Veyron, Iam trying to make this easy for you. Donat make me make you scream.a aJust kill him, Mira,a Stefan grumbled. aIam ready to quit this place.a aSoon. We will leave soon,a I promised. I raised my left hand in a slow arc, and as a result fire jumped from the wall surrounding Veyron to his right arm. The nightwalker screamed and crushed his right arm against the wall, trying to put out the fire. I counted to seven and then extinguished the flames on him. aI can do this all night, and then get up the next evening and start it all over again. I can burn you until there is nothing left but a quivering ma.s.s of raw tissue and pain. Tell me why Macaire came to you.a aHe wanted us to kill you and that thing,a he shouted, pointing at Danaus with his left hand. aHe knew our numbers were strong here. Sofia told him about Clarion and was confident that we could use him. Macaire also thought Sofia could break you both, so he told us to separate and kill you.a I turned my gaze to Clarion and smiled. aThe Ancient put his money on Sofia to break us,a I mused, and the warlock smiled smugly at me in return. He had been keeping to the shadows, biding his time.

aIt was an interesting bet,a he admitted.

Looking back at Veyron, I caused the fire to move several inches closer to him, shrinking the semicircle. aHave you communicated with Macaire recently?a aNo!a aWhen did you last speak with the Elder?a Valerio inquired.

aThe night of the ball.a aDid he give you any instructions regarding anyone else who might accompany me?a I asked.

aKill them. Kill anyone who was loyal to you,a Veyron said.

I smiled. Macaire had sealed his own fate by alienating both Valerio and Stefan. The Elder could have contacted Veyron again after they announced they would be accompanying me. He could have changed the orders so they would be spared, but he hadnat. Macaire wanted anyone a.s.sociated with me dead.

aP-P-Please, Mira!a Veyron begged. aIall do anything you say. Whatever you want! Please, I was only following orders. Macaire would have destroyed us all if we had not agreed to his demands.a Clarion sent him a look of disgust as he returned to leaning against the wall while shoving his hands deep in the pockets of his trousers.

aEnough.a I sighed. With a thought, the flames closed in around him, completely engulfing him. Veyron pushed off the wall and came running blindly in my direction, his high-pitched screams bouncing off the walls of the small room. I pulled my short sword from over my shoulder and stabbed it directly into his chest, spearing his heart and stopping him in his tracks. He thrashed about for nearly a minute before finally going completely still. Death had finally claimed him. I felt the cold touch of his soul as it flew past me in the wintry embrace of night.

Extinguishing the flames, I lowered Veyronas crusty black body to the floor. With my foot braced against his chest, I withdrew my sword and placed it back into the sheath on my back. One down and one tricky one to go.

When I looked up, Clarion was regarding me with a calculating stare, which I met with a slight bow of my head. We had to come to an understanding if anyone was going to leave this bas.e.m.e.nt alive.

aSo, where does this little escapade leave us?a he inquired.

aOn shaky footing, I would say,a I ventured. aDo you think it is possible for us to find a reasonable agreement this evening that would make everyone happy?a Clarion frowned for the first time and every muscle in my body seemed to tense in antic.i.p.ation of his attack. aI find that hard to believe.a aI could just kill you now and have it all done,a I threatened.

aYou know you canat use fire against me.a aI have other tricks.a Narrowing my eyes in concentration, I reached out and grabbed hold of Danausas powers. With a slight tug, I directed them at Clarion. In the back of my mind I heard Danaus growling at me, but he didnat fight me, which was rea.s.suring. The warlockas face crumpled as he raised both of his hands to see the skin undulating.

aMira!a he snapped, and I released Danausas powers. I could try to kill Clarion this way, but doubted I would survive the spell head sling at me just before his death. I wasnat willing to risk it when I still had a use for him. For now, I just wanted him to fear me.

aIam not limited to fire.a aI see,a Clarion replied in a low voice. aWhat is it that you would like to discuss?a aBudapest and her future.a He rubbed his hands together, seeming to try to ma.s.sage away the unexpected heat that rested just below this skin. aInteresting topic.a aMacaire didnat approach you. He approached and ordered the nightwalkers to hunt me and my people down,a I p.r.o.nounced, leaving a wide opening for him to easily excuse himself from the madness. aIf anything, you saw my arrival as an opportunity. You never wanted all these nightwalkers or lycanthropes within your city. I wouldnat be surprised if you hated sharing the city with Sofia.a aInteresting thoughts. Why would you say such a thing?a he asked, scratching his chin.

aIave known more than my share of warlocks and witches in my day. Sure, you might have your little covens where you cast spells together, but the really powerful ones donat play well with others. You donat like sharing a territory with other powerful spellcasters. h.e.l.l, you donat like sharing your territory with other creatures at all if you can help it.a aAstute.a aLessons learned the hard way,a I admitted with a shake of my head.

aSo I took advantage of the situation,a Clarion said. aI made sure that you had an easy target in the lycanthropes and nightwalkers.a aEven Sofia. Undoubtedly she secretly called for your help when I killed her. You could have easily come riding to her rescue but you abandoned her.a Clarion shrugged his wide, narrow shoulders. aShe chose to go along with Macaireas silly plan. Who am I to deny Sofia her fate? But where does that leave us?a aAt an interesting impa.s.se, Iam afraid. We could try to kill each other now, and Iam sure at least one person is likely to crawl away from this battle, but that wonat settle the question of Budapestas future.a Clarion pushed against the wall and took a step toward me. aWhat do you want with Budapest?a aOnly peace and quiet.a aWill you renounce your claim as keeper?a he demanded in a rush.

I took a step forward and rested one boot on Veyronas chest. aCanat do that. It leaves the city open to any power-hungry nightwalker to move in and cause chaos. I canat allow that to happen. However, I have noticed that my name alone has the power to keep order.a aYes, I have heard such things.a aI am thinking of being more of an absentee landlord. I keep my main home in the New World, while maintaining a vacation home of sorts here in Budapest. All I ask is that you maintain order here among the spellcasters. Keep the peace and quiet.a aAn alliance?a aNo!a I said sharply, and then laughed. aIave seen how you operate in alliances. I was thinking of mutual acquaintances with similar goals. You go your way, I go mine. We both just protect the secret of our world from the humans, and otherwise donat a.s.sociate.a aSounds too good to be true,a Clarion said with a distrustful shake of his head.

aOnly because Iam at an interesting crossroads. Normally, I would go after anyone that tried to kill me or plotted the death of my companions. However, youare not the biggest fish in the pond, and Iam after him.a aMacaire?a Clarion guessed.

aMacaire.a aAnd once youave killed the nightwalker, will you come after me?a aNo. Weare wiping the slate clean. You were simply going to steal this territory, and I got in the way. Iam willing to let you have it on behalf of the spellcasters so long as you let me handle the nightwalkers.a aFriends?a One corner of his mouth quirked in an odd smile.

aNot quite. Just not enemies. Try to kill me again and I will make you suffer,a I warned as I extended my hand to him. I was taking a chance, and I could hear both Valerio and Stefan cursing me in the back of my head. Clarion could kill me in the blink of an eye this way, but I was trusting he wouldnat. He simply wanted this territory to himself without the politics, demands, or interference of any of the other races.

aNot enemies,a Clarion repeated as he slowly took my hand. We shook twice and then quickly released, as we both were unsure of this tentative truce.

aNow, as a little advice from one nonenemy to another, I would leave. I need to burn this place to destroy the evidence of tonightas fun,a I said with a smile.

Clarion returned my smile. aNext time youare in town, stop by Gerbeaud Cukrszda and we will chat over coffee. You can tell me how you did your new little trick.a aRight,a I said sarcastically just before he disappeared.

aAre you insane?a Stefan demanded the second he was gone.

aMost definitely.a aHow do you know he wonat come after you again?a Danaus asked.

aBecause he never truly came after me before. He didnat attack you at the hotel with the lycans, did he?a aNo,a Danaus said with a shake of his head.

aAnd he could have definitely killed us in the taxi, but he didnat. It was merely a warning. He could have easily killed us tonight, but thatas not his goal. He simply wants Budapest to himself, and now heas got it.a aSo, heas keeper of Budapest now,a Valerio chuckled.

aIn a manner of speaking.a I turned and started to trudge up the stairs with Danaus and the others following close behind me. aI donat want Budapest, but I need to be sure it doesnat slip into chaos. Clarion will keep things quiet here and my somewhat b.l.o.o.d.y reputation will aid that.a I paused in the hallway to find the bodies of the nightwalkers that tried to escape strewn all over the place. Heads had been ripped off and hearts torn from chests. They had all died as quietly and quickly as possible. I was proud of the work my companions had done, even if it was gruesome to behold.

aBesides, what I told him was true. I didnat want to die uselessly trying to kill him, when my true target was just beyond my fingertips.a We filed silently out of the house and onto the front lawn, which was still coated in snow. I sucked in a deep, cleansing breath. I could smell the crisp snow and pine needles over the thick scent of death and blood. I raised both hands over my head and flames instantly engulfed the house from top to bottom. I poured all my energy into the flames, melting gla.s.s and incinerating wood. Bodies were reduced to ash and made unrecognizable. I wouldnat be able to get rid of the evidence of gunfire, but I was hoping that the police would attribute the mess to a mafia hit. Regardless, a fight between nightwalkers wasnat going to be their first theory.

When the sound of sirens finally rang through the silence of the night, I lowered my hands back to my sides, leaving the fire to burn on its own. I leaned backward into Danaus, who wrapped a supportive arm around my waist.

aMira, you need to reconsider your plan to take on Macaire,a Stefan said in a low voice, surprising me. aHeas a powerful Elder. You havenat a chance. You canat even teleport.a aIall find a way to kill him.a aStefan is right,a Valerio agreed. aYou canat do this. He wonat give you the opportunity to use your gift.a I gritted my teeth and stared at the ground. My boots were leaving red footprints in the snow from all the blood I had been wading through. aIf I donat, he is going to keep coming up with schemes to kill me and anyone a.s.sociated with me. This time we got lucky. But next time, maybe not. I wonat allow someone to die because Macaire has it out for me.a aAnd if you do win, what about Jabari?a Danaus asked. aHe wonat have a use for you any longer.a aI know.a But right now Macaire was at the top of my hit list.

Chapter Thirty.

Venice had never looked so good to me. It represented the last stop on a tedious journey; the last thing keeping me from my beloved Savannah. I needed to go home. My sudden departure from the southern city had left many things hanging in the air. Tristan needed me. His battered psyche was being eaten away by guilt from having a hand in Lilyas death. The chaos created by the presence of the bori left the nightwalkers unsettled, and Knox had been forced to manage things in my absence. I needed to return home so I could smooth everything over. I needed to be there for Tristan.

But for now I was stuck in Venice while I waited for the members of the coven to reconvene. I sent Valerio on ahead to check in on the court and see what the recent gossip was. Danaus and I wandered along Guidecca Island as we awaited his return. The sidewalks were slick from a recent rainstorm and the water in the ca.n.a.ls was high, slopping over the sides and past the railing. Storm clouds churned overhead with the promise of yet another storm that would leave many of the low-lying plazas underwater by morning. The lights in lampposts seemed to have dimmed, barely beating back the night, and an oppressive feeling hung in the air.

aSomething ill is waiting around the corner,a I said, slipping unconsciously into Italian. This place, with its centuries of b.l.o.o.d.y memories and violent flashes, pulled me into the safety of old habits.

aIt is only the weather,a Danaus replied in Italian as well.

Stopping near the edge of the island, I stared out across the lagoon toward San Clemente Island, the resting place of the coven. My stomach twisted into knots and I anxiously shoved my hand through my hair, pushing it away from where it had blown across my face. I couldnat remain waiting here. I needed to get on that island to find out what was happening. I needed to wrap my hands around Macaireas neck so I could rip his head off.

Everything will be fine, Danaus whispered across my brain. He laid his hands on my shoulders and attempted to ma.s.sage away the tension, but the stiffness wasnat going anywhere until I heard from Valerio.

To my relief, the Ancient appeared beside us a few minutes later, but by his expression, I knew I didnat want to hear what he had to say. aThe coven has gathered at the hall. They know that youare in town and are waiting to hear your report,a he said.

With a jerky nod, I expelled a deep breath, trying to force myself to calm. I still had to deal with Macaire, and that would be no easy battle. aThen letas get going,a I said, starting to walk toward a boat I had already chosen to use to cross the lagoon.

aThereas more, Mira,a Valerio said, stopping me in my tracks. I flinched, waiting for the news, but nothing could have prepared me. aTristanas here.a I whipped around and pinned his with a dark stare that could have pierced straight through him. aWhat are you talking about? He canat be here. I left him in Savannah.a aMacaire has him.a My stomach heaved as if I had been punched and I felt my knees go weak, threatening to send me to the ground. aHow long?a I whispered in a broken voice.

aMira, you canat blame yourself. Hea"a aHow long, d.a.m.n it? How long?a I shouted, sending my voice echoing through the vast nothingness of the night. I didnat care who heard me or what they thought. Macaire had Tristan again, and I hadnat been there to stop him. I hadnat been there to save him again from the court.

aIt sounds as if he was here since our first night in Budapest. Heas been here several nights at Macaireas mercy.a Mercy . Macaire didnat know the meaning of the word. I had no doubt that Macaire had taken advantage of Tristanas weakened and fragile state following the death of Lily to torture the nightwalker. I was just afraid to see what I would find when I finally reached the coven. I clenched my teeth and tightly balled my fists as I fought back the scream of frustration and anger. Tristan had never reached out to me for help. I had never sensed that he was in any kind of danger. I should have known that Macaire would strike someone from my home while I was away. I should have known and done something.

Blinking back angry tears, I boarded the boat and turned the engine over. I was only vaguely aware of Valerio boarding the boat, while Danaus untied us and jumped in as well. I shot across the whitecapped waves in a flash, cutting across the water with single-minded determination. Macaire would pay. He would pay with his life for nearly killing me, Danaus, Stefan, and Valerio. He would pay for the hours of torture that he undoubtedly put Tristan through because of me.

We crossed the lagoon in a matter of minutes and I circled to the back side of the island to dock at the small stone landing closest to the Main Hall. I paused only long enough to kill the engine before I jumped off the boat. Walking down the path, the gla.s.s in a nearby lamppost exploded into flames. My energy snapped and flowed around me as I no longer attempted to rein in my temper. It poured into the other energies I could feel in the air from the nightwalkers nearby. I didnat need to access any of it. For the first time in my existence I felt as if I was fully in tune with my abilities.

Two narrow rows of flames lit the sides of the path, flickering suddenly into life as they led us toward the Main Hall. I walked between the fiery lanes, clenching and unclenching my fists. I was going to kill him. I didnat know how, but before this night was I out, I knew I would be holding his heart in my hand.

aMira, you canat just attack him,a Valerio said, following close behind me. aHeall rip your head off. Heas stronger and older than you by centuries. You have to be careful about this.a aWeare beyond careful.a aIam here for you,a Danaus volunteered, but I just laughed.

aYouare not to do a thing. I will handle Macaire alone.a aMiraa"a Danaus started, sounding unsure for the first time, and then his voice firmed again. aMy abilities are at your disposal.a That was somewhat rea.s.suring. I would have tapped his powers whether he wanted me to or not, but it was nice to know that at least now he was willing to aid me in this battle, even if it was only from a distance.

As I mounted the stone stairs to the Main Hall, Danaus and Valerio stepped ahead of me and pulled the ma.s.sive wood and iron doors open. I marched through the long foyer, sending candles sputtering into life as I pa.s.sed. The second set of doors swung open of their own accord as I reached them.

On the dais, Jabari, Elizabeth, and Macaire sat in their chairs, appearing calm and regal as always. Meanwhile, I was windblown and looking as if I had crawled from the pits of h.e.l.l to confront them in all my fury. They were the Old World, with their old traditions and old schemes. I felt as if I were purely a force of nature, ready to rain down my terror on all of them. But for now all my energies were going to be focused on one smug face. He didnat think I would dare to confront him head on because of his age and powers. I was more than happy to prove him wrong.

aWhere is he?a I growled as I marched across the enormous hall. Overhead, the candles in the crystal and gold chandelier exploded into life. The bright light reflected in the black marble floor under my feet and sent shadows scurrying into the far corners of the room. Around me, I could sense more than two dozen nightwalkers gathered along the walls, watching my long march into the room, but I didnat see them. My narrowed gaze never wavered from Macaire.

aAnd who are you referring to, my dear?a he inquired.

I mounted the stairs and grabbed the front of his suit jacket. I started to fling him out of his chair, hoping to throw him onto the floor, but the b.a.s.t.a.r.d disappeared from my hands. He instantly reappeared behind me, straightening his jacket.

aYou know who I want,a I snarled, starting to come back down the stairs. aWhere is Tristan?a aOh, that young one,a Macaire replied, his smile returning. He waved his hand and a pair of nightwalkers slipped through a door at the side of the hall. I was sorely tempted to follow, but I forced myself to remain standing in the hall. I wasnat about to let Macaire out of my sight for a second if I could help it.

aYou know, considering your struggles with the nightwalkers, warlock, and naturi, I grew concerned that you werenat going to make it out alive, so I thought it would be best if I went to fetch the boy. Sadira had been so concerned about him. She was sure that he wouldnat be able to survive on his own.a As he spoke, the fire in the candles overhead increased. Wax rained down, creating a sickening sound as it hit the marble floor. Flags that hung from the ceiling erupted into flames and nightwalkers screamed in terror as they scrambled frantically away from the fire.