Burning Both Ends

“That seems excessive. What do they all do?”

“Beats me,” Russell said. “I think Sebastian used them for all his dirty work—assassinations, intimidation, bringing in blood donors. Now they're not really doing anything. It leaves them too much time to cause trouble, if you ask me."

“Didn’t we kill most of Molyneux’s wolves?” Ari asked.

“Sure did. In fact, I haven’t found anyone that admits being part of that clan, but they’re all wolves, and they at least knew one another. I think we have to think of them as potential enemies.”

On that sober reminder, they began to plan strategies for handling outside attacks or uprisings from inside the compound. Mostly it involved juggling schedules so a healthy representation of their own people was on duty at any given time and identifying critical places that could be defended to keep any rebellion from spreading. The brainstorming was like old times to Ari, similar to when she’d worked with Lilith and Russell to fortify Daron’s compound against attack. Only this time, they had more enemies, fewer friends, and a large population whose loyalty was unknown.

Finally, Russell stood up. “I have to get back. I don’t like being gone so long, and we’ve come up with some changes I can make. I’d like to get started on redeploying our people.”

Since security during the daylight hours was his responsibility, Russell had been antsy for the last half hour. His urgency was catching, and they wound up the conversation. Assuring Zoe they’d keep in touch and that Andreas would reschedule a meeting with the Magic Council, Ari, Lilith, and Russell returned to the compound.

As soon as they entered the door, the young Riverdale wolf on duty handed Ari a white envelope. “Just delivered,” he said. “I thought it might be important.”

Ari turned the envelope over. Plain four-by-six. No return address. No recipient either. Hmm. “Did they say it was for me? Who delivered it?”

“A male fox. He refused to give his name. Said it didn’t matter but to give this to someone from the inner court. I figure that’s you.”

Ari started down the hallway, turning the sealed envelope over in her hands. She shook it, held it up to the light. No scent, no tingle of magic. OK, Andreas could shoot her later for reading his mail. She ripped the end open, and a small card fell out. When she picked it up, Russell and Lilith peered over her shoulder.

“What’s it say?” Lilith was impatient.

“Give me a second.”

It looked like an invitation, but was instead a beautifully penned note stating Ezekial, Jamal, Edward, and Bartholomew would be calling on the court at ten o’clock that evening.

“Are these the four challengers?” She looked up to see Russell nod. “What’s with the fancy card?” She shoved it at Russell. “What’s it mean? Are they coming to fight tonight or is this a vampire social call?”

“I don’t know,” Russell said, as he read it through again. “They’re all older vamps. Remember what Gabe said about the old ways. Maybe this is how things have been done for centuries. Andreas will know. We’ll have to wait until he’s up.”

“It doesn’t look like good news to me,” Ari said. “How can they just come waltzing in here? Can’t we refuse?”

“Good luck with convincing Andreas. You already said he hopes to negotiate. Maybe that’s why they’re coming. We don’t want to interfere with anything that could strengthen Andreas’s position.”

“Or maybe it’s an attack,” Lilith growled. “I’m with Ari. Let’s not let them in.”

It was a good thought, but Russell was one hundred percent correct. Andreas would be a hard sell. Probably impossible. He’d want to give diplomacy a chance. Besides, if the four master vampires were intent on fighting, denying them entrance would simply delay the inevitable, and they might resort to a sneak attack. Not a good alternative.

They had to be prepared for a showdown that evening.

With that in mind, they implemented all the security measures discussed that morning, and Ari left the compound to make several calls to the States: Prince Daron’s security team, the Club, the Magic Council back home, Steffan. And Ryan, of course. He’d been waiting since yesterday afternoon for an update.

Since this would be the hardest call, Ari avoided it until last. She should have called Ryan last night, but she’d forgotten. Not something she was going to admit. She rubbed the tension in the back of her neck as she punched in his number. He was bound to be grumpy.

As expected, Ryan’s voice was terse, and Ari promised herself she’d keep it short. Whether she answered or avoided his long list of questions, both of them would be frustrated. Ryan liked answers in black and white. She didn’t have many.

“What took you so damned long?” he demanded. Caller ID eliminated all that unnecessary conversation, like “hello.”

“Well, let me see. I had to get my nails done. And then there was the shoe shopping,” she said, shaking the ponytail that had confined her hair that morning. “Haven’t you had your coffee?”

“Hours ago. I’ve been waiting for you to call. Is everything all right? Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. It was Andreas who was missing. But by the time I got here he’d returned, so the alarm was for nothing. That was last night. Tonight…is not looking so good.” She went on to give him the details, and by the time they hung up, she was glad she’d called. Ryan not only got over his snit quickly, but he offered to facilitate plans on that end, which was a big help. She needed as much time as she could get to collect her thoughts for the coming discussion with Andreas. He wouldn’t be happy with some of the things she’d already done.

By three o’clock Andreas was awake. By 3:05, Ari and Andreas were engaged in a heated argument in his chambers. She had waited impatiently outside his door until she sensed the power surge as he woke, then pounded on his door. She’d planned to ease into the conversation, but his first words were: “Now what?” And she blurted it out.

The vampires’ announcement card, the planning, the preparations for war.

Luckily the walls were thick and the majority of their angry words remained between the two of them. The tension of the last days exploded. Ari was still stinging from his failure to confide in her, and Andreas said he was tired of hearing about it. They might have continued like that indefinitely, but when Ari burst into frustrated tears, Andreas threw up his hands.

Ari was appalled at her behavior and at his reaction. She hadn’t meant to gain an advantage by doing something so girlie. In fact, she hated it, but sometimes winning in a good cause was all that was important. Wasn’t that what she told herself every time she stepped over the line?

It wasn’t that Andreas gave in and agreed to everything. He refused to bar the entrance of the rebel vampires. That idea was an immediate non-starter. He was determined to establish a treaty if he could and reminded her of his determination to be different than Sebastian. Ari had expected to lose that argument and gave in quickly. What caused all the drama was a hitch Ari hadn’t expected. In fact, she was so confident he’d approve that she had started out by telling him she wanted to bring in reinforcements. His opposition had been a total surprise. She’d thought it was a no brainer to surround themselves with forces they could trust—and told him so. In particular, she wanted as many as she could get of the weretigers from Riverdale and a large number of Steffan’s wolves.

“How can you make that kind of demand on Steffan? He has his own trouble right now.” Andreas had given up any pretense of calm. A lock of hair had fallen over his forehead, and he smoldered with annoyance. He paced the room as he argued. “The final vote is yet to be taken, and the kidnappers have not been apprehended. What if he is attacked again? How can you justify asking him to send any of his people?’

“Steffan and I talked about it. We both think the danger is over. Besides he has other affiliated packs he can rely on and the entire Magic Council.”

“Forgive me, if I do not think it is so simple. I am not willing to take the risk, and I do not understand why you think it is acceptable.”

He also argued that bringing the pack to Toronto might escalate the situation. Ari had thought about that, but she couldn’t see how it could get much worse. They needed help, and they needed numbers.

“I’m not willing to do nothing. The challengers outnumber us, and we have friends eager to even the odds.”

That’s when Andreas said the fatal words: “I forbid it.”

“Forbid it. You forbid it!” The blood rushed to her face. Her hands balled into fists. She might have punched him if she didn’t have a trump card to play. “That’s too damn bad! It’s already done.”

Andreas whirled to confront her, his eyes sparking with anger.

Ari glared back, both fists on her hips. Her defiant stance was somewhat marred by swiping a tissue at the occasional angry tear that dripped from her chin. She’d held off telling him she’d already arranged for help, hoping he’d come around to her point of view. Gilbert and a mix of twenty wolves and tigers had left Riverdale that morning and should arrive within the next two hours.

Andreas turned on his heel, his voice cold. “You can stop sniveling, Arianna. You have left me little choice in the matter.”

“I’m not sniveling,” she snapped. “I’m blowing my nose.” And she did, angrily, noisily.

He finally turned and looked her over with a critical eye. “Your nose is red. Your eyes are swollen and puffy. And you have that mulish look on your face.” He cocked his head and sighed. “Why is it you still look appealing to me?” When she didn’t answer, he walked toward her. “I cannot agree with you on this, but I understand your actions. Let us be done with this, Arianna. Fighting never solves anything for us. Your wolves and tigers will be welcomed. I only hope their presence does not cause unnecessary complications.”