“Then we need assistance,” Gabe said, committing himself with that one simple phrase, and any lingering doubts Antoine had about their friendship disappeared. “Anastasia won’t—”
He broke off just before a knock on the door, and the attendant opened it again. “Anastasia, Valeria, and Lena.”
Antoine rose as the three vampires entered. Anastasia led the way in a scarlet evening gown that barely clung to her shoulders. Valeria flanked her on one side in a black cocktail dress, the plunging neckline calculated for effect, with Lena on the other,sheathed in silver satin, the high collar offset by a slit that reached her hip, flashing pale thigh with every step.
“Enter, uphold our traditions, and keep my domain tranquil.” Gabriel’s deep voice carried a note of curiosity as he took in Anastasia and her two escorts.
“Your trust is met with solemn commitment,” Anastasia replied in her soft voice, and it was echoed a moment later by the others.
Gabe’s gaze settled on Anastasia. “The invitation was for you alone.”
“It’s fine.” Antoine stepped forward. “I can hardly blame her. With the Curia’s mandate and Boston at war with itself, who would walk unaccompanied into a meeting with the two of us?”
Anastasia inclined her head gracefully toward him in silent acknowledgment of his point. “And you did not inform me you were bringing an ally, Gabriel.”
He shrugged his broad shoulders. “No matter. We are all friends here, are we not?”
None of the women answered, but all took more paces into the room, fanning out as they came. Anastasia perched on the edge of one of the leather chairs, while Lena stood behind her. Valeria sat on the arm of the same chair, her dress rising as she did, and she smiled provocatively at Antoine.
“I haven’t seen you since the night you were entombed,” she said, with no attempt at subtlety. “Though this time, you don’t smell of sex.”
“Nice to see you too, Valeria,” he replied dryly. She winked at him slowly, her red eyes gleaming with amusement, and the promise of more.
“What is the purpose of this clandestine gathering?” Anastasia posed her question to Gabe, as host.
He took a pace back, turning toward Antoine. “This is Antoine’s meeting.”
“Is it now?” Anastasia regarded him impassively. “It seems you fared better in your last meeting with Roberto than the one prior.”
“Only a little.” He had already decided that truth was his only route to winning her cooperation, but the presence of her two allies complicated matters. Anastasia was known for her composure and thinking before she acted, and he hoped to calmly present his case. But Valeria had a reputation for passion and volatility, while Lena he knew little about. Still, they were awaiting his address; he may as well be blunt, cast the die and see how they fall. “Roberto attempted to claim my marked chattel, and stripped me of my territory when I refused.”
Anastasia arched one thin eyebrow. Valeria laughed with seemingly genuine amusement. It was Lena who spoke. “You lost your territory over a chattel?”
“No,” Antoine said steadily. “My territory was taken from me by virtue of a centuries-old decree, invoked by a vampire who wields authority over all of us.”
Lena cocked her head to one side as she regarded him, and Valeria watched hungrily. He felt cast as prey: pinned by Lean’s hawk-like stare; stalked by the feline hunger in Valeria’s.
“I see.” Anastasia narrowed her eyes. “I had wondered if it were an alliance you sought, or perhaps a détente. But it is neither, is it? A rebellion, then?”
Valeria laughed again. “An outcast and”—she gestured imperiously at Gabe—“whatever you’re supposed to be, taking on Roberto? No wonder they need our help.”
Anastasia raised one hand, the movement slight, but Valeria quietened at once. “I do find it troubling that our newest Curia member resorts to… petty pursuits. What did you do to anger him, Antoine?”
“I killed Minh,” he said frankly. “Roberto was his sire.”
“Indeed? I heard of this. Minh attacked with controlled spawns, did he not?”
“He did.”
“Controlledwhat?” Lena interjected. “Preposterous.”
“It’s true,” Gabe rumbled, his arms crossed over his chest and straining the lining of his tux. “I was the target. I would’ve died if Antoine hadn’t arrived in time.”
Valeria leaned forward, brow furrowed. “You mean to say that Minh was able to controlvampires—not thralls, mind you, but full vampires?”
“Exactly that,” Antoine said. “He kept them barely more than feral, and used them in numbers to attack.”
“Disgusting.” Lena curled her lip.
