Page 138 of Lost

“Neferet, even if fed, the Red Army will be difficult to control.”

“This isyourproblem, General Stark! You have your bow and arrows. You cannot miss. If a soldier tries to eat a human, skewer it. Even the most feral red vampyre understands self-preservation. Show them that to preserve themselves they must not eat humans. Well, unless they are commanded to, of course.”

“But why would you command them to eat anyone at the game? Isn’t it just a game? Just entertainment for humans and vampyres?”

“Because, my dear, sometimes a few must be sacrificed to save many.”

“But what does that have to do with the game?”

“Well, let’s say the humans get out of hand. You know how these awful bumpkins can be about their ridiculous patriotism. What if they decide to rise up and try to push back against our rule? Examples must be made to stop the destruction of many.”

“Okay, I do understand that, but we’ve been to a lot of college football games, and the human audience has not once tried to rise against us. Neferet, I’m not sure you completely understand what football is about—it really isjust a game.”

“Oh, my dear,nothingthat pits one group of humans against another isjust a game, but it is highly useful that their silly squabbling and prejudices keep them separate and weak. Imagine if they all stood together against us.” She shuddered delicately. “They outnumber us. They out-weapon us. We would go back to being vulnerable, second-class citizens. I, for one, shallnevergo back.”

“So, basically, the Red Army is there only in case humans try anything.”

Neferet laughed, and the sound was like fingernails on a chalkboard, sending terrible shivers of foreboding down Stark’s spine. “Oh, silly Stark—they are there for so much more. They are there to show my power and our dominion over the human infestation of this planet. You are there to keep them in order unless I need them released. Can you handle that, General? Or shall I look for your replacement?”

“I will follow your orders. I’m here only to serve the Goddess.”

“Excellent! Wasn’t that easy? You really should stop worrying so much. All will be well—as long as you are allied with my will—and the will of the Goddess, of course.”

“Of course,” Stark said, though he was certain Neferet did not catch the sarcasm in his tone.

“You know, my dear, you really should smile more. You’re much too handsome to scowl. Try it. Give me a smile. Just a little one.”

Stark forced his lips up, though he felt like his face might crack.

“See, that is so much nicer, isn’t it? I do prefer a smiling male to a pouty one. Now, run along. You have much to do. Send Artus to me. He and I need to discuss my Warrior escort. You are dismissed.”

Stark fisted his hand over his heart and bowed to Neferet before leaving her office. It wasn’t until he had closed the door that he felt like he could take a deep breath.

Reluctantly, Stark headed to the Field House where he knew he’d find Neferet’s ancient, gnarled Swordmaster, Artus. Then he’d have to go to those Goddess-be-damned tunnels and get the Red Army ready for whatever show Neferet was putting on. Beside the pain-in-his-ass addition of the Red Army, this game should be little more than the usual vampyre entertainment. Neferet was wrong about humans. There was no way they were going to rise up and attack at a football game. Everything should go smoothly tonight, so Stark couldn’t figure out why his gut refused to unclench.Probably because this feels like a clusterfuck in the making. I will be so damn glad when this nightis over…

* * *

Other Kevin

“Look, I’m not going to wash you, little Nala, but you have to let me dry you with this towel. You’re still looking pretty wet and scraggly.” Kevin resumed toweling the complaining orange fur ball off, determined to ignore her yowling.

“Kevin Redbird, are you killing that kitten?”

He looked up to see Aphrodite standing at the entrance to the little bedroom Anastasia had assigned to him. She was wearing a very large T-shirt and even larger socks, and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail that was letting blond tendrils escape to curl around her face.

He thought she was the most gorgeous girl he’d ever seen, and he had to clear his throat before he could coax any words out.

“I’m drying her, not killing her. But she’s definitely not happy with me. Wanna help?”

“Sure, but you might not want me to help. I told you before that I like cats, but what I didn’t say is that they usually don’t like me back.”

“She doesn’t seem to be liking me much right now, so I’m guessing that won’t matter. Come on in.”

Aphrodite padded on silent sock feet into the little hollowed-out room, which kinda reminded Kevin of a bubble, closing the blanket that served as a door behind her. Kevin was sitting on the bedding pallet with a complaining Nala balled up on a towel in his lap.

Aphrodite sat beside him. She crossed her legs and arranged the big T-shirt to drape over her knees. “Here, you hold her and I’ll take a corner of the towel and dry her with it.”

“Good luck. She has claws,” Kevin said.