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The hall was about the size of a grand ballroom, with several doors leading off to each side. And a stairwell led up both sides of the room, leading to a second level that overlooked the main floor. More rooms were up there. The décor was simple—blue and gold, the colors of Y’Elestrial. No velveteen drapes, no gold leaf, no marble statues, just a few simple pillars running from floor to the high ceilings. But the marble was polished to a high shine. And the hall felt clear and open.
“This is nice.” Shade looked around. “I like it.”
Sephreh glanced at him. “In our city, it would be considered a slum by the Queen. She has one thing, at least, in common with her sister Lethesanar. A love of luxury.”
He turned to Camille and went down on one knee. “I’m sorry. I was wrong, about you, about Trillian, about your path. I can never apologize enough, but I beg your forgiveness. Give me a chance to earn your trust again. I wasn’t there when you needed me. I can never make it up to you, but if you’ll allow me, I’d like to try. Your mother would have been ashamed of my actions. As am I.”
Camille sucked in a long breath. She glanced over at Trillian, who wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
“Trillian, forgive my blindness. You have treated my daughter with the love and kindness that I should have given her. You are the better man. I was wrong about you. And, if you’ll allow, I would like to formally welcome you into our family.” Sephreh broke down then, tears trickling down his face. “My Maria, she would have handled this so much better. She would have kept me true to myself rather than letting me get mired in politics.”
It was then that we all realized how much he still missed our mother. He’d never let go of her, never been able to say good-bye.
Camille slowly stepped forward, one hand still holding Trillian’s. “Do you mean what you say?”
Father nodded. “With all my heart. You, my daughter, have withstood my tirades and demands that you take over for your mother, that you be perfect. And no one, not even my beloved Maria, could have filled the shoes I tried to make you wear. Even my beloved wife could not have competed with the ghost of her memory.”
Camille cocked her head, looking unsure. But then, her face clear of tears, she placed one hand on his heart. “I hold you to your oath. I hold you to your words. I will give you a second chance, but only one. Break my heart once more, and you will never hear from me or see me again.”
Trillian pulled her back, gently. “Lord Sephreh, don’t take her threat lightly. As for me, I will abide by my wife’s wishes. I will eat at your table, treat you with respect, as long as it cuts both ways. But know this: I will not stay where I am not welcome, nor suffer my wife to do the same.”>“Hand us your valuables, my lovelies, and we’ll let you go.” His voice was light, and though it had been some time since I’d spoken our home tongue, it was familiar and smooth on the ears.
“I advise you to let us pass. You have no clue just whom you’re dealing with.” Shade spoke up, pushing beside Delilah.
“A group of class acts, I imagine. A group of well-to-do’s. You’re obviously not from the crusty side of town, so perhaps you’d penny up your goods and we’ll let you go without further harassment.” The leader let out a throaty laugh.
“Really, then?” Quick as a cat, Delilah’s dagger appeared in her hand. At the same moment, Trillian pulled out his blade, and Camille backed up, sucking in energy. By now, I could tell when she was working up a spell. Vanzir had blade in hand, and Roz was holding something small but, no doubt, deadly. Shade disappeared in a puff of shadow and smoke.
I just smiled, letting my fangs descend. “Are you sure you want to take us on, pretty boy?”
“Crimsy, they have weapons.” One of the henchmen backed away a step, but the others—about twelve in all—moved forward.
“Leave my name out of this, you dolt.” The leader—apparently Crimsy—took one leap and landed in front of Delilah. His blade swept around and she barely had time to duck.
“He’s a jian-tu. Be careful!” I leaped, flipping head over heels to land by his side. Crimsy whirled around, and his eyes lit up.
“Well met—another jian-tu, and a bloody girl at that. Come on, let’s do it, love.” He gestured to me with his dagger, and I circled him around, away from Delilah, who was already beset by another one of the gang. I knew better than to take my eyes off him. I remembered my training, and chances are, he did, too.
“You’re going to find out just how bloody.” I launched myself into the air and flipped over his head, landing in back of him. As I hit the ground, I whirled to send one stiletto boot heel into his back, knocking him forward.
Crimsy rolled into a front somersault, springing to his feet. He immediately tricked into a back flip with a twist, spinning as he hit midair so that he landed facing me. As he tossed his dagger from hand to hand, his gaze never left mine.
I licked my fangs as the scent of blood filled the air and a scream rang out, cut short. I didn’t recognize the voice, so I assumed it was one of them rather than one of us and kept focused on my own fight. Crimsy didn’t flinch, either.
“Seriously, you should have targeted a different group.” I gave him a cold grin and then was down, my right hand touching the ground as I spun like a break dancer, my foot gliding in front of me to slide behind his heels, catch hold of his legs, and bring him down.
Crimsy landed flat, his hands reaching above his head to push himself up again, and within seconds he flipped back to his feet. He did a flat spin, scissoring the air with his legs, and managed to clip me in the nose. Startled, I tripped backward and rolled to my feet as he landed, coming for me, dagger aimed directly for my heart. The fun was over; he was intent on killing me now.
I’d had enough play as well. I leaped on him, all finesse gone, and took him down, slamming him to the ground. The surprise that filled his eyes told me he had never tangled with a vampire before, and I had a momentary flicker of doubt.
He was an elegant opponent, and I’d seldom met someone who could match me move for move in the air. But then reason took hold again, and I quickly yanked his head to the side, the bones shattering like a string of firecrackers. With one last breath, he was gone, and I jumped up, turning to survey the rest of the fight.
Three men were down—all Crimsy’s men. Delilah looked like she’d taken a few cuts, as had Trillian. Camille was staring at one of the men, who lay there, a blackened mess. Spellwork. She’d managed to take him out with her lightning instead of having it backfire on her.
The rest of the gang, seeing their leader dead, began to back up. I realized they still didn’t understand I was a vampire, so I opened my mouth to show them my fangs, hissing.
“Run away, little boys, unless you want to be my dinner.” I grinned as they turned tail and vanished into the alleyway.
“Everybody okay?” I glanced over them.
