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"You mean everything to me," she said. "The survival of my people, and yours, is all I have ever wanted, Claire. It's why I came here. It's all I've worked for." Her eyes grew chilly, and some of the old Amelie came back. "I would sacrifice Myrnin for it. Oliver. Sam. Even myself. But it's not enough."
Everyone in the room was still. Shane moved up next to Claire, and she was aware of Eve and Michael just behind her.
But Amelie was staring right at her.
"What will you sacrifice, Claire?" she asked. "To win?"
"It's not a game," Claire said.
Amelie inclined her head. "True. It is war. And now we have to fight for all of our lives."
Claire linked hands with her friends.
"Then tell us what to do."
Amelie was quiet for a moment, and then she stood. Claire thought that only those who knew her, really knew her, could tell what that cost.
She raised her voice to carry to every part of the room.
"Our forces must be split," she said. "We must not lose the Founder Houses, the Bloodmobile, the university, and Common Grounds. We will hold. Those who follow Bishop have been promised the freedom to hunt. Those of us who are strong enough will deny them that right. Those who are prey will be armed to defend themselves. This is not optional. All humans will be armed and taught how to strike a vampire."
"There's no going back from that," Oliver said. His voice was neutral. His expression wasn't. "You're giving them too much."
"I'm giving them equality," Amelie said. "Do you wish to argue the point with me now, of all times?"
Oliver, after a heart-stopping second, shook his head.
"Then go," Amelie said. "Oliver, Eve, go to Common Grounds and hold it. Sam, choose defenders for each Founder House. At least two vampires and two humans per house. Michael, Richard - go to the university. I will call the regent - you'll have all you need."
Her gaze moved to Claire. "I need you with me," she said. "We will fetch Myrnin."
"Bishop's there," Claire reminded her.
"I'm well aware. We will take precautions."
Shane cleared his throat. "You're not going anywhere without me."
"I'm afraid we are," Amelie said. "I have a very special job for you, Shane Collins."
"I'm not going to like this, am I?"
She smiled.
"Didn't think so," Shane finished under his breath.
"You will be in charge of the Bloodmobile," Amelie said. "And one other thing."
"Like the Bloodmobile isn't bad enough?"
Amelie reached in the pocket of her crystal-specked robes, and pulled out a small leather-bound book.
It looked really, really familiar. It was the book that had gotten them in such trouble before - the book Bishop wanted.
"You'll be in charge of this," she said, and held it out to him.
He took it, and as he did, Claire realized what Amelie had done.
She'd just made Shane the bait.
