Ryan and I were lounging in my room while we waited. I don’ t know what we were waiting for. Some epiphany or some thing else to happen. Valentina’s people were trickling in and we we had a border watch. But things were tenuous at best. We had to figure out what to do with the rest of the vampires. They couldn’t all go to New York. But they couldn’t stay in the safe house. We couldn’t wait for Reginald to do whatever he was going to do.

Hell I didn’t even know if Margo was going to call her father.

The world went on and the vampires went to ground. Ant went to sleep and I tried. Ryan said he would take first watch and I decided I would sleep later. I could dream of Dev, but right now I wasn’t sure he’d like the things I knew now. And Sage was going to hate it.

My phone rang and I pulled it out of my pocket. I didn’t recognize the number, it was not even from New York. I answered, “Hello?”

“Is this Nox Sétanta?”

“Yeah. Who’s this?” I asked.

“Hi I’m Michel Lafond. My King has asked me to get in touch with you as quickly as possible about some matter of importance.”

“I did. Mr. Lafond. It would be best if we don’t discuss this over the phone. Can we meet you someplace?”

He chuckled. “I am outside Mistress Giovanni’s estate in Italy. I was told to meet with you ASAP, and what my King wishes I do.”

“You are telling me Reginald is the Dragon King?”

“The fact that you call him Reginald speaks volumes young one. But yes. There is a woman at the door giving me an evil look.”

“I’ll be right there Mr. Lafond.” I hung up the phone and went to the front door. Ryan was right on my heels and hurried past me before I got to the door. I sighed. “I don’t need a bodyguard Ryan. I told Ant that.”

“You don’t. But the vampires expect it. And the staff here expect it. You are Magistrate Death. I am yours until you return me to Cari.”

I sighed. “Ry…”

“It’s alright Nox. I’m used to it. You need to let me do what the vampires expect of me. We’ll both do better that way.” Ryan grinned at me, “I know it’s hard. I know you don’t think down on me.”

“Fine open the door then, Ry.”

Ryan grinned at me and opened the front door and the woman standing outside was eyeballing a man in a black suit. I could see the dragon in the shadows around him. I could see the red scales and raised my eyebrow. I knew very little about the dragon culture but I didn’t know that Gold Dragon’s were royalty.

I offered my hand to Michel Lafond. He was a short man with a red tint to his skin. It wasn’t quite tanned. It was just human enough to not require a glamour. “Mr. Lafond. I’m Nox. Please come in.”

Ryan moved aside and he walked in. I smiled at the woman who was standing in front of the door. I nodded, “I think that’s the last unexpected guest. Let me know if anyone else shows up.”

She nodded. “Yes, sir.”

I sighed but went inside. Ryan lead us to a room that was full of books and plush furniture. A library I would have assumed it looked more like an occult room with the other decorations. It was all black wood, there were bottles on shelves mixed among the bottles. Ryan whispered to me, “No one can see what’s on the shelves.”

I nodded my ascent and sat down in a plush chair. Michel Lafond sat opposite me and Ryan took up a post at my back. I took a deep breath and started speaking. “Thank you for coming here. I appreciate it.”

“Of course, Mr. Sétanta.”

“Nox. Please. I need safe houses for my friends. I was hoping that you could help me.”

“How many people?”

I shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know. We need safe houses around the world that Valence doesn’t know about. He’s attacking wicca, were and vampire alike. Anyone who opposes him. He’s found Cari’s estate, the bears here in Italy and the wicca coven here as well. All three attacked through the tunnels under the cities meant to save our people. There are traitors and I need something neutral.”

“You want to get the dragon’s involved in this war?”

“The dragons will need to choose a side. Valence and his crew want to reveal vampires. If they reveal vampires, they will take the rest of us with them. We can’t hide it once the veil is broken. Humanity will see everything we do.”

Michel shrugged, “We’ve little concern for the human world.”

“The human world is how you exist. They are the reason you can wear that fine suit.” I sighed. “You can leave now.” I stood up and walked out of the room.

Ryan followed me chuckling. We got to the doorway before Michel stood up. “I misspoke.”

I turned around and Ryan kept facing me he couldn’t stop laughing so he was showing his support that way. “Did you now?”

“My King says to help you. I don’t agree with him. He says whatever you wish I am to provide it.”

“And if I don’t want your help?” I said. “All I’m concerned about is human life and the lives of my friends. If you don’t care about one, why should I think you will care enough about the other?”

“I…” Michel bowed his head. “My orders were to assist you in whatever it was you needed, and relay the favor back to My King.”

“I need safe houses for vampire, were and human alike. Right now I have displaced people trying to hole up here. But Valence has attacked twice now. We do not want to risk more lives.”

He bowed his head again. “I can have several houses prepared by night.”

“Thank you. I owe you.”

Michel shook his head, “My King .”

“A collective you.” I said. “You have my number.” I left without much more. A few humans from Cari’s staff entered the room and started conversing with Michel. They would handle the rest of the arrangements.

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I pulled out my phone and I dialed Margo’s number without opening up my contacts. It probably wasn’t even there to begin with. Though knowing Sage it was. But I knew it by heart. It hadn’t changed in the years I’d known her.

I hadn’t been to a therapy session with Dr. Margo Silverman in months. Ever since I found out she’d been lying to me my whole life and killed my twin sister – I never really forgave her for that. I thought about all the other people I’d forgiven over the years. The only one who I forgave out of the gate had been Dorian. He’d lied to me on many occasion. But not because he wanted to – but someone else had told him to keep quiet. I couldn’t fault him for those reasons, and they weren’t his secrets to tell necessarily.

Megan picked up the phone. “Dr. Silverman’s office, can I help you?”M

My heart was in my throat and I almost hung up the phone, but I took a deep breath and spoke, “Hey Megan, how’s Greta?”

“Nox!” Megan cried enthusiastically. “I’m surprised to hear from you with your Exile and all.”

“I’m not calling about therapy. I need to talk with Margo about something else. It’s important. Like life and death important so I need her to call me back as soon as she can.”

Megan poked on her computer and then I heard a flip of a button. “Dr. Silverman, I have a call for you on line one.” She turned back to me on the phone line, “She can take your call now. There is no one here for another 15 minutes.”

“Thank you, Megan. Kiss Greta for me.”

“Dr. Silverman. How can I help you?” Margo’s silvery voice echoed over the line while I tried to breath and keep my calm.

“Hey Margo.” I said finally.

“Nox?” Her voice sounded like she didn’t believe it was me. “What can I do for you? Is everything alright?”

I sighed. “I need to get in touch with Reginald.”

“Why do you need to get in touch with my father?” Margo asked.

“I have a need and he might be able to help get get that need.”

She sighed. “Nox I need more information. My father won’t like me giving Venatori his number.”

“I know. But one, I’m not Venatori anymore, and I really can’t say over the phone. I’m in Italy right now and I need some assistance.”

“My father can’t help you in Italy.”

“No but he can get me in touch with someone who can.” I said.

“Nox, this is highly unusual.” She sighed. “This your phone number?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Nox, I will have my father call you. But I can’t make any promises.”

“I know. Please, it’s important.”

“I’ll try, Nox. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

She chuckled. “That’s not what I hear.”

“I’m not going to get into it Margo. I need to keep people safe. So I need Reginald’s help. Thanks, for your help Margo.” I hung up the phone and went about things. Ryan was watching me. He was the only one that had followed me out of the room.

He grinned at me. “Everyone said I should stay with you.”

“I don’t need a body guard.” I said.

Ryan laughed. “I think the vampires think you need a servant, an assistant something, and since I’m just human, I’m here.”

I rolled my eyes. “What do you want to be doing?” I asked.

“I don’t know. Normally I’d be Cari’s shadow, but she’s not here. And I’m here to protect you and help Ant. I might as well follow you around like I would Cari.”

“You don’t mind being a human servant to a vampire?”

“Cari’s not a hard master despite what people thing. Sure I have a chaotic mess in my head all the time. And a psychopath for a master but I like to think Cari is a better person because of me and Mia. I mean I think I did a pretty good job helping to raise Ant.”

“He’s a good man.” I said.

Ryan laughed. “He’s not a good man. He’s like his mother just more controlled. Piss off Ant and the Prince’s wrath is just as furious as Il Cane’s, if not worse.

“Good is relative.” I sighed. “I’m not a good man by human standards either. I’ve killed people.”

“But you save more.” Ryan interrupted.

“And Ant doesn’t?”

“Yeah, but…”

I shrugged. “Good is relative in our world. We do more good than harm. Il Cane is a force of good no matter how blood thirsty she is. I know the legend of her hunger. Everyone fucks up. She corrected it. She had good people helping her.”

I shook my head. This was my life. I knew Sage was going to be pissed, but this was what I needed to do. I wouldn’t rush into danger. I could manage that, but this is what I did.

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We stepped into the villa shadow room and Francesco looked at me. “Hide the shadows here.”

I nodded and let a ball of light hang against the ceiling and obscured the natural shadows of the room. “That should keep them from following.”

The old vampire smiled, “Are they permanent now that you aren’t there.”

“The walls of earth is. The rest I let go after walking through.”

“Is there a distance?”

I shrugged. “I dunno. Never tried permanence before.”

Francesco looked at Ryan. “Get Cari’s servants to place flood lights in here and make sure someone is always standing by to open it up for us if necessary.” He looked at me. “Is that alright?”

I nodded. “Sounds good to me.” I wanted to know why he was defaulting to me.

Alec took my shoulder and I turned towards him. “Thank you.”

“It’s my job.”

Alec laughed and tapped my temple, “Actually, it’s not.”

“I was never good at following rules.”

Valentina stepped up next to Alec and he slung his arm over Valentina’s shoulder and pulled her close. Her perfect smile glittered at me as she spoke, “I’m glad you aren’t like the others, monsenior. I am in your debt, as are all my people.”

“It’s not a problem. We’ll have you and your closest people taken to Il Cane in New York. The rest can stay here. I’m told it’s a sactuary for vampires.”

Ant nodded. “Yes. Mother will take you Valentina and a few of your necessary contingent, the rest are welcome here. The staff will take care of you.”

“But…” Valentina started.

But I interjected, “I will make it safer than it already is. Call your people here. It will be safe.”

Isabel smiled at me. “I can help. We can put up an intent ward around the compound as well.”

There was an alarm and bodies hurrying around. I could smell smoke and sighed. I followed the bodies and was grateful they were running to and not away from the blaze that was engulfing the villa. “Is anyone in there?” I asked.

But I didn’t get a response. They must not speak English. The human servants in the villa had formed a chain and were passing buckets of water from the source to the blaze. They tried to get me to step into line and help and I kept stepping out. Someone swore at me but I couldn’t understand as I walked closer to the fire. It was vampire fire. Someone of elemental nature set it. Water wasn’t going to work. It would burn until there was no more left to burn. It was magically started and stuck like napalm. Dragon’s fire, and my own fire. It was the nature of vampire fire.

I stopped the head of the line who was trying to douse the fire and shook my head. “It won’t work. You are wasting water.”

I could suffocate the fire. Wrap it up in earth and water and air and put it out. And I did most of that. But I pulled at the fire too, pushed it up and away from the building. A column of fire rose into the air. And the building under the blaze groaned from the relief of the beast that was killing it. The fire burnt in the air, but there was no food source so it fizzled away. I stared at the dying ball of light.

I hadn’t noticed the crowd that had formed around me. Some watched the sky like I did, but most of them stared at me. It was a jarring scene when I turned my attention back to reality. “This isn’t going to be safe for long.”

Alec nodded. “We have safe houses all around Europe, but Valence knows them all.”

“And does he know the safe houses of the other supernatural creatures?”

Isabel answered, “He knows ours.”

Ryan added, “And the bears. So assume he knows the rest.”

“And the dragons?”

Francesco laughed. “The dragons in Europe are not so friendly. They’d as soon eat you as to talk to you.”

I smiled and pulled out my phone. It was not something I wanted to do but the vampires needed a safe place. Everyone needed a safe place and right now Margo was my only vivid connection to the dragons. But her father – he could make this happen.

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The first thing we did was decided was where Valentina mostly likely was stashed during it all. The primary goal is to keep your master alive. As Sage would say it’s their prime directive. I groaned at my own thought – stupid fucking TV shows. I don’t know which one it was from, didn’t really care but I was starting to use his catch phrases. Both of them.

Tony’s hand was on my shoulder. “It’s like that.” He said.

Tony was a strong empath and apparently he was in my head even with my shields up. A simple thought slipped through. Your connection to my son is the reason. It is passed up like powers are passed down.

That was good to know. I wasn’t sure I liked it, but it was what it was.

Tony laughed. “You and I will sit down and discuss it.”

I nodded. “Okay.” I wasn’t sure if that was a good idea. Talking with an ex-lovers father. Though he was hardly a threat. But he was Ant’s father, and Cari’s love. I couldn’t offend him.

He chuckled again. “You know I can hear you right?”

I sighed. “Yes. Mind getting out of my head?”

He lifted his hand and ran his fingers lovingly through my hair. “Ant doesn’t have many friends. At least he’s got one who isn’t tied to his mother.”

Vincent spoke softly, “No he’s just time to Magistrate Death. No big deal.”

Everyone laughed but me. “Can we go now?”

And that’s what we did. We all entered the warehouse from different points in pairs. Me and Ant, Ryan and Tony, Vincent went with Henry, and Francesco took Isabel. It was our job to get all of Valentina’s people out. Hopefully they had more fighters otherwise we’d be at a disadvantage.

The room we entered was large, and while we were at differnt locations it hadn’t matter there was no one there. At least not from the initial glance around the room to check for enemies. It wasn’t until we had relaxed that I started to feel the power around us. Alec felt it too, he stepped out into the middle of the room and shouted. “Valentina, It’s just me. Stop, we are here to help.”

But a fight broke out.There was a clash of swords and I turned around to see Ant and Ryan fighting. Neither looked angry. Tony and Francesco had their hands on their heads fighting whatever Valentina was doing. Isabel and Henry were grappling. The vampire should be winning but he was not. Maybe he was holding the tiny wicca away. Alec and I were the only ones unphased by the mental assault.

I threw walls of air up between my friends and pushed them apart. I sent into the rafters of the room a ball of light, so bright I could smell the burning flesh of lesser vampires. It wouldn’t kill them, but it would burn. There was a small scream and five vampires dropped to the ground.

Alec ran to a pretty little blonde. “Call them off Val, my love. He doesn’t want to hurt them.”

“He’s hurting them all. You, me, everyone here.” she almost sobbed it out.

“Call them off, Valentina.” He looked at me, “Please, Nox.”

I sighed and let the sun dim above and then it winked out. “Next time, I won’t be so nice.”

Alec nodded, “Understood.” He turned back to Valentina and tended to her. For being a master vampire she was aweful burnt. She wasn’t healing quickly, “When was the last time you fed?” He asked.

She didn’t answer as I was down at her side offering her my wrist. “You try to drain me and I will kill you.”

She stared at my proffered wrist and then at the tattoo on my temple. “Why would you risk death for me?”

“I am not afraid of dying, Valentina. But unless you drain me there is no risk.”

Ant mumbled. “I don’t think that would kill you.”

No one looked at him. No one questioned his words. Even I didn’t deny it. I really had no idea what would or would not kill me.

“Just drink. We have to go.” Valentina sank her fangs into my wrist and there was an intense pleasure then faded to a dull ache. The same ache I had anyway so what was a little more added to it. I spoke slowly through the sensation. “The rest will have to find food later. With your master stronger you should heal faster. We need to get out of here so my guys start taking them out. Don’t leave us without one Shadow Walker just incase we need a quick exit.”

Ant stood at my back. “I won’t leave you.”

“I don’t need a bodyguard Ant.”

He grinned at me. “I know. But I am.”

“Thanks? I think.” I said.

Valentina broke free of her feed and looked at me. “It would be so easy to drink all of it.” She looked better. Her skin a pretty rose underneath that porclean skin. She was beautiful. She smiled at me. “It is hard to hear you, but thank you.”

“The connection will fade within moments Valentina, and then his shields will prevent you from hearing him again.” Ant said.

I stood up and looked at him, “You mean you can hear my thoughts after you feed.”

“Yes. Your magic stays with us for a little while. Then fades into our bodies. I can hear you now all the time if I try. You’ve tied Valentina to you, but one blood sharing won’t tie the bond. You must drink from her.”

I looked at Ant and thought about what he’d said. Our first night we’d shared, he’d feed from me. I opened my mouth to say I’d never drank from him but I clamped my mouth shut. During sex I had. I bit his lip at the precise moment he decided to thrust hard inside of me. His lip bled, I sucked on it till it healed soothing away the pain. I sighed, “Why didn’t you say anything then.”

“It shouldn’t have worked the way it did. In order for you to become my Chevalier, I’d have to say words to invoke the magic. Your magic didn’t work that way. It bound the moment we shared blood. It was Nick who noticed the new bond. He is a path finder among his empathic abilities.”

I nodded. “Dev’s a path finder as well. I think it’s tied with the mental abilities of humans.”

“Dev must have a long line of wicca in his family.” Isabel said. “To have so many talents. He’d have been a seer among our people.”

“I don’t think Dev would much care to be a seer.” I said. “But maybe we can look into his history a little, his dad was a telepath. But we have other things to deal with at this present moment.”

Alec helped Valentina stand and the rest of her vampires looked better. “Are there anymore of your people?” I asked Valentina.

She shook her head. “We are all here. What’s left of us.”

I sighed. “Alright…” There was a loud crash and a wall crumbled in behind us. A fireball streaked past and I threw a wall of air around us. But one of Valentina’s people wasn’t quick enough and they screamed as the fire engulfed them. “I’m sorry.” I said as I pulled Damnation from its holster, aimed and pulled the trigger. The vampire stopped screaming. It wouldn’t kill the vampire, but the fire would.

Valentina looked at me with sorrow but gave a nod. “Thank you.”

“Least I can do. No one should die like that.” I looked around and there were vampires pounding on the wall of air. In the background I saw a man standing in the newly formed archway in the warehouse wall. He had piercing blue eyes and his ears stuck out far from his head. He was well kept and wearing a tailored suit. He stared at me.

I gave him a little wave as I erected a stone casing and a ball of light to create a false shadow. Ant laughed, “God I love you.” He kissed me hard on the lips and grabbed my hand and dragged me through the shadows.

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