"You'll be fine," he insisted. I wasn't so sure.

"Do you think I'll be the only one who has ever attended the werewolf meeting and the vampire meeting?" I asked as he whisked me around the floor.

"Quite possibly," he nodded, turning me several times. Trying to trip me up, I'm sure.

"What does one talk about while one is dancing?" I was being sarcastic but Merrill either ignored it or it went right past him. He never batted an eyelash, either way.

"The female allows her partner to set the conversation," he said.

"Great. Lots of nice weather we're having, then," I said, not even pointing out that the male got to direct traffic, both in the dance and the dialogue.

"What would you prefer they talk about?" Merrill's eyebrow quirked a little.

"Well, they could tell me if their Springer Spaniel had puppies or about their argument with Louis XIV or what they like to read." I put emphasis on the word read.

"And if they prefer Voltaire or Baudelaire?"

"Okay, you have me there," I conceded. "But they could try to convince me to read it if they're that pa.s.sionate about it. Who knows, stranger things have more than likely happened."

"More than likely," the corner of Merrill's mouth tugged a little.

"But if that's all they read, then they've missed out on a lot of contemporary fiction, which might be a shame," I said. "We're all a product of our times, are we not? Isn't it important to keep up with things and not just bury ourselves in the past, pretending that current events don't exist?"

"Some of those you may meet have most certainly buried themselves in the past," Merrill informed me dryly. He was trying not to smile; I just knew it.

"Then we won't have anything in common," I said. "Therefore and henceforth, they should get themselves gone." I made a shooing motion with my hand. It broke contact with my partner which was a no-no in the dance and Merrill stopped right there, bent over and started laughing.

"Now," I went on, "while you may have been best buds with Voltaire and all that, I've seen his picture, that's some hairdo he had going, by the way, I've never met anybody important. Not while I was human, anyway, and I haven't read anything past Shakespeare I don't think, although I have seen quite a few movies. Does that make me insignificant? Maybe to you. But you have to look at it this way; in geologic time, we're all a blip on the radar." I walked away from him.

"That certainly does put things in perspective, doesn't it?" Merrill was back at my elbow and we went on with our dance.

"Are you aware of the controversy surrounding the last extinction-the one where all the large mammals disappeared?" I asked as we made another turn around Merrill's ballroom. Yes, he has a ballroom. Go figure.

"The one where some think it was caused by a comet or a series of comets while others think it was the Clovis people?"

"That's the one. I'm with the series of comets people, I think. Otherwise, those Clovis people had to be really hungry. There were some big, furry animals in that bunch. Made a lot of soup, no doubt."

"I agree," Merrill smiled.

"Oh, you're kidding." I stared at Mr. Dalton, hair designer, who stood in front of me, looking my hair over. He had an a.s.sistant with him-a young woman who popped bubble gum while she did my nails and make-up. The night of the ball had crept up on me. I was less than prepared to go and the gum cracking was so annoying at one point I nearly let a claw slide out to pop a rather large bubble. Holding back that urge, I ground my teeth instead and hoped she'd finish soon. Merrill was already dressed and waiting impatiently while Mr. Dalton and Co. worked me over, gum chewing notwithstanding.

Mr. Dalton worked on my hair while the girl did my nails, toenails, and then my face, handing me a mirror afterward so I could see the results. Mr. Dalton had piled my hair atop my head. It looked decent, even if it did feel a little weird at first. My fingernails and toenails had never looked so good. Lena stayed late and helped me into my dress afterward.

"That looks incredible," Franklin said when I and my dress floated downstairs. Greg had gone back home only two days before and Frank and I both missed him.

"This will finish it off," Merrill slipped a diamond necklace around my neck, handing the matching earrings to me.

"I don't even want to know how much these cost," I said, slipping the earrings into my ears.

Brock was waiting to drive us, and I learned that he'd acted in that capacity for Merrill for a long time before becoming an Enforcer. He also piloted Merrill's jet and often flew for the Council when needed. We rode to the ball in the Rolls Royce Phantom. Brock explained during the drive that it was a Diamond Black and not just black in color, in addition to giving me information about the engine and other car parts I didn't recognize. As he talked, I nodded like one of those dogs that some people stick to their dash. He gave me a nice grin. "What kind of pizza am I?" he asked. Russell and Radomir must have been talking.

"You're the ham and pineapple guy," I said without thinking.

"Well, I was a ham and pineapple guy," he agreed. "Good guess."

"If it wasn't that, it was the shrimp and lobster."

"My second favorite. How do you know these things?"

"I'm a good guesser," I said, smiling at him. Actually, I had no idea what kind of guesser I was.

Merrill settled my wrap a little better around me when Brock dropped us off outside a very large building on the outskirts of London. I hadn't paid much attention to where we were going; Brock had talked most of the way. Merrill let me ride up front with Brock while he sat in the back, watching and listening to his two youngest vampire children.

Vampires were waiting outside to a.s.sist guests when they arrived, some of them working as valets, others as escorts and doormen. The scents came as soon as Merrill handed me out of the car and I could have told you which ones were the oldest and which the youngest. Two vampires opened the double doors into the building, allowing Merrill and me inside. I didn't miss the look of shock on the face of the one closest to me; he inhaled sharply and almost banged himself in the nose with the heavy wood door.

I also learned that any Enforcers or a.s.sa.s.sins that weren't out on a.s.signment were there to watch the crowd. I spotted Russell against a wall, watching everything carefully while Will stood on the opposite side, doing exactly the same. I hadn't seen Will since I'd ridden in the Council's jet with him and I'd been chained to my seat at the time. I still appreciated his attempts to argue with Gavin over my treatment, however.

What I wasn't expecting to see inside the huge ballroom was the rather large number of human women there as dates and escorts. Merrill warned me they might be there, but I wasn't expecting so many. I guess vampires hated going to a do without a date as much as humans did. I smelled the human women intermixed with a heady, spicy scent of very old vampire. Once inside, Merrill led me to a cubicle where a vampire took my wrap and laid it on a shelf, handing Merrill a small slip of paper, which he pocketed. Merrill was decked out in a tux, just like all the other males. If the people who made the James Bond films could have seen him dressed like that, they would have swooned and tried to sign him on the spot.

"There's our little female." I remembered this Vampire Council member; Charles said his name was Flavio, who was also his sire. More than likely the most beautiful man in the room, although his eyes were very dark as opposed to Merrill's piercing blue. Flavio took my hand and kissed me, European style, on both cheeks. I returned the favor as well as I could. "You are well?" he asked me.

"Of course," I nodded. "It's nice to see you." At least he'd voted not guilty when the Council was deciding whether to let me live or not. Wlodek wasn't far away and I already knew that Wlodek had sired Flavio, just by the scent. Of course, I was keeping that information to myself-apparently, it was something other vampires couldn't tell for themselves.

"Come," Merrill said, leading me farther into the ballroom, where several vampires waited to greet us. Some of those vampires had very old names and the scent of extremely old vampire to accompany them. If I hadn't been too frightened to ask and if they'd been gracious enough to answer, I could have received a lesson in ancient world history from those who'd experienced it firsthand. I was given Greek names. Or Roman. I also heard French, Italian, Spanish, Russian-everything. Most, however, spoke excellent English and employed it. Many of them were also eyeing me speculatively, which made me uncomfortable. How could it not? I felt as if I was the meal of the month and they were all staring hungrily.

Merrill steered me toward the wall near Russell's post, asking the tall Enforcer to keep an eye on me while he went to run some errand of his own. That's when I was approached by three human women, who sidled cautiously up beside me.

"That hunk you're with is gorgeous," one of them ventured.

"You're welcome to tell him so," I said. She had blonde hair but it hadn't always been that color. The other two were darker-haired and showing off as much of their charms as they could. All three were dressed in low cut gowns, clouded in expensive perfume and wore jewelry that must have cost a mint.

"I may just do that," she said, her voice thick with a Georgia accent. Georgia in the U.S., not the Russian one. I didn't think it would impress Merrill all that much if she expressed her interest. I'd seen the photograph on his bedside table following my fainting fit. The woman in that photograph was stunning, with pale blonde hair and blue eyes. No way could Miss Georgia compete with that. No way.

"You know Rudolf will object if you show interest in another man," one of the blonde's companions cautioned.

"Honey, you may as well call them what they are," the blonde laughed. "We all know they're vampires. Are you with him?" The blonde nodded toward Merrill, who was making his way through the crowd.

"It depends on what you mean by with," I said. "He's my sire."

"Holy Christ, she's one of them," the third woman spoke for the first time.

"Unintentionally, I a.s.sure you," I said.

"Did it hurt?" the blonde asked.

"I don't remember it," I shrugged.

The blonde took her chance, moving next to Merrill and touching his arm when he arrived. His voice and his compulsion were icy when he told her to run along. She and the two women with her trotted away. Briefly, I thought about Winkler and how he wouldn't have pa.s.sed up the opportunity. Nope, not him. He probably thought I was dead now. The certificate that Weldon sent pretty well said as much.

A full orchestra was now warming up at the front, striking up a waltz quickly.

"That's our cue," Merrill bowed politely and took my hand. "Now," he told me, as we went twirling around the room, "a good, standard answer is always Thank you; I will consider your offer. You should know by now not to be rude." Actually, I was afraid to be rude, but I didn't say that to Merrill. And offer? What offer? What did Merrill mean by that? While we danced, I saw how the others nodded to my surrogate sire and gave him s.p.a.ce. Merrill was powerful in the vampire community and, excepting Wlodek, was older than all of them.

The vampire who approached for my second dance was someone named Wellington. He appeared to be English, was quite old and of the n.o.bility. And stuffy, on top of that. He bl.u.s.tered about the House of Lords and the House of Commons, regaling me with current events as they concerned the monarchy. As he bl.u.s.tered, I was afraid my eyes might glaze over.

Next came someone of Russian heritage who offered to teach me his native language. Merrill's standard answer came in handy on that one. One of the many vampires I danced with after that was Italian and introduced himself as Paolo Moretti. "I can make love to you so easily," he said. If my shoes hadn't been strapped on, I would have come out of them, I think. Merrill's answer didn't work for him. "I think I would have to know you better first," I said, which caused him to laugh. Mostly I listened, nodded, and concentrated on my dancing, except when my partner asked a question. Another one offered to take over my teaching, insisted that he knew Wlodek personally and could accomplish this immediately. I told him I would discuss it with Merrill and that caused him to back off. The worst one of the evening was also the best one in most respects. He was charming, handsome and funny-and also the one from whom I'd stolen the tiaras. No. No future in that one. I smiled, answered when he asked a question, laughed more than once and thanked him for the dance when it was over. If vampires actually sweated, I'd be hoping my deodorant wouldn't fail me right about then.

"This last dance is mine," Gavin smoothly cut in front of another vampire. I think it was all right-Gavin was older than the other vampire, who backed away immediately with a polite nod. And where had Gavin come from? I hadn't seen him the entire evening, yet here he was, claiming the final dance. I'd only gotten to dance with Gavin once before and I'd enjoyed it, plus, it was a relief not to make polite (and forced) conversation with him.

"So, what have you been up to?" I asked as another waltz began. I hadn't heard from Gavin for several weeks.

"Hoping you would call," he said softly against my ear.

"I was supposed to call? Who's making these rules? I want to have a talk with them. I don't call you, mostly because I don't want to interrupt if you're doing something important. Breaking bones and smashing heads require a lot of concentration, I hear."

"If I don't answer, then I am busy or dead," he informed me stiffly. I'd offended him.

"Now there's a comforting thought; imagining that you're dead if you don't answer your phone," I rolled my eyes at his cavalier att.i.tude.

"You'd truly worry over me?" That sounded a little warmer.

"Of course I'd worry over your sorry a.s.s," I said tartly. "I can't help it. And you smell good," I couldn't help adding.

"I smell good?" Gavin sounded confused.

"To me, you do. You did from the start and I couldn't figure it out. I can't believe I was such an idiot, thinking you were anything but vampire."

"What did you think I was?" He was smiling slightly, now.

"I don't know," I said, puzzled over the whole thing. I didn't even know why I was telling him that and hadn't realized I'd said it aloud until he chuckled.

"If we weren't surrounded by this crowd, most of whom want to sleep with you, or take you home and then sleep with you, I'd kiss you," he said. "Wlodek may want to punish me for dancing with you anyway, but I have an invitation, just as many holdings as most of the others and am older than seventy-five percent of them. He-and they-can stew about it." He turned me smartly and we took off again.

The dance was ending when I heard someone having an o.r.g.a.s.m off to the side. It was a female and she was having a good time, from the sound of things. Gavin growled. "They are not supposed to be doing that here," he said angrily. "Come."

Wondering if all vampires had that "come" thing down pat, I followed along behind, almost trotting to keep up with him. His legs were much longer than mine and he was moving swiftly. Russell and another vampire were already there and ushering the female (who was human) and her vampire lover toward the door. Wlodek stood nearby, looking thunderous. Merrill came up beside Gavin and me.

"What happened?" I asked Merrill.

"This is considered a public place, little one, and therefore the no biting rule applies. I know we haven't discussed this but I will explain it later. Suffice to say, they did wrong." I nodded, still a little confused. I did see two other vampires, their fangs out and eyes red.

"They get the smell of blood and it cannot be helped at times," Gavin whispered, leaning down and pulling me against him protectively. "It is warm blood as opposed to chilled, and it has a greater attraction, especially to the ones who were born in an era where only warm blood was available." That included him as well, but I didn't say anything, moving out of his embrace instead.

"Gavin," the vampire from whom I'd taken the tiaras walked over and greeted Gavin as if he knew him, and knew him well.

"Rene, how are you?" Gavin nodded politely.

"I saw you dancing with our little rose, here," Rene de la Roque said, offering me a lovely smile.

Stepping a little closer to Gavin, I looked up at Rene. If he ever discovered that I'd taken the tiaras-I'd seen his face and his fangs-I'd be dead, no doubt about that. Gavin placed his arm around me, his eyes locking on mine. Then he said something that chilled my soul. "Rene and I are cousins, turned by the same sire at nearly the same time."

I shivered under Gavin's arm and he pulled me tighter against him. Vampire politics and intrigue, indeed. Did Gavin know exactly where I'd been? Whom I'd taken those tiaras from? It hadn't come up in my conversation with Wlodek while Gavin had been there. I did my best not to let it show in my face.

"Rene, Gavin," Wlodek walked over to us and nodded at both vampires. "We have the problem sorted out now," Wlodek went on. He knew. I know he knew, but that vampire habit of showing absolutely no emotion was coming into play for him. Perhaps this was why they all cultivated it. No guilt or recrimination on either party's face.

"Always a pleasure," Rene nodded respectfully at Wlodek.

"Gavin, please bring Lissa and follow me," Wlodek commanded. Gavin had a hand at my elbow and steered me into Wlodek's wake. We picked Merrill up on the way out the door; he came along behind us, my wrap slung over an arm. "We are expected at Flavio's town home; it is nearby," Wlodek said, ushering Gavin and me into his limo. Merrill rode with Brock in the Rolls-we were all away in minutes.

Flavio's town home was very nice; a three story in an affluent part of London. "He only uses this when he must," Gavin told me quietly as we pulled up to the house.

Flavio arrived before we did and was waiting on us as another vampire opened the door to allow us inside. He showed us through a long hall and then into a very nicely appointed drawing room. There were paintings on the walls that could have been done by Gainesborough, but I wasn't about to ask. They were beautiful landscapes and certainly looked like his work. There was also a large fireplace in the center of the back wall. Faberge eggs and other little knickknacks were sitting on the mantle-all probably worth a fortune.

"I received two very strong offers for our Lissa tonight," Wlodek said as soon as we sat down, causing me to draw in a shocked breath. Flavio had not opted for period furniture, settling instead for modern sofas and chairs that were ultimately more comfortable. Gavin made sure I was seated next to him, and I wanted to huddle against him after hearing what Wlodek had to say. Offers? Someone had made offers? What did that mean? Was I being auctioned off? Was this what Merrill had meant earlier? I forcibly held back a shudder.

"From whom?" Merrill was still standing, his face showing no emotion.

"From Ivan Baikov," Wlodek began.

"The Russian?" Flavio asked. He didn't sound pleased. I couldn't help myself-I did huddle against Gavin. Gavin's gaze was trained on Wlodek, listening intently even as his fingers stroked my elbow.

"And the other?"

"Rene de la Roque," Wlodek said. I must have whimpered because Gavin placed both arms around me.

"There is a third offer," Gavin said, sounding a little angry.

"Which one is that?" Merrill asked, lifting an eyebrow.

"Mine," Gavin growled.

Wlodek studied Gavin for a moment. "Then we have three viable offers," he conceded. "Lissa, you will not be bound by marriage to any one of them until your five years of instruction are finished," Wlodek said. "And perhaps not then if things do not work out, but accepting one of these offers now will prohibit the others from coming forward later and bombarding Merrill with requests. Each of these candidates is strong enough and old enough to make the others back away."

"And what if I don't want any of them?" I asked. I was terrified and being backed into a corner. "Is Merrill going to make this decision for me, even if I hate the one he picks?"

"Lissa, I will only make that decision for you if you will not choose for yourself," Merrill informed me. Why had they not told me this before? Why?

"I don't want to pick one and I don't want Merrill to pick one either," my voice was shaky as I stared at my hands. My fingers were laced together as tightly as I could make them, to keep the others from seeing how upset I was.

"Then they will struggle against one other, trying to win your favor and attention. None of those who danced with you tonight were disappointed," Wlodek's eyes were boring into mine as I looked up at him. "Wellington found you quite charming and interested in English politics and the Royal Family, with which he is obsessed." Wlodek almost smiled. "He only backed away when he learned that Ivan and Rene were making offers."

"Oh G.o.d, I may be sick," I said, hanging my head and trying to steady my breathing. "Please tell me the Italian guy didn't say the same thing."

"Oh, he was quite taken with you, but Rene gave him a look and he backed away for the time being."

I didn't realize it, but I'd somehow tangled my hands in Gavin's tuxedo jacket while Wlodek was speaking and was now hanging on for dear life. Where was my freedom? Where was my right to live my own life, away from sniffing hounds? The truth was that I had none of those things. The stark reality of being female and vampire was only now hitting me. Unless I was very, very old, like the two females on the Council, I was something in demand by the males of the race. "You're saying I need the protection of someone's claim? Is that it?" I tried desperately to keep the panic out of my voice.