Ryan leaped to her feet, overturning the heavy oak table in front of her as if it were made of Styrofoam. Susan Ryerson nearly fell backward to get out of the way. Marilyn smiled. Now that was more like the girl.

"A miscalculation!" Ryan fairly shouted at him. "You should have told me! I never should have found out that way!"

Victor remained calm, unperturbed at her words and the violence that accompanied them. He gazed at her steadily. "No," he agreed, "you should not have found out that way."

Abigail was curious. "What way?" she asked.

Ryan turned to her, the fury spilling out in her words. "I have my mother's blood, too."

At first, the implications of her words did not sink in. It was Marilyn who first drew the correct conclusion.

"And her Memories," the dark-haired woman said in slow comprehension.

Ryan turned to her, her bitterness obvious. "And her Memories," she finished.

Abigail raised her hand to her chest at the full implication.

Victor's gaze did not waver. "I could not know that you would see her death."

Ryan turned to him. "I did more than see her death. I saw everything she saw, felt everything she felt, and lived every moment of her life right up until the moment you took it."

Ryan turned away, closing her eyes.

"And I saw it through her eyes, felt it through her mind," she stopped, almost unable to continue. "Just as if it were me."

An odd silence settled over the room and all eyes were upon Ryan. Ryan's gaze was distant for a moment, unfocused. Her eyes refocused and her gaze flickered to Abigail, to Marilyn, and to Susan. Susan had the impression that Ryan was trying to prepare her for something, but Susan could not fathom what it was.

Ryan took a deep breath and Susan was startled at the vivid picture that suddenly invaded her mind.

She saw the terror and pain of a young woman with golden hair, a woman who could only be Ryan's mother. She saw dark, shadowy pictures of Victor, methodically carrying out the abduction and the rape. She saw the golden-haired woman in the throes of a horrific childbirth, and finally she saw the beautiful, dark-haired man holding a b.l.o.o.d.y infant triumphantly up to the night sky.

And Susan felt things as well. She felt the woman's terror, her isolation, her hopelessness, and it was in stark contrast to the man's fierce joy at the birth of his unholy child. She watched as the light died in the young woman's eyes and began to burn fiercely in those of her golden-haired child.

The Others saw, too, perhaps even more vividly than did Susan. They all saw, and they all stared at the creature seated before them. Ryan was not like them, and yet was the ultimate expression of their Kind. Changed before she was ever born, she had never been human. She was the ultimate predator, born in death and carrying the echoes of its Memory through eternity.

Susan stared at the young woman before her. The story of Ryan's birth made the sins of Oedipus look minor. Not only was Ryan aware of her origins, she had been a part of them, re-living them from both her mother and father's perspective. She had killed her mother, both by her birth and through her father's eyes, and then she had killed her father in revenge. And the blood of both coursed hotly through her veins, bringing their thoughts, their dreams, and their Memories.

The silence was very loud until someone made the sound of clearing his throat. All eyes turned towards Edward.

"Your honor," he began, addressing Abigail, "I would like to move for a dismissal due to the fact that my client obviously did not commit the crime she is accused of," he said, nodding towards Victor.

Abigail glanced at Victor, then shook her head. "I'm afraid it's not that simple, Edward," she said, addressing him by name for the first time. "She did make the attempt."

Ryan returned to her seat, avoiding the table that was still upside down on the floor. She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, gazing coolly up at Victor. Marilyn moved to a position near her.

"So tell me, dear father, how did you survive the *attempt'?"

Victor's gaze flickered to Marilyn, then back to his dark child. "Marilyn was instrumental in my recovery." He paused for a moment before continuing. "It seems you did not quite finish the job."

Ryan shrugged. "I was full."

Abigail again was nearly startled into laughter. Susan was appalled at Ryan's words but Victor did not seem at all angry. In fact, he seemed rather amused by the reply and the corner of his mouth twitched.

Susan glanced from father to daughter, just beginning to understand how complex their relationship was. Ryan had attempted to murder the man in front of her in a most horrific manner, and although Victor was angry about it, part of him seemed to view it as little more than an adolescent temper tantrum.

In the same way, Ryan, although obviously still infuriated with her father, seemed mildly chagrined at her actions, not willing to admit wrong-doing but perhaps embarra.s.sed over what she had done.

Victor's tone was slightly chastising. "Did you really believe you had killed me? Surely you are now old enough yourself to realize you could not have succeeded."

Ryan paused for a long moment. "I had begun to suspect." Her eyes shifted to Marilyn and she changed the subject. "You must be very pleased with Marilyn." She now addressed the dark-haired woman directly. "So what did he promise you in return for your loyalty?"

Marilyn smiled her cool smile but it was Victor who replied.

"You."

Ryan was startled and Marilyn was pleased the answer had caught Ryan off-guard. Victor gestured casually in Abigail's direction. "Abigail helped as well."

Ryan did not miss the implication in that statement, either. Abigail had the grace to smooth her robes, only the slightest trace of her enigmatic smile about her lips. Ryan turned her attention back to Victor.

"Well," Ryan said, at a loss for words. She stared at Victor. "How unlike you," she finally finished.

Victor stood, now casually addressing the courtroom. "As is my prerogative, I hereby dissolve the Grand Council until which time it is needed again." He turned to Abigail. "Once Ryan has served the terms of her punishment, she will become my Second once more."

Abigail nodded as if this were expected. Victor continued. "When you are finished with your proceeding here, please join us."

Abigail nodded and Victor stepped down. He motioned to Marilyn who fell into step beside him. He approached Ryan, then stopped in front of her. Ryan stood. Edward also stood, and Victor took his measure for a moment.

"You have served my daughter well, Edward."

Edward bowed low. "I live to serve her, my lord." He bowed lower. "As I live to serve you."

Victor turned his attention to Ryan. He took her hand in his. "We must be leaving," he said, glancing at Susan. "Your companions must stay with us a short while longer, then they are free to do as they will."

CHAPTER 32.

SUSAN WAS NOT ALLOWED TO OBSERVE their route of travel from the trial, nor was she exactly certain where the trial itself had been held, so she had little if any idea where they were. She rode in the limousine alone, her thoughts on the events of the last hours. So deeply immersed was she in these thoughts that she was surprised when the limousine came to a stop. The door opened and she stepped out, looking around in wonderment. She thought she would never find an estate to rival Ryan's, but now mentally revised her opinion. This house was exquisite, as were the gardens surrounding it.

Her first thought was for Jason and she was happy to find him in the bedroom she was led to. He bounced from the bed when he saw her and ran into her arms.

"Where's Ryan?" were the first words from his mouth.

She hugged him tightly. "She's here, munchkin. I think she's kind of busy right now."

"Oh," he said, relieved, "I was wondering where you guys went." He lowered his voice, eyeing the servant who stood in the doorway. "These people are kind of creepy."

Susan smiled tiredly. The servant remained expressionless, although Susan was certain she could hear. The woman offered her clothing and began to run a bath for her. Susan was soon luxuriating in the steaming water while Jason watched television. When finished, she pulled on the silk shirt and slacks she was given. She had the decadent thought that, although currently uneasy, she was getting used to being waited on.

It wasn't long before Jason tired and fell asleep on the bed. She pulled the top cover loose and tucked him in. She herself was tired, but didn't feel as if she could sleep. She went out onto the balcony and settled into a cushioned wicker settee. The night air was cool but the balcony was heated with outdoor lanterns and a servant brought her a wrap, which she draped across her legs. She was wondering about Ryan when she heard a knock at the door.

She started to get up but the servant stepped forward, politely shaking her head. She indicated that Susan was not to move and then she went to answer the door. Susan heard soft murmurs, and then Victor entered, crossing the room to the balcony. He pushed open the sliding screen door.

"May I join you?"

Susan started to stand but Victor shook his head. "No, please, sit down." The servant brought another wicker chair that Victor set across from Susan and then settled into, crossing one long leg over the other.

Susan stared at the man, again struck by his incredible beauty. It was perhaps only her past continued exposure to Ryan's magnetism that made Susan immune to Victor's charms.

Victor smiled and Susan revised her opinion. Well, perhaps not completely immune.

"I wanted to thank you for caring for my daughter. Ryan is an excellent judge of character. I'm certain her choice of you as a companion will prove as insightful as ever."

Susan shifted uncomfortably. She did not want to start liking this man.

Victor sensed her discomfort immediately. "You seem troubled, dear doctor," he said knowingly.

Susan did not quite know how to broach the subject. "Well, I'm certainly not pa.s.sing judgment on you, but your relationship with Ryan does seem a little..."

She faded away, unwilling to finish the sentence. Victor had no qualms about finishing it for her.

"Incestuous?"

Susan nodded, trying to be as casual as he was. "Yes, I think that was the word I was looking for."

Victor removed a cigar from his inner pocket. He lit it expertly, taking a long pull on it then blowing the smoke away from Susan. He watched the wisps linger in the air for a moment, then spoke thoughtfully.

"You know, Dr. Ryerson, my birthday is closer to that of Christ's than it is to yours." He turned from the smoke to her. "All ties have blurred for me. Mother, father, brother, sister, they are all the same to me. Even gender has very little meaning for me, anymore. I would have the exact same relationship with Ryan were she my son."

This admission did not make Susan feel any better. Victor took another long pull on the cigar, then blew the smoke out, watching it curl upward in the light from the lanterns. He turned to Susan. "You must remember, Dr. Ryerson, that I am not human, nor is Ryan. Human taboos against incest serve a very real purpose, but they serve no purpose amongst our Kind. For me to blindly follow a cultural more which is inapplicable would be foolish." Victor watched the smoke curl upward. "Not to mention the fact it would have kept me from creating the greatest of our Kind to ever walk this earth."

Susan stared at him. "So is Ryan the greatest of your Kind?"

Victor shook his head. "Not yet. But she will be one day."

Susan had a sudden and strange insight. "This does not cause you concern."

It was not a question, but Victor answered it anyway. "Of course not, dear doctor."

Susan was beginning to understand things about Victor that even Ryan did not. He seemed aware of her sudden prescience and gazed at her through the smoke, contemplating.

Susan stared at him her suspicions growing. "You knew she would try to kill you."

Victor shrugged, the nonchalant gesture so reminiscent of Ryan that Susan for a moment had to remember whom she was speaking to. "Of course. Ryan is the most efficient predator I have ever known." There was not the slightest bit of condemnation in the statement. The words were spoken casually and if anything, with a trace of pride. Victor took another long drag on the cigar, then watched the smoke curl upward. "I did not know, however, that she would be so creative in her attempt, nor did I know it would take me nearly two centuries to recover."

Victor c.o.c.ked his head to one side as if listening to something far off in the distance. He changed the subject. "Your son seems to be sleeping soundly. If you yourself are not tired, you are free to move about the grounds. I would ask you not to leave because I have a gift for you."

Victor seemed restless, although Susan could not put her finger on exactly what gave that impression. Outwardly, he was as calm and elegant as ever. Susan put a voice to her suspicions.

"Where's Ryan?"

Victor was not the least bit fooled by the casualness of her inquisition. "She's with Marilyn," he said calmly.

Susan watched his expressionless face, choosing her words carefully. "That does not please you."

Victor chose his words just as carefully. "It does not displease me. It is something that must be done."

Victor stood abruptly, extending his hand for Susan's. Susan raised her arm and he grasped her hand, kissing it. He bowed. "Thank you for your time."

Susan watched the dark-haired man leave the room, noting that he and Ryan even stalked the same.

Ryan was stalking about the room, covering the full length of the suite. Marilyn watched the youngster's agitation from her vantagepoint on the sofa. She had always enjoyed watching the girl, and was especially enjoying it now. Ryan was attempting to conceal her anxiety by moving about the room, but her activity betrayed more than it concealed.

Abigail also watched the girl, albeit more surrept.i.tiously than Marilyn. Her fingers were busy with the blanket she was knitting, but her eyes followed Victor's child about the room.

Ryan stopped to pick up a bra.s.s letter opener, absently fingering the object, and Abigail was reminded of a similar scene many centuries before. Ryan replaced the object and resumed her pacing. Abigail smiled. It was a similar scene, but Ryan was no longer a Young One. She was still intoxicatingly vulnerable, but now it was the vulnerability of a trapped wild animal.

Abigail glanced up at the doorway, c.o.c.king her head to one side. Victor would not come to rescue her from Marilyn this time.

Ryan moved to the fireplace, but she could not feel the heat from the flames because her own skin was so hot. She was startled by a cool hand on the back of her neck, brushing her hair away.

"Come and sit with me awhile," Marilyn whispered into her ear.

The words were half-invitation, half-command. Ryan turned and Marilyn was already re-seated on the sofa, as if she had never left. Ryan walked past Abigail and sat down stiffly on the sofa. Marilyn reached over and intertwined a strand of Ryan's hair around her finger.

"Do you remember," she began conversationally, "how the three of us sat like this years ago?"

Abigail smiled. She remembered.

Ryan frowned. She remembered as well.

Marilyn continued. "That was when you were but an infant, long before the Americas, long before you became so angry at Victor."

Ryan did not want to think back, but the Memories always kept the past so well in focus. She felt her anger at Victor momentarily flare.

Abigail was watching the girl shrewdly. "I remember, Marilyn, that this *infant' nearly seduced you while you were attempting to seduce her."

Marilyn's eyes narrowed as she glanced at Abigail. "If I remember," she said icily, "you were the one who was entranced, unwilling and incapable of stopping me even though you were supposed to be *baby-sitting'."

"Unwilling," Abigail corrected, carrying a st.i.tch, "but not incapable."

Marilyn shrugged, as if it were no matter. She turned her attention back to Ryan, who was starting to relax against her will. Marilyn had always had this affect on her.