Dreaming Of You

Dreaming Of You

Part 13 - Cold As Death

Chapter 23

If you need to fall apart

I can mend a broken heart

If you need to crash and crash and burn

You're not alone.

"Ok, I am seriously starting to get worried now." Lianne sat on her bed and stared unhappily around the room. There was no denying it. Erin was not there.

Where she would have gone, I don't know, Lianne thought, while aware that the actual problem might not be where Erin would have chosen to go. Images of Xavier were creeping sinisterly into her thoughts as she remembered Miache's warnings.

But she ought to have been perfectly safe! Lianne had been just over in the next room, all Erin would've had to do was shout. And what about her iron ring? Surely she'd have remembered to use that.

Surely. Hopefully.

Lianne groaned. "I have got to be the worst friend in the history of creation. I can't believe I left her alone!"

"I can't believe you're talking to yourself. Do you make a habit of it?"

Lianne turned to stare at the open door in disbelief. "Snape?" She shook her head. "Wonderful. Just wonderful. Y'know, I think there must be some spirit somewhere, like Fate or something, that sat down and actually thought about how it could actively make my life even more miserable than it was thirty seconds ago. Because that is the only reason I can possibly come up with for you being here."

"I asked 'im to come," Miache said calmly. Seeing Lianne's expression, she added, "Not 'im specifically, of course, but for vun of ze Circle. Dumbledore felt Severus vould be ze best for ze job. Possibly because 'e speaks French."

Lianne ignored this for the moment. "Miache, have you seen Erin?"

Miache opened her mouth, starting to form the word "no" - and a series of realizations crowded across her face. The word she eventually said was, "Xavier?"

"I don't know! If I knew, would I be sitting here asking you if you'd seen her?" Lianne snapped.

"What in the world are you two babbling about?" Snape wanted to know.

"Erin's missing and we're afraid Xavier took her," Lianne told him. "Shut up."

"The prince? Why would he waste his time on her?" Snape asked, distaste plain in his voice.

"Because she insulted 'im," Miache replied. "And 'e vants to control 'er. Do you see any ozzer unattached 'uman females around?"

Snape rolled his eyes. "Well, if he wanted to kill her, I'm sure he'd do it here and let you clean up. You two worry; I'll use your Glacialispeculum to talk to Dumbledore."

Lianne looked blank. "Use my what?"

"Mirror," Miache supplied.

"Oh." Lianne narrowed her eyes. "You won't. You can just get your own!"

"There aren't any more," Snape said with forced patience. "You have one, that girl has one, Lupin has one, and Dumbledore has one. That's all of them. I need to report back that I arrived safely. Give me yours."

"You really are an unmannered pig, aren't you?" Lianne said in disgust. "Didn't your parents ever teach you the Muggle magic words?"

Snape sneered. "Please."

Lianne pulled her mirror thing from under her pillow. "Original hiding place," was Snape's comment. "No one will ever think to look there."

Lianne glared at him. "Look, Snape, I'm not in a tolerant mood. The queen refuses to stand against Voldemort, my friend has gone missing, and there is a war on. If you give me a headache on top of all that, I will go away and think quietly about what to do to you."

Snape started to scoff, then reconsidered this statement. After a moment, he took the mirror with what, for him, passed as politeness.

Miache raised an eyebrow. "I didn't zhink it vas much of a threat," she said as Snape moved over to sit on the other bed to contact Dumbledore. "Anyvay - you're sure she's missing? She 'asn't just vandered off somevhere?"

"Erin isn't stupid," Lianne said defensively.

"Zhat vasn't vhat I said," Miache pointed out. "I said, could she 'ave just gone somevhere vithout telling you?"

"No." Lianne was firm. "No, Erin wouldn't do that."

Miache sighed. "I'd 'oped zhat might be it. I'm afraid ve don't 'ave anyvun to spare to search for your friend."

"I'll go myself," Lianne began.

"You won't," Snape snapped, looking up from waiting for Dumbledore to answer his end of the mirror. "You're here for a reason, the same as I am. You'll stay and try to convince the queen not to join with You-Know-Who."

"And what about Erin?" Lianne demanded. "Am I supposed to just forget about her while Xavier does who-knows-what to her?"

"You're supposed to do what you were sent for."

"But - "

"'E's right, you know," Miache said quietly. "Maybe vhen ze battle is over. You 'ave the duty of an Auror."

"I'm not an Auror," Li protested forlornly. She sighed. "I always thought it had to be an awful job."

Miache's smile was as sympathetic as it ever got. "Now you know."

~*~

Sitting alone in a prison cell is very boring. Remus had always thought this would be the case, but it had never really registered exactly how boring it would be until Lane had been taken away. And it was very boring indeed. He'd tried counting the ants scurrying busily across the ceiling, but they moved too fast, and there wasn't much light anyway. He'd given up at about thirty-seven.

"Hello, Remus."

He looked up. Bella was leaning in the open doorframe. Briefly, the hope of overpowering her and bolting crossed his mind, but then he remembered that he was dealing with another werewolf. She was probably just as strong as he was. If not stronger.

"How did you know my name?" he asked finally.

"Darren told me." She smiled. "It's a very nice name, by the way. Remus Lupin."

"Er... thank you?" Remus said. "Excuse me, but are you the new guard?"

"Your guard, anyway," Bella told him. "Ianfu is staying with Delaney. Poor girl."

"He's not coming back here, then?" Remus asked, startled.

"Hardly." Bella laughed. "He has his own little prison cell. With his sister, I believe."

"Oh." Remus nodded, relieved. "She's all right, then?"

Bella paused. "In a manner of speaking."

"How?" Remus demanded, concern for the little girl coloring his voice.

"Well, they didn't cut any fingers off." Bella smiled again. "Don't worry yourself about her. It's quite sweet, but the effort is wasted."

The wolf woman entered the room, closing the door behind her. Remus watched apprehensively as she sat down next to him.

"You know, most guards prefer to stay outside the cells," he said, a new set of worries starting to form. "That's why they're called 'guards,' instead of 'prisoners.'"

Bella's laughter was full and rich, but Remus couldn't help noticing it sounded slightly artificial, as though she'd spent quite a lot of time practicing, to achieve that sound. "So you're amusing, as well as sweet. Are all city wolves like you, or are you one of a kind?"

"Oh - I'm nothing special," Remus said hastily, shifting position so that she wasn't quite so close to him. "Just another wolf."

"Nothing special?" Bella repeated, raising her eyebrows. "After you defied the Alpha like that?"

"Did I?" That wasn't how Remus remembered things going. "I think it was more along the lines of really bad timing than actual defiance."

"Say whatever you like." Bella moved closer to him, resting a hand on his shoulder. "I think it was tremendously brave."

Remus swallowed hard. "Would you mind horribly not putting your hand there?" Bella smiled enigmatically and traced a finger down his collarbone. Remus shivered. "That wasn't exactly what I had in mind."

"Wasn't it?" Bella said softly. "Are you sure?"

Remus stood abruptly. "Yes. I'm quite sure."

Bella unfolded herself, and rose to her feet. "I really don't see why," she said resentfully. "Don't you think I'm pretty?"

Remus paused. On one hand, he didn't want to encourage her... but on the other, she was still his jailor, and insulting her wouldn't be a very good move, either. And - she was very pretty. With long wavy blond hair, big brown eyes, and a body like hers, it would be very hard not to be pretty.

"Yes," he said at last. "But that doesn't have anything to do with it."

"Doesn't it?" Bella frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Well..." Remus stared awkwardly at his feet. "Love, for one thing."

"What's that got to do with anything?" Bella wanted to know. Remus looked up in shock. "Well, what? Love is what that boy says he feels for that vampire girl. Most of the time, it's just a pretty word for lust. And when it isn't - if it ever isn't - love only hurts. This isn't love. It's sex."

"One might say that the two go together," Remus said faintly.

"One might say a lot of things," Bella agreed. "I don't. All I say is that the sort of love you're talking about isn't worth the pain. And if you can have the good without the bad, why not take it?"

"Love isn't just about sex," Remus objected.

"It is," Bella said flatly. "Sex and pain, they drive the world. The sooner you learn that, the sooner you'll understand a whole lot more about life."

"Such as what? How to manipulate? How to hurt?" Remus shook his head. "No. That's not what life should be."

"Should be?" Bella echoed in disbelief. "Whoever said anything about should be? I've been talking about what is. Sure, eternal love would be nice. So would world peace, and an end to famine, and a whole lot of other things. But none of those things are real. Love is pain and sex, like everything else. Anyone who thinks differently is only going to get used."

Remus looked at her a moment. "Like you want to use me?"

Bella stared at him. "What?"

"You heard me. Lane told me why you want to seduce me. So that you can have a higher place in the clan." Remus looked at her, eyes cold. "Or do you deny it?"

Bella smiled sadly. "Of course not. It's the only way a woman can get any rights at all here. Through the man she mates with. Any wolf woman would tell you the same."

"Yes, and what would happen to me after you got your rights?" Remus asked sourly. "I'd be in the position you are now, I suppose. Except that I wouldn't have a way out."

"Oh, no! I suppose Delaney told you that." Bella sighed. "No, you would have all the rights of any other clan male. I, of course, would be ranked above you, but then," she smiled, "what woman doesn't control her mate?"

Remus said nothing. But his thoughts turned to Lily and James, and Sirius and Lianne.

"Really, Remus, it wouldn't be so bad for you, being my mate," Bella said, approaching him again. "You'd get out of this cell, for one thing. And Ganrou is a respected clan. Life here is nowhere near so terrible as Delaney makes it out to be. And," she put her hand on Remus's chest, looking up into his eyes, "you would have me."

Remus shook his head slowly. "You don't understand - "

"No, you don't understand!" Bella burst out. "You're handsome, you're clever, and you're kinder and gentler than any other wolf in the entire clan! If you don't want me, I'll have to go to one of them, and you don't know what they do to their women! And you wouldn't. I know that, I can see it in your eyes. You'd never hit me, or rape me, or make me do anything I didn't want to do. You're the only chance I have to get out of that life. Please, Remus. Don't make me go to one of them. Don't send me away."

Remus hesitated. And she took shameless advantage of that pause.

Bella wrapped an arm around his neck, pulling his head down to hers, and she kissed him. No - not so much kissed as devoured. Her lips and tongue moved hungrily, trying to take him and make him be hers. Her hands were hot against the bare skin of his back and neck, holding him too tightly for escape.

And just for a moment, forgetting that he had to resist this, that he couldn't give in, Remus responded, kissing her back. She pressed against him eagerly, and he could feel the contours of her body burning into his. She moved her hands away from his back and took hold of his, placing them so one palm was on her hip, and one on her breast.

The strange feeling of soft, feminine flesh under his hands startled Remus into jerking away. His face burned crimson as he realized what he'd been doing. Oh, good Lord, she almost got me, he thought in horror. Lane's right. I am an idiot.

"Why did you stop?" Bella asked, pouting. "Don't you like to kiss?"

"You know perfectly well why I stopped," Remus said, backing away from her. "I don't want - that. Not from you."

"But - " Bella stopped, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "Not from me, you said?"

"Um..."

"So there's someone else, is there?" Bella smiled slowly. "I see. That explains your feelings about love. You have a lady friend back home in England, I suppose?"

"You could say that," Remus admitted, the thought of Erin crossing his mind. Maybe this would make her leave him alone, if she thought he was taken already.

"Huh. And she let you come all this way alone?" Bella shook her head. "I don't think too much of her, then." She stopped. "Unless..."

"Unless what?" Remus was starting to get a really bad feeling about this.

Bella laughed suddenly. "She doesn't know, does she? I don't believe it. You fell for a - a human girl, didn't you? And you haven't told her you're a wolf, have you?"

"What makes you say that?" Remus stalled, wondering how she could have guessed, and whether she'd know if he lied about it.

"You," Bella told him, "have it written all over your face. It's those gorgeous eyes of yours. Very expressive, those eyes. Not much good at keeping secrets, are you?"

"I... suppose not," Remus said, resisting the impulse to raise a hand to his eyes.

"You should have told her, you know," Bella said conversationally. "Your girlfriend."

Remus raised an eyebrow. "You are giving me romantic advice?"

"Not exactly. I mean, you must know you'll never see her again," Bella pointed out.

"I'm aware of that." Remus sighed.

"So... why didn't you?" Bella asked curiously.

"What, tell her?" Remus shrugged. "It was never the right time. Besides... I don't think she'd have taken it well."

"Humans don't," Bella agreed. "They see the monster, instead of the person."

"Then why do you think I should have told her?" Remus asked, confused.

"So that you'd get over it," Bella said frankly. "It would never work - a wolf and a human. Delaney's idea, of getting a vampire, that one might've made it, if it hadn't been those two trying it. But a human? No. They think we're monsters. Tell them, and they run."

"Not all of them," Remus protested.

"No?" Bella laughed shortly. "Think she'd be different, do you? Think she'd've stayed?"

Remus looked away. "No. I don't think that."

One corner of Bella's mouth turned up. "Then you're smart."

"Unfortunately." Remus stared at the wall. "Maybe it's better like this."

"That you never told her you're a wolf?"

"No. That I never..." He stopped, remembering where he was.

But Bella seemed to hear the unspoken words. "You never said you loved her," she finished. There was a perplexed crease in her forehead. "You never even slept with her, did you?"

"Of course not!" Remus snapped indignantly. "What kind of man do you take me for?"

"A man," Bella responded. "Most men can't wait to bed the women they say they care for. You really think you love her, don't you?"

Remus didn't say anything for a very long time, as he thought of Erin. Her smiles, her sighs, her bright blue-green eyes that followed him around the room when she didn't think he was paying attention. Her voice, which held a note of sadness that Lianne said had never been there before. Her laughter, natural and lively, that was so far away from Bella's practiced amusement. The way she spoke to him, not shy, but not aggressive. The way she let him know, through her face and movements, that she wasn't giving up on him.

And the way she kissed him. She wasn't a stunningly good kisser, not like Bella. In fact, for all he knew he could have been her first kiss. But there was something pure about her, something wholesome and innocent that couldn't be faked. It showed in her eyes, her voice, her face. It showed when she kissed his cheek before leaving for the vampires.

God, I can't think about her like this, Remus tried to remind himself. She's only eighteen!

But did it really matter anymore? He wasn't going to see her again, even Bella knew it. Would it hurt anyone to give in to this? To admit it?

"Yes," Remus said softly. He took a deep breath. "Yes. I love her."

Bella watched him for a moment. "Pain and sex, like I said." She halfway smiled. "Looks like you got the pain."

"I suppose," Remus agreed. It certainly looked that way. He'd always thought love would be a feeling of glory, and eternal happiness. Not sadness. Not despair.

It shouldn't hurt so much, he thought. If I'd known it would hurt like this, I would've stayed in denial.

But in his heart, Remus knew that the pain had been there the whole time. He'd only acknowledged its presence.

"You don't look exactly in the mood anymore," Bella said, opening the door again. She smiled lightly. "Maybe I need to brush up my skills."

Remus didn't respond, and her smile faded.

"Well, I'll be just outside the door, if you change your mind," she said, her voice a touch cooler. "I would, if I were you. They'll kill you otherwise, and I'd like to think that I'm a better fate than death."

Remus nodded. "I'll let you know."

Giving up at last, Bella left him alone in his prison. Even though he knew that everything she'd said and done was almost certainly an act, Remus couldn't help feeling sorry for her. If she really was going to have to face a man who would treat her that way...

No. She didn't have to. She could leave, if she were truly miserable. And Lane had said Bella was no good... and Remus trusted Lane a lot more than Bella. He trusted a lot of people more than Bella.

And that said it all, really. He wasn't going to sleep with someone he didn't love, and he couldn't love someone he didn't trust.

Of course, at the moment, he felt like he couldn't love anyone but Erin. Not that it mattered. After all, she'd never know.

~*~

"Vell? Aren't you going to say anyzhing?"

"What do you want me to say? You'll never get away with this?" Erin shook her head. "That would be rather pointless."

"Especially since I 'ave gotten avay wiz it already," Xavier agreed. "No, I vas zhinking somezhing more along ze lines of vhy I've brought you 'ere."

"Would you actually tell me?" Erin asked dubiously.

"No. But I expected you to ask." Xavier smiled. "Do you know vhere you are?"

Erin looked around. It was a small room, about the size of the one she and Lianne had been placed in, but with only one bed. And the furnishings were rather more luxurious than the ones in the guest room. "No."

"Good." Xavier leaned back in his chair, eyes on Erin. She wanted to squirm out of his gaze, but considering that she was tied to a chair, that wasn't exactly an option.

I can't believe I was such an idiot, Erin thought bitterly. Why didn't I scream, or use my iron ring, or something? Some book this would make. Heroine visits vampires, heroine gets captured by vampires, heroine is held for ransom then gets her blood sucked out. Yup, great story there.

"Can't you zhink of anyzhing more interesting?" Xavier asked.

Erin started. "What?"

"Your thoughts," the vampire explained. "Zhey're very dull."

"You're reading my thoughts?" Erin tried not to panic. He's bluffing, he's got to be, he can't really read my -

"I assure you, I can," Xavier said. "A moment ago, you were rambling on about being a story heroine."

"That was a private thought," Erin objected. "It wasn't meant for your amusement!"

"Does it annoy you?" Xavier smirked. "My apologies."

"You'll stop, then?" Erin demanded.

"Unlikely," he said calmly. "But I do apologize."

"Tchuh." Erin glared at him.

"Zhat vas an unnecessarily rude noise."

"Only in your opinion."

Xavier eyed her thoughtfully. "Vun is usually more polite to vun's jailors."

"One is usually more polite to one's guests, but that hasn't stopped you," Erin snapped.

Xavier laughed. "I zhink I see vhy my sister likes you."

Confused by this reaction, Erin lapsed into silence. She started to wonder exactly how he'd brought her here without anyone noticing - she didn't remember anything between being in her room with him and being tied to this chair here - then realized Xavier was still listening in.

"You can't stop me, you know," he said, smiling sweetly.

I hate him, I really do, Erin thought viciously. I hate all the vampires. I hate this whole tribe - no, this whole country!

"Zhat's going a bit too far, isn't it?" Xavier commented. "Lots of ze English quite like France."

I'm not listening to him.

"You are, you know. I can tell."

I'm not. La la la la...I can't hear you...

"Of course you can. Vhy else vould you be zhinking zhat?"

Get out of my head! You have no right!

"I'm a vampire. Right and wrong don't apply to me."

I hate you.

"You mentioned."

Ok. Fine, then. Listen. See if I care.

"I intend to."

Right. Fine. I'll just make it boring for you, then.

"You can't stop thinking, you know. It's can't be done."

One... two... three... four... five...

Xavier burst out laughing. Erin ignored him.

... eight... nine... ten...

"All right, Mistress Connor, all right! You win." Xavier applauded her.

... fifteen... sixteen - what?

"Mistress Connor? You can stop if you like," Xavier told her, approval in his eyes.

"What do you mean?" Erin asked suspiciously.

"I mean I von't listen to your thoughts unless you vish it," Xavier replied.

"Why? It got boring?"

"No." Xavier favored her with an especially charming smile. "Because you're bright enough to deserve it. And bright girls like you shouldn't 'ave to count all day. I give you my vord - no mind-reading unless you vant me to."

"Well. I'm glad you see it that way." Erin eyed him warily a moment more. My God, he's got a huge fly on his nose, she thought experimentally. He didn't even twitch. I wonder how good a vampire's word is...

And I wonder why he thinks I'd ever want him break it.

There was a rap on the door.

Erin started, but Xavier simply smiled and got up. He paused a moment, then opened it. It was that fat lady, the Countess Sekihei, that Lianne had hated painting.

"My lady." Xavier bowed mockingly as she entered.

Eyes narrowed, she snapped something at him in French. He replied in the same language. Erin sighed. She wished she could understand them, maybe then she'd have a better idea of why she was here. Obviously, she was being held for some sort of ransom, but she couldn't figure out why they'd chosen her instead of Lianne.

It isn't even as though I'm particularly valuable, Erin mused. The Circle couldn't care less about me. They might do something about Li or Remus, since they're the officially unofficial messengers, but I'm not important enough to get a big ransom.

It was kind of depressing to know you weren't worth very much... but that didn't make it any less true. What happened to her didn't matter.

But did the vampires know that? They must think she was at least a little important, to kidnap her like this. If they'd wanted her out of the way, surely Xavier would have simply killed her, without bothering about bringing her here. But she couldn't even see why they'd especially want her out of the way. It didn't make sense.

"So." Erin looked up as Sekihei seated herself on the couch opposite Erin's chair. Xavier perched on one arm of the sofa, not deigning to share a seat with the Countess. "Girl. You are from England?"

"Er... sort of," Erin said cautiously, wondering how much she should tell these people. After all, Sekihei hadn't said anything about reading her thoughts, so the Countess could presumably tell if Erin lied.

"Yes, I can," Sekihei agreed. "And so can - " She stopped, then turned to Xavier incredulously. "Vhy in ze vorld did you make a stupid oath like zhat?"

"I like 'er." Xavier shrugged. "No reason not to."

Sekihei rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath. It was in French, but even Erin could get the general idea.

"Girl." She turned back to Erin. "English Aurors 'ave sent you to persuade us to join you against your Dark Lord."

"Well, yes, I suppose so." Though technically, they'd sent Lianne. Erin was only along for the ride, because she'd had nowhere else to go.

"Ah." Sekihei glared at Xavier.

"I did not get ze wrong vun," the prince said calmly, before the Countess could open her mouth. "I meant to bring Mistress Connor."

"Vhy?"

"Because Prizzilla likes 'er," Xavier explained. "I 'ate seeing my sister upset, and she vould be quite upset if Mistress Connor should be 'urt in ze battle."

"You brought me here to keep me safe?" Erin asked in disbelief.

"To be questioned," Sekihei corrected sharply. "And ransomed. If she's vorth anyzhing," she added, with a dark look at Xavier.

"Oh, relax, Futotta dear," he said with a laugh. "You veren't likely to get a good ransom for eizzer vun of zhese ladies. Lady Black isn't even an Auror. Just a messenger."

"Is zhat true?" Sekihei demanded of Erin.

"Well..."

"It is." The Countess scowled.

"Ze ransom vas never ze important issue, Futotta," Xavier said. "Per'aps it's all you saw."

"And vhat vas I meant to see?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Only vhat I command you to," Xavier said pleasantly, with just a hint of an edge to his voice. "I rank you, Futotta Sekihei, both magically and royally. I may not be in ze line for ze crown, but I am still your prince. Don't forget zhat. Don't ever forget zhat."

~*~

Lane sat in the middle of his sister's bedroom, staring at the wall. It wasn't an especially interesting wall, just ordinary wood. There wasn't even a window. But he was staring at it anyway. Even a plain, boring wall was better than looking at the bed.

Alacra was on the bed.

The pressure of tears behind his eyes burned, but Lane couldn't cry. She deserved tears, of course, but he'd gone beyond that now. He couldn't cry, as much as he wanted to. As much as he needed to.

Why Alacra? he wondered again. It didn't make sense. She was just a little girl, what could killing her achieve? She'd never hurt anyone. The worst thing she'd ever done was to put a worm in the Trademaster's hair. She was too young to have done anything to deserve death.

But that wasn't why she'd died. Lane knew that all too well. They'd killed her to get to him. That was all. Oh, sure, they'd wanted a sacrifice before the battle, but an animal would have done just as well. One of the true wolves, or a deer, or something. It didn't have to be a little girl. It didn't have to be Alacra.

Oh, Laci, Laci, I'm sorry. Lane swallowed hard. I shouldn't have let them know how much I love you. I should have pretended to hate you, like I hate everyone else here.

And the worst of it was, he hadn't even been that nice to her. Oh, he'd loved Alacra, everyone had known it, but he could remember every time he'd snapped at her, shouted at her, scolded her for obeying some pointless tradition of the clan. If he'd known... if he'd only known... he'd never have spoken harshly to her. He just wanted her to see that the clan's laws weren't everything there was to life. He wanted her to be free, the way the other wolf women weren't.

But she'd never understood. All she'd seen was that her brother was yelling at her, and she didn't know why. Had she known he loved her? She must have. He told her every day. But had she loved him? Or had she only seen that he was unkind to her, and died hating him? Oh, God, she couldn't have hated him.

No. She should have hated me. It's my fault she had to die. If it weren't for me, she'd be alive now.

And they hadn't even had the decency to give her a painless death. No, they'd beaten her first. Lane had nearly been sick when he saw her body. Not just because of the blood, but because of the bruises, and what they meant. Her little face had still been tear-stained, from when she'd wept for them to stop.

But the bruises weren't even the worst part.

They'd branded her. Lane hated the branding ceremony, so that was why they must have done it. Alacra wouldn't have been old enough otherwise. It was traditionally done when a girl reached puberty, and Laci had only been nine.

But that hadn't stopped them. They had cut Ferox Alpha's initials into her palms, to mark her as a female belonging to him. To mark her as a possession.

That blow had been aimed at Lane, just as everything about Laci's death had been. It was a message from his father, delivered in blood - you belong to me, you and your sister both. You are mine, to do with as I please. And if you will not obey, you will be destroyed.

Just as Alacra had been destroyed, on Ferox's sudden whim. Lane clenched his fists. How could someone do that? Beat and kill their own daughter, in cold blood... it felt surreal. Surely no one could really do that. Not even someone like Ferox.

Except that he had.

It made sense, really - a grotesque sense, but nevertheless. Ferox had always been in control, ever since he'd challenged the former Alpha when he was just about Lane's age. He'd controlled everything about his life - except Lane. He'd never quite been able to rule his son. So, since he couldn't make his son submit, he would break him. Alacra was just a convenient means to bring that end about.

I wonder if he even sees the difference between locking me up and ordering my sister murdered, Lane thought bitterly. He probably doesn't, knowing him. She was just a thing to him, and a worthless thing, at that. Just a female. She didn't even hold a place in the clan. He didn't value her. He just used her to get what he wanted.

Lane rose suddenly, turning to face the bed. His stomach didn't heave anymore, not after the first shock. And he looked down at his little sister's body.

"Alacra," he whispered, reaching out to touch her cheek, wincing at the discoloring where someone had blacked her eye. "Laci. My little sister."

Tenderly, Lane rearranged her limbs from the careless sprawl in which she'd been flung down. Her straightened her legs and folded her arms across her chest, doing as best he could with one that was broken. He smoothed back her hair, making it neater than it had ever been while she lived. With the edge of her bed sheet, he wiped the blood from her face and hands as best he could. Then, after looking at her a moment, he went over to knock at the door.

Ianfu peered in through the long thin window at eye level. "Yes?" she asked suspiciously.

"May I have a flower?"

The woman's eyebrows lifted. "What for?"

"Because I'd like to have one, that's what for," Lane snapped.

Ianfu's face disappeared a moment. A few seconds later, a stem was poked through the window slit. "Anything else? A twig, maybe? A pebble?"

Lane ignored her, crossing the room again. He slid the flower - well, it was more of a weed, just a little buttercup, but it at least had a blossom - between Alacra's hands.

"I love you, Laci. Rest in peace."

~*~

"You're sure I can't go look for her?"

Severus glared at Lianne. "Shut up."

"I'm worried. It's been hours."

"If you must worry, you might concern yourself with how you plan to survive the battle that we will shortly be involved in," Severus told her curtly. One thing he remembered about Lianne from Hogwarts certainly hadn't changed - her inability to be silent for more than ten consecutive seconds.

He hadn't been entirely in favor of sending Black's wife to deal with the vampires, but they hadn't really had anyone else to send. And no one had believed the wolves would attack so soon. Perhaps it would be better to leave now, and return when the battle is over, Severus mused.

But no. The Circle had made an offer of aid to this tribe, and now they had a duty to follow through. They couldn't just let the vampires be destroyed.

Though what good I'm going to do anyone I haven't the faintest idea, he thought sourly. The vampires didn't seem to be in need of any potions, and they were certainly his magical equals, probably his betters. As far as he could tell, the only reason Dumbledore had sent him was because that Diviner, Vayan, had insisted on it. But he wasn't even a Dark Arts expert, not if Lupin was here.

Lupin...

"What happened to Lupin?" Severus asked.

Lianne blinked. "Remus? Oh, he's over with the wolves."

"Yes, I'm aware of that." Severus rolled his eyes. "But why hasn't he stopped this attack? Or at least tried to delay it."

"Well... I'm sure he tried," Lianne said, another worry line creasing her forehead. "But he's not that good. Not enough to stop a whole clan bent on attacking."

"So he's on his way here, then," Severus said, nodding.

"I guess so." Lianne kept frowning. "I never thought about that. I hope Remus is ok."

"Lupin is quite capable of taking care of himself," Severus said with a sigh. "I simply wanted to know if he was available."

"Not unless he's left his mirror thing on," Lianne replied.

"Has he?"

Lianne bent down to the bag she normally carried her art supplies in. She'd actually removed them of her own free will, opting to carry the Glacialispeculum instead, in case of emergencies. She peered at it. "No, he's still got it off. I really hope nothing happened to him."

Severus shook his head. "Attempt to focus on the problem at hand. I'm positive Lupin is fine. What could possibly have happened to him?"

"You're right, I suppose." Lianne sighed. "It's just - "

"Vhat are you two doing out 'ere?"

"Oh, hi, Miache," Lianne said.

"We were told to wait here," Severus offered by way of explanation. "By the Countess... er..."

"The fat lady," Lianne said helpfully.

Miache nodded distractedly. "Sekihei. Vell, you'd better come vith me. Ze volves 'ave been sighted."

"Where are we going?" Lianne asked as they followed the vampire through the corridors.

"Ze queen's chambers," Miache said shortly. "Wiz 'er councils."

Severus raised his eyebrows. "Any particular reason?"

"It's ze place vhere you're least likely to get killed, and ve don't need to antagonize England as vell as ze Ganrou. Besides," Miache smiled faintly, "you came to 'elp us. You might as vell do so."

~*~

"Oh my goodness!"

Erin looked up as Prissy entered the room. "What are you doing here?"

"Why, this is my room," Prissy said, staring at Erin in shock. "I fell asleep in the study earlier, but I woke up when Xavier and the Countess left. Whatever happened to you? Here," she shook herself out of her daze, and darted over, "let me untie you."

"Thanks," Erin said gratefully, as Prissy began wrestling with the knots. "Um... don't take this the wrong way, but your brother brought me here."

"Did he? Well, I did ask him too," the girl said. "But he'd no call to tie you up like this! Why did he?"

"I don't know," Erin replied. "But..." She hesitated. Prissy sounded like she was awfully fond of her brother, and she didn't know how well the girl would take an accusation against him.

"But what?" Prissy prompted. "I don't really think this knot is going to come out. I have a better idea." She went over to the desk beside the bed, and began rummaging through the top drawer. Erin had to grin, noticing that although the outward appearance of the room was very neat, the drawer was crammed with all sorts of junk that would normally sit on top of a desk.

"But... nothing," Erin finished the sentence. "I was unconscious at the time, I think. Maybe he was afraid I'd fall off the chair."

"That must be it." Prissy pulled out a pair of scissors. "Found them!" She went back to cut through the ropes. "Xavier wouldn't hurt you. He might pretend he's going to, but he wouldn't really."

"I'm sure." Erin's arms came free, and she brought them around in front of her, rubbing at them. "Oww..."

"Oh, I hope you're all right!" Prissy exclaimed in dismay, as she bent to deal with the cords that bound Erin's feet together. "It can't be very bad, can it?"

"Well... it's only cramps," Erin said. "They'll go away if I can just stretch my muscles."

"Good." Prissy cut through the last of the cord, and Erin stood. "I'm so glad you're here. Everything that's happened - it's terrible!"

"What?" Erin turned to face Prissy, suddenly worried. "What's wrong?"

"You do not know?" Prissy's mouth fell open. "You do not, do you?"

"What? Is it Lianne?" Erin's imagination without delay presented her with several worst-case scenarios.

"Lady Black? Oh, no, she's quite well," Prissy hastened to assure her. "No, it's the wolves. They're attacking!"

"They're what? Now?"

"If not now, then very soon." Prissy sat on the chair Erin had been tied to, drawing her heels up onto the edge of the seat. "Erin - I'm afraid."

"You are?" Erin stopped worrying about her friends, or at least shoved the worry to a different part of her mind. "They won't hurt you, will they? You're the princess!"

"Yes." The single word made Erin rethink the "they won't hurt you" part of her statement. "But I'm not afraid for me, Erin. It's Lane. He'll never fight against my people, but they won't leave him alone in the clan territory while they attack, either. Oh, Erin, what if they kill him? What will I do?" Her eyes were wide with terror.

"I... don't know." Erin sighed, and knelt by Prissy. For all she knew, the girl was really centuries old... but right now, Prissy was just a lost, lonely child who needed comfort. "You'll get through it somehow. But I'm sure they won't kill him."

"You don't know that," Prissy whispered, staring into Erin's eyes, pleading for some assurance that Erin did know, that she could safely promise that Lane would be all right.

"No," Erin admitted reluctantly. "I don't. But I do know that you can't think like that. Remember Romeo and Juliet?" Prissy shook her head no. "Oh. Well, it's an English play about two lovers. He thought she was dead, and he got so upset he killed himself before he could find out the truth. But if he'd just waited, he would've seen she was really alive."

"That's horrible," Prissy said, shuddering. "And then she had to go on alone. Forever."

"Well... not exactly." Erin changed the subject, not wanting to give the princess any ideas, considering the mood she was in. "So didn't you say you asked your brother to bring me here?"

"Yes." Prissy nodded, still subdued. "I wanted to see you again. He said he needed to talk to you anyway. Did he?"

"Oh - yes," Erin said. "Yes, he did. And the Countess."

"The one who just left?" Prissy frowned. "I don't like her. She's not very nice."

"No, she isn't," Erin agreed wholeheartedly.

"And she has an ugly tattoo," the vampire princess added, grimacing. "On her arm, too. If I ever get a tattoo, I will at least have the decency to put it somewhere that isn't my forearm."

Erin froze. "Prissy - just what does this tattoo look like?"

"It's horribly ugly," Prissy said slowly, thinking back. "I only ever saw it once, though. She wears long sleeves almost all the time, and I think she must be able to make it invisible if she has to have bare arms. I really don't blame her, though. But I saw it a little while ago, during June. It's black, and it has a skull. And snakes. I think the snakes were sort of attached to the skull." She shrugged. "It was very ugly, anyway. Not the sort of tattoo I'd like."

"I should think not," Erin said, stunned. "My God, that's the Dark Mark!"

"The what?" Prissy blinked. "Isn't that your Dark Lord's symbol?"

"Isn't vhat?" The two girls jumped as Xavier spoke. He smiled. "Per'aps I need to make more noise." He closed the door and leaned against it. "Lord Voldemort is 'ardly a normal topic for pretty girls."

"I was telling Erin about the Countess's ugly tattoo," Prissy explained, some of her brightness returning with the presence of her brother. "Have you seen it?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so." Xavier looked from Erin to Prissy. "It is very ugly. Vouldn't you say so, Mistress Connor?"

"I haven't seen it," Erin told him stiffly. She wondered if Prissy noticed the tension in the air. Certainly Xavier seemed aware of it. "Um... Prissy tells me she asked you to fetch me?"

"Yes, I did mention zhat." Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Vhat of it?"

"Well..." Erin fumbled for words. "You might have - um - been a little politer about it."

"Were you rude to her?" Prissy exclaimed, turning hurt eyes on her brother. "Xavier, you said you'd be nice!"

"I vas, I vas," he said airily. "Vasn't I, Mistress Connor?"

Erin opened her mouth - then glanced at Prissy. "Yes," she said, deflating. "Yes, you were perfectly nice. I was just a little upset about being tied up."

"Ah, yes. Zhat." Xavier nodded. "For Sekihei's benefit, of course. She might 'ave gotten quite ze wrong idea, ozzervise."

"Xavier?" Prissy said, tilting her head. "Does the Countess really have the Dark Mark tattooed on her arm?"

"So it vould seem," Xavier replied.

"Why?"

"Zhat is usually 'ow vun can tell 'oo vorks for ze Dark Lord," Xavier told her.

"You're working together." The words slipped out before Erin could stop them.

"Temporarily." Xavier gave her a charming smile. "Surely, Mistress Connor, you don't believe I vould swear myself to ze ultimate evil?"

"Of course she doesn't!" Prissy said indignantly. "Really, Xavier, how can you think something like that?"

"My apologies." Xavier bowed in Erin's direction - with a mocking smile directed only at her. "And now, if you vill excuse me, my dear ladies, I must attend ze queen. She 'as great need of advice now, wiz ze volves on zheir vay." He left with a dramatic flourish.

Erin listened for the clink of a lock, but it didn't come. "He didn't lock us in!"

"Well, no," Prissy said, confused, "why would he?" Her face fell as Erin rushed to the door. "You want to leave?"

"I've got to warn Lianne," Erin explained, waiting impatiently for enough time to pass that she could be certain Xavier had gone into the corridor. "If there's someone working for Voldemort here, Li needs to know about it."

"Why?" Prissy asked, leaning her head sadly on her hand. "What does the Dark Lord have to do with artists?"

"Oh." Erin grimaced. "Look, Prissy - Lianne and I aren't really artists. We're here from the Circle of people against Voldemort. We're representing them to your aunt."

"But - oh." Prissy's eyes widened. "Then your friend is in danger!"

"Mm-hmm." Erin nodded. "I think that's long enough... I'm going now, but I'll come back as soon as I can, ok?"

"Ok," Prissy agreed.

Erin pulled the door open, glanced around the room before her, then closed the door behind her again with a sigh of relief.

"Lovely day for a stroll, isn't it?"

Erin jumped as Xavier materialized. "You - you were - "

"Invisible," Xavier finished, smiling amiably. "Very observant, Mistress Connor. Vhere vere you planning to go, if I may ask?"

"To warn Lianne about the Countess," Erin told him defiantly. "And you."

"Vhat about me?" Xavier asked, looking for all the world politely mystified.

"That you're in league with Voldemort." Erin swallowed, reminding herself not to meet his eyes. Not that it had had much effect last time...

"Mistress Connor, you seem to be laboring under a misapprehension," Xavier said calmly. "I admit Sekihei is a - vhat do you call it? Death Eater? Vell, she is certainly vun of zhem. And I also admit I am currently 'in league' wiz 'er. But I am not, nor 'ave I ever been, a follower of your Lord Voldemort."

"How can I believe you?" Erin wanted to know. "Would you tell me the truth if you were a Death Eater?"

"Certainly not." Xavier smiled, eyes sparkling with amusement. "Zhat's ze fun of it. It all depends on 'ow far you trust me."

Erin narrowed her eyes. "Not an inch."

Xavier laughed out loud. Erin stared at him, wondering how long it had been since he'd lost his grip on sanity.

"Mistress Connor, you are ze most fascinating 'uman I 'ave met in a long time," the prince said, when he had himself under control again. "Most people vouldn't dare speak to a vampire as you do. Are you fearless, I vonder? Or simply brainless?" Erin stiffened, and Xavier smiled faintly. "No - not brainless, I zhink, after all."

"I'm glad you think so," Erin said, looking from him to the door. Maybe she could run - but no. There was no way she could get past him. Even if she caught him by surprise, he'd be able to get to her when she had to pause to turn the handle.

Xavier seemed to read this in her eyes. "Is it possible you're still zhinking of trying to get past me?" He seemed to be irrationally delighted by the idea. "Oh, such bravery deserves a reward, indeed."

"You're going to let me by?" Erin asked hopefully.

"Vhat? No, I'm afraid I can't," he told her, sounding truly regretful. "But I tell you zhis - I vill give your friend fair varning about ze Countess, all right? And about my alliance wiz 'er, if you vish."

"I - yes. Yes, I do wish," Erin said firmly. "But - why can't I go?"

Xavier smiled. "Because I need you to remain 'ere, for ze time being," he replied. "But you vill be released eventually."

Erin considered this. "Alive?"

Xavier bowed deeply. "Mistress Connor, I vill not 'arm you, nor allow any 'arm to befall you. You 'ave my solemn vord on it. Does zhat satisfy you?"

"I suppose so." Erin bit her lip. "And you will tell Lianne about the Countess?"

"I did say I vould," Xavier reminded her. "She vill be told." He turned to start for the door - and paused. "Before I go, I should also tell you - the spell zhat binds my sister to this suite of rooms 'as been extended to you."

"What?" Erin's vague ideas of picking the lock after he'd left shattered.

"Again, I apologize," Xavier said. "But you vill not be able to open any doors zhat lead out of zhese rooms, nor pass through zhem if you find zhem open." He looked thoughtfully at Erin. "You intend to try after I leave, I suppose? Zhen vhy not try now?"

After a brief pause, Erin headed cautiously over to the door. She touched the handle, feeling nothing out of the ordinary. But when she tried to turn it, nothing happened. It was like trying to turn a stone, while it was still attached to a boulder.

"You see? Nozhing." Xavier shrugged. He leaned past Erin and opened the door for her. "Reach past it. Go on, try."

Erin poked gingerly at the doorway, but her hand stopped before it could pass by. She had to admit defeat. "Ok, I can't get through. Fine."

"I, 'owever, can. And I shall." To prove his point, Xavier walked through what, for Erin, might as well have been a solid wall. "Until we meet again, my dear." He bowed one last time, then shut the door.

Shaking her head, Erin headed back to Prissy's room. The girl looked up. "I thought you were leaving...?"

"Oh - Xavier went for me," Erin said. "I've been added to the spell that keeps you here."

"Really?" Prissy frowned. "Did the Countess do that?"

"Um... maybe," Erin said diplomatically. After all, Xavier hadn't said that he'd bound her to the rooms.

"So that you couldn't warn your friend, I suppose. But Xavier has helped you to foil her evil plot!" Prissy smiled happily, apparently completely serious. Erin shook her head at the girl's word choices. Well, at least she wasn't worrying about death anymore.

"Erin?"

She looked over at the princess, who had moved from the chair to sit curled up like a little kitten on her bed. "Yes?"

"Xavier seems to like you, doesn't he?" Prissy asked finally.

"Um." Erin thought about it. "Well, yes, I think so. In a way."

"In a romantic way?"

That nearly floored Erin. "What?"

"Well... I was thinking..." Prissy looked at the ground awkwardly. "I really like you, Erin. And you're the first person to really like me, even though I'm a wolf-lover. Xavier - he tolerates it, because it's me and he loves me. But you knew what I was, and you liked me anyway."

"Yes... but what does that have to do with anything?" Erin asked blankly.

"See, Xavier likes you too," Prissy said. "And... well, if you wanted to... you know, marry him... we could be sisters."

"Um." Erin sat down on the bed beside the vampire girl. "Well. I'm very flattered that you feel this way - but didn't I tell you already that I love someone else?"

Prissy nodded sadly. "I know. But I thought I'd say something." She sighed. "It would be nice to have a sister. And lots of the girls here are in love with Xavier."

"I'm sorry, Prissy," Erin said, resting a hand on the girl's shoulder. "I just don't love your brother. I love Remus - that's his name. Remus Lupin. And I don't know if I could love anyone else."

"Oh, I understand," Prissy told her. "I would never want to stop love. But I just thought I'd ask you. In case you'd changed your mind about loving Remus."

"I haven't yet." Erin half-smiled. "It will take a lot more than some time apart to make me stop loving him."

Prissy nodded understandingly. "I wish there were another way we could be sisters, though," she said wistfully. "I always wanted a sister, and you're the only girl I've ever met who I'd like to be that sister."

"We could be good friends," Erin said, smiling at the other girl. "You don't have to be sisters to be friends."

"Yes. I know." Prissy stared at the bedspread. "Erin?"

"Mm-hm?"

"Would you like to be a vampire?"

Erin choked. "What?"

"Well, some people really want to be," Prissy said reasonably. "Before the feud got this bad, the guards kept having to chase away Goths. They'd come by and ask to be bitten. And vampires are respected. Feared, too, maybe, but we're quite powerful. And if we choose, we can make our lives very long."

"If you choose?" Erin's curiosity made her ask, despite the larger issue at hand.

"Oh, yes," Prissy replied earnestly. "Vampires aren't really immortal, you know. We can just manipulate how quickly we age. When - " She glanced away from Erin. "If Lane and I ever manage to marry, I will age myself to match him. And you could do the same, with your Remus."

"He's not my Remus yet," Erin corrected. "And... well, why did you think I wanted to be a vampire?"

"Oh, then we would be related," Prissy said with a bright smile. "Vampires are always related to the people they bring over."

"Ah." Erin blinked. "Prissy... do you think you might be taking this sister idea too far? I mean, I'm very flattered, but you don't really know me very well. What if you decide later on that you don't like me, after all?"

"I won't," Prissy said - and then her face fell. "Oh. You don't like me."

"No, no, I do," Erin said hastily. "I'm just not sure that becoming a vampire is the right thing for me. I don't know how well the Circle would take it, for one thing. They sent Lianne and me to convince you to join us, not to be turned into vampires. And I'd hate to get your tribe involved in another war."

"Ohh." Prissy nodded. "That wouldn't be good, would it? I understand." She smiled a little. "Maybe I was moving a little quickly. But... well... I really like you, Erin. And all of my friends left me, before. I don't want you to leave. Then I won't have any friends."

Erin bit her lip, feeling a new wave of sympathy for the girl. "I'll be your friend, Prissy. And - if you like, you can call me your sister."

Prissy's face lit up. "Oh, I would like that! May I?"

"Sure." Erin smiled at the other girl's happiness. Well, she'd always wanted a sister, too. She just hadn't thought that, if she ever did get a sister, she'd be a vampire.

~*~

"I'm sorry I'm late, Majesty." Sekihei curtsied to the queen, then looked around the council room. "I haven't missed anything important?"

The queen shook her head. "No, not yet. The wolves are still outside somewhere. Kataki is off preparing a charge against them."

"I'm surprised she isn't here advising you," Sekihei said. "I would have thought she'd not dare to leave your side."

"She's on her way," Miache said. "Upset you didn't get to be the most fashionably late?"

"I am merely worried that her Majesty is not fully protected," the Countess said stiffly.

"Of course." Miache smiled sweetly. "I assure you, my considerable talents are fully at her Majesty's command. You needn't concern yourself with her safety."

"Lady Phoenix, Countess," Queen Desdemona said warningly. "This is neither the time nor the place for your bickering."

Miache bowed lightly. "You are right, my queen. Now. You would like a report from Kataki?"

"Yes."

"Very well." Miache tilted her head a moment, sending a politely querying thought towards one of the birds near the Commander. When the bird landed on Kataki's shoulder, she smiled grimly and spoke to it.

Miache relayed the Commander's words: "Well, Majesty, the news isn't good, but it's not as bad as we feared. The Ganrou don't seem to have sent out all their people, and the Huntmaster rather than the Alpha looks to be in charge. Unfortunately, they still outnumber us. Not to the extent that they could, but very badly."

The queen nodded. "Very well. And your attack?"

"Our people are prepared whenever you wish, Majesty," Kataki told her. "Would you prefer me to return before the attack, or remain here?"

Queen Desdemona frowned a moment. "Have you a trusted second-in-command?"

"Yes, Masurao can lead the fight, while I advise him through thoughts," the Commander replied.

"Then return to advise me," the queen ordered. "You may need to command your other warriors, and that will be easier to do from here than in the heat of battle."

"As your Majesty wishes. And what of the attack?"

"You are the Commander. Choose the moment you think best."

"Then I will return, and my fighters will attack under Masurao as soon as I am gone."

The bird flew from Kataki's shoulder, and Miache drew her thoughts back to the council room. "Majesty?"

"Yes, Lady Phoenix?" the queen said patiently.

"Do you think that perhaps this attack isn't all it appears?" Miache suggested.

"How so?"

"Well..." Miache frowned, trying to piece together her feelings. "It feels wrong, somehow."

"If I may say something?" Snape stepped forward, speaking what Miache had to admit was very good French. "Wolves tend to attack with all their strength. They prefer not to hold any of their resources back. This is a very out-of-character move for them."

"Is it?" Queen Desdemona studied the Englishman a moment. "How do you know this?"

"I have made a study of - " Snape hesitated.

"Dark creatures?" the queen finished for him, smiling faintly. "Well. And what does this mean, in your studied opinion?"

Snape frowned slightly, clearly wondering if he was being mocked. "Of course, I can't be definite, not knowing much about this particular clan, but I would say that you need to be on guard against a second attack, when you least expect it."

The queen nodded thoughtfully. "Wolves rarely think of such ploys, in my experience... but they have had many years to learn since our last battle. And I have not fought with this particular Alpha yet. Very well. We will be prepared. Warn Kataki when she arrives."

The door opened. The three of them looked over, expecting it to be Kataki, making a well-timed entrance. Instead, it was Xavier.

"Greetings, Aunt." He bowed, approaching her. "My apologies for interrupting your councils."

The queen gave him a reproving look. "You should not be wandering the corridors while we are under attack."

"Of course." Xavier smiled. "I simply needed to speak to Lady Black a moment."

"I will accompany you," Miache said promptly. "If your Majesty will excuse me?"

She and Xavier crossed the room to where Lianne was standing with Viscount Raoul, who was attempting to translate conversations for her. "Lady Black." Xavier bowed to her.

Lianne didn't say anything, just eyed Xavier very suspiciously. The Viscount looked from Lianne to the prince to Miache. "I vill let you speak, zhen. Goodbye." He bowed, and hurried off. Miache didn't blame him. Most people wouldn't like to be in any confrontation involving the vampire prince.

"I bring you a message," Xavier said courteously. "From your friend Mistress Connor."

Lianne started. "Erin?" Her eyes narrowed. "You did kidnap her!"

Xavier smiled broadly. "Vhat makes you zhink she vas kidnapped? Per'aps she came of 'er own free vill."

"Perhaps you - "

"I zhink," Miache interrupted, "zhat you ought to first listen to 'is 'ighness's message, before jumping to conclusions."

Xavier raised an eyebrow. "On my side, Lady Phoenix?"

"On ze side of you not losing your temper and blowing apart ze ceiling," Miache said sharply. "See zhat you don't. Now give your message."

"At vunce." Xavier smiled. "Mistress Connor vishes me to tell you zhat ze Countess Futotta Sekihei 'as ze Dark Mark tattooed on 'er forearm. And," he cut off Lianne's exclamation, "she also says to tell you zhat I am in league wiz ze Countess."

Lianne opened her mouth - then shut it. After a moment's thought, she said, "So let me get this straight. You're telling me that you're a Death Eater?"

"No, I am telling you I am in league wiz a Death Eater," Xavier corrected. "Ze difference is zhat I do not serve your Dark Lord."

"He isn't mine," Lianne said absently, thinking this over. "Why would you tell me this?"

"Mistress Connor vished me to," Xavier said calmly. "It's no concern of mine if you believe me. I've delivered my message." He bowed, then went over to chat with - or antagonize - Raoul.

Lianne stared after him. "Is that all true?"

"Vell... I did suspect about Sekihei, so I'm inclined to believe zhat part," Miache said thoughtfully. "And zhen... vell, ze zhing about Xavier is zhat, vhile 'e twists 'is speech around so zhat you're never sure vhat 'e's really said, 'e alvays keeps 'is vord. And if 'e says zhis is true, zhen - to ze best of 'is knowledge - it probably is."

"Then - we've got to warn someone!"

"If you mean ze queen, she likely knows already," Miache told the witch. "Sekihei is vun of ze greatest supporters of joining ze Dark Lord's ranks. And your friend Erin clearly knows, as vell."

"Erin - that's right, he said Erin asked him to tell!" Lianne frowned. "What does that mean?"

"Zhat she asked 'im to tell you, of course," Miache snapped. "Vhat did you zhink it meant?"

"Well, she's alive, at least," Lianne said, ignoring the vampire's remark. "But he's got her! Can't we - "

"Vhen ze battle is over," Miache said with a sigh. "Not before. Anyvay, if 'e 'as taken your friend 'ostage, she'll probably be safer vherever 'e's put 'er zhan she vould be wiz you."

"Well... all right," Lianne conceded at last. "But I at least ought to tell Snape that the Countess - "

The sound of falling stone silenced her. The vampires all spun to face the wall that had fallen in - and the wolves, led by Ferox, who stood in its place.