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Prologue

Kaeleer

The Dark Council reconvened Andulvar Yaslana, the des and assessed the other Councilwhat he saw Except for the Tribunal, who had to attend, only two-thirds of the members were required at each session to listen to petitions or pass judgment when disputes occurred between the Blood in Kaeleer that couldn't be settled by the Territory Queens Tonight every chair was filled, except the one beside Andulvar

But the chair's occupant was also there, standing patiently in the petitioner's circle, waiting for the Council's answer He was a brown-skinned, golden-eyed man, with thick black hair that was silvered at the teant, silver-headed cane, one ht simply have said he was a handso, black-tinted nails and the Black-Jeweled ring on his right hand said otherwise

First Tribune quietly cleared his throat "Prince Saetan Daeuardianship of the child Jaenelle Angelline You did not, as is customary in a Blood dispute, provide us with the inforirl's family so that they could come here and speak on their own behalf"

"They don't want the child," was the quiet reply "I do" "We have only your word on that, High Lord"Fools, Andulvar thought, watching the barely perceptible rise and fall of Saetan's chest

First Tribune continued "Theaspect of this petition is that you're a Guardian, one of the living dead, and yet you want us to place the welfare of a living child into your hands"

"Not just any child, TribuneThis child"

First Tribune shifted uneasily in his chair His eyes swept over the tiered seats on both sides of the large room "Because of theunusualcircumstances, the decision will have to be unanimous Do you understand?"

"I understand, Tribune I understand very well"

First Tribune cleared his throat again "A vote will now be taken on the petition of Saetan Daeelline Those opposed?"

A number of hands went up, and Andulvar shuddered at the peculiar, glazed look in Saetan's eyes

After the hands were counted, no one spoke, no one moved

"Take the vote again," Saetan said too softly

When First Tribune didn't respond, Second Tribune touched his ar in First Tribune's chair but a pile of ash and a black silk robe

Mother Night,Andulvar thought as he watched body after opposing body cruht

"Take the vote again," Saetan said too gently

It was unanimous

Second Tribune rubbed her hand over her heart "Prince Saetan Daerants you all paternal—"

"Parental Allparental rights"

"—all parental rights to the child Jaenelle Angelline, from this hour until she reaches her majority in her twentieth year"

As soon as Saetan bowed to the Tribunal and began the long walk down the rooe double doors at the far end of the Council cha heavily on his silver-headed cane, sloalked past him

It wasn't over, Andulvar thought as he closed the doors and followed Saetan The Council would be more subtle

next tih Lord, but therewould be a next time

When they finally stepped out into the fresh night air, Andulvar turned to his longtime friend "Well, she's yours now"