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"It’s a good thing you didn’t try," said an unfay, dark-haired man appeared in a shadowy corner of the diainst the bookcases Intense silver eyes watched hily

Marco roared an obscenity and started for the intruder, but Vlad held up a hand At the sih his expression betrayed his unhappiness about it

"Leave us, Marco It’s all right"

His hulking, would-be protector hesitated, his golden eyes darting around the room "But, sir, the others--"

"Are in here somewhere, I’m sure Consider it a lesson, Marco Cats left on the doorstep will generally find another way in" He waved the butler off "Go I’ll call if we need anything"

When the door had been shut, Vlad turned his full attention to his glaring visitor He was iotten in But then, he knew very well about being underestimated

"Have a seat Your friends as well MacGillivray, isn’t it?"

The other two materialized from behind pieces of furniture, one who could have been MacGillivray’s brother and another who did indeed look to have been in fight, though the wounds were close to healed Both looked to MacGillivray for a signal,him as their leader

Interesting

The ornery Cait Sith shook his head "Thank you, but there’s no time I’m Tynan MacGillivray These are my blood brothers Jaden and Damien We’ve come because the Ptolemy have taken Lily Quinn, the woman Anura told you about" He paused "She’s Lilith’s heir"

Excitement threatened to bubble over, but years of practiced restraint kept it in check Vlad feigned polite interest "Forgive me if I find that hard to believe," he said smoothly "Of course, if you have proof, that’s a different story"

Tynan’s eyes narrowed "You sent your thugs after her on Anura’s word Mine’s not good enough for you?"

Vlad shrugged, recognizing both the tery slits "I don’t know you All I know is that your house is about to declare war on me Why should I believe you?"

People rarely surprised hied it when he cleared rabbed hiback chair No one had dared do such a thing in ages Vlad went still with shock, torn between fury and amusement He could have turned the tables and had this upstart and his head parted from each other in a heartbeat… he was pretty sure It was that uncertainty that held his interest and stayed his hand

"Careful, cat I didn’t get to rule a dynasty for nothing"

"I don’t have tirip and took a s I’ve seen her power, and she’s told me about the vision she has, about the end of the Lilim And"--he hesitated--"I had ht Like a dreaoing to matter The Ptolemy have taken Lily Arsinöe thinks she’s just a Seer and wants to use her to have a vision of your people using the Mulo against hers Proof to launch a war"

Vlad cursed softly "Is that what this is about? A Mulo? She really thinks I’d be fool enough to use a Ro n outside!"

"She hates the Dracul Not just hates, but she also wants you wiped froht," the one called Jaden pointed out "Maybe that wouldn’t be enough, but she’s isolated herself with a bunch of highbloods who are happy to feed her paranoia" He looked at Tynan "One highblood in particular"

"Her people are dying," Tynan said "It was easy to play her It doesn’t excuse half of what she’s done, but she’s not the source of this If you want to avoid what’s co, we need your help"

Stunned, Vlad looked at the three of theainst the house that had traditionally enslaved them even when there was little hope of success The Ptolemy were a force unto themselves

"Say I believe you," Vlad said slowly "What do you offer in return for what you ask? Because if I help you and fail, ardless if you refuse to help us," Tynan pointed out "Nero, the Ptolemy behind this, willto chance I’ up And now that he knohat she is, I don’t knohat he’ll do to her"

Hearing the concern in Tynan’s voice, Vlad lifted an eyebrow "You do this for the woman, then"