Page 4 (1/2)

Ten ed to extract them from the crush, by which point BUR had arrived and hustled all those involved back inside Claret’s for questioning The spectacle was over

Once they were far enough out, Rue’s tether to Uncle He snapped and her human form returned She pulled the striped dress back on It was a little worse for its olf encounter, but then wasn’t everyone?

She bit her lip and fretted Paw hadn’t turned up at all, not even with BUR Was he sick? Missing? Dead? Well, more dead than nor control Missing or sick would be preferable

"Winkle, please hurry," she yelled out of the"I do believe so awful may have happened to one of my parents"

Rue lived with her adoptive father, Lord Akeldas: vampire, rove, potentate, fashion icon, and nobbiest of the nobs He ruled over a house of in replete with assorted stunning works of art, scintillating conversation, and beautiful young men Rue appreciated his skill, and er her legal guardian so she did not technically have to

Her blood parents, Lord and Lady Maccon, and their olf pack lived in the townhouse adjacent It was only as tasteful as Uncle Rabiffano could i characterised by dark wood, practical accoutreeneral aura of a bachelor residence over which Lady Maccon wafted like a hen in full squawk

The two residences were connected via a ay hidden behind a large holly tree Rue had found it a fun, if wildly erratic upbringing, for three more different parents one could never find than Dareed upon, except teati softy and always let her have her ith only token protestations She respected her Dama, in whom love was tempered by razor wit and a strict adherence to etiquette But she was in awe of her ht have expected this For while Rue could steal olf form from Paw and vampire form from Dama, Alexia Maccon could cancel both out Only Rue’s soulless mother could put a stopper in all her fun And usually did

Lady Maccon was difficult She couldn’t be ed or charmed She wouldn’t be h as old boot leather and as inevitable as clotted crea

So it ith real fear that Rue overheard her indo upset

"He won’t listen to one on far too long I’ It’s past time the plan was enacted We need to leave Soon Have you heard fro ho about him? Why don’t you ask your husband’s Beta?"

Rue paused in the hallway, ears perked Uncle Rabiffano? What has he to do with anything? He seems the only one able to control himself these days

"My dear Akeldama This is serious" Her mother sounded almost cross with the vaest of Alexias, I am never serious I resent the implication that I should be"

"Not even about love?"