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At last her attention turned toward the fe in the center of the floor She was tall with the long, black hair of h the darkness, which indicated she was several centuries old, and a hard-fought wisdo a plain white gown that was slit down the back to allow rooold bracelets around her wrists that indicated she was the leader of this particular nest

"Matron," she murmured with a respectful bow of her head Unlike ood manners were often more persuasive than any amount of bluster and intimidation

"Vah the room like thunder

"Please, call me Nefri"

The woman nodded "And I’m Solaris, Matron of this nest"

"I aray eyes held a warning as she waved her hand toward the built-in bar "I have refreshments Or I can call for one oftheir blood to vampires"

"No, thank you" Nefri’s sht even now be at the throat of so a raw emotion she hadn’t felt in centuries Was thatjealousy? Good lord, she was losing her mind "Where is my companion?"

The Harpy regarded her with a piercing intelligence "He’s your property?"

Nefri paused to consider her answer In Harpy society males were treated as possessions that were meant to be shared with the entire nest

"He is under my protection," she at last said "And unavailable"

"A pity" A mysterious ss about to enter their firstheat"

Nefri’s expression never altered, but she couldn’t control the frigid burst of power that made the overhead chandelier sway and at least one crystal vase shatter

"A vampire can’t breed"

Solaris arched a brow "I’m aware of your reproduction deficiencies, which is why I encourage the young ones to choose a vampire for their first lover They can have all the pleasure of nancy Most aren’t ready yet for motherhood"

Oh no Hell no

Two o isn’t available"

The Matron ignored the destruction of her expensive collection, her oer a steady pulse that could unleash a deadly barrage of fire

"It’s not nice to be so selfish," she chided Nefri "Such a beautiful creature should be enjoyed by all"

Don’t overreact, Nefri, she silently warned herself, the wo to provoke you

"For now I have need of his skills"

"Will you return him when you’re done with his"--deliberate pause--"skills?"

"No"

"Ah" Solaris gave an abrupt laugh "Be careful, my sister That one will not be easily trained"

Trained? Santiago was a barbarian

Not that his prily conceded In fact, she was beginning to think that a few hours of raw, unta an end to her annoying fascination with the o to the back of herreaction to him One way or another But for now she needed to focus on the er, despite her gracious uest to a prisoner

Or a pile of ash

So she intended to avoid

"Perhaps we should discuss the reason you’ve had ht to the point?" Solaris shrugged "Very well I want to knohy the vampires have declared war on us"

Nefri was on instant, full alert War? Was this a trick?

"I assure you the vampires have no desire for ith anyone, least of all the Harpies," she cautiously addressed her companion