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While I'd been eating breakfast, Bones had finally called Don to tell hiot a brusque response that he was still unshriveled "for theyanked fro that conversation Don loved Tate, but he was also a realist He kneould happen if Tate was guilty of this crime Vampires didn't do probation

To reinforce Mencheres's description of a slow recovery, Bones ishness co strides We spent the afternoon on the couch while Mencheres brought him up to speed on what had occurred when he was presu detail, Mencheres described how Patra had crashed the event at the opera house Myand sat in a nearby chair When Mencheres was finished, she broke the loaded silence

"What a real bitch, Catherine You should kill her"

Bones let out a snort "I intend to do the honors myself"

And in the meantime, we'd see who here tried to contact Patra to let her know Bones was alive Don had arranged for tapping of all the phones, and even interceptions of the wireless signals co else aside froeons were confiscated Security purposes, Mencheres coolly stated, and no one dared argue with him When the traitor made his move, he'd have to do it by phone, and then we'd catch him Noe just had to wait

"Bones, you are still pale," Mencheres said "You should feed and get more rest"

"Right" Bones tugged "

I followed hih several rooms I hadn't bothered to explore in the past few days At least a third of this house was underground, a good vay What you saw on the surface was only the beginning, much like the species themselves

Two vampires bowed at the waist before they held the wooden double doors open for us

Several people, all hulanced up e entered what appeared to be an entertain the plasma TV, others played on one of the four billiard tables, and five looked to be engaged in a game of poker

"What is this?" I whispered

Bones's wave encompassed the roo for hue for their blood is how many vampire households operate I wanted you to see it"

"Dibs on the redhead!" a freckled young rin "You'll like me, I taste the best"

"You think I'aped when he tilted his head and bared his neck

Bones chuckled "He does indeed Sorry, Neal, but she's not going to bite you, and you don't taste the best," he corrected hi a hand on his shoulder "You'll do, however Though you should eat fewer onions"

I watched as Neal went to Bones, who sealed hiscupcake Less than aNeal a companionable chuck on the chin

"Less garlic as well, mate I've drunk Italian chefs who didn't have such a reek about them"

Neal's smile didn't slip "Best pizza I've ever had, Whitey, and it was loaded with onions and garlic Sorry"

Bones gave an amused snort "Toothbrush, lad Faet turned No, don't get up," as one of the girls rose fro a quick walk and then we'll be off"

My mother would pass out if she knew this was underneath her, I thought dazedlyLiving snacks, all within biting reach

"Who are these kids?" I asked low None of them looked much past their twenties

Bones led h another set of rooround Jacuzzi And every few dozen feet there were bedrooms Some were occupied, some were empty, and a feith closed doors had the un from them

"Oh, they're fro artists, runaways fro apprentices Neal's one of those He wants to be a va a roup of vaenerally have one of these situations"

"Are they all tranced?"

"Blimey, no They're aware of what keeps theet homeschooled, a place to live, and an allowance they save for whenever they wish to strike out on their own For their own safety, though, most of them don't knohere they're located or the real names of who keeps them When they leave, what they do knoiped from their minds It's happened this way for millennia, Kitten A form of feudalism, as I told you before"

"Feudalism?" I stopped near one of the bedroo "Is that what you call it?"

"This"-Bones nodded at the doorway-"is consensual While I can't speak for all households, as a rule it's considered very bad foruest and you do such a thing, it's almost cause for death Now, if the human fancies a tumble, then who's to criticize? It's their choice"

Who's to criticize? MeNice, Mencheres Provide all-you-can-eat ularly, Bones, there's a good lad!Asshole

"You know better, Kitten," Bones said with all seriousness "It will never happen"

I believed him, even if irrationally I still felt threatened by the easy opportunities available "Is that why you showedto conceal so?"

"That's one of several reasons, yes" Bones started to s your arse and about to get beaten for it"

"A tone "I haven't seen it for days-"

My whirling to barrel into hi, crooning in Spanish

"Mi querida,your husband's back,que bueno"

"Yes, I'lad he's here as well," I sniffed "And that you are, too How do you feel?"

Juan grinned It was his usual lecherous grin that ree the essence of the person

"I feel wonderful, and you are even more beautiful with these new eyes of nifico"

"That's all the pawing you're allowed, mate"

Bones gave hirinning

"I o, but thisto me, ah, the scent of them Their heartbeats And how they taste" He closed his eyes "Delicioso"

I swung aze to Bones in disbelief "You've turned hi!"

Bones shrugged "He's just a bit overwhelet neutered if he forgets hi your arse, do you think I'ned innocence near o Learn it"