They walked and talked, ending up seated on a stone bench at the east end water fountain in Goshen Park. The first moments had been awkward. What do you chat about with a vampire? But Andreas took the initiative and got down to business. Ari found him an easy conversationalist.
They decided to visit Gordon’s nest that evening at nightfall, when the vampires would be up but not yet out for the night. With any luck, they also would have slurped a bag or two of O positive. Ari didn’t want to conduct an interview while viewed as a potential witchburger.
Having made that decision, they tossed around ideas of how and why the two vampires were taken. Nothing made much sense. Ransom and other typical hostage scenarios were ruled out by the simple passage of time without any demands. The voodoo story didn’t ring true, as Ari hadn’t found any stirrings of black magic in the community. Using the dark arts left distinctive negative energy behind that tended to linger.
On the chance the kidnappings were related to the other attacks, Ari filled in any details he didn’t already know. Andreas was a good listener: grasped things quickly, asked for clarification when necessary. Mostly he paid close attention.
At some point in the night, Ari realized they were mostly just bouncing ideas around, as if they enjoyed the process. In fact, Ari was so caught up in the conversation that pre-dawn came as a surprise.
Andreas looked up at the lightening sky. “It is almost time for me to go.”
“Before you do, will you tell me about the assassination attempt? Why did someone try to kill the prince?”
Andreas grew quiet. Ari knew she was risking their fledging relationship by asking about a vampire court incident, but it was something she needed to know. The timing of the attack had been too coincidental. There was a strong possibility it was linked to the other violence. Certainly it added to community tension.
“Somehow I perceive this is a test,” he said.
Ari lifted her shoulders. He was right, in a way. She needed to know the limits of their new arrangement.
The corner of his mouth twitched. “It is no secret. The attempt was clumsy, easily thwarted. Too easy. I have trouble viewing it as a serious assassination attempt. Of course there are others who do not agree with me.”
“But what happened?”
“A tradesman regularly admitted to Daron’s court attempted to stab him with a knife. Since the prince is surrounded by guards at all times, there was little chance of success.”
“So what was the point?”
“Exactly my thought. And I think the answer is complicated.” He cocked his head. “What knowledge do you have of vampire politics?”
“I know somebody usually dies.”
Andreas gave a careless wave. “Sometimes, but politics are never that simple. A prince’s personal power must be stronger than each of his lieutenants, but he rules only as long as he commands the combined power of his court. Whether that command is based on fear or loyalty depends on the Prince. Daron rules by loyalty. I believe this was an attempt to penetrate that allegiance. To prove that Daron’s inner circles could be breached.”
“Something more than a security failure.”
“Yes. If enough doubts are raised regarding the loyalty of Daron’s vampires, community support will waver, and the throne will be open to challenge.”
“A coup?”
“Something like that. This situation puzzles me.” His forehead creased into thoughtful lines. “To mount a successful challenge a vampire would have to have great personal power—and the ability to hold the court. Such a person should be obvious. But I believe anyone who might fit that description is still loyal to the prince.”
“Unless you’re wrong.”
“Yes, there is that.”
Interesting. Was Andreas’s name on the short list of the most powerful? Ari gave him a sideways glance. Yana had been right. Andreas was definitely more than he seemed.
“What’s your part in this?”
An easy smile curved his lips. “Let us say I’m loyal to the Prince and leave it at that.”
“Yana thinks you’re a lieutenant in Daron’s court.”
“Does she?” The smile remained in place.
“Is she right?” Ari persisted.
“Leave it alone, Arianna. We’re done with this topic. I’ve tried to answer your questions, but now you’re getting into personal affairs. Further discussion of the court would involve vampire matters that have nothing to do with you.”
Ari accepted the rebuff without offense. “I get the personal issue, but how do you know the attack on Prince Daron isn’t related to the other violence? What if