her soul into the Light, before I could grasp it." Yonnie's voice broke as he sputtered his complaint to Lilith, pointing at Nuit. "That lowlife, double-dealing, bargain-breaking, motherfucker! I might have to do what he says, but it's gonna take the Dark Lord on Level Seven and me puking my guts before I come to him, unless he addresses the shit he did!"
Lilith looked at Nuit as he turned away. "The man has brought a valid series of complaints to chambers, Fallon. You elevated him to councilman status ... I don't believe Cain ever followed through on rescinding your offer, given his state when you brought Yolando here. And, as a council man, he has, indeed, experienced a number of offenses that by rights could make him not feel whole - as none of what you bargained with him was ever delivered." She sighed and stared at Yonnie hard with an unreadable smile.
"He never answered my calls!" Nuit challenged.
"You ain't call me, bitch, except when the Dark Lord came into chambers to drag your ass to prison - so like I'm supposed to show up and do what? Go down witchu when you ain't never have my back? Aw hell no. Po-po was on your ass, not mine, so hey. Read the clause, get the old blood contracts out - if your maker offends the Dark Lord, you do not have to be canon fodder." Yonnie leered at Nuit. "And you know why? Because the Dark Lord ain't stupid - why would he want a bunch of motherfuckers fighting against him and burning up his energy and resources to protect one of his own that offended him? That's the first order of business. So, no, while you was down there screaming for help, I didn't have to answer shit." Yonnie mimed turning an imaginary switch off at his ear. "Click, bitch ... I switched the channel."
Lilith leaned back in her throne and laughed, glimpsing Sebastian's smile. "Oh, Yolando, I can feel the Rivera influence in you so strongly, it's beautiful." When Nuit folded his arms and looked away, Lilith swallowed some of her mirth. "Okay, gentlemen. So. We have an impasse. Nuit, by rights, owns you as your maker, but due to his negligence in fulfill ing his multiple bargains, thus costing you two mates in quick succession.... Hmmm... he can either win you back from me, the one who fed you back to life - and your chairwoman, the holder of all disputed property claims, or he can strike a bargain with you that you agree upon."
"That is my property, Lilith, and you know it!" Nuit was out of his throne, but didn't advance on Yonnie.
"I am so going to enjoy holding you in escrow, Yolando," she murmured, licking her lips.
"Then, what shall it be?" Nuit raged. "We have business to conduct, and he has to make a decision!"
"I don't have to do shit for three nights," Yonnie spat. "You all better get another attorney on this council, which should be real easy since we got a million of 'em down here."
"I believe that is his right," Sebastian said, unsure.
"Shut up!" Nuit yelled, and spun on Sebastian. "You haven't even remained in your throne for twenty-four hours and you presume to know Vampire Council law? When did you acquire such skill, Sebastian? While rolling on the mar ble fornicating with Harpies?" Yonnie made a face. "C'mon, man... that's nasty. How'd you make council, handlin' your business like that?"
"It was the spell!" Sebastian shouted, making Lilith cackle. "And the three of us agreed that whatever happened in the caverns stayed in the caverns while under the spell! Now I see why your own made man has no respect for you, Fallon! That was unnecessary!" Lilith sighed. "Fine. Yolando has three nights to decide what is in his best interest, given his duplicate losses. But his loyalties aren't with Rivera, either, that's clear."
"You got that right," Yonnie said and spat. "I don't know who I'm more done with - him or Nuit."
"Pick a vacant throne, Yolando," Lilith crooned. "We need a man with your New Age thinking and an intimate knowledge of the Guardian team, especially the Neterus, on our council during these turbulent times."
Yonnie studied the choices before him, moving to the throne farthest from Nuit and leaving one open between him and Sebastian. He had to know what just went down. What kind of spell could have had enough topspin on it to invade all the way down through