"Raphael.” He heard the other vampire lord chuckle softly and gritted his teeth. “I believe you have something of mine,” he said finally, allowing none of his frustration to seep into his voice.
"It is my understanding she no longer wishes to be yours."
"I'm certain that is your understanding."
"You may, of course, send a witness."
Jabril stiffened in surprise, thankful that the vampire lord on the other end of the line couldn't see him. He hadn't expected Raphael to move this quickly, or Mirabelle to act so decisively. Raphael, at least, had to know the significance of the stupid girl to him. She was more than a simple minion. Far more.
"Did you have a date in mind?” he asked.
"Seven days, as is customary,” Raphael said. “The ceremony will be next Sunday."
"Hmm,” Jabril responded, leaning forward and flipping pages, as if checking a calendar, knowing the other vampire lord could hear every movement. “Yes, I can rearrange a few things and attend myself."
Jabril could feel Raphael's smug smile even before he said, “I think we both know that won't be happening."
"Really?” Jabril said, feigning surprise. “What happened to that vaunted confidence of yours?"
"I was thinking more of Mirabelle's comfort than my own. She was quite traumatized when she arrived."
"I'm sure that is so. It must have been quite a shock for her to wake and find that she'd been stolen away from her own home while she'd been helpless in sleep."
"Is that what happened?"
Jabril fought back his anger yet again. “Asim, then,” he said with perfect calm.
"No."
"Really, Raphael. If you care for the girl's feelings so highly, I'd think you'd want someone she trusts standing with her for this momentous decision."
"Indeed. Do you have one such?"
Jabril wanted to spit. “Very well.” He thought quickly, running through the list of his minions and finding no one of particular use to him in this matter. In truth, if he couldn't be there himself, whoever he selected would be nothing more than a witness in truth, so it hardly mattered. He picked a name almost at random. “Nasir, then."
"Have your people provide the details and my people will meet him at the airport."
"Done.” Jabril hung up without bothering to exchange pleasantries. He'd never liked Raphael, but then he didn't like any of his fellow Council members. He sent a mental order to Asim, who was waiting in the hallway outside. No doubt listening to every word, Jabril thought with disdain.
The door opened and his lieutenant stepped inside, ducking his head respectfully. “My lord?"
"Make the arrangements, Asim,” he said absently, thinking of his next move.
"Yes, my lord."
Asim turned to leave, but Jabril called him back. “Where's that investigator of yours, Asim? What's his name—Windle. Does he have anything useful to say about Elizabeth?” He didn't believe it would come to it, but if he lost Mirabelle, he would need to be certain of the younger one.
"He reported in this evening, my lord, while you were ... otherwise engaged. He's confident he will have her in custody within days."
"Excellent. Where does he believe she's hiding?"
"Ah,” Asim said, obviously reluctant to impart this bit of news. He swallowed hard. “In California, my lord."
Jabril rose from behind his desk, his rage breaking free at last. His power swept out in a torrent of fury, sweeping everything before it. Walls trembled, doors broke away from their moorings and flew down hallways, windows cracked and shattered, sending shards of glass flying to slice into every surface like slender, crystal stilettos. Vampires prostrated themselves on the floor, moaning in fear and begging for mercy. Across the compound, the servants’ quarters rattled as if an earthquake had struck, but the humans there knew better. They dropped to their knees, trembling, and prayed to whatever gods they had that they would survive this night.
Jabril stood, eyes blazing, arms stretched out to either side, feeling the terror of his minions, the distant horror of the humans. He drank it in like the sweetest nectar, feeling it seep into his bones and blood, giving him strength, giving him power. He was more than Vampire, he was their lord and they would damn well bow before his majesty.
He closed his eyes at last, bringing his arms together over his chest and hugging himself tightly, relishing the sense of fullness, the overwhelming rush of invincibility. He bared his fangs and opened his eyes to find Asim lying against a wall near the door, one arm obviously broken and blood seeping from a gash on his forehead.