and a part of yours, I presume... but Yonnie won't care less, once his ability to make another mate has been restored and he and I come to a wise barter. Power versus pussy... power always wins, darling. Pussy is so easily attainable, but can sometimes be powerful. Although, if you do well, I might have Yonnie make you what you've always wanted to be, a true female vampire."
Feigning awe, Gabrielle gasped. "You would do that, my lady?"
Lilith smiled. "Of course. Now, where are they?"
"Scientists took the Neteru Guardians to a holding cell, but it is surrounded by white light and holy water, as well as hallowed earth."
"Find them!" Lilith screeched. "I know the scientists took them. We lost the trail earlier this afternoon. Where are they now?"
"I've just dispatched two initiates that had not taken the dark oath yet. I saved those two for just such an occasion, so they can see past prayer barriers and report back to me." Gabrielle bowed her head in humble submission as her heart slammed against her ribs. She wiped at the sheen of perspiration on her upper lip. "This is why I kept them chaste and tethered to me, my lady. They will not fail us."
"Good. They'd better not," Lilith hissed and then folded her arms over her chest. "Do you think there's a male vampire that exists who could resist a council position? Do not be deluded into believing that Yonnie can save you if you cross me. Even the male Neteru couldn't resist the power of a throne, and Yonnie is nowhere near as strong as Rivera. So, think about it," Lilith added, and then turned to walk away. "Betray me and you'll have Hell to pay."
Gabrielle stared behind Lilith as her demonic form melted into the door and disappeared. She could only hope that her girls remembered all that she'd told them, and had sealed it in a white-hot, urgent prayer.
"Did you see the way that sonofabitch had my baby all in his arms?" Carlos walked back and forth in the woods kicking bramble out of his path as Yonnie calmly leaned against a tree.
"Yeah, man, I did," Yonnie said quietly. "Want me to smoke him?"
"No!" Carlos shouted, pointing at his own chest. "7 want to smoke him!"
"Not a good move, but suit yourself, man," Yonnie said flatly, pushing away from the tree. "But if you know like I know, and if you go there--"
"I know," Carlos snapped, raking his hair so hard his scalp began to bleed. "D will freak."
"I think the more pressing issue is, my brother, not trying to be funny, is the fact that, uh, she seems to have already made her mind up. And, you know, you can't do nothin' with that until she comes to her right mind."
Carlos and Yonnie's eyes met. Carlos looked away.
"But why would she go there like that on me, man?" Carlos's voice was so quiet and distant that it almost echoed.
"I'm your boy. I'ma always be that. So, for me to tell you some bullshit, just because you wanna hear it, ain't what friends is supposed to do."
Carlos nodded and stared at Yonnie. "Aw'ight. Straight, no chaser."
"If I say what I gotta say, you gonna need to find a bar that's still pouring drinks with a little color. Feel me?"
"Just spit it out, man." Carlos stopped pacing and folded his arms over his chest, quietly hanging on Yonnie's every word.
Yonnie sighed and materialized a toothpick into his mouth and chewed it, thinking. "You saw that motherfucker, right? Need I say more?"
Carlos stalked away and punched a tree. The blow took out a section of the huge oak, making it groan and lean precariously. "He got into her head, man. An outright seduction!"
"That's because you left a section of it unguarded, brother. He's a man. That's what he's supposed to do--amass territory. If your boundary was weak, hey."
Carlos cocked his head to the side. "What?"
"You can get pissed off if you want, man. I ain't the one to be arguing with, though."
Carlos spit and rolled his shoulders. "Fine. What you think I didn't guard, since you out here signifying on my skills. We supposed to be tight, so tell me something."
He'd tried to stop the question, but it slammed into his mind and jumped out of his mouth so fast that he was about to slip into a hot flurry of Espanol. His worst fears were coming to life right in front of his eyes. His boy was standing