“This”—she flourished a hand at me—“is Paige Winterbourne. You’ve met her mother.”
Recognition sparked in John’s eyes, but he dowsed it and shrugged.
Cassandra continued, “Of course, I don’t expect you to remember a nonvampire, but Paige’s mother was the Leader of the American Coven. Though I’m sure you don’t follow spell-caster gossip, Paige is involved with Lucas Cortez, Benicio Cortez’s youngest son and heir.”
From John’s expression none of this was news to him, but he gave no sign of it and let Cassandra continue.
“Young Lucas has some ethical disputes with his father’s organization and is actively involved in anti-Cabal activities. That’s why Paige approached me. As a fellow council member, she’s well aware of my strong anti-Cabal stance.”
I nodded, though the thought of Cassandra taking a strong stance on anything had me struggling to keep a straight face.
“Paige wanted me to join their little crusade, but I’m hardly about to join forces with spell-casters. She then told me that you and your…associates have formed your own anti-Cabal league. Naturally, I’m intrigued, though I cannot understand why you wouldn’t have approached me about this yourself.”
“I—we—didn’t someone tell you? I asked Ronald—”
“For now, I’ll accept that excuse, though I wouldn’t suggest you try it again. As for this campaign, I hear that you’ve been quite busy. Busy and successful.”
John hesitated, then shrugged. “Not surprising, really. They’re such an easy target.”
“But this latest assault? Truly inspired.”
Again, John hesitated, and I saw by his expression that he had no idea what Cassandra was talking about. He coughed to cover his confusion, then pressed on. “Yes, well, it was a team effort. Months of planning. We were pleased with the results, though, and we hope to build on that success for our next effort.”
“I’m sure you will.”
Cassandra walked to the window and looked out, regrouping and plotting her next move. I left her to it. That fake phone call had tested the limits of my deceptive abilities.
John shot up the sleeves on his coat. “We’ve let these Cabals go on too long. It was an amusing exercise to watch, but they’ve forgotten their place in the supernatural world. We should have taken a hand in the Cabals right from the start, demanded tribute, something to remind them who’s in charge. Not that I blame you—”
Cassandra looked at John. He lifted his hands and stepped back.
“Not at all. You were misled, like the rest of us. When they said they didn’t want vampires joining up, we didn’t care. Why should we? Vampires certainly aren’t going to punch time cards for spell-casters. We just didn’t see where that would lead.”
“Where that would lead…” Cassandra murmured. “Yes, of course. I’m assuming you’re referring to the recent problems we’ve had with the Cabals.”
“Sure. Right.”
Cassandra glanced at me, my cue to play the clueless outsider.
“What problems?” I said.
Cassandra waved to John, as if to grant him the floor.
“Well, the, uh, general problems they have with vampires. They know we could rise against them at any time. Too long we’ve lain dormant, complacent with our place in the world—”
Cassandra strode to the door and disappeared into the hall. John hurried after her.
“Did you hear something?” he asked.
“No, I’ve heard enough. Paige? Come on.”
I followed her from the house.
Understanding Cassandra
“I HOPE WE’RE LEAVING BECAUSE YOU HAVE AN IDEA,” I said as we walked along the street.
“He doesn’t know anything.”
“How do you know? You barely prodded him.”
“What was I supposed to do? Rip out his fingernails? I’m over three hundred years old, Paige. I have an excellent understanding of human and vampire behavior. John knows nothing.”
I glanced back toward the row house.
“Don’t you dare,” Cassandra said. “Really, Paige, you can be such a child. An impetuous child with an overdeveloped sense of her own infallibility. You’re lucky that binding spell held John or I would have had to rescue you yet again.”
“When have you ever rescued me?” I shook my head, realizing I was being deftly led away from my goal. “Forget John, then. What about the other two? We should stop by the Rampart, see if you can pick up their trail—”
“If John doesn’t know anything, they don’t know anything.”
“I’m still not convinced John doesn’t know anything.”
She muttered something and walked faster, leaving me lagging behind. I took out my cell phone. She glanced over her shoulder.
“I’m not standing here waiting for a cab, Paige. There’s a restaurant a few blocks over. We’ll phone from there.”