Eve held up her hand as Carlos tied his robe sash tighter and began glancing around for his clothes. "Shush . . . quiet your conscience. Time is not linear, have you forgotten? A few hours away there can be a few days here, and vice versa. We have your home protected. The Kings drove off any predators from the safe house, which remains under guard. We saw what tried to breach your citadel-the black serpent of household destruction and inner turmoil. We also saw the vampire that tried to snatch one of your Guardian sisters. Do not fear. Upon the next attempt, we will white-lightning-strike him. We will not allow some abominations, even in the end of days."
"You must heal. That is all that is important. We will set lions on the beach, in your gardens," Aset warned. "Nothing shall be allowed to take your palace, young Pharaoh . . . not while you are healing. Your sanctuary is safe because there is no evil intent indwelling there. It was built on love."
"My boy!"Carlos jumped down from the table and almost fell, tightening his sash again quickly and then rushing to theQueens to pick up Damali. He held her around her upper back with his other arm under the bend in her knees, trying hard not to allow her head to awkwardly loll. "Listen, this is nonstandard . . . by now, you know I don't necessarily follow the rules to the letter, but usually it all works out."
"You are having a son? You know this for certain?" Eve's eyes widened. "We didn't know that-"
"No, no," Carlos corrected, stammering. There was so much to explain, but his mouth was working slower than his mind.
"You said your boy," Aset replied, shocked. "If there is a Neteru child in gestation or in hiding . . ."
"No, my buddy, friend, tight, ace,hombre -he's beyond the wall. He's my inside man, always comes through. He's in a bad spot, and his transmissions are blocked. I haven't heard from him and I blocked his access to the house . . . because he was having some issues. But if I'm up here, I can't leave him blocked, but right now, I don't know his status . . . like, if I can actually let him in-but I don't want him smoked on sight just because of what he is. Oh, man, this is complicated. I didn't even get a chance to explain all this at the archon's table."
"Put Damali down on the table," Aset said coolly, "and talk to us, Carlos."
"Should I call Adam?" Eve stared at him, but the previous serenity she'd owned had fled her gaze.
"No, no, listen, it's sorta crazy, but I need to get my boy's incoming calls," Carlos said, walking quickly to the table he'd been on and gently laying Damali down on it. He kissed her forehead and then turned to look at theQueens ."All right. Let me come clean. My boy is . . . a vampire."
BothQueens drew an audible gasp and Carlos held up his hands.
"Let me explain. There's definite war strategy going on here."
"Speak quickly and clearly," Aset said, beginning to pace. "You tell me such insanity and then I will have to translate it to Ausar forhis understanding?"
Carlos raked his fingers through his hair. "Meand Yolando go way back. I got out of the life, but he was trapped behind the wall. My man, though, always has my back. Whenever he goes dark-like I can't hear from him for a coupla nights-he always brings me back accurate information when he surfaces. In fact, he was the one who tipped me off about daywalkers. I have to be able to let him go into my mind."
"Are youinsane? " Eve breathed. Instantly she called Damali's pearl into one hand and into the other she called Damali's platinum necklace that held the six other divination stones she'd collected in her Neteru initiation.
"It has takenmonths to restore this dragon's pearl to her full health after just seeing Cain descend to a dark throne. Zehiradangra has even grown strong enough, through rest and healing, that she no longer requires water to communicate. And you are just off the burial table, after inviting the Ultimate Darkness into your system, and now you want us to allow a council-level vampire to communicate with you?"
"Yeah," Carlos said, not sure what else to say.
"Pearlwas so overwrought that this Yolando had tried to breach your home and she felt the tremors of the Darkness taking root in you, that while we were away she sent a message to a Valkyrie. This so-called friend tried to seducea Valkyrie from the forbidden zone ofNod on the beach in front of your house!"
"Eve . . . I know it looks bad-"
"Looks bad?"
"It must be the residual from the charge, Eve," Aset said, dismissing Carlo's request. "The young Pharaoh is confused. We should have sedated him as well."
"No, I'm real clear about all this.Crystal ," Carlos argued.
BothQueens folded their arms over their chests and stared at him.
"Then clarify," Aset said evenly.
"Make it beyond crystal," Eve murmured dangerously. "Make it diamond."
Carlos rubbed his hands down his face.
"Hi, Carlos," the pearl said with a giggle. "We were all so worried. Whew!"
Eve swept over to him and plunked the pearl down in his hand. "She's supposed to beyour wife's oracle, but she's taken with you. Not much I can do about that. I do not even want to fathom how you could have compromised Damali's pearl-don't even tell me. My nerves are already shattered glass. Speak Zehiradangra."
"If Carlos holds me to his temple, I can show him what I know . . . but Val really, really likes your friend."
"Oh, man . . ."