"I thought you were tough, Miss Blake."
Richard helped me stand and I let him. I leaned against him for a second, my forehead against the smooth skin of his arm. I pushed away from him and stood on my own. I met Colin's eyes. They were definitely grey, not blue.
"I know we're supposed to go through all the protocol and waltz for a while, Colin. But the last of my patience is sitting in that basket. So state your grievance and let's all get the f**k out of here."
He smiled. "So tenderhearted, maybe your reputation is just talk after all."
I smiled then and shook my head. "Maybe it is, but since we're not supposed to kill each other tonight, Colin, it doesn't matter."
Colin walked away from me. He went to stand closer to his own people but faced Asher. I had been dismissed as his own human servant had been dismissed.
"I will not be replaced, Asher."
"I have not come to replace you," Asher said, voice empty, neutral.
"Why would Jean-Claude send a master almost exactly my age into my lands against my express orders?"
"I could have hidden what I was," Asher said. "But Jean-Claude thought you would misinterpret that. I came in hiding nothing."
"But still you came," Colin said.
"I cannot change what has happened," Asher said. "What would satisfy us all?"
"Your death," Colin said.
Everybody went very still, as if we'd all caught our collective breaths. I started to say something and Richard touched my shoulder. I closed my mouth and let Asher talk, but it was hard.
Asher laughed that wonderful touchable laugh. "Breaking the truce, aren't you, Colin?"
"Not if I kill a rival sent to supplant me. Then I am merely protecting myself and making an example for other ambitious vampires."
"You know I have not come to supplant you," Asher said.
"I know nothing of the kind."
"I am content where I am."
"Why?" Colin asked. "You could be the master of a city somewhere far from their triumvirate. Why would you be content with less?"
Asher gave a very small smile. "I prefer gentler persuasions over power."
Colin shook his head. "I have been told you are in love with her, and with Jean-Claude himself. I have been told that you are bedding them both and that is why the Ulfric seeks a new lupa."
"If he would only cooperate, it could be a happy foursome," Asher said.
Richard, startled beside me, stiffened. It was my turn to touch his arm and keep him from saying what he was thinking.
"I have been told many things," Colin said. "My people have watched you from afar. We believe you are enamored of the girl and of Jean-Claude. We are aware of your history together. We even believe that a lover of men like yourself would do their Ulfric if he would let you. What we do not believe is that you are bedding any of them. We believe that this is a pathetic story to save yourself."
I started walking to Asher. The plan was that we would put on a mild show of petting. I'd warned him it better be mild, but I never got the chance.
There was movement in the dark. Dozens of vampires appeared out of the darkness, encircling the clearing. Colin had been distracting us while the vampires moved up to flank us, and neither Asher nor I, nor any of the wereanimals had sensed them.
"Let us have Asher and the rest of you may go free."
"You are breaking the truce now," Asher said. He sounded calm, empty, as if Colin hadn't just demanded his death.
Verne strode forward. "This is our lupanar. We can close it to all strangers."