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I have studied your system and do not find it boring in the least. I informed him
as I sipped at my wine. In fact I commend you for upholding the laws and for balancing
the needs of your people against the safety of the public. I know it was not always this
way and that you have been forced to change with the times. I myself am quite pleased
you are here. I eagerly look forward to justice being served. I admitted and my tone left
little doubt I expected that justice to be served quickly and efficiently. He stared down at
me and raised a dark winged eyebrow while I turned my head and glared across the room
at Valentine.
You do not care for the Master of this City? Phoenix asked in a quiet voice.
What a quaint way you have with words. I replied with a slight drawl. No
Phoenix& I am most anxious to see him pay for his crimes.
And what crimes would those be? He inquired and his voice seemed cooler
than it had just a moment earlier. As if he d switched to business and left all thoughts of
pleasure in the dust at our feet.
I pulled my eyes from Valentine who was glaring back at me from across the
room. Near him the other two Vampires had also turned and were looking at
me& waiting for my response. My eyes turned up to Phoenix and I replied simply. That
will be up to you to determine. I will not have it said that I swayed you unfairly by
sorcery or& some other means. I too am sworn to uphold the laws, or his ashes would
already be decorating the carpet along with your former Council member. But know this,
should your justice fail me I will hunt him to extinction as is my right. His interference
with my Court will not be tolerated.
By Kelly Armenta Copyright © 2007
DRAGON Envy 380
Phoenix seemed to consider my words and nodded. You told his Demon he had
something of yours? Can you tell me what that might be?
I can, but perhaps you would prefer to ask him instead. I offered, glancing up at
his topaz eyes through my lashes. I would not wish to bias your perception of the truth.
They were made for me and are mine. They came seeking me and were intercepted
before they could find me, I can only assume it was through deceit. I will have them
back alive and whole. He has cost me one already& should these two be harmed& .
And I stopped and took several deep breaths to calm myself, realizing my blood was
pounding in my temples. It was not a good thing to do amidst a roomful of Vampires.
Phoenix licked his lips delicately and I caught a flash of fang. His eyes looked& intense.
Forgive me. I told him with a small smile. I did not mean to distress you.
He pulled air into his lungs and stared down at me. You smell of cinnamon and
cloves. A unique combination, I wonder& He replied and turned to glance at Claudius
with an almost envious look. Claudius gave him an innocent smile and I bit the inside of
my cheek to keep from laughing. No, it wasn t hard to imagine what Phoenix was
wondering. Excuse me. He replied and dipped his head to me. It has been a pleasure
to speak with you. And he turned and glided away through the crowd moving in the
general direction of Valentine.
Claudius. I am very angry with you. I informed him crisply while he grimaced
and nodded his head.
And you have every right to be.
I will assume you now understand what I mean when I say mine ? I asked and
he chuckled.
I believe everyone in this room understands fully the meaning of mine as it
relates to you Your Majesty. He told me with a grin.
No hard feelings? I asked and leaned my head back against Gareth.
She was given ample warning. There will be no retribution for your actions as
you provided her every opportunity to& do the right thing.
By Kelly Armenta Copyright © 2007
DRAGON Envy 381
Actually from my point of view& she did. I told him calmly. You know I
could not have left her alive.
It was a good death. He informed me. I doubt anyone will miss her especially
not her servants. She was not well liked. And I am sorry. I did not realize Claire would
require& homage. And when she demanded Gareth& He replied with a shake of his
head. There are plenty of others here who could have served the purpose. She chose
him out of spite. She got exactly what she deserved.
Spite? Why would she demand Gareth out of spite? What reason could she
possibly have for being spiteful towards him? I asked and my body tensed as Claudius
flicked his eyes at Gareth then quickly away. Behind me I felt Gareth also tense and my
temper started to escalate. I looked at Jace who shied away, his green eyes looking
guilty. Let go of me. I hissed and Gareth held me tighter.
Lexi& please not here. Gareth breathed against my ear and I suddenly felt as if
it had been my heart ripped from my chest. What a fool I was!
Damn you Gareth let go of me. This is the second time you have done this to
me. You would think I might learn from my mistakes. I replied bitterly.
Yes and with similar results both times. Please Lexi& calm yourself, I know you
do not want to cause a scene.
No Gareth, because my arriving naked in the midst of a roomful of strangers to
save you wasn t bad enough. Not to mention the little dog and pony show I put on with
Sean to impress them. Sweet Danu, just get your hands off me! I cannot bare this. And
I closed my eyes and wished for my secret place then felt my world shift and dropped to
the sand on my knees and let the tears come. I sat there for several minutes, feeling the
pain crushing me down, and then the smell of cloves wafted over me just as Kit s hands
reached to pull me against his chest. I cried against him for some time before my sobs
turned to hiccups and then died away altogether.
If your intent was to get him beat to within an inch of his life I think you may
have succeeded. I m not sure who was more angry, Claudius or your newest friend
Phoenix. He wasn t certain what had happened, but he was not at all pleased with
By Kelly Armenta Copyright © 2007
DRAGON Envy 382
Gareth. Kit informed me. Amazingly neither was any of the Weres. I believe you ve
gained yourself a secret fan club.
I hope they beat him senseless. I moaned while Kit made tsking noises.
I shouldn t be surprised.
You left him there? I asked realizing Kit was here with me.
A little humility will do wonders for him. And Jace will see he makes it home.
They aren t children you know.
No they aren t children. It would be so much easier if they were. At least this
time I actually killed someone he d slept with. I muttered dejectedly.
Kid didn t say anything for a few seconds and then he replied. I m sure it was a
very long time ago.
Are you? He seemed willing enough to bare his neck to her. He would have let
her& I gagged, I couldn t help it I simply turned and threw up the wine and the little bit
of I dinner I d choked down earlier while Kit once again held my hair and muttered
obscenities under his breath.
Here. He told me, holding out a wash cloth and bottle of water. I m not sure
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