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Whether she is or is not my pet is none of your concern, Severiano. Does Epiphany being my pet
hinder my ability to rule as your Queen? She fixed him with a look of cool disinterest.
Severiano inclined his head. I meant no offense, Padrona. I was only curious to find out if the
rumors were true or not.
You did not answer my question, Severiano. Her words were spoken very carefully, very slowly.
The warning in them was something tangible, like a match near the tip of my tongue. Does Epiphany
being my pet hinder my ability to rule as your Queen?
You know it does not, Padrona.
How is it a matter of such importance to so many of you when it does not concern any of you?
Nirena gave a short laugh. There are those that feel spurned, Padrona. Those that would gladly give
you their affection were you to offer your attention and make them feel special.
Renata looked at her. And are you children squabbling over a mother s doting affection? Her dark
brows arched splendidly with the question. No, she said, you are vampires. You are the Elders of the
Rosso Lussuria. It is time you start acting like it. The last concern any of you should have is whether or
not I have taken Epiphany to my bed again. She fell silent for a few seconds before turning to Vasco,
giving them her profile. What is your concern?
I am concerned with finding the traitor that summoned one of the Great Sires to kill us while we
slept, Vasco said, and I knew he d said slept for a more politic term.
I looked at each of the Elders. Despite the fact that most of them had enough practice at keeping a
face blank from emotion, I knew more than what was readily seen. I opened myself, and like stretching out
a hand to feel the folds of different fabrics, touched their emotions, drew that material into myself.
Rosabella was shocked at the mentioning of the Great Sire, as Renata had not told her that Karsten
had been taken by one of the Dracule. It was the first true sputter of emotion I d sensed from her since
she d walked into the room.
When I had asked Renata how the Dracule killed, she would not tell me. The only wisdom I gleaned
was that they do not leave a mess. I stopped questioning at that point.
Lorrenzo was filled with disbelief. Alessandra s emotions changed, at first disbelief and then
settling on a reserved fear and hope that it was not true.
Vittoria and Vito were somewhat appalled, but at the same time their emotions seemed calmer,
steadier, and more certain than any of the other Elders. I knew then that they believed Vasco s words and
did not doubt. I sensed Severiano s curiosity, which did not surprise me. After all, he led the Cacciatori.
From Nirena, I sensed uncertainty, as if she were not quite sure how she felt.
Vittoria spoke then, in a voice that was low and clear. If what you say is true, then we are in grave
danger.
That is why finding the traitor responsible for summoning one of the Great Sires is of utmost
importance, Renata said. That is what you should each be concerned about.
How do we even begin to figure out who is the summoner? Vito asked his sister. It could be any
number of us, any one of us sitting here in this room right now.
He s right, Vittoria said, watching Renata. It could be any of us or any one of the vampires in the
Sotto, lesser and Elders alike.
It s a suicide mission for an Underling to summon one of the Great Sires, Nirena said. Not to
mention the fact that none of them know who the Great Sires are or what they once were. The Donatore
have no power to use to make a summons
The Dracule said that the summoner was a man, I said softly.
They looked at me then, every one of them, and I fought years of court instincts not to turn away. I
returned their stares, forcing myself to face them. In order to become one of them, I first had to think of
myself as equal to them.
It was not an easy thing, after so many years.
Vittoria and Vito shared a glance with each other.
You spoke with it?
Yes. I spoke with her.
How do we know you did not summon it? Alessandra asked and I turned to meet her light golden
eyes.
I did not summon her, Alessandra.
You could have, Lorrenzo said. You have been close to the Queen, close enough to learn things
you wouldn t normally have known if you had not been her pet. You came into your powers long before
your two-hundredth year of rebirth.
As loathe as I am to agree with him, Nirena said, he is right. She has been your pet. Perhaps she
summoned the Great Sire to gain revenge on us? She sounded more thoughtful than accusatory. Or
simply to gain revenge on you for casting her aside those years ago.
How do we know you are not saying it is a man merely to rule yourself out as a potential suspect?
Rosabella asked.
I shook my head. So far, Renata was not stepping in. I had to handle their accusations myself. I raised
my face and smiled, but not like I meant it.
If that was my plan, Rosabella, it didn t work out very well, now did it? In fact, why would I speak
up at all if I knew it would only attract your attention? I could have simply kept my mouth shut and none of
you would be aiming accusations at me.
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Renata laughed.
Very well reasoned. She touched my hair briefly. If it were not for Epiphany, many of you might
not have risen this night.
Severiano leaned forward. What exactly do you mean, Padrona?
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