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“I have been writing letters to every vampire that I can call friend.” He held up a hand before the hope in her eyes could undo him. “So far all have refused.” He pulled out the letter and inhaled deeply from his cigar. “We will see what the Lord of Blackpool has to say on the matter.”

Carefully blowing out smoke away from her, Rafe broke the wax seal on the envelope, pulled out the letter, and whispered a silent prayer before he read.

My dear friend Rafael Villar,

It is with my most sincere apologies that I must decline your request. I pray that you will understand.

However, I have heard word of your other problem and am currently departing for London to provide assistance with that matter.

I look forward to renewing our acquaintance, and I have nothing but the best wishes for both issues to be resolved in the best and most efficient manner.

Regards,

Aldric Cadell,

Viscount Thornton

Rafe crushed out the cigar and tore up the letter before tossing it into the fireplace. “Damn it.”

“Another refusal?” Cassandra inquired softly.

He nodded. Dios, she was so brave, facing the possibility of her impending death with such serenity. His heart clenched painfully. God help him, he would see that she lived, no matter what the cost.

Another detail from the letter had him frowning in confusion. “It seems the Lord of Blackpool is on his way to help me stand against Clayton and his horde.”

Rafe’s frown deepened. How had Blackpool heard about Clayton’s rebellion? Who had told him and how had they found out? Were there spies among his people? If so, who were they working for?

“At least that is good news,” Cassandra ventured. She fell silent a moment before asking tremulously, “What if no vampire will Change me?”

Reluctantly, the words tore from his throat. “Then I will put you on a ship for the Americas where you will be safe.”

She shook her head. “Absolutely not.”

“I beg your pardon?” Would this woman never cease to stun him?

“For one, I will not leave you.” Her eyes blazed in challenge. “And for another, what will happen to you if you disobey your rulers’ edict?”

“I’ll be punished,” he said plainly. “But you will be safe.” That was all that mattered.

“I won’t go.” She lifted her chin in determination.

He scowled at her stubbornness. How could she cling to such flagrant disregard for her life? “We will discuss this later.”

“Very well.” She folded her arms and leaned back in her seat, refusing to budge. “Then let us discuss the upcoming battle with Clayton. It is good that the Lord of Blackpool has volunteered his aid, yes?”

Rafe nodded. No matter how puzzling Blackpool’s offer was, Rafe couldn’t ignore the fact it was a godsend. “Yes, I will need all the allies I can muster for this confrontation to ensure that there is little bloodshed. Despite half of my people now against me and siding with Clayton, I do not want to hurt them any more than necessary.”

Cassandra placed a warm hand on his. “You are a good leader, Rafe.”

Her sincere words touched him, even though he doubted they were true. If he were a good leader, he never would have allowed Clayton to get so completely out of control…and so many of his people would never have lost faith in him.

He owed his people recompense for these failures. Furthermore, he needed to do everything in his power to see that his people were not hurt. To accomplish that, he would need more than Blackpool at his side.

Rafe opened his desk drawer and withdrew parchment, quill, and ink.

Who could he trust enough to tell them that his territory was facing civil war? Many vampires would see his tenuous grip on his territory as a weakness and interfere in hope of snatching power for themselves.

Only one vampire came to mind. The Lord of Cornwall was definitely one of the most intelligent and honorable vampires Rafe had ever met. Unfortunately, he and Vincent Tremayne had never been on the most amiable terms. Rafe chuckled bitterly. That had been his own fault. When Vincent had come to London seeking aid from Ian and Angelica, Rafe had been nothing but hostile.