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“Forgive me, but—” He paused and grew a little more regal. “I thought perhaps you might like to join me.”

Dominique didn’t respond right away, though his teeth were now on edge. Traveling long distances was complicated for someone who couldn’t function in daylight. More than that, he would have to delay his day-walking project. Then again, if he could make the latter work today, the former would be no problem. “My schedule is spoken for right now,” he said.

“Making breakfast, yes. I see.”

Serge chortled under his breath. Dominique shot him a stern look. “It is a related project, one with great promise for us all. I will let you know if my availability changes. In the meantime, go see this colony. Tell them nothing more of me than what you have already shared with Natalia. See what you can find out and report back.”

“Very well, my lord. Expect to hear from me in three night’s time at the soonest.” The connection dropped.

Dominique considered his phone for a long moment before pocketing it and going back to whisking the dip. The more his control over his kingdom solidified, the more complicated his life became.

“That’s a lot of vampires for him to handle,” Cassidy said, echoing his thoughts. She was setting the table in the nook. Beyond the windows, the sky grew light.

“Too many,” Serge agreed, all serious now.

“There is nothing to handle. Just a visit.” He dipped the thick slices of challah bread in the sweetly fragrant emulsion.

“A visit you would do well to join him in, blood-child.”

“I would only get in his way. I think he may like this Natalia more than he claims.”

“Too many,” Serge said again. “I have a feeling.”

“A feeling? Or a vision?” Dominique wondered as he plopped the dripping bread onto the griddle. He glanced at his best friend. Discomfort, yes, but not disaster coming their way. “Why are you still here? The sun isn’t far.”

Serge fidgeted in place for a few more seconds before grunting an “as you wish, my lord,” and vanishing out the kitchen door.

Cassidy stopped placing flatware and turned to him. “What if Aubrey gets himself into trouble with them? Or their ‘challenging’ leader?”

Yes, what about that creature? Whatever else Aubrey knew about him, he hadn’t thought it important enough to mention. Dominique shook his head. “Aubrey is an accomplished negotiator. If he has to, he can make his case to two-hundred as well as to one.”

As Cassidy returned to finishing the table, he felt a new well of worry bubble in her heart. “I hope you’re right.”

10

Insufficient Proof

BythetimeJacksonarrived, breakfast was ready and night hung on the verge of vanishing.

“Something smells good in here,” he said as he entered the foyer, holding a somewhat larger black case than he had a week ago.

“He made breakfast for us,” Cassidy said, closing the door behind him. “Allof us.”

“You’re joking.”

“Not one bit.” She extended her hand for the case.

He handed it over. “Like that worked out so well for him last time.”

“How much is in here?”

“Two opportunities to throw up.”

Dominique had expected one. He’d be beside himself with two. In fact, she could already feel his exhilaration in the kitchen. “He’s thrilled.”

“He’s crazy.”

“That, too.” Though obsessive was more like it. Where the suppressant was concerned, his common sense had evaporated faster than vampire blood in sunlight.