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excuse or whatever to keep people out of it, especially the vampires, at least until I figure out what they’re interested in.”
    “Very well, sire.  I would gladly guard the library for you.  Nobody shall enter until you instruct otherwise.”
    She started towards the front door and Dhane cleared his throat again.
    “Think you might want to be dressed first?”
    “If that would make you more comfortable.   I presumed to be in werewolf form most of the time, so I didn’t think it would matter.”
    He laughed as she returned to her room and started to dress.
    “Even so, you may want clothes nearby.  This isn’t a nudist colony.”
    “A what?”
    “Never mind.   Anyway, I’ll keep watch during the day, if you would come down about six tonight, that would be perfect.  And if you see Cassandra before then, will you send her my way?  I’ve got important things to discuss with her.”

 
     
     
    11
     
     
     
    The day was long and boring, but finally Amber came and relieved Dhane at six.  He reminded her not to allow anyone in until he returned or Cassandra arrived.  Finally on his way, he made straight for the penthouse without even having a plan of how to get in.
    Once there, he camped out across the street, waiting in the dark of an alley for Charles to leave his home.  At almost eight, Lila emerged and with her boyfriend close behind.  They climbed into a limo and sped away, leaving Dhane to figure out his next step.
    He decided the direct approach would be best, so he marched right up to the front door and stepped inside.  The guard at the front desk glanced at him, nodded, and then went back to reading his magazine.
    “I’m here to see Charles.  I, uh…”
    “Elevator to the left, top floor, penthouse one.”
    That was strange.  Apparently guard duty meant something entirely different for the vampires.  Whatever, it was working in his favor, so who was he to critique.  He turned towards the stairs when the guard cleared his throat.
    “All specials must sign in.”
    With a wave of his finger he identified the book on the counter.  Dhane walked over and opened it, paying particular attention to the fact there was a specific spot to identify exactly what you were, vampire, werewolf, witch, or something else.
    After slapping down a fake name and identifying himself as a werewolf, he proceeded to the elevator and pressed the P1 button.  Up the elevator went and reached the top floor.  He stepped out and looked to the left and right.  Each side held a door, but which was right?
    Noises could be heard behind one of them, meaning the occupant was home and that meant the other door was likely the correct one.  Dhane checked the door to verify it was locked, and then began working variations of the unlocking spell he used so many times before.
    Click.
    A smile crept across his face as he turned the handle and opened the door.  Inside, everything was spotlessly clean, as though there were cleaning people here several times a day.  There was very little else of interest in the vampire’s home.
    About to give up and leave, Dhane spotted the tapestry on the wall and walked over to get a better look.  It was definitely out of place in such an expensive penthouse as this, but not so much for a royal vampire, he figured.  The way it hung seemed odd, so he looked behind and his breath caught.
    Why would he need something like this?
    The sheer size seemed ridiculous to him.  Something this big had to hide some big secrets.  He came here for answers and ended up with more questions.  Unfortunately, his spell to open the front door lock would do nothing to help him get into this safe.  Perhaps there was a spell for this in his father’s book.
    He put everything back the way he found it and hurried out the door.  The elevator ride down was filled with wonderings of what the vampires were up to now.  Could this be from the imprisonment of their kind?  Was this the beginning of their revenge?
    The