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but Leith suddenly stood up and stared hard at Clar. “She is dreaming of him. Of Master Stephen. Her heart is pounding. Mayhap he is in trouble because of what she did.”
    Samuel could hear her heart beating. Leith was right, it had started beating a good deal faster. Thinking of his friend, he touched Stephen’s mind just before Clar moved on the bed.
    I’m fine. Pissed, but fine. I was going to tell you when I got back, but there is a vampire out looking for me. She has no idea where I am, but apparently neither does the council know where she is. The fucking whore. They were under the impression she was still buried…the woman, not the council. Though there are days I’d gladly bury them. Samuel didn’t have a clue what he meant, but Stephen explained at least a little of what he was talking about. She had been sentenced to death, this other vampire. Back in the day, we were a lot more tolerant of our kind, and she was buried in a silver-encased casket with spells put on it. She was to be there forever, but someone found her.
    Found her or happened upon the casket? Samuel regretted his question after a few minutes. Stephen didn’t answer him for so long he got up to go to the window. He’d be a little more diligent from now on. Especially with his own family.
    You’d think that would be their first question, wouldn’t you? But no, they’re trying to figure out where the silver has gone. They seemed to be concerned that someone robbed them. Fucking morons. So I’m still trying to figure that one out. According to the humans that live around where she was buried, they’d been hearing all sorts of things at night until they finally called the police. Once they got involved, someone had the bright idea to call in a dozer, and they disturbed her grounds. Samuel looked at Leith when she came to fly around him. He put out his hand so she’d have somewhere to light as Stephen continued. They released her, and she went on a feeding frenzy. There are nineteen dead bodies here that should never have been. Four of them are children.
    I’m sorry. Samuel looked out the window again and could see the wolves that watched the grounds. He wasn’t sure, but he thought there were several more than there had been last week when he’d been here. You’ve beefed up security because you’re afraid she’ll come here to get to Clar. Oh, by the way, her name is Clarice Kelley. Leith just told me.
    Thanks. I’ll talk to her when I get there. The council is trying to figure out where the vampire has gone. I’m thinking anywhere but where we are currently, but they have rules. Samuel laughed when Stephen growled low. And they think that I should take the place of Jared. In no uncertain terms, I’ve told them no.
    And how is that working for you? Another growl, and Samuel knew that it wasn’t working at all. What about your realm? Will they expect you to do both?
    Yes. There was a long pause, and while he was waiting on Stephen to say more, Samuel explained to Leith what was going on. She flew back to Clar and sat on her chest again. They, too, he knew, would beef up their own security around Clar. When Stephen spoke this time, there was a good deal of anger spilling between their connections. I’m coming home. Can you please do me a favor and ask your wolves to patrol the grounds more? I have a connection with their boss, of course, but right now I’m not so sure I’d be all that nice, and I think I’ve already pissed off enough people.
    “ Sire, she is waking a little.” Samuel looked over at the bed when Leith spoke and stared into the most amazing eyes he’d ever seen. The woman was indeed awake. She never said anything, but she looked at him for several long moments before she closed her eyes again.
    Stephen, she just woke for a minute or two. And good Christ, you should have seen her eyes. I think…Christ, it was like looking into an ocean, they’re so blue. Stephen said something, but Samuel didn’t hear him. He