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death if needed. As she would for them - it definitely worked both ways.
    “That said, we shall be leaving tomorrow,” Ralph said abruptly. “A vampire’s home is his alone.”
    Yasmin nodded, trying not to be offended by the gender-specific reference. What Ralph was alluding to was true. There might be a sense of kinship between vampires but they could never live together in a community the way lycans did. Which didn’t really help when vampires were attacked without warning, but then vampires were exceptionally strong on their home turf.
    “I understand,” Yasmin said. “I’m extremely happy that you came.”
    Ralph gave Yasmin a meaningful look. “We didn’t come here just for confirmation,” he said delicately. “I bring intelligence from Poland.”
    Yasmin tried to hide her intense interest. She hadn’t considered this kind of benefit - shared intelligence!
    “Go ahead,” she said calmly.
    “My sister Anna was collecting herbs in the woods outside Dolina,” Ralph said. “Our family practices the art of subsistence. She came across a horde of ghouls digging some kind of hideous midden. Unafraid, she concealed herself behind a tree and listened to the commotion. She learned that the ghouls’ master, the one known as Herr X, is currently in Turkey on important business.”
    “Where exactly?” Tomas said, failing to hide his interest.
    “Istanbul,” came the reply. “One of the old tunnels near the Hagia Sophia.”
    “Anna discovered so much detail?” Yasmin asked, her heart quickening.
    Ralph Odessa leveled his dead eyes at his vampire queen.
    “My sister is growing adept at torture,” he said blankly.
    Yasmin looked at the sisters, who were inscrutable by the firelight. These people could prove to be very useful. When the time came.
    “This information is useful indeed,” Yasmin said. “We know that the Berlin Club plans to infiltrate most of Europe with their ghoul armies. With the Lycan Society decimated, it may fall to us to act as a shield on the European front.”
    “I understand my queen, but have you considered that protecting humans is not really our responsibility? No matter how strong the ghouls become, they would never be so bold as to attack you here-”
    “I will hear no more on the subject,” Yasmin said, her anger rising. “Lycan and vampire will work together whether you see it as your ‘responsibility’ or not, Mr. Odessa.”
    Ralph bowed his head, but it was clear what he thought of Yasmin’s position. She realized that one of her toughest tasks would be the mobilization of her own army. Once they were confirmed as followers they would die for her, yes, but that didn’t mean they would agree with everything she did. And the best armies were always those with a common objective. In any case, that was a problem for another day. Yasmin’s immediate future was unfolding before her. She stood.
    “I have enjoyed meeting you all,” she declared, taking Ralph’s hand. “I hope I can count on you in the future.”
    “Oh, there’s little doubt of that,” Ralph said in resignation. “I am well versed in vampire lore and recognize your authority.”
    Yasmin wasn’t completely convinced, but it was true that Ralph could do nothing to change the vampire power structure. Not while Yasmin was within her home threshold, anyway.
    “Take care all,” Yasmin said quietly, gliding toward the doorway and marveling at how her speech was slowly changing from educated New Yorker to regal leader. She suspected that Ralph would waste no time in being on his way. She watched from the upper rampart as the Odessa siblings boarded their sled in the courtyard and whipped their team of huskies into action.
    Tomas appeared by her side, close but not close enough to be admonished.
    “Istanbul will be dangerous, queen,” he said simply.
    Yasmin turned to her off-sider with a smile.
    “As perceptive as ever,” she observed. “Of course, I will need you by my side.”
    Tomas nodded, as if