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 I don t feel anything, I said.
 A Stone of Shadows does not work that way, Epiphany, Renata spoke from her seat.  You will
sense the magic at work once the sun rises. As it is, it lies dormant until you need it.
 You have used one of the stones before? Iliaria asked.
 No, Renata said,  I merely know of them.
I held up my hand.  Why give me this, Iliaria? How will this help us catch the traitor that summoned
you?
Renata answered before Iliaria could.  She means you to use the stone to stay awake and catch the
traitor. No doubt, he will try again?
 I think so, yes, Iliaria said,  and I plan on staying with Epiphany.
 You said you offered your aid, Renata said.
 Couldn t Cuinn keep me awake? I asked.
I cannot keep ye awake, he said, I can only wake ye if there be danger.  Tis not the same type of
magic that the Stone bestows upon its wearer.
Distantly, I heard Iliaria ask who Cuinn was and Renata s smooth reply explaining that Cuinn was
the spirit in the fox blade.
I blinked finally, coming back to myself.
 What did he say? Vasco propped his chin on his fist. I didn t doubt that he d known I d been
listening to Cuinn s voice inside my head. I still wasn t used to it and would need to work on controlling
my facial expressions.
 He can only wake me if there s danger. It s not the same thing as the ring, apparently.
 Of course it isn t, Iliaria said.  Why am I under the impression that you don t want my gift?
 It s not that I don t want your gift, Iliaria.
 It s that she feels bad you went out of your way to give her something. Vasco grinned and I
directed a disapproving look at him.
 You do not like gifts? she asked, blinking at me as if she really didn t understand.
I wasn t sure how to answer her. I didn t mind the gift, but the fact that she had gone out of her way
to create something as powerful as the Stones of Shadows did catch me a little off-guard. I wasn t exactly
sure what it required for her to make it. Though, obviously, it required a bit of blood.
Then again, as she d fed Renata and me earlier, she didn t seem to mind sharing that.
 It is a wondrous gift, Iliaria, and I do appreciate it, but Vasco is right about me. I do not know what
it took for you to make this.
 Do you think there are strings attached to this gift? she asked.
I lifted my shoulders.
 There are, she said and the corner of her mouth curled slyly.
 And what strings are those?
 It is to aid us in finding your traitor, she said.  However, that is not all. If we succeed in finding
your traitor, I expect you to use the ring for me.
 What do you mean use it for you?
 You bear my mark, Epiphany. We have a bargain. I will give you your nights with your Queen. I
will share kindly, but there will be days when I do not want to share you.
A tremble of desire shuddered down my spine.
 I m fairly certain I can live with that, I said in a voice that was almost a whisper.
She sat back, smiling and looking pleased.  Good. I d hoped that would be your answer.
 Does my opinion not matter? Renata asked and her voice was low yet strangely commanding.
 Do you not agree? Iliaria asked.  Would you prefer to share her bed with me every night?
Renata s face was a blank porcelain mask.  Not every night, no.
 Some nights? Iliaria asked.
 Some nights, yes, Renata said,  but not every.
 Then, Iliaria said,  those nights which you do not feel like sharing I will spend my time with
Epiphany during the day.
Renata s eyes sparkled with amusement.  I did not say I disagreed, Dracule. I was merely asking if
my opinion mattered or not.
 You know it matters, I said, glancing at her.
Renata addressed Iliaria.  I agree, as we have more important matters to discuss, such as your plans
for catching this traitor. I imagine you ve some idea?
 I do, Iliaria said.
 And?
 I will stay with Epiphany and help her find the traitor.
Renata gave a slow shake of her head.  No.
Iliaria narrowed her eyes.  I have gone out of my way for you and yours, and yet you trust me so
little?
 It is not a matter of distrust, Dracule. It is a matter of Epiphany s safety.
 You do not trust me to keep her safe.
 That is not what I said, Renata said in a voice that was dangerously slow.
 It is what you implied, Iliaria continued to glare at my Queen, my lover.
Before Renata could open her mouth and say whatever she was going to say, I interceded.  Then
what is the reason, Renata?
 If this traitor is working with another Dracule and perhaps more than one vampire, you and the
Dracule alone will not be enough.
 I wouldn t be so quick to jump to conclusions, Iliaria, I said gently, not wanting to offend her.
Iliaria did not apologize, but she stopped glaring.  Ah, she said.  If we are outnumbered it is true
that I will not be enough to protect her, she said.  I cannot make another Stone of Shadows.
 I know, Renata said, watching me.
 But, I said,  I could use the sword.
 That might work, Vasco said.  Cuinn told you he cannot keep you awake? You used the sword
today to wake the Queen.
 And you could use it again to wake the others, Renata said.
 The question is, I said,  which others would we wake?
 Well, to start, she said, crossing her long legs and tilting her head,  Vasco and I.
 That s a given. I smiled softly.
 Who would you wake? she asked. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]