Lounging on the couch, as if posed for a photography shoot, was a squat figure clothed in a voluminous black robe, trimmed in vivid red. Sebastian, the vampire prince. Since Ari had seen him before, his comic appearance didn’t startle her, but she still had to stifle an urge to snicker. Maybe it was nerves.

Sebastian was short and thick, with a ridiculous mustache, reminiscent of the brushy appendage once favored by Hitler. In a further attempt at dramatic effect, he’d surrounded himself with bright red pillows. Larger pillows, matching in color, lay around the floor, occupied by four human females. Ari stiffened as she took a closer look at the women. Each girl—for they were very young—was dressed in a red, low-cut gown, displaying budding cleavage. Gold chains draped from their throats, ankles, and wrists. It was degrading, but Ari didn’t see any obvious sign of pain or discomfort in their placid expressions. On either side of the sofa, and behind it, stood eight vampires.

A bitchy-looking vampiress in black leather with a human male at her side stood closest to Sebastian and was probably his first lieutenant. The blond male next to them might have been good-looking if he’d lose the frown. He and an older male muscled like a wrestler gave off strong power vibes. Ari chalked off the two female vamps in short skirts and skimpy tops as decoration. Three additional males who looked so similar they were either brothers or clones had to be court guards. The entire group was unnaturally silent. No one spoke, smiled, or gave any indication of welcome.

Except Sebastian. His toothy grin spread from ear to ear in a chilling parody of the Cheshire cat. “Greetings, my friends! We are delighted to see you. We so rarely have guests, especially esteemed visitors from the United States of America.” After this grandiose greeting, the Toronto prince scooted off the couch and strutted toward them with his hands extended. Ari didn’t want him to touch her and fought the urge to back away.

Andreas dropped her hand and glided forward. “I bring you Prince Daron’s compliments,” he said, inclining his head a token amount. “Our goals are peaceful, and we ask for safe passage in your territory.”

“It is granted,” Sebastian said, sweeping his arms in a magnanimous gesture. “Come, Andreas, why so formal? Are we not old friends?”

“We are certainly old acquaintances.”

Sebastian paused at the implied difference. He heaved a dramatic sigh. “Do I detect a problem? Have you come on an unhappy errand, old friend?”

The two vampires stood almost ten feet apart, but tension rippled between them. They were surrounded by auras of power, invisible to most but with such substance it seemed as if Ari only had to put out her hand to touch the vibrating threads.

“Not so much unhappy as tedious.”

Sebastian tilted his head. “How so?”

Andreas seemed to ponder his answer. “A matter of protocol, I believe. Certain representatives of your court have visited Riverdale without presenting themselves to Prince Daron. In each case, their behavior has resulted in acts that might be interpreted as hostile. Even challenging. Of course, these incidents and the resulting need to eliminate some of your associates have caused Prince Daron great distress. I have come on his behalf to request your assistance in preventing further similar activities.” Andreas’s face remained bland throughout this formal speech, but no one listening could have missed the not-so-subtle warning.

Sebastian regarded him in stony silence. The bitchy-vampiress behind him snarled and took a step forward. Sebastian’s head snapped in her direction. “Quiet, Marta! Did I ask you to interfere? Keep your place.”

Marta made no verbal protest, but the minute Sebastian looked away, her jaw hardened.

The rest of the room waited.

Sebastian stepped over to one of the seated human girls and ran his fingers over her face. “I must admit, Andreas, you have surprised me.” He drew out his words as he leisurely bent forward to stroke the girl’s throat. When she dropped her gaze and sighed, Sebastian continued. “I was sure you were coming to me with an apology. We too have had unfortunate incidents, and I was almost certain I could smell Daron’s stench on the offenders.”

Ari barely breathed as she waited with everyone else to see where this ominous beginning would lead. Although Sebastian’s tone was mild, almost uninterested, with a singsong lilt, his eyes glowed with dark malice. Something truly evil lurked inside his somewhat silly façade.

Andreas gave a careless shrug. “Supposing that were true, would it not be all the more reason for us to clear up any misunderstandings, resolve potential conflicts?”

“Such diplomatic words. Is this the way of your new vampire community?” Sebastian sneered. “Flowery language with no substance? Come now, Andreas. The game grows tiresome. Daron owes me. He has been the offender.”

“Tiresome, maybe, but I disagree with your conclusion. In what way does Daron owe you? What exactly is your complaint?”

Hmm, this was getting interesting. The diplomacy in the room had grown thin. If the two vampires continued down this road, the Riverdale delegation would soon find itself in big trouble. Hadn’t Andreas said this was a peace mission? No fighting allowed.

Sebastian gave up caressing the girl and slowly turned his head toward Andreas, his mouth curling into a sneer. “Was I not plain? How remiss of me. I consider myself a plain-speaking man. I was accusing Prince Daron of sending saboteurs against my court. That would make you a hostile delegation. Not worthy of, or entitled to, hospitality.”

Sebastian drew the edge of his fingernail down the girl’s throat, and a small trickle of blood appeared. Eight pairs of eyes riveted on her throat as Sebastian’s vampires reacted to the sight.

Good Goddess. Ari’s throat tightened watching their response. Hadn’t they fed recently? Would Sebastian starve his own vampires just to gain an edge?

It was extremely painful for vampires to go without blood. And it made them vicious and even more unpredictable than usual. This was a bad sign. A very bad sign. Andreas stiffened beside her; he’d drawn the same conclusion. Sebastian had never intended to engage in peaceful negotiations.

Her witch blood began to stir, fingers tingling. If there was killing to be done, she silently vowed that Sebastian would be the first to go.

“Any actions by Prince Daron were the result of serious provocation, originating from this court.” Andreas’s eyes narrowed. “An assassination attempt, the murder of one of his lieutenants, attacks on others. Not to mention the demon.” His voice held an edge, a bare shadow of the tension cloaking the room.

In the stark silence that followed, Ari watched the Canadian vampires standing in back of the prince’s sofa. Marta looked ready to spring; the blond male watched Sebastian and Andreas with a deepening frown. The gloves had come off, and if it turned into a fight, she’d have to keep the rest of them busy while Andreas dealt with Sebastian. She slipped her hand into her pocket to find the hilt of the dagger. Until she was attacked, her oath denied the use of witch fire. Her fingers closed on the cold handle.

Then Sebastian giggled, a sound as inappropriate as unexpected, and his deceptive grin returned.

“Daron is alive, and so are you. Why the complaints, Andreas? These small disagreements have been going on for centuries.” Sebastian turned his head, his beady eyes focusing on Ari. “We have neglected our manners, Andreas. Please introduce your companions. I believe I have previously met your lovely female.” He glided forward again and stopped about five feet away.

Ari’s witch blood clamored with alarm bells. She clenched her fists to hide the magical sparks threatening to burst from her fingers. Sebastian was too close. Way too close. Not even an instant away in vampire speed.

“Your memory is accurate,” Andreas said, his jaw clenched so tight it would have hurt a human. He followed the elder vampire’s lead. “Ms. Calin is the Guardian for Riverdale’s Olde Town district. She visited Toronto about a year ago. I think you also know Oliver.”

“Yes, yes, Oliver and I have met,” Sebastian said dismissively without looking at the other vampire. Sebastian’s focus remained fixed on Ari. “I remember the Guardian very well. Very well indeed. We shared a few interesting moments. Does she belong to you, Andreas?”

“I belong to no one,” Ari snapped before Andreas had a chance to speak. Sebastian was the same bully she’d seen before. Still a nasty, annoying toad.

“How very fortunate. I am delighted to hear that.”

What did he mean? Why would Sebastian be delighted? It didn’t sound like she was going to like the answer.

“Without a master, you are fair game, my sweet guardian. It might be fun to play with you.”

“Not interested,” she shot back. Even though she was appalled at the idea, she schooled her face into indifference. Inside, her stomach churned. The thought of hooking up with Sebastian, of having his hands on her, was repulsive. She could only imagine what he considered “play.”

Andreas stepped between Ari and Sebastian. “She is under my protection.”

So quickly Ari barely saw him move, Sebastian glided around him and stopped in front of her.

“I do not think that is true,” Sebastian purred. “She claims no master.” He reached a hand toward her. Ari stepped to one side, and Andreas moved to separate them again. He was stopped by Sebastian’s out-flung arm. The prince’s other hand flashed out, closing like a vise over the hand Ari had instinctively raised in defense. Sebastian laughed. “Peace, Andreas. I will not harm her.” He looked at Ari with scorn. “You are interesting, my dear, but someone needs to teach you your proper place.” Sebastian’s voice grew deep and richer as it filled with power. “You will kneel in my presence,” he boomed.

His hand forced her arm down. Not a hard thing to do considering his superior strength. But instead of kneeling as commanded, Ari bent toward him in a strange caricature of a formal bow, until they were staring into each other’s eyes. She’d learned a lot from Andreas about strengthening her mental blocking in the last three months. A year ago, Sebastian had rolled the outer defenses of her mind fairly easily, but that was when she was inexperienced and unprepared. Not today. She met his gaze long enough to surprise him before she glanced away.