Tanya couldn’t help it. She sucked in a tiny breath of surprise. Her right eyebrow went up of its own accord.

He smiled apologetically. “I was more moved by my… contest with your Chosen than I may have indicated. I have seen over seven hundred years on this world, fought thousands of battles, traveled to every country this planet has to offer. I have never seen more evidence of a one God, a Creator, than I did with that single match. He was a baby, an infant in our years, and yet, as you have pointed out, he came within moments of killing me. I knew of his advantages and took appropriate measures, yet still, it was not enough. Your intervention was like a message from this one supreme being. And then to find that he sees souls in us? How does the phrase go? Icing on the pastry?”

“Close enough,” Lydia said.

“Would you repeat that before the tribunal?” Galina asked.

He held out both hands to his sides, palms up. “Tzao has tasked me with securing the catacombs. I will not be in the chamber with all of you.”

“She’s doing that on purpose,” Lydia said.

“In all likelihood yes,” Galina said, tapping a single finger on her bottom lip. “And yet her measure is not enough to prevent us from using it.”

“I don’t see how?” Lydia said, frowning. “If Arashi is not there, he cannot give testimony.”

“Hmm, would you like to place a wager on that?” Galina asked, her smile tight and deadly.

“Not so much when you say it like that,” Lydia said.

“I must attend my oath, Demidova-San,” Hosokawa said, frowning.

“Of course. I would never ask you to forego your honor and oath,” Galina said. “And I greatly thank you for telling us this admission. It will be of great help, no matter where you are.”

Looking uncertain, Hosokawa gave her the slightest bow, nowhere near as deep as the one he had given Tanya. Yet Galina smiled deeply, bowing back to him exactly the same amount.

The Duelist was not known for handing out respect, especially to much younger vampires. Tanya wasn’t sure what her mother was up to, but she was suddenly much more confident of their chances. Galina Demidova was not as old as the youngest Patron, but she was a crafty, crafty vampire, and her teacher was Elder Senka.

Chapter 12

Chris watched as the Burlington Fire Department finally entered the exploded residence of Delores Penderton. Behind him, he sensed two people approaching despite their almost soundless tread.

“What did you find?” he asked without turning to look at his two team members.