“Maybe, but why did they take it out on Morley?” She shrugged. “Morley is an easy target, like all the vampires who choose not to declare an allegiance. They are powerful in themselves, but vulnerable. Morley’s lived rough and alone for some time. It’s not surprising that humans are taking vengeance on those easiest to hunt. In other towns, they target the homeless, as well, do they not?”

“Aren’t you going to do anything about it?” Claire asked.

“There are laws. I assume they will be enforced. Until these thugs are caught and punished, I will caution all vampires to be careful.” Amelie smiled slowly. “And I will allow them latitude in matters of self-defense, of course. That should put a stop to things quickly.”

Claire wasn’t so sure of that. First, Morley and his vamps had gotten all pushy with Amelie, and then Oliver had seemed about to bolt from her camp and set up as a pretender to the throne. Now, there were humans roaming around looking for trouble, too. And Amelie just seemed . . . disconnected.

It seemed that, as much as they’d tried to pull Morganville together, it was unraveling all around them.

“I believe I have heard enough,” Amelie said. “You may go. All of you.”

She kept on pacing, as if she didn’t intend to leave. Claire hung back, watching her, as the others descended the stairs, and finally said, “Are you okay?”

Amelie stopped, but didn’t look at her. “Of course,” she said. “I am—troubled, but otherwise fine. Why do you ask?”

Because you tried to kill yourself two nights ago? Claire didn’t think it would be smart to bring that up. “Just—if you need anything . . .”

Amelie did look at her this time, and there was something warm and almost human in her expression. “Thank you.” Amelie’s personal winter closed in again, leaving her face still and cold. “There’s nothing you can do, Claire. Nothing any of you can do. Now go.”

That last thing wasn’t a request, and Claire took it for dismissal. Shane was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, looking up with a worried not-quite-frown that smoothed away in relief when he saw her coming to join him. “Don’t do that,” he said.

“Do what?”

“There’s something off about her right now. Don’t you see that? Don’t try to help. Just walk away.”

Claire tapped the gold bracelet on her wrist. “Yeah, that’ll work.”

He pulled her out of the stairwell and shut the hidden door. Michael and Eve were already going downstairs, hand in hand. “It’s getting late,” he said. “You going or staying?”

“Does it have to be one or the other? Maybe I stay for an hour, then go?”

“Works for me,” he said, and took her hand. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”