Yea gods, what are we, that this means so much above all?

“Rhosh, these non-humans, they’re coming tomorrow. And now let us go, let us leave here together, and let us take the time we have because of this, to think of some plan. Rhosh, if we don’t think of something, sooner or later the elders will overrule the Prince. I know it. I—.”

“Stop,” said Rhosh. “Don’t be afraid. I understand.”

“They’re bound and determined and—.”

“I know, I know. Let it be.”

He picked up the boy as he had so many times and gently ascended until the roar of wind in his ears was the only sound, and riding higher, through the banks of cloud, he turned and moved towards home.

18

Lestat

THEY HAD ARRIVED in the village three hours before dark, and been given the best rooms at the inn. There were eight of them. And they were waiting in the grand ballroom when I came upstairs. The entire Court was curious, but the young ones were told to keep away from the main rooms, and that included of course not only fledglings but the many drawn to the Court who had no interest in power. Louis had steadfastly refused to join me. He was downstairs, reading, alone in his own crypt.

Marius, Gregory, Sevraine, and Seth were with the visitors, and had been during the forty-five minutes or more that I was confined to the shelter of my crypt.

Fareed met me in the salon adjacent to the ballroom. He explained telepathically and in a hushed voice that the visitors had admitted some of their group had not come with them. They’d been candid. They couldn’t see entrusting themselves entirely to this meeting with us.

“We know Derek was locked up for ten years,” said Fareed. “Yet there’s a perfect clone of Derek in this group, except for the hair. And there’s a clone of the female Kapetria with the same distinct difference, more gold in the hair. Same with Welf; same with Garekyn Brovotkin.”

“What does this tell you?” I asked.

That they are the most dangerous threat to this planet that I have ever known. And they are certainly a huge threat to us. We must make the most of this visit in every conceivable way. They want us to know we are at a grave disadvantage.

“Well, then. Let’s go to it,” I said aloud. “Amel is inside me, and has been since I woke. But he’s not speaking. I expected as much.”

Fareed smiled, but his manner was grave.

“This is it!” he whispered. “I want to record everything. The hidden cameras are on in the Council Chamber. And don’t worry, I’ve already told them this.”

The ballroom was fully lighted such as I’d seldom if ever seen it, with the electrical chandeliers and the candelabra on every mantel burning away.