* * *
Ashe found himself on a conference call with the Grand Master shortly after that. Cori and Marco had to come, too, and give their account. Bear Wright had come to sit with Cori, since she was a shapeshifter. "Just to make sure Weldon doesn't get away with anything," Bear grinned and patted Cori's shoulder. Nathan might have come, but it was still daylight.
Ashe relayed the incident to Weldon, while Winkler and Trajan listened and Andy recorded everything. Cori and Marco added their bit, then Weldon and Winkler asked questions after that. "Ashe, how did you know you could do that hopping thing to England?" Weldon asked.
"I don't know. I just knew Dad was in trouble. I didn't even think about the distance."
"If I’m asking about this, you can be sure your Dad is getting grilled by Wlodek. If not now, then very soon. He’ll want to know."
"Not surprising," Ashe said, ducking his head and staring at his shoes. A few blades of grass clung to one of his sneakers—grass from England. Grass from his father's front yard. The house had looked to be a country house, with London in the distance. Somehow, the Elemaiya had found his father. Ashe hoped Aedan would be well hidden from then on.
"Ashe, there's something else we have to tell you," Weldon said when the questioning was done. "We’ve worked this out with your mother. Your father has officially refused to support you—I learned this from Wlodek. And with the way things stand with your mother, well, Winkler has asked to be appointed your guardian. Your mother signed the papers in Corpus Christi today. If you agree to sign, too, Winkler will make sure your expenses are covered and you have everything you need. Your mother seems a bit confused, so we think this is for the best. If you object, we’ll work this out."
Ashe sat, his wrists and hands dangling over his knees. Confused was a mild description of his mother's condition. "No. It's probably for the best right now," Ashe agreed. Taking the offered pen, he signed the paper the Dallas Packmaster placed before him. Then, rising swiftly, he stalked from Winkler's study.
* * *
"One of those we cannot name appeared. He verified it," Parlethis said, hoping the Queen would sense his sincerity and not blast him for the news he brought. "And we saw all eight talismans. Here, on the boy's arm." Parlethis tapped a spot on his left arm.
"We cannot have this. I will not accept it. I still want the boy killed. You realize what kind of threat this might be." The Queen was agitated and paced before her throne. A canopy had been spread above it—a late summer storm threatened. "Who held the poisoned dart?"
"I did." Parlethis admitted.
"Keep it. The opportunity may come again. Meanwhile, we have an attack upon the Dark camp to execute. Prince Beldris does not hold the Dark Crown. He will be little more than a common soldier against us." Friesianna swished her skirts aside so she could sit, adjusting the crown that afforded her the power to rule.
* * *
"Randy." Ashe leaned against the wall beside his cot and stared at Randy Smith. "I heard you and your mom were moving to Star Cove."
"It was a compromise. I told her this was the only other place I'd consider, never thinking she'd do it. And here we are." Randy flung up his hands in surrender. "The gods pull our strings and we dance."
"I'd prefer to do the waltz, then, and not the samba," Ashe grumped.
"It's all in the hips," Randy laughed. "I’ve got an interview tomorrow morning. Any advice, man?"
"None whatsoever," Ashe said. "Just don't sound so much like a city slicker."
"Should I pick hayseeds out of my teeth?"
"I wouldn't go that far. Tell them you're from New Mexico. I get the idea that Chicago might be a dirty word."
"Got it. How’ve you been, man?" Randy sat on Ashe's guest chair.
"Not bad. Working for Winkler is okay."
"Dude, I hear wolves would kill to get a job with him. Winkler's the man. Er, wolf."
"Have you talked to him? He might have pull with the local paper."
"Hadn't thought about that. Maybe I will. In the meantime, I think I'd like to go out sometime. Feel like a burger or something later in the week?"
"Maybe. Let me know." Ashe nodded to Randy.
"I need to get back. I think Mom wants to unpack kitchen stuff." Randy stood.
"I’ll walk out with you. Maybe I’ll catch sight of the new vamps," Ashe grinned.
"Didn't see anything on the way in," Randy said, walking ahead of Ashe.
"Maybe we will this time." Ashe walked out of the house with Randy, then down the narrow street toward the house Randy and his mother had taken. Two vampires appeared at their side as if magic had breathed them onto the pavement.
"I can pull that trick too," Ashe said to no one in particular, causing one of the vampires to blink in surprise. Ashe wanted to laugh over getting a response from a stone-faced vampire, but he didn't. Neither vampire was Nathan—both of these were new to the neighborhood.
"I am Hector," the one who'd shown surprise said.
"I am Casimir, at your service," the other nodded to Ashe. Ashe knew, somehow, that Casimir might be older than any vampire he'd seen before. With the exception of Wlodek, of course. He wasn't tall—perhaps five-eight or so, with dark blond hair carefully brushed back from his forehead. He seemed to Ashe like an old-world gentleman, one who'd sat in a drawing room at one time or another and served brandy to his guests. Before he drank from them, of course.
Aedan drank bagged blood, but that convenience hadn't always been available. Vampires seldom killed their donors—their laws forbade it. Preservation of the race was paramount, after all. If a vampire killed a human and threatened exposure of the race, they were declared rogue and hunted. Ashe doubted if Casimir would ever be hunted. Hector, on the other hand—Ashe shook himself to get rid of the thoughts. Hector was taller and thin as a blade. His face was narrow, his nose hawkish. Darker-skinned than Casimir, Ashe imagined that Hector might have come from Turkish origins.
"Good to meet you," Ashe said. "I’m Ashe. But you know that already. This is Randy. He's going to work for the Corpus Christi newspaper." Ashe introduced his human acquaintance.
"Haven't gotten the job yet—have to interview first." Randy was nervous about being so close to strange vampires; Ashe sensed it.
"I’m walking Randy to his house," Ashe said. "Want to come?"